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Parker's Page
The newest Yankee!
On July 9, 2002 Parker was almost 3 years old when diagnosed with Philadelphia Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. (Now 8 years old, August 5, 2007). Only 4% of ALL's are Philadelphia positive. This Philadelphia chromosome makes it a much more aggressive type of leukemia and requires a more intense chemotherapy regimen. A drug called Gleevec was given in the hopes that it would be a cure. However, doctors across the nation are now seeing patients relapse on this drug. The only cure now is a bone marrow transplant. On Feb 1, 2005, we jumped ship and headed to the University of Duke Medical Center in North Carolina for a 6/6 unrelated cord blood transplant. Parker received his new cells on March 23, 2005. Please read the daily journals below to see how Parker is doing.
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2005 Schedule for treatment:
Feb. 22, start anibiotics
Mar. 3, central line installed
Mar. 14, day number -9, TBI began (total body radiation)
Mar. 18, admitted into the hospital
Mar. 19, day -4, begin chemo
Mar. 21, Richard has surgery to get central line
Mar. 23, day 0, TRANSPLANT
Apr. 21, Richard has surgery to remove central line
Apr. 26, Day 34 is last day in the hospital
Jul. 15, Day 114 Parker has surgery to remove central line
Jul. 27, Day 126 discharge from Duke Medical Center
Aug. 3, Day 133 Back home for clinic at Children's Hospital of Central California
Oct. 3, Day 194 Duke Medical Center for 6 month checkup
Dec. 13, Day 262 Duke Medical Center for 9 month checkup
2006 Schedule for treatment:
Apr. 4, Day 378 Duke Medical Center for 12 month checkup
Apr. 11, Day 385 Duke Medical Center for continued 12 month checkup
Oct. 11, Day 575 Duke Medical Center for 18 month checkup
2007 Schedule for treatment:
Apr. 3, 2007 Day 741 Duke Medical Center for 24 month checkup
Oct. 9, 2007 Day 923 Duke Medical Center for 30 month checkup
2008 Schedule for treatment:
Mar. 18, 2008 Day 1098 Duke Medical Center for 36 month checkup
Parker's Corporate Angel giving he and his dad a lift to his 36 month checkup.
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Here is a list of children we've met that could use your prayers and support. Just click on the links below and when you get there, please consider leaving a few words of encouragement.
Alex, Alexia, AJ, Amelia Grace, Bailey, Caleb, Courtney,
Donovan, Evanosky Family, Grant, * Isaiah,
* Joshua, * Jared, Karagin, Maddy, Mason, * Meredith, Micah Joshua,
Micah, Michael, IronMike, Miranda, * Noah, Parker B., Rhyan,
Ryan, Sherilyn, Spencer Rocket, Tatem Family, * Taylor,
* Same diagnosis as Parker
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Normal Range for Blood Counts:
WBC=5.0-10.0
HGB=11.5-13.5
Plts=150,000-300,000
ANC= >1000
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New pictures 3/27/2008
 Take me to.....Parker's Team - Fresno
Journal
Saturday, May 3, 2008 5:55 PM CDT WOW! Has it really been over a MONTH since I’ve updated?!!! Incredible!
Well, the boys have been deep into baseball season and it has been a total blast for us to watch them enjoying themselves so much. Parker gets a kick out of all the action of playing in the infield and he is on the Yankees (pitching machine). Connor has fallen in love with playing catcher for his T-Ball team, the Astros. We pretty much have baseball 5 days a week and unfortunately the cycling team had to take the back burner for awhile. Grandpa is still training and planning on riding the Washboard 100 next weekend with “Parker’s Team”. It’s so cool to watch that team grow into well over 200 members now and raising money for some of our favorite charities!
Medically, Parker seems to be doing well. He started his growth hormone therapy shots about 2 weeks ago. By the 3rd day, he was giving himself his own shots! Also about 2 weeks ago, Dr. K increased his med that is supposed to get rid of his warts on his hands and neck (which are a virus and he got due to his weak immune system). They are drying up nicely, but it is apparently a very slow process. His Graft vs. Host rash in his skin is almost gone. Our new concerns are that Parker has had an increase in tiredness and has even been dosing off in class. Today (Saturday) Parker took an unexpected 3 ˝ hour nap! He also has started snoring! So, we don’t know if it was the increase in the wart medication, or the new hormone shots that are the culprit. I’ve emailed Dr. K and we will call the endocrinologist on Monday. He has a clinic appointment on Wednesday, so hopefully we’ll have this figured out by the end of the week.
Richard is busy studying for the Bar exam, so I’ve been pretty much the single mom. It’s AMAZING how busy 2 strapping boys can keep you! I sooooo need a vacation, but wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!
Fun story of the week;
Parker and I went to Starbucks last Saturday morning and were sitting in the drive-thru when he yelled, “OH, MAN! Mom, we should come back at 10 o’clock! It says that they are having a clearance sale! There’s a sign!” I looked everywhere and didn’t see a sign. He said, “Look, it’s up there above the drive-thru! It says ‘Clearance 10.0!”
I was laughing so hard I could barely order my coffee!
Keeping the FAITH!
Love,
Melissa and the boys
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Patient Room: Home
Links: http://www.cencalblood.org Central California Blood Center
http://www.newhopechurch.net Parker's Church Web Site
http://smilequilt.com/parker.html Smile Quilts
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