History

Journal History

Saturday, August 27, 2005 4:07 PM CDT

Hello Everyone-

We can't believe that summer is almost over and in less than a week the kids go back to school. It has quite the busy summer. We started off the summer with trips to the beach, the kids favorite event. We even went out to the shore...but the beach and water were full of Jelly Fish. Not to worry our older daughter said "We'll just catch them all". And catch them they did, not to mention a few stings along the way. Then it was off to Texas, a quick visit to see Big Ken's brother and family. Boy, was it hot!
We had many little family trips in there as well. With Big Ken having Fridays off, it was always family day. We visited alots of zoo! Some of the pictures are from the AWF in Goshen. The kids had so much fun...they loved feeding the baby animals. Oh so cute.

We will be ending the summer by spending a some time in Lake George at the L.G. camp site. The camp ground has the whole week planned as a carnival theme....it should be so much fun. The kids will miss two days of school since we start here in August. Lucky kids :))) All in all a wonderful summer!

We have some great news to share....Lil Kenny has been approved for his wish from Make a Wish. He asked to go on a boat with Mickey or for a real live Dino. Since they could not provide a Dino, he got his wish for a cruise with Mickey. They have asked for dates from us and they are in the stages of planning it. They said maybe as early as September - November. It is such an exciting time. The people from Make a Wish are so nice...we are so thankful for all their hardwork!

The kids are all ready for school, Kenny can't wait to see his teacher and friends....he will have the same teacher till he starts Kindergarten. Kyle starts this year too...I am going to be so lost with 2 hours to myself each day. The girls are not as excited to start school....7th and 8th grade means lots of work. Bryeanna has some really good friends in her class...Brandi did not get so lucky with no one she knows in her class. We told her to stay positive and use it to her advantage to make new friends. We are sure that before Christmas she will be having friends over...kids adjust so fast.

Lil Kenny is doing well. It looks like he is definately going to need surgery on his left eye lid. It continues to drop and is starting to cover his eye. Once it hinders his eyesight, he'll need the surgery. Probably within the next 6-12 months. He had a visit at Yale last month and all looks good...he will probably only be seen there one more time before heading to the Hero's clinic. Way to go Kenny!!! He continued with speech therapy over the summer and is improving nicely. He is really coming into his own with lots of questions and stories to tell. He had come so far.

Ken and I are doing great and heading towards our 6th anniversary. It really goes by fast...9 years total that we have been together...and still going strong!

We count our blessing each day as we are so extremely lucky. Thank you to everyone, we love you all.

Please don't forget to sign the guestbook. Thank you for stopping by to check in on Kenny. Hope to see you again soon.

Jen and Ken

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 10:08 AM CDT

Hi everyone-

Well I have finally added the Disney pictures. Sorry it toke so long but things have been crazy.

Kenny and Kyle came down with some kind of virus upon our return from Disney, but they are finally starting to feel better. Kenny is really enjoying school. I can't believe that it is summer in less than two months. Time sure does fly by.

Bryeanna and Brandi can't wait for summer and the beach. Our little sun goddess. They both are doing so well in school and we are so proud of them.

We have 7 new additions to our family. The day before we left for Disney we discovered our bunnies had babies. 6 in total and they are adorable. So sweet. Kyle received a tadpole for his birthday the day before we left too. So we now have 4 frogs and a tadpole. The kids have really been enjoying watching him grow. Special thanks to the Texas Nichol family. We love ya.

Please say a prayer for Kenny's friend Bobby who just underwent heart surgery. Any and all prayers for a healthy recovery are needed. His respiratory arrest on Sunday may have caused some liver and kidney damage, so all white light is appreciated.

We also ask for prayers for Zack's family. Zack was recently hospitalized after a severe accident and his family needs extra special prayers.

We also need prayers for our friends from Mass. Sean was diagnosised with NB just like Kenny and will be having Surgery on Wednesday, the 18th in New York with Dr. L. We love Dr. L (he did Kenny's major 71/2 hour surgery), he is a great doctor with hands from God. Please send extra prayers for Sean and his family. They have had a very rough year and any extra support is needed.

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY SCOTT!!!!!

Thank you to all our friends and family for every bit of support. We love you all.

Time for school so we have to run.

Love ya,

Jen (Ken and family)

Friday, May 6, 2005 8:57 PM CDT

Hi Everyone-

We just got back from Disney and what a trip. The kids loved every minute. It is hard to believe that it was 4 years ago, mid april, that we were in Disney celebrating Easter and life seemed so perfect. A new perfect little boy, two healthy happy 7 and 8 year beautiful girls and Disney. What more could a family ask for....life. A short time later we would be told that they did not know if our son would make it through the weekend.

Kenny pulled through and has been such a trooper and this past week we spent it in Dinsey loving, enjoying and cherishing every moment.

Kenny and Kyle loved Animal Kingdom and thought that the dino dig was the best part. The girls were fantastic (a huge help) and loved all the scary fast roller coasters with Dad (Moms a chicken for the fast, loopy stuff). The girls did break me at one point and I did ride a small coaster 2 times with time. AHHH, to be young and fearless again. :-))))

Kenny is already talking about how he can't wait to go back and stay in the "cabinet". Rather than staying in a hotel we tried a home away from home and stayed in a cabin in Disney in the Fort Wilderness Resort. AWESOME!!! Kenny kept calling the cabin a cabinet.....Definately one for the scrapbook!!! I guess we know what he will be asking Make a wish for. :-)))

Lots of other stuff is going on here, but I will have to update later as it is late. Check out the new pictures.

Thank you for all your continued prayers and good wishes.

Love ya all.

Jen

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:44 AM CST

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It has been a time since we last wrote. Kenny is growing in leaps and bounds. He had his CT Scan at Yale yesterday. We are so happy that things look great. The small amount of tumor in his spine is barely noticable. It did not get any bigger. YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Kenny's Oncologist wanted to try this CT Scan without any type of sedative....so we practice with Kenny through the month of December. We explained what would happen and went as far as putting him on the table and moving it back and forth. Kenny turned 4 on December 26th and at this tender age he was and still is extremely scared of the machine and the noises it makes. He knows as soon as we get to the waiting room what is about to happen. But.....

HE DID IT!!!! He was so brave and laid so still even after they put in an IV for the dyes and taped his arm down to a board so he could not move it. WAY TO GO BIG BOY!!!!!!

This is his last CT Scan unless something presents itself. He is scheduled to see Dr. Van Hoff again over the summer and then we will discuss transferring his case to a long term pediatric cancer specialist. Dr. Van Hoff explained that they deal with the issues regarding the long term effects of the chemo and treatments he received.

My Husband and I are trilled at no more CT Scan but yet that was our window into his body....as the doctor says, you can tell by looking at your child if he/she is ok or if something is wrong. Unfortunately we are aware of the signs to look for and we pray we will NEVER see them again. So on with life...

Kenny has started a three day a week preschool program. We are not sure if it was the tumor or six months on his back that caused him to have some speech delays, so two of the days he is in school he is receiving speech therapy. He is doing great and progressing well. Next year his younger brother will join in the preschool program. Time sure does fly by. What will I do with three hours to myself, three days a week..I will miss not having them home.

Kenny's sisters are both in Middle School, major adjustment for mom and dad, but they really love it. We look at Kenny and Kyle and think back to when Bryeanna and Brandi were that age. If only they could stay small forever. Bryeanna has brought up her grades this year and we are very proud of her. She is getting so tall...soon she'll be taller than mom. She loves music, dancing, frogs, piggies and playing with her brothers. Brandi is growing just as fast...looks like mom will be the short one. Brandi has a passion for horses and loves to choreograph dances for all to see. Those older boys better stay away or they'll have to deal with DaDa.

Kenny and I are doing well, living and enjoying each and everyday together with the children. We have learned how precious life is and never, ever to take one day for granted.

Our prayers and love go out to all the wonderful children and hard working families we have meet along this journey.
We ask for a special prayer for a little guy named Sean and his family....Sean is a triplet and was also diagnosised with Neuroblastoma. His family has lost alot this past year with the passing of his father and grandfather. Please pray for Ellen and the children, Tiffany, Scott Andrew, Sean, Kathleen and Heather.

Thank you for stopping by and See you soon!!

Jen and Ken

Saturday, February 21, 2004 9:48 AM CST

Hello Everyone-

It has been a really long time since we updated our page. Life here has been wonderful and we have been enjoying every minute of life with our family.

Kenny is doing great. He had a CT Scan in January 04. Great News, the small amount of tumor in his spine is barely noticeable. It has not grown any and appears to be getting smaller. We visit the Onc. every three months now and a urine test is done each time to check his levels. The Onc. said that he will not have another CT Scan until next January (2005). Which is great progress but also very scary. I guess in a way these CT Scans have been our window inside to make sure nothing new was growing. The Onc. says that we will be able to tell by looking at Kenny if anything new is happening. His eye is doing about the same, it looks like surgery will take place before kindergarten to raise the lid. (so not for 2 more years).

He turned 3 in December and is developing right on schedule. He knows his likes and dislikes and is not afraid to let you know exactly what he wants. He is the sweetest (byass parents of course) little boy ever. Any time Ken or I go out he makes sure to tell us to get either Mom a coffee or Dad a soda, Kyle (his brother) and tts (what he calls his sisters) a chocolate donut. It is amazing how little kids pick up on all your habits. :-)))))

On June 12, 2004 we will be involved in a wonderful fundraiser to support pediatric cancer research. Through our travels with this horrible disease we have meet an extrodinary little girl named Alex. She has been fighting this disease for 7 years now. She started her own lemonade stand years ago to help find a cure. There will be a lemonade stand in every state on June 12, 2004 all raising money to support pediatric cancer research. We will be holding one in New Milford, CT. We are from New Fairfield, CT. but felt we would have a better turn out in New Milford, CT. Her site is one of the one listed below.

Thank you for visiting Kenny's site and checking in on us. Please pray for all those fighting this horrible disease.

Visit us again soon.

Jen and Ken

Thursday, September 11, 2003 5:56 PM CDT

Well its hard to believe that it has been two years since that awful day when the terrorists brought down the towers. Jen and I will always remember where we were when the towers were first hit. We were on our way to Yale for one of Kenny's chemo treatments. Listening to everything unfold on the radio was unbelievable. We continue to pray for the innocent victims of the trajedy and their families.

Kenny is doing quite well. His last scan in June was clean and he continues to progress. He has been "phrasing" for a couple of months now and he continues to expand his vocabulary. His most common phrases are. "Please Dadda outside ride truck", "Dadda back home soon", "Kyle No Bite Kenny" "Kenny do...big boy" "come down steps" and many more.

Kenny is a wonderful older brother to Kyle (our youngest) and always lights up when he sees him. He also is especially fond of his sisters who he can finally differentiate verbally with "Bandi" and "Bana".

His mother Jen and I continue to see many friends we have met through our Neuroblastoma support group lose their kids to this awful disease. Madison, Kim, recently and so many more. Jen and I are mindful that we are truly lucky. However, we are mindful that we are one bad Ct Scan or one bad visit from starting our battle again, and we will never forget that.

I'll sign in again when we have more news. Thanks for visiting.

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 11:36 AM CDT

Hello to all-

I know it has been about six months since we last updated Kenny's page....we have been so busy enjoying everyday with our 2 1/2 year old. Kenny is doing really well. He is scheduled for another CT Scan on Friday, July 11th. Hopefully all will go well. As he is getting older he is really starting to understand what happens when we visit Yale. He knows when Sadie (the women who takes his blood, and let me tell you she is awesome....) comes out that its time for his blood to be drawn and he flips out. He does not want to go through the doors. He screams and fights until she pulls the needle out, but he's always polite, he never forgets to say Thank You with a half smile and heads for the door. We explain to him the best we can that it is just a pinch and will be over soon but he still can't quite understand. We experience a similar reaction at each CT Scan just intensified by 10.

Kenny is such a sweet boy...we still don't understand how a little one can go through so much yet still be so happy and love everyone and everything so much. He gives hugs and kisses to everyone, can't wait to see his sisters and brother each morning, can not get enough of his daddy and a day would not be complete if he could not ride his motorized car at high speed with daddy trailing behind him. We are so truly blessed.

We can't thank everyone enough for all the continued prayers and support...without you we would be so lost. We need to ask that your prayers also be extented to a neuroblastoma friend, Lance. He is much older than Kenny but is in need of alot of prayers. This disease can be so cruel, we happen to be lucky ones.

Thank you again for visiting Kenny's site. Please sign his guestbook and e-mail us anytime.

We love you all-

Ken, Jen, Kenny and family :-)

Wednesday, December 25, 2002 at 06:03 PM (CST)

Well today is Christmas Day 2002. Tomorrow Kenny will be Two Years Old!! Jen and I can definately remember when we never thought we would get Kenny to the age of 2. He had a clean scan 12-11-2002. The oncologist said after reviewing the scan that you could easily miss the small amount of tumor remaining in his spine, and that it likely may be scar tissue.

Kenny is now in his own bed!! And continues to sleep 12 hours a night. We are very excited for tomorrow, and we count our blessings every day. His newest words are "Ho Ho" (for santa). Julie, "Abby Stop Barking", please and "thank you". He also LOVES to say "nick" for his grampa nick and Pat (although he has a little more trouble with that) (my parents) and ammie & poppa for his maternal grandparents.

Nothing really new to report, I hope everyone has a wonderful, healthy, and safe holiday season.

Monday, October 14, 2002 at 07:17 PM (CDT)

Well, it has been a LONG time since I have updated this site. Kenny is doing very well. He is 21 months old. His last CT scan was in June, 2002. His next scan is in December. What a wonderful early christmas present it would be for a clean ct scan!! Kenny's new words are: Apple, Happy, Kenny, ouch, and many more. His first few phrases are coming through now as well. "Please down" and "outside abby..outside" also "my juice" came out today for the first time.

He also saw the eye doctor this week as well. The droopy lid is the same and may need minor surgery when he is around 4. The right eye slight "palsy" is no better and no worse, so we are hoping that resolves itself. Both of these eye related problems are mild and really don't slow him down at all.

I will update you again at his next CT scan in december, hopefully with more good news....thanks for listening

Saturday, May 18, 2002 at 10:15 AM (CDT)

Kenny had his check-up recently and everything went well. His next Cat Scan is in June. His left eye-lid still droops slightly, and he has some slight nerve damage in his stomach from the operation. These are both minor and will likely fix themselves. The nerves in one part of his stomach are just weak and when he crys one side pushes out more than the other. Its hardly noticeable and its really nothing. Kenny LOVES his new brother and constantly follows his sisters around the house (he calls them TT's). When asked if he's tired and wants to go to sleep he says nite nite and walks to his crib!! He is still napping twice a day and sleeps 11-12 hours per night. He is an absolute joy. Walking and talking. His newest words are Hi, Nite Nite, Cheese, and Drop.

Follow-up wise he still has a small piece of the tumor (about the size of a finger-nail) in his spine but we will just watch it closely. It shouldn't affect him and hopefully will eventually just melt away.

Thanks for listening. We will keep you posted.

Saturday, April 13, 2002 at 07:16 PM (CDT)

Hello Everyone:

I just got off the phone with Dr. Laquaglia (Kenny's surgeon). He had forwarded Kenny's March CT Scan to our local Oncologist at Yale New Haven Hospital. Our Yale Onc said he saw a small spot in Kenny's spine. It is very small and may only be scar tissue but is something that remains from the original tumor. I contacted Dr. Laquaglia because Sloan never mentioned the spot and I wanted their opinion. Dr. L explained that the spot is within the bony structure of the spine that protects the cord, and cannot be reached from the chest. He said that could only be accessed from the back via a "lamenectomy". He said they will get an MRI to determine if it is viable NB or maybe just scar tissue. He said either way they do NOT recommend surgery to remove it, he said they will just watch it closely and hopefully see it go away.

Dr. L was very upbeat, and said that these small spots usually once cut off from the blood supply just disappear over time. He said the MRI should confirm whether its scar tissue or ganglioneuroma, etc etc. He also wants to go to monthly cataclomines instead of the quarterly that the protocol calls for. Most importantly Kenny is better than ever, and seems to get stronger daily.

I will keep you all posted, I just wanted to tell you all the new information. Thanks for listening.

None Neuroblastoma information is Kenny's brother was born 04-08-2002. Kyle Byron Nichol. He was 7 pounds 9 ounces. Kenny is walking with ease, saying words like juice, peaches, light, and the always steady Mama, Da Da, Wa Wa, and Ba ba.

Talk to you soon.

Saturday, March 23, 2002 at 06:29 PM (CST)

Wednesday 03-20-2002 Kenny had his post surgery follow-up Cat Scan.

It is with great relief that I inform you a preliminary review indicates the scan is CLEAN. We are SO pleased!! Dr. Laquaglia indicated that everything looks great. His Hva, Vma, and dopamine levels were all within normal ranges. (those are his tumor markers)

Also, Dr. Susan Cohn (a leader in Neuroblastoma research) recently informed us that the recur rates for stage 3 non n-myc amplified tumors that are completely resected are less than 10%. So statistics are in our favor but it still isn't peace of mind. Neuroblastoma has probably robbed us of that forever. However, we are really thrilled with the news and we are going to let ourselve enjoy this!! Kenny now has a great shot at being a normal 14 month old.

More good news, he began walking a few weeks ago (despite everything he was right on schedule), and his hair has returned and is getting very thick. You really would hardly know this kid was ever sick.

For the next two years especially, he will be closely monitored for recurrence. Monthly, they will check his urine for the tumor markers and he will get Cat Scans every three months. After the first two years, his statistics improve even more and the amount of scans reduce to yearly. The follow-up is governed by a national protocol for Neuroblastoma, and the Doctors are required to follow it strictly.

I'll update more when I have time, but his parents are THRILLED with the news. Thanks to everyone for listening and praying for Kenny.

Monday January 28, 2002 1:13 PM CST

Well, we just returned from our follow-up appointment with Dr. Laquaglia and the news is ALL good. The Bone Marrow Aspirations were negative (so no spread to the bone marrow), the pathology report indicates that the tumor was ganglioneuroblastoma which indicates the tumor was still alive and had combined with nerve cells and dead tissue. Ganglion is a benign tumor which Neuroblastoma eventually becomes with either enough Chemo or enough time (if the tumor doesn't kill you first). Gaglion-neuroblastoma is a combination of calcified tumor mass and live NB cells. This fact makes it even more evident that a more complete surgery was the best choice since if we went with Yale's proposal Kenny would now be facing his second surgery on his right chest!! Even with both surgeries we STILL wouldn't have gotten all the tissue out. The next step is the Cat Scan in 3 weeks. Then we go for occasional Cat Scans to rule out new tumors and nothing more!! Also, if all goes well with the CT then they should schedule an appointment to remove his central line (brovaic). Anyway, we are very very pleased with the latest reports from the lab and Dr. Laquaglia thought Kenny looked great and had no concerns! I'll update again soon when I have more time.

Wednesday January 16, 2002 7:19 PM CST

Click on the Camera. The new picture at the top is from Today. This is the first picture we EVER have taken that shows Kenny tumor free. Sloan Oncologists have assured us based on the size of the tumor when he was 5 months old that he was born with the mass!! Neuroblastoma tumors are incapable of growing fast enough to be larger than a grapefruit in 5 months! Hope you enjoy. Pretty scary to even think about it, but I guess its easier to swallow now that the tumor is gone.

Wednesday January 16, 2002 6:37 PM CST

Well our first half day home was wonderful. Kenny is still very very sore but it was very clear that he was happy to be home! Our neighbor brought him a get well balloon that he played with for almost an hour! We really realize how lucky we are to have him home and on the mend. He still needs motrin and an occasional tylenol with codeine but his pain management is pretty good. Thanks again to everyone for all the love and support.

Wednesday January 16, 2002 12:29 AM CST

We were discharged Today!!! Kenny is still sore but has started to crawl and even pull himself to a stand. He is sleeping on my shoulder now so I will email again with more information, but we are thrilled!!

Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 03:50 PM (CST)

Well, its Sunday evening and we are being transferred!! We are heading back to Sloan to the Pediatric Observation Room (called the Poo). Kenny was a little cranky until Dr. Laquaglia gave him Motrin with the Morfine and the smiles started coming. He has also had visits in the last two days from his sisters, Grandparents (both sides), and Aunt Laurie. It was very nice of all of them to make the long trip and really lifted Jen, Ken, and Kenny's spirits. We are very excited to be leaving ICU. Anyway, Kenny is borderline feverish so they are watching him close for possible infection, but unless the tempature gets worse this is unlikely. We hope to head home Tuesday but the Doctors want Kenny to move around more first, and right now that is just too painful for him. Hopefully, time will ease the discomfort and he will start moving around soon. I'll email again if I can get to a computer at Sloan.

Saturday, January 12, 2002 at 06:00 PM (CST)

Well its Saturday night and Kenny had another good day. He is breathing comfortably on his own and they have removed nearly all the tubes!! They should move us to a general floor back at Sloan sometime tomorrow or Monday at the latest. Jen and I are OVERWHELMED by all the wonderful messages, prayers, and support. Kenny is so lucky (as are his parents) to have all of these wonderful people rooting for us. I plan on printing everything and showing it to him when he's older so he knows both what he endured and the huge support system of family and friends. I'll try and send another message with more news tomorrow. Thanks again for all the support. The news is all good today, he is doing very well, and took another big step towards getting home!!

Saturday, January 12, 2002 at 05:04 AM (CST)

Okay we are now 71 hours post operation. Kenny had a good first night of breathing on his own. He is very congested,hoarse, and sore but this is all normal after having a breathing tube down your throat for 3 days. He needs some blow by oxygen and some occasional Albuteral treatments to expand his wind pipe, but otherwise is breathing quite well. He has even started to smile when he wakes up and sees his parents!! We cannot thank everyone enough for all the kind thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. His parents are feeling SO much better that a machine does not need to breathe for Kenny. We'll take the next few days one step at a time, but are SO happy. NO TUMOR and on the road to recovery. I'll update again soon.

Friday, January 11, 2002 at 06:56 PM (CST)

Well, FINALLY 72 hours from his surgery Kenny was excabated sucessfully and is breathing comfortably on his own!! We are very very pleased! He has opened his eyes and has uttered a very hoarse "Ma Ma". It has been a rough few days of post operative complications (collapsed lung, fluid retention, adverse reaction to a pain medication, and overall total sedation). All of these factors proved to be "obstacles" to Kenny success. These appear to be in the past now and we are moving forward!! If all continues to go well the chest tube will be removed tomorrow and after 24 hours of sucessful breathing he should be moved back to Sloan and on a regular floor. But, that is jumping the gun. Today was a big step and we will take it from there. Thanks so much to everyone, we were quite concerned but things have taken a good turn. I'll update again as soon as I can sneak on a computer!!

Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 05:08 AM (CST)

Well its thursday morning, exactly 36 hours from his surgery. Kenny has been doing okay. Yesterday was not as productive as hoped based on his chest tube clogging which made it difficult to breathe. They were able to put in another tube which relieved the fluid. The tube is still draining and we are hopeful that it is all "post operative fluid" and not the return of the dreaded "Chyle" fluid. He has also been running a fever which is relatively normal for this type of surgery. Todays goal is get him off the ventilator and breathing on his own. We are learning to set one goal per day and try to attain it. Otherwise, Kenny is doing well, and we are still mindful that we should still count our blessings. No tumor, no bleeding, all major organs functioning. They are also balancing his pain management, which is difficult because you want him comfortable, but you also want him not so "snowed" that he needs the ventilator to breathe. I'll put in another update tonight with hopefully even better news. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers because he still has a few hills to climb in this battle. Thanks for listening.

Wednesday, January 09, 2002 at 08:20 AM (CST)

The operation is complete and he got ALL THE TUMOR OUT. Kenny is resting comfortably. He is still on the ventilator, they hope to remove the tube this afternoon so he can start breathing on his own. He is still swollen after a 7.5 hour surgery but we are not complaining. For the first time in his life, he is free of CANCER!!! The surgeon was just amazing!! He even found more tumor that the scans didn't show and removed that. Everything appears to be functioning, i.e. arms & legs moving and no major bleeding. Mom & Dad are on top of the world!! Kenny is still in ICU but we hope to move out by tomorrow to a regular floor. I'll update you more when I can. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

Ken

Friday, January 04, 2002 at 11:36 AM (CST)

Okay we are scheduled for an appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on Monday January 7, 2002, at 9:00am. He will likely have some tests done, blood drawn, and meet with the neuroblastoma team, and then with the Surgeon. If all goes well, the surgery to remove as much tumor as possible will likely be on Tuesday. We are nervous, excited, and apprehensive. Most of all though, we are determined to get him through this. We know this is a necessary step needed to get to rid of this evil disease, so were ready. We may go into the city Sunday night depending on the timing of the storm. We are needed at Sloan at 8am Monday so we may not want to get up at 5am to get there in a snow/ice/rain storm. Thats only a small possibility right now. I'll keep everyone posted!!

Thursday, December 27, 2001 at 07:00 AM (CST)

Hello everyone, we are SO EXCITED. Kenny's HVA, VMA, and Dopamine levels (tumor markers) came back all in the normal range! This is the first time ever that he passed all 3. Yale ONC feels this is a very good sign that the tumor in finally dead!! Also, scans have been sent fed ex to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Everything is rounding into place. I'll keep everyone posted. We also have a meeting with Yale surgeons and a Bone Scan this week.

Saturday, December 22, 2001 at 08:28 AM (CST)

The latest news is that Kenny's MRI showed the nasty tumor is much smaller. Yale surgeons have proposed to remove the left side mass and test it for live cells. If it comes back alive then go back in one month later to remove the right side mass. If the test comes back as dead tumor then they plan to leave the mass and watch it. We are planning to go to Sloan for a second opinion on surgical options for Kenny. We are still very pleased by this news.

Click here to go back to the main page.

----End of History----