History

Journal History

Monday, July 26, 2004 10:10 AM CDT

Hello to all. It has been a while since I have updated Joshua's website, so I am sorry for that. Joshua is doing well. He will be repeating kindergarden, so him and his sister Xeyla will be in kindergarden together. Joshua just had a visit to the doctor's in Orlando. They are still impressed to see him. Joshua will be going to Miami to see a Neuropsychologist to have another Neuropsyche Evaluation done, to hopefully have the help needed for him while he is in school. We still go to NYC every six months, and according to Joshua, we go to see his girlfriend Dyonne!! Our next trip will be at the end of September. Other than that, we have been trying to enjoy a little bit of normality, if that is even possible. Joshua lives in the pool!! His favorite activity. I think he is part fish, as well as his siblings!! I am eagerly awaiting for school to start, but in some ways, I am not. It will be too quiet around the house. For now, thank you for your prayers and God Bless.
Don't forget to sign his guestbook.

Hugs,
Tracy

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 3:20 PM CST

Hello to all. Well, we made it to NYC and back safely. I can say that I was a little worried with the war starting, but we did well. Joshua saw three different doctor's in NYC this time. He saw the neuroblastoma team, the late term side affects specialist, and he went to NYU for a neuropsychy evaluation. At this present time we do not have any of his test results from the neuroblastoma team. Joshua will be seeing the late term side affects specialist every six months for the rest of his life. They gave me a handy medical card for Johsua, which shows all his chemo's, transplant, radiation, surgery, etc. This card also shows which system each chemo affects and how often and what testing is required. I thought it was pretty neat, I have always wanted a card like that. It is not a small card, but none the less I have it. As far as the evaluation done at NYU, we do not have the actual results, just a general, but I will be receiving that in the mail later. We were told that Joshua will need immediate speach and occupational therapy. He will also need to be tested for physical therapy to see if it is needed. Over all, he is doing well, back at home terrorizing his siblings. That's my baby!! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at the email address below. Also, don't forget to sign his guestbook. Thanks to all, and lots of hugs and kisses!!

Tracy

Monday, January 06, 2003 at 10:53 PM (CST)

Happy New Year to all! I can say that this holiday season was more that we expected. The kids had one of the best Christmas’s ever.
We have the results from our trip to NY in December. All of his scans were neuroblastoma negative. Although he is still HAMA negative, if you do no know what that means or the terminology associated with the treatment – feel free to email me or scroll through earlier journals. March will be his last testing for HAMA, and if it is not negative, he will no longer be able to receive the 3F8 treatment.
Since our last visit in August, three boys have died that we knew very well. One of the boy’s lived within one mile of us. At this time, Joshua is the only child in Brevard County with neuroblastoma.
While in NY, I asked the doctor, “How many adult neuroblastoma survivors do you have?” His response was, “We have adult survivors, but none that were diagnosed with stage 4.” This is the stage that Joshua was diagnosed in.
There are three oncology specialists in neuroblastoma at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, and in the state of Florida, there are none. I value their input, even though it may crush my spirit.
Our next visit to NY will be in March. We already have appointments set for us. In March, Joshua will have a 2-year work up from the neuroblastoma team, which will include more testing than usual. Also, he will see a Late Term Side Effects Specialist, and which I asked the team if they knew how much testing they would be doing, they told me that they wouldn’t know until we arrived and they saw him. I hope we can get open ended tickets to New York!!
Since January first, Joshua woke up vomiting and with fever. Today is January 6th, and he is still running a fever, no more vomiting, but still has me worried. Joshua is 2 &1/2 years from bone marrow transplant, and he has all his immunizations, but as his mother, I cannot help but worry. Since the new year, my days have been consumed with worry, not knowing if this is a sign or just a childhood virus. It is hard to know, and as a mother of a cancer patient I cannot help but to feel better to be overly cautious.
I will post soon on what is going on with Joshua, how he is feeling, and what is going on with him now.
God Bless all of you!! Joshua may not be able to read his guest book right now, but someday soon he will, so sign his guest book, knowing that your love and kindness makes a difference in a child. Who knows, one day he may email you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at the address listed below.
Thanks for your kindness and support. Who knows where we would be without all of you!!

Many Hugs!!
Tracy Jimenez

Friday, December 13, 2002 at 11:33 PM (CST)

Hello to all,
We just got home last night from New York for Joshua's scheduled scans. So far, we only know that his bone scan is normal. The rest of the test results will be within a week or two. When I receive those results, I will let you know. Our trip went well, Joshua didn't want to leave New York, and his "Dionne", that is his girlfriend. So much has happened, but thankfully we are greatful that the Lord is watching out for us. Our bleek holiday is turning into a wonderful holiday.
One thing that I do want to say is that my heart goes out to Dreau's family, Hunter's family, Jacob's family, and Trinity's family, and to the others that have passed in the past 3 months. These precious angels have touched my life in ways that you cannot understand. God is now watching over them, and taking care of them this holiday. God Bless thier families. I am almost speachless writing this.
Once I hear of news, I will let you all know about Joshua and what is going on with him. He will be going back to NY in March for a 2 year work up, and at that time he will see the Late Term Side Effects Specialist, and we don't know what testing he will want done, I was told that they won't know until they see Joshua in March. So for now, Happy Holidays to all, and Thanks for all your prayers.

Many Hugs,
Tracy

Thursday, August 29, 2002 at 09:10 AM (CDT)

Hello to all. Well, it has been a busy few months, for most of you that know me know what I am talking about. We went to NYC for Joshua's routine checkup, and all the tests came back NED. We will return to NYC in December, and at that time he will be seeing a long term side effects specialist. He will be seeing this specialist because of the high doses of chemo he received, and the long term side effects from that. Over all Joshua is doing well. He will be getting the rest of his shots, and probably begin school. He will be scheduled within the next 2 weeks for surgery to remove his port. They have not been able to get a blood return from the port, and when we were in NYC, when they went to flush his port, the saline went in the subcutaneous tissue in his shoulder, therefore making the port unusable. We will not be putting in another port, unless he gets a HAMA negative reading, and he needs treatment. Thanks so much for your prayers, and support.
God Bless.

Tracy

Friday, March 29, 2002 at 07:04 AM (CST)

Well, we are getting ready to head back to NYC for more testing. This time, I am a little less worried. Joshua had a stomach flu that he couldn't shake, and it did scare me enough to ask his Ped. to do a CT scan on his abdomen. Those test results were normal. Now, we are praying for the rest of his testing to come back normal. Also, we are praying for safe flights to and from NYC. Joshua is doing absolutely wonderful, he is just as normal as anyone else. I can say that he is truly my miracle baby. I thank God for him, and the rest of my crew!!

Friday, January 04, 2002 at 06:46 PM (CST)

Happy New Year to all. We just got home a few days ago. Joshua was in New York for his routine checkup. All of the testing came back normal. Dr. Cheung said that they may only see him every 4 months, instead of every 3 months. Also he said that next year at this time, things would change for Joshua, since he would be 3 years post diagnosis. He still has a HAMA, so we will await the next testing to see if the HAMA finally goes away. But, Joshua has not had any treatment since the antibody treatment in March 2001, and he is NED(no evidence of disease). We thank God for that. We will be heading back to New York either in March or April, or sooner if we get a HAMA negative. Until then, keep up the prayers for NED status.

God Bless and Happy New Year.

Tracy

Monday, November 12, 2001 at 12:08 AM (CST)

Well hello to all. I just wanted to let everyone know that we will be heading back to New York again soon. But, before we go, Nov. 16th, Joshua will be going into the OR(operating room) for dental work. He has some real problems with his teeth right now, and hopefully, by Friday afternoon, that will be a thing of the past. He will undergo anesthesia, so that is always a big deal.
We are looking at heading to New York around the 16th of Dec. There is a local santa clause, and the Florida Today newspaper that will be going with us. They will be visiting all the children at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and take them some things. So, before everyone starts their holiday festivities, say a little prayer for Joshua that all is normal on his scans. We still need prayers for a HAMA negative, so that he can get his next treatment. For now, he is doing well, gave us a scare last week, but I am feeling much better.
On Dec. 23rd, will be the 2 year mark since Joshua was diagnosed. I am blessed to say that he is with us today and doing well. That in itself is a miracle. Thank You Jesus!!
I will update when I know news of his test results.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving ALL!! Don't eat too much turkey.

Remember, if you need to get in touch with me, please feel free to email me at the address below, and don't forget to sign his guestbook.

Sending lots of Hugs,
Tracy

Saturday, October 06, 2001 at 01:19 AM (CDT)

Hello to all. Well, I can say I am still recovering from the attacks on this country. Joshua and I arrived in New York on Sept. 16th 2001. I had much confidence in the airlines that we would make it there and back safely. We did, of course. I did believe that God is not done with me just yet!! But things went smoothly in New York. We went down to where the World Trade Center used to stand. We got about a block away. What a site. We did take some video of our trip there. The people in New York were just so kind, they were more worried about us, flying, than about themselves. I felt alot of care and concern from everybody up there. I am so glad we went. Well, I just got the call today about Joshua's testing. When we were in New York for the 6 weeks, there was a questionable spot where the tumor originated from, PET scans were odered that did turn up negative, well, they do see some shrinkage of that area!! When we were in New York this time, Joshua was allowed to have his bone scan and his MIBG scan done without sedation. I can say that he did extremely well for a 3 year old. He did lay still, but not perfeclty. There was a spot on his skull that was detected from the bone scan. That could be from movement, or just a bump on his head, and with so many other sibling, that is a posibility. But I can say that we have had a panic from a bone scan before, so at this time, I am not worried. Dr. Cheung said that he wanted Joshua to have sedation in December with his bone scan to make sure that the test is accurate. I can understand that!! It just makes longer days, and a crankier child. But all else is well. At this time Joshua is still NED(no evidence of disease), and in Jesus name, we pray he stays that way. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me at the address below.

Thanks so much,
God Bless you All,
God Bless America,
Hugs!!
Tracy

Thursday, September 06, 2001 at 08:23 AM (CDT)

Hello to everyone. I just wanted to let everyone know that we will be heading to New York on the 16th of September. Joshua will be going for routine scans which include, BMA, Biopsies, CT(from head to pelvis), bone scan, and MIBG scan. We will be returning home on the 21st if all goes as planned. Joshua is still HAMA positive, and we will be discussing that with the docs to see what his future treatment possibilities could be. Other than that, all is well, we had a little scare with him, where there was some blood in his urine. After a little bit of panic, a call to his onc(at 12:30am), and some testing by his pediatritian, he is just being inquisitive!! Sheesh!! What a relief. For our next trip to New York, keep us in your prayers for a safe trip, and for normal results from the testing. Thanks so much. We are sending lots of hugs and kisses!! God Bless.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at the email address listed below.

Thanks,
Tracy

Thursday, August 02, 2001 at 12:09 AM (CDT)

Hello to all. Joshua was the perfect child for me for his CT scans. If you know Joshua, you know that he is the one that attracts all the attention, well we went for his CT scans, and you would have never noticed him. When they went to access his port, he just laid there, ever so still. He didn't even flinch when they accessed him. That is a "first"!! After he did so well, well, he was supposed to be sedated, but I requested that they hold sedation, and see if we could get through the scan without it. Well, Joshua didn't move an inch. He did so well!! I can say it was the smoothest CT ever. He even drank the yukky contrast!! He was such a good boy!! And the results are in, and the CT scans were "normal". Praise God for that!!! The next thing on the list, is Joshua will begin his re-immunizations post-transplant. Once a child is 12 months post-transplant, they can be re-immunized, provided the proper testing is done to ensure his immune system is able to handle it. Joshua's immune system is "normal" for his condition. What I mean by that is, his immune system is the best it has been since diagnosis, but compared to you and me, it is that of a new born baby. This is a good thing for him, he will start his re-immunizations on 08-02-01. All of his immunizations will be non viral, so his MMR and Chicken Pox vaccine will not be given at this time. Once Joshua is 18 months post transplant, they will retest his titers and decide then if he can handle the live virus immunizations. WHEW!! I got all that out. I am so excited, it is like starting over, but I can just drive down the street to have this done, not hours away!! Joshua's next HAMA testing will be done around the 3rd week of August, and his next definite trip to New York will be in September. But we are praying that we go sooner, with a HAMA negative reading in August. Keep that in your prayers, miracles do happen, he is one, and he needs this next one desperately. Thanks so much for your support and prayers. If you need any more information, please feel free to contact me at the email address below.

Thank You and God Bless,
Tracy

Tax deductible contributions can be made to:
Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless
C/O Baby Joshua
P.O. Box 2201
Cocoa, Fl 32923

Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 09:15 AM (CDT)

Hello to all. Just a slight change in plans for Joshua. But, not one that is minded. Joshua did not get his next HAMA testing done in July. The day before we were scheduled to go to Orlando for the HAMA blood draw, I received a phone call from New York telling me to wait another month. So, Joshua will go for his next HAMA testing in August. For now, he is scheduled for CT scans in Orlando on Monday July 30th. At this time his next round of testing in New York will be in September. We are still awaiting his first HAMA negative reading. Hopefully in August that is what we will see. We are still on hold for the second round of treatment until we get that HAMA negative. As far as how Joshua is doing, well he is a very active 3 year old. He runs around, plays hard, swims, gets in trouble, like a 3 year old is supposed to do. It is nice to have him home and with the family.
Remember to keep him in your prayers for the next CT scans, and for HAMA negative results from his blood test.

Thanks to all,
Many Hugs!!
Tracy

Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at 06:49 PM (CDT)

Well, another trip to New York, and another return from New York. Our week there was pretty eventless, only Joshua and I went this time. Joshua took sedation a little harder this time, and having his port acessed really drove him nuts. He would walk around telling everyone he had a booboo. It was cute, but he wouldn't put his arm down onto where he was accessed. He has never been like that before, but I think he is getting older and some things do change. The tests done in New York were Bone Marrow Aspirates, Biopsies, Bone Scan, MIBG Scan, and VMA-HMA. I tried to find out the results of these tests before we left, but I was unable to get any answers. So, I had to wait until now to find out how those tests were. In all of the testing, no evidence of disease was found. The testing was negative for Neuroblastoma. Praise God!! Joshua has returned home and he is back to spending countless hours in the pool. His energy levels are fantastic. It is nice to be home again!! Thank you for keeping Joshua in your prayers. All those prayers help keep all of us here.
The next thing going on is that Joshua will have a CT scan of his abdomen and pelvis, and July 23rd, he will go for his next HAMA testing. So for now, we will enjoy some time at home. Keep Joshua in your prayers again in July for HAMA negative results so that he can go for his next round of treatment.

Many Hugs,

Tracy

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the email address below.

Sunday, June 03, 2001 at 11:21 PM (CDT)

Well hello to all. Just wanted to let you know that we are not in New York. Joshua developed swimmers ear, spiked a fever, thus postponing our trip to New York for testing. But he did get to see his "regular" pediatritian for the fever!! Therefore we will be heading to New York on the 16th of June.
There is an upside to this, beings that Joshua's birthday is June 4th, well, he was home for that. That was totally unexpected, we were expecting to be in New York for his birthday, and we were home. This is the first time in 2 years we have been home for his birthday. He was so excited, he really loved the part where everyone sang happy birthday to him. He liked that part better than the presents. He is a unique one!! But it was fantastic, lots of food, games, a DJ, just loads of fun in the Florida sun!!
So now Joshua is 3 and also disease free. We thank God everyday for that. We are very fortunate to have him in our life.
For now, thanks so much for all your support and all the prayers. Keep them coming as we get ready for the next set of scans.

Many hugs,
Tracy Jimenez

Friday, May 25, 2001 at 10:38 PM (CDT)

Hello to all. Joshua had his HAMA testing done in Orlando this week. The results of the testing are that he still has a HAMA. We were told that he would not be tested for two months because his HAMA levels were high. So now he goes for the test every two months. As far as our next trip to New York, we will be leaving on June 2nd, and we will be in New York for a week. Joshua has to go for routine testing every three months. We should be back home in a week. So this trip is not as long as our last trip to New York.
Joshua has been having a wonderful time being a normal little kid. He is running around having a great time. We got a pool, which is perfect for the babies, and Joshua practically lives in it. All the kids are having fun being in the pool daily though.
I ask that everyone pray that the next round of testing for Joshua be event free and that all tests done will be normal. Thank you so much for your continued support.

We are sending many hugs and kisses to all!!
Tracy Jimenez, and family!!

For more information, feel free to email me at the address listed below. Thanks so much!! God Bless!!

Friday, April 27, 2001 at 10:18 PM (CDT)

Hello to all, we finally have the results of the blood test we were waiting for to see if we return to New York next week. Well, the thing that was being tested was for the HAMA. The HAMA is the Human Anti-Mouse Antibody, if a HAMA is present, then we have to wait a month for the next blood test. If the HAMA is not present, then we return to New York for the next 3F8 Antibody treatment. Beings that the antibody comes from a mouse, that is the cause of the HAMA. In the long run, a HAMA is what you want, but they want to get at least 4 rounds of Antibodies in him, within a 2 year period. If a HAMA develops early, then it could take 2 years to get 4 rounds in, or they could never get those 4 rounds of Antibodies in him.
Joshua's blood results were HAMA positive. This means that we will wait for a month before testing again. So May 21st is the next scheduled blood test. We are praying that those results come up HAMA negative. Whether or not the results are positive or negative, Joshua must still go to New York every three months for testing. This testing includes, 4 bone marrow aspirates, 4 bone biopsies, CAT scan, Bone scan, and MIBG scan. During his nest 3 month check-up in June he will also be celebrating his 1 year-post bone marrow transplant. YEAH!! On June 4th he will turn 3 and on June 5th will be the one year mark. I don't know all the details on what testing will be done because it will be his one year post bone marrow transplant, but I do know he has testing in New York. I do know that Jacksonville also wants to see him at that time, since he did have the transplant done there. For now, we have a month off, of course he is on meds, but nothing to terribly bad. He is doing fine, he is running around having fun, acting like a 2 1/2 year old should. For now, God Bless, and keep Joshua in your prayers for a HAMA negative blood test in May.

Many Hugs!!
Tracy

Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 08:26 AM (CDT)

Hello,
Well, we are home now. But getting here was not that easy. During the last week of treatment, things seemed to be getting better. Joshua started waking up earlier in the evening, he was eating again. It seemed that he had this treatment licked. Then on Thursday, during the last 5 minutes of treatment, he got the shakes, spiked a fever, and his blood pressure dropped. At this point he was admitted to the hospital. Here we are, almost done and he ended up in the hospital. Anyway, when all these things happened, the docs were suspicious of an infection. But, within an hour, all the symptoms went away. Joshua did fine through the night, so we were told that if he did well for the final treatment on Friday, we could go. I am thinking that he will do better, or praying that he would do better. Well, the same time during the treatment on Friday, the same exact thing happened, so we had to stay another night in the hospital. Joshua was released on Saturday, and we had to leave by 7am Sunday. Well, we did make it home, and in two weeks Joshua will be tested for what is called a HAMA, which is a human anti-mouse antibody. If he does not have a HAMA, then we have to be back in New York before the 30th of this month. If he is HAMA positive, then we wait. So, at this point in time, we shall see. Thanks so much for all your support, for all the prayers, they are encouraging, and they keep us going. Joshua is doing great, he is running around like a 2 year old should be. That is the idea, to get this treatment, and come home, and not worry about neutropenic fevers.

God Bless,
Love and Hugs,
Tracy

Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at 07:50 PM (CST)

Hello everyone,
Wow, I think is the best way to describe the treatment that began this week. On Monday, Joshua started the monoclonal antibody treatment. I can tell you that nothing that anyone has said could have prepared me for that day. On Monday when Joshua went in for the treatment, we were aware of the pain issue, and that alot of pain meds would be used. I want to assure you that I have total faith in the staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the staff there are fantastic!! Joshua started his antibody treatment, there was a 2 hour GM-CSF infusion, with a 1 hour wait before starting antibodies. Thirty minutes after the GM-CSF was finished, they started the pain meds, thirty minutes later the first infusion was administered. The infusion is that you have a 20, 40, 80, ml per hour infusion, but in half hour increments, so the 20 ml per hour was 10 ml per half hour, the 40 was 20 per half hour, the 80 was 40 per half hour. There were three half hour consecutive infusions, doubling every half hour. Joshua breezed through the first 10 ml, but in the middle of the 20ml infusion, he started to roll around and around, and then proceded to start crying and screaming in pain. The nurses came in and gave him more pain meds, that didn't seem to help, so about every 10 to 15 minutes, if I requested, they would give him more. This is how things went for the last 45 minutes to an hour. During the final infusion, Joshua's oxygen saturation dropped to between 70 and 74%, which is critical, he was put on oxygen to bring up his sat. Joshua fell asleep, while still on the oxygen, but the nurse noticed that his lips were starting to turn blue. She began to give him narko, which will reverse the narcodics that were used, and he came around a little bit, but he was not far enough out of the woods to stop worrying, so he received a second injection of narko. After that injection, he woke up some more, not completely, but enough to know that he was not going to quit breathing, as another child in the room went into respiratory arrest at this point in time. Once Joshua was stable, but still on oxygen, the nurses concentrated on the other little boy. Still, I worked with Joshua to try to wake him, try to bring him back to life. After this almost 12 hour day, even doing that was tiring. Even an hour before we left, he could not maintain his oxygen levels in his blood, and they were debating on whether or not they were going to admit him. I worked hard to try to wake him at this point, which I did get him to walk a few laps around the hospital, still, barely holding onto a 90% oxygen saturation in his blood. They decided to let us go if he could remain above that 90%, which he did, and finally we could go back to the Ronald McDonald House, which my day did not end there. I was still concerned, from what we had been through in the day, about him not maintaining his oxygen levels, so for the next 4 hours I continuously woke him, made him respond, put him in the tub, and finally he woke up acting normally around 12:30am. Whew, I could finally rest long enough to get up in a few hours to start this all over again. The next day was better, nothing life threatening, but this treatment is just not easy. There are no easy days, so far that I have seen, and Joshua is usually in pain until about midnight each night. He does not eat from time of infusion, which is about noon, until after midnight. Today is day three, and it is 9pm, and Joshua is still in pain, alot of pain, and the pain he is having now is nothing compared to the pain he had just a few hours ago, and will have in just a few more hours. I am counting down the days, I am eagerly awaiting the weekend when he does not have the treatment, and we have a break. I can say that I am very tired, and yet very concerned. It is hard to feel so helpless when you watch your child suffer. But I believe deep in my heart that this treatment will save his life, and suffering now will give us many years of joy later. Please keep us in your prayers, for comfort for Joshua, and peace of mind for us. Thanks again, and God Bless you all!!

Hugs and Love,
Tracy

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at 06:53 PM (CST)

Well, we do have alot to be thankful for. We arrived in New York because of relapse in the marrow, well all of the tests have come back CLEAN!!! Joshua is NED(no evidence of disease). On wednesday he will start his injections and on monday he will start the antibody treatment. We will be home in approximately 2 1/2 weeks. Wow, it has been a journey. We have been anxiously awaiting this moment, now the fear of the treatment and the fear of the pain it will cause him is there. But we know that with this treatment, he will be cured. I want to say thanks to everyone for all your support and for all the prayers. We couldn't have done it without all of you. Please keep Joshua in your prayers as this treatment is very painful, and he needs strength. Thanks again, and I hope to be seeing all of you soon.

Love and Hugs,
Tracy

Monday, March 12, 2001 at 06:45 PM (CST)

Hello all,
Well, we are not going home. We did get the results finally from the bone marrow aspirate and the cat scan. Well the bone marrow aspirate was clean. The oncs don't really know if he had a true relapse in the marrow since they did not do the testing that showed disease in his marrow. Now the cat scan did show something. In the left adrenal area, there is a lymph node there, and there is a possible mass there. The mass measures 1.3cm x .05cm, and we were told that they don't even consider areas less than 1cm, and Joshua's is borderline. There is a strong possibility that this could be scar tissue, since the testing here at Sloan Kettering is more sensitive. Plus the oncs didn't have the old scans to compare the new ones with. Well, the old scans from December arrived at Sloan today!! We hope to hear something real soon. We were told that they wanted a PET scan, but it looks to be booked for at least the next week, and in the mean time, we are stuck in NY waiting!! I am waiting for more decisions from the oncs at this time. If Joshua has the PET scan done, if the scan is negative, they will slate Joshua for immediate antibody treatment, and if the scan is positive, they will schedule him for surgery and then for antibodies. This is a small spot they found, and we were told that it could be nothing or it could be easily resolved. They are now treating Joshua as high risk, is this is negative, for relapse. They want him in for treatment ASAP!! So, for now, we are stuck waiting, and as always that is so much fun. But we are not worried, God is in control, and I know things will be fine. Take care, and keep us in your prayers.

God Bless All Of You,
Hugs and Kisses,
Tracy Jimenez

Tuesday, March 06, 2001 at 09:43 PM (CST)

Hello again,
Well, we met with Dr. Kushner today about the preliminary results of Joshua's scans. With this being Joshua's first MIBG scan, we were curious to see what it showed. Well, the MIBG and the bone scan were both negative!! YEAH!! The MIBG was just a preliminary reading, there will be a more thorough reading, but the doctor was happy to know that there was nothing obvious there. We are waiting for the results of his 4 bone marrow aspirations and 4 biopsies, and he will be having his CAT scan in the morning. We should know more by the end of the week. But the plan is to head back to Florida for 2 rounds of high dose chemo. The reason for the high dose chemo is to weaken his immune system for the antibodies. You ask why? Because the antibody treatment is putting a foreign body into his body, and it is the job of the immune system to destroy anything foreign. So, if you weaken the immune system before the antibody treatment, then you don't develop the HAMA. The HAMA is the human anti-mouse antibody. Which the human body will produce this antibody to fight off the monoclonal antibodies. This is not what we want, we want the monoclonal antibodies to kill the bad cells, not his immune system kill the monoclonal antibodies. I hope this makes sense. If now, you know the number to call!!! Well, we are very happy to be going home, we miss the kids terribly!! I will be letting you know when the rest of the results come in.

God Bless,
Hugs,
Tracy Jimenez

Saturday, March 03, 2001 at 05:04 PM (CST)

Hello everyone,
We have finished our first week here in NY, and what a week it was. Joshua had a full week of testing. On tuesday he had an echocardiogram done. That went well. Wednesday he had 4 Bone Marrow Aspirates, CAT Scan, and Bone Scan scheduled. Well, they were scheduled, and to have these tests done, sedation was a necessity. Well, when we got to the clinic, Joshua found some chocolate, and he ate it, well there went that so called schedule!! The BMA's and Biopsies, and CAT Scan were cancelled, but they went ahead with the bone scan. That went well. Thursday was his MIBG injection, and Friday was the MIBG Scan. That went well, a few minor bumps in the road!! But we are preparing for another week, Monday his BMA's and Biopies are scheduled, and Wednesday his CAT Scan is rescheduled for. Most of the test results should be in by March 9th, they don't expect the BMA's and Biopsies to be ready by then though. So, when we know what the plan is, so will you. For now, thank you for all your support, and all your prayers. God Bless all of you!! Send us some WARM weather!!!
Lots of love!!
The Jimenez'''s

Monday, February 26, 2001 at 06:48 AM (CST)

Well, arrival in Ny was not quite what we expected. Even though the trip was greatly needed, and well worth it, just a bump here or there. With troubles with obtaining luggage, to snow all around, to getting lost. But all in all, it was great. We made the best of it, got through it, with the help of a friend of my dad's. But the day finally came. Friday, Joshua saw Dr. Kushner. What a wonderful man, he was very nice. The doc kept telling us how well Joshua looked, he kept saying that over and over. He took Joshua off all his meds. The doc felt he just didn't need them, because he looked so well. As far as what is going on from here, well, Joshua will start several different tests on Tuesday at MSKCC, and they will last until Friday. All these tests, which one of them he has never had before, will give the docs a better idea of what they will do next. At this time, they cannot be sure what is going to happen until all the testing is done. So hopefully, this time next week, we will have a better idea about what is going on. Keep us in your prayers, so far, things are fantastic!!!! Thanks for all your support.

Monday, February 19, 2001 at 01:01 AM (CST)

Joshua was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma on 12, 1999 when he was just 18 months old. What a devistation that was to hear that your little baby had one of the most deadly forms of cancer in little children. Well, from that point, he started high dose chemotherapy at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando. He had a total of 5 doses of chemo, and before the 5th dose, he had a stem cell harvest done in Jacksonville, Fl at Wolfson Children's Hospital. After Joshua's 5th round of chemo, we headed to PA to visit with family before he went for his stem cell rescue. On May 21st Joshua was admitted to Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jax, Fl for his stem cell rescue. The date of his transplant was 06-2000. After his transplant, we were able to return home and begin isolated radiation therapy treatments to the tumor bed. After the radiation treatments he started Accutane, which is a form of chemotherapy. In January of 2001, we were informed that Joshua had relapsed with 2 cells per million in his bone marrow. Joshua started Topotican on Jan. 22nd, and his second round will be in Feb. We are eagerly awaiting approval from the insurance company for treatment in NY at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Our little angel has given us a new lease on life. Just watching this vibrant little 2 year old strive gives us the strenght to fight. Joshua as well as our other 5 children, have been a total blessing to this family. I thank God everyday that they are a part of our lives. Keep Joshua and the rest of the family in your prayers. God knows his purpose.

God Bless All Of You!!

Joshua 1:9

Many hugs and kisses to all!!

Sunday, February 18, 2001 at 08:04 PM (CST)

Joshua Jimenez was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma 12/1999 when he was just 18 months old. Joshua started chemotherapy at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando Florida on Dec. 28, 1999. Joshua received 5 rounds of high dose chemotherapy, and before his 5th round of chemo he was sent to Jacksonville, Fl for a stem cell harvest. After his fifth round of chemo was through, when his counts recovered, on May 01/2000 he had a 3 hour surgery to remove the tumor and his left adrenal gland from his kidney. After he recovered from surgery, we went to PA to visit with family before his bone marrow transplant. On June 05, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fl, at Wolfson Children's Hospital, was the day of his stem cell transplant. Upon returning home to a sterile environment, and a few weeks of rest, he began 15 days of radiation to the tumor bed and to start Accutane. In January 2001, Joshua relapsed with 2 cells per million in his bone marrow. He started topotican on Jan 26th, and second round on Feb 19th. We are praying for Joshua to receive Monoclonal Antibody treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center soon. Joshua has been a joy and a bundle of love. He has inspired everyone he comes in contact with, he is so full of life, playing, running around having fun, like a 2 year old should have. I think that Joshua's strength keeps us strong. He is very precious, and he is one of our six beautiful angels.

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