Sunday, May 30, 2004 9:47 AM CDT

Hello everyone, thanks so much for checking in! This update is quite lengthy, so you may want to go get something to drink. Make yourselves comfortable, O.K. ready? Yes, we are home from Connor's dream vacation to DisneyWorld and the beach. We had a BLAST, and the weather was PERFECT! It rained some our very first night there, and the rest of the time, it was SUNNY, SUNNY, SUNNY!

We arrived on Wednesday, the 19th, around 12:00 noon. Eddie drove us straight through from midnight Tuesday night. We checked into the Polynesian Resort at Disney that afternoon. The resort was FABULOUS! The room and view was even more fabulous! I have to tell you, we were on the ground floor, and if you walked about 10 steps off the patio, you were on the white sand of the beach on the lake that separated us from the Magic Kingdom. We had an awesome view of the Castle. As you stepped on the beach, there it was, MY dream come true, a hammock, hanging between two palm trees. I started each and every day out there in that hammock, swinging gently in the early morning breeze. The location of our room could NOT have been any better. When we arrived in our room, Connor had a gift basket awaiting him. Plus, he had a photo card of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, signed by them, welcoming him to Disney World. He was ecstatic! He kept asking how they knew that THEY were his favorites....hmmmm.....the magic of Disney! (With a little help from the Keebler Elves!) We had dinner there at the resort that first night. During dinner, they had some games for the kids to participate in, which Connor did, such as a hula-hoop contest, and pushing a coconut around a circle with a broomstick. After dinner, he was ready to hit the pool. They had a volcano there at the pool, with a water slide going through it. Connor spent alot of time in that pool! We went to Magic Kingdom that night and watched the AMAZING fireworks display. Yes, there is something MAGICAL about being there, we all felt it. The fireworks are set to a "Wishes" theme, how fitting for us. Of course, it was very emotional, as well. Fortunately, it was dark and noisy, so Connor didn't see just HOW emotional it was for his Mom. Connor's "most favorite ride in the whole wide world", It's a Small World, was closed for refurbishing. He was SSSOOOO disappointed, to say the least.

Thursday, we decided to go to Typhoon Lagoon. It is a huge water park. They have a very large wave pool, numerous water slides, a kids area, AND A LAZY RIVER. The lazy river was mine and Connor's favorite. Eddie is a big water slide fan. We spent the day there, then headed back to the resort. One of the best things about being at a Disney resort is the fact that you don't have to drive anywhere on Disney. They have monorails, buses, and boats to take you wherever you want to go. That evening, Connor wanted to stay at the pool, and Eddie rode the monorail over to Epcot by himself. That night, we went to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck's. We did a little shopping there before heading back to the resort for the night.

Friday, we went to the Animal Kingdom. That was the one park that we had missed on Connor's Make-A-Wish trip back in May, 2002. You do a ton of walking at that park. We got Connor a wheel chair at each park we went to. His legs hurt him constantly, and there is no way he could manage all the walking. We enjoyed the Safari there at the Animal Kingdom. We saw giraffes, a huge mountain lion, alligators, elephants, etc. That evening, we made reservations for the Luau at the resort. We had a wonderful dinner, and got to experience the Aloha dinner show. It was fantastic!

Saturday, we finally drove, and headed to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We had a really good time at both parks. Connor rode several rides that day, including Men in Black, and Terminator. Eddie and I rode the Back to the Future ride. Yes, I have a weak stomach, and got quite nauseated on that one. I recovered after a while. Connor was so sweet, he was so concerned for me. I had broken out in a sweat during the ride, so I'm quite certain that I was as white as a ghost when he saw me get off the ride. Connor tried climbing a rock wall at Islands of Adventure. He gave it his BEST effort, but his legs were hurting. We had dinner that evening at one of our faves, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. Yum, yum, yum! They had live music and a girl on stilts walking around making balloon animals for the kids.

Sunday, we went to the other water park, Blizzard Beach. They also had a lazy river, and lots of rafting rides. We had a good day there. At the end of the day, Connor was on one of the kids water slides. Eddie and I were walking to get a better view of him. When we spotted him again, he was doubled over, and a park attendant was standing over him. It scared us to death. We went running over to where they were. Connor raised up, removed his hands from his chest, and he had a huge scratch going down his chest. Well, apparently, some "lady" came by him and her extremely long fingernail somehow made it's way down his chest. He said she then took off running. Eddie and I tried to find her, without success. So, needless to say, we were ready to leave the park at that point. Connor was hurting pretty bad on his chest. Sunday night, Connor ordered room service. He thought that was the coolest. The food was AWESOME.

Monday, we went back to the Magic Kingdom. It was SOOOO crowded that day. We basically just walked around, as the lines were all about an hour's wait. We left there, went back to the resort and got cleaned up. Connor had an autograph book, signed by all the Disney characters, and a Buzz Lightyear waiting for him when we returned. We headed back to Universal that evening, as Connor had a special surprise in store. His Kellogg's/Keebler friends, namely Lori, had arranged a special treat for Connor. One of his most favorite celebrities is Emeril, the chef from the Food Network. Well, what do you know, he just happened to be in Orlando taping some "Cooking with Kids" shows. (I think they will air in October). Connor has always talked about how he wishes he could go to New York to watch an Emeril taping. So, Lori contacted Universal, and they gave us tickets for Monday night's taping. He LOVED IT! He actually puts it at the top of his list of his most favorite things from the trip. You should have heard Connor yelling "BAM!" and "kick it up a notch!", two of Emeril's favorite sayings.

Tuesday, we hung out at the resort all day. Connor wanted to spend the day there at the pool, as we were checking out the next morning. Eddie and I rented boats, and got to ride all over the lake. We had a fun day. That evening, Connor got to go to the "Neverland Club" at the resort. They have dinner for the kids, and a ton of games and activities. Eddie and I went over to the Grand Floridian for dinner while Connor was there. When we returned, the wonderful ladies there at the Neverland Club had collected some toys and games for Connor, which they then presented to him. They were the best! Thank you, thank you, thank you for making Connor's night such a special night!

Wednesday was check out day at the Polynesian. Connor was extremely sad to be leaving there. We had made friends with the resident ducks, rabbits, birds, lizards, which would all come onto our patio. As we were getting ready to leave the room, Connor looked over and there was a duck looking right in the door at him. Connor started crying, he was so sad to be leaving his "friends".

After leaving Orlando, we heading over to Kissimmee to visit the Give Kids the World village. This is the village where we had stayed on the Make-A-Wish trip. They encourage former guests to come back for a visit. We had lunch in the Ice Cream Palace. We played miniature golf, played games and reminisced about our stay there before. The man who checked us in actually remembered us from two years ago. Confidential to Caleb Little, we told Mayor Clayton "Hi" from you, and he sends you and Cameron his best! After leaving there, we drove on to Cocoa Beach. Our first stop was Ron Jon's Surf Shop, Connor's favorite store there. We then checked into the brand new Ron Jon's Cape Caribe resort. It was awesome! I recommend it to anyone visiting the Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral area.

Thursday, we hung out at the resort, enjoying the pool, and the beach. The resort is right beside Port Canaveral, where all the cruise ships leave port from. We got to see the Disney Cruise set sail that evening. What a fabulous ship it is! That night, we drove over to Merritt Island for dinner at a Mexican restaurant right on the Banana River.

Friday, we checked out of the hotel, and headed over to the Orlando Princess boarding area for our deep-sea fishing adventure. We left port at 10:30, stayed out all day, and returned at 5:00 pm. It was A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Connor had an absolute blast! We were on an 80 foot boat, 18 miles out to sea. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day. Eddie caught about 5 fish, including a couple of red snapper. Connor caught one fish. Rhonda caught NO FISH. But, hey, we had fun, that's all that counts! If you are in Cocoa Beach, and you want to go deep sea fishing, this is the boat to go on. They had the BEST CREW! They serve you lunch, and all the beverages you want. After arriving back at port, we started our drive home. We drove to Georgia, and stayed overnight in Tifton, GA. Yesterday, Saturday, we drove the rest of the way home, stopping in Atlanta for lunch.

We arrived back home last night around 6:00 pm, completely exhausted! Grandmama had been coming over taking care of Zoe, our cat, and she was here to greet us. Connor had one more surprise in store from the wonderful Kellogg's folks. There is one thing, and one thing only that Connor constantly talks to me about wanting. He always wants to know how old he has to be to get one. That one thing is a Go-cart. So, Kellogg's ALSO made that dream happen. Connor went out to the garage, and sitting there was a brand spanking new bright yellow go-cart! As if this dream trip wasn't enough, he comes home to a go-cart! The child NEARLY collapsed. He leaned over on the go-cart and I literally thought he was going to pass out. Keith, Marliss and Ashton (Keith is one of Eddie's best friends from Kellogg's) stopped by right as Connor discovered the go-cart, so they got to see his excitement, as well. Connor took everyone for a ride around the neighborhood, and he rode it until it got too dark to ride. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU all who made this dream come true for Connor. We got to have a delicious dinner prepared by Marliss and Lori, which they brought over for us earlier this week, so that it would be here when we arrived home. Thank you, ladies, for a wonderful dinner, you are the best!!!!!

I tell you, we are blessed, we are truly blessed. It is easy to focus on the negatives in our lives, but we are trying to shift that focus on the POSITIVES. That includes EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU READING THIS! We have the best support system in the world, no doubt about it. I could sit here for days telling of all the kind deeds and the caring people in our lives. You are carrying us right now, I just want to tell you that. There is no way that we could ever repay all the kindness bestowed upon us. But, as Connor's Mom, I can tell you that you all mean the world to us, and we will be forever indebted to you. From the trip, to the go-cart, to the gifts, to the guestbook entries, to the phone calls, to the cards, to the PRAYERS, every thing you all are doing, and have done for us is giving us the strength to get through each day. Yes, the trip made it easier to push Connor's situation to the back of our minds. But, it is always there. The fear of what lies ahead. We are looking to God for a miracle for Connor. We are trusting in God for a miracle for Connor. We are believing in God for a miracle for Connor. We will not accept the dismal news given by the doctors. We will do everything in our power to help Connor beat this again. Please continue those heartfelt prayers........

I will be in touch with Connor's doctors on Tuesday, as they will not be in tomorrow due to the holiday. I did have to call last week to have more pain meds called into a pharmacy in Orlando. I didn't ask anything about St. Jude's, as I really didn't want to know any new info until we got back home. But, I did find out that Connor will be having a bone marrow test, probably Wednesday of this week. Also, he will have another chest CT scan, and a bone scan, probably Thursday of this week. I will update when I have more info on specifics regarding a game plan. Please pray for his bone marrow, chest and bones to be clear of any disease. He is taking this as well as he possibly could. He is such a brave and courageous child. He hurts constantly, yet doesn't complain of the pain. I am amazed at his attitude. All of these children are amazing. So much more brave that I could ever hope to be.

Well, I realize this is long, but I wanted you all to be able to feel like you were there with us. Yes, I took a ton of pictures, some of which I will be posting as soon as we get them developed. We had the time of our lives, we are so grateful, SOOOO grateful. Now, we get ready to fight, fight, fight! Thank you all for standing with us. We need and appreciate your support! Please, never cease to pray for all of our buddies going through this battle, all those in remission, and the families of all those who lost their earthly battle with this dreaded disease. Peace to all and may God bless us all!

We love you!
~~Rhonda, Eddie, and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!!!"

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 7:39 AM CDT

Hi everyone, thanks for checking in. Let me begin by saying....THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL. Thank you for the countless prayers that are being lifted for Connor. Thank you for the guestbook entries. Thank you for the cards. Thank you for the gifts. THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THIS DISNEY TRIP HAPPEN. Thank you for everything. You are all CARRYING US, I just want you to know that. God has given us the strength each day to FACE each new day, and to face it with a positive attitude. As I have said, we WILL NOT GIVE UP. Connor amazes me each day with his attitude toward his situation. He is opening up and asking questions. He talks about it some. This is a good thing. We have told him that he can ask us anything, and we have encouraged him to share his feelings about it all. But, most importantly, we remind him that he is NEVER alone. We will fight this with EVERYTHING we have in us. To the ends of the earth. Connor's pain has increased, we have started him on stronger pain meds. Please pray specifically for his pain to subside.

We turned in Connor's school books yesterday. Connor has STRAIGHT A's FOR THE FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH SIX WEEKS! He made the "Principal's List". We are SO PROUD OF HIM. He will receive a certificate in the mail along with his report card. His last session for the school year with his homebound teacher was Friday. Instead of work, she took him to Dairy Queen and to Target to pick out a toy. I want to say a special thank you to Mrs. Pemberton (GES), Darlene (home-bound), Dr. Conley (Art), Mr. Sipe (P.E.), Wynne (Guidance Counselor), Ms. Kelly and Ms. Fullerton (Secretaries), and the entire staff of Goodlettsville Elementary School for making this a fun year for Connor when he was able to attend school.

Now, I have to say that there are MANY EARTH ANGELS among us. I wouldn't dare start naming names, as I fear I would inadvertently leave someone out. As I mentioned in my last journal, The Kelloggs/Keebler Company, with whom Eddie is employed, learned of Connor's desire to return to Disney World. Well, I have to say that we will be leaving TONIGHT to drive down for a week, possibly a few days more, depending on how Connor tolerates the trip. One person told another, then another, and we have been COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED by the generosity, caring and compassion shown to Connor, and to us, in making this trip happen. I want to extend our SINCERE GRATITUDE to EVERYONE AT KEEBLER, and the countless number of family, friends, and strangers who have stepped up to make sure that Connor has the best time imaginable. God will surely bless you all for your kindness!

This will be my last entry until we get back, as I will not have computer access. I will not be able to check email, either. I just wanted you all to know, so that you are not left waiting for a reply.

We are still in discussions with Connor's physicians regarding a plan of action upon our return. There is a strong possibility that we will be traveling to St. Jude in Memphis, as they have some Phase I Clinical Trials available that are not available at Vanderbilt. Connor's records are being copied and sent down there to be looked over to determine if he would even be eligible for any of the Trials. Everything is in limbo right now. We still haven't met with Dr. Brock, as he has been waiting for the rest of Connor's surgical team from last year to be able to meet with him. That meeting between us and him could happen this afternoon.

I want to thank you all, again, for your support. Believe me when I tell you that we COULD NOT FACE EACH NEW DAY without your presence. We know that God is ultimately in control, regardless of the grim statistics given to us by the medical world. We will never give up. We are praying for a miracle, that is what Connor needs, a MIRACLE. We do feel all the prayers, and we are being lifted up by that. Please, please continue to storm Heaven on Connor's behalf. I am begging you, from a Mom's aching heart, please pray for an earthly healing for Connor, and for a long, cancer-free, happy, healthy, SPIRITUAL life here on earth.

With all that being said, I must tell you that Connor had a great weekend. His girlfriend, Ginny (see photo page), came in from Knoxville to be with him. We went to a carnival in Portland Saturday night, he had a BLAST. We all laughed so much that night. She spent the night with us, and left Sunday for home. Ginny, you, my dear, are a blessing in our lives, and you ARE FAMILY to us. THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE YOU HAVE AND SHOW TO OUR SON. We love you! Also, Sunday evening, my wonderful friend, Chrsitian, invited us to her in-laws to swim. Connor, Will and Caitlyn (Christian's children)were in that water until dark. Thank you so much to Christian, Bill, Will, Caitlyn, Nana and Pappy for hosting us, and for letting Connor have a BLAST swimming! We also thank our families, Nana, Poppy, Grandmama, and EVERYONE, for all your support and help. We know that you all, too, are hurting desperately. We all have to remember to take things ONE DAY AT A TIME, and let Connor enjoy EACH DAY to it's fullest.

Have a great week everyone, please remember all our friends in your prayers, especially the special prayer requests above, and Chyanna here in Nashville (she doesn't have a web page). Please pray for a fun-filled, safe, pain-free, problem-free trip for Connor. I'll let you know as soon as we get back. Peace to all, and may God bless us all!

We love you!
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

Thursday, May 13, 2004 8:41 AM CDT

As I sat staring into the face of my 9 year old son yesterday as he was told his cancer had returned for the third time, I was once again reminded of what bravery and courage truly are. Connor accepted this news better than I could EVER imagine any person could. Yes, he asked the difficult questions. We answered the best way we could. His world has been rocked again. But, we assured him, over and over again, that there will never be a time when he is alone in this battle. We gave him the hope that we will go after this with everything we possibly can. He told Dr. Shankar that, yes, he would fight. We will speak with Dr. Brock probably on Friday, then we will make a decision about how to proceed. Eddie had been scheduled for his vacation next week, prior to this. A plan is now in the works for us to be able to take Connor back to DisneyWorld next week. This is being planned by the wonderful people at Kelloggs/Keebler, the company Eddie works for. We are utterly speechless at their kindness and generosity. We were actually able to tell Connor last night that we would most likely be going. His face lit up like a Christmas tree. We got the O.K. yesterday for a family trip next week, before we have to start in with any treatment. But, she did encourage us to do it soon, rather than later. There is no way to predict how quickly Connor's tumor will grow. Nor, how soon it will start to really affect his quality of life that now exists. He is having quite a bit of pain in his legs, due to the tumor sitting on nerves. The pain is worse at night, keeping him up until the wee hours of the morning at times. Please, in addition to all the prayers you are praying for his, please pray for the pain to stop, and for him to be comfortable.

Please also pray for Chyanna. She is the little girl who had a blood cord transplant a couple of months ago. She and Connor were the Child Ambassadors for the First Annual Cowboy Ball for AngelHeart Farms in October, 2003. We saw her Tuesday afternoon, and she is having a very difficult time. She needs our prayers, also.

As we are faced with the unknown, one thing is certain. God is right here beside us, to help us through each new day. We will live IN TODAY, and try our hardest not to worry about tomorrow. God will give us what we need when tomorrow comes. Connor, who defines the meaning of "BRAVE LITTLE TROOPER", gives us strength. I want you ALL to know that we attribute so much of his reaction yesterday to the countless prayers that you were praying at precisely 2:00 pm, and throughout the day. We could feel those prayers, we were uplifted by those prayers. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. A special thank you to Nana and Poppy for taking us to the hospital yesterday, and sitting in for support as their only grandchild was given this devastating news. I know it was so hard for you, as well, but you did it for Connor, and for us. Thank you, it means the world to me.

Thank you all so much for being here with us. We need your support, now more than ever. Please continue to leave us messages in the guestbook, we read tham each and every one, and they bring us much comfort. Thank you to all of you who have started prayer chains on our behalf. Prayer is the answer here.

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 5:40 PM CDT

I know you all are waiting for an update. I wish I could tell you that we received encouraging news. But, the fact is , WE DIDN'T. It is as bad as it gets. Period. Eddie and I are trying to take in all that was discussed today. After we sort through our emotions and make some decisions, I will give more info. We are just not certain what course we will take right now.

We will go back in tomorrow with Connor, so that Dr. Shankar and Dr. Debbie can sit down with him, with us right there by his side, and tell him. No, we have no clue how he will react. I know how I would react. This is just all too overwhelming. Connor is 9 years old, he has been fighting courageously since he was 6 years old. What kind of sense does that make. Yes, we are mad. But not at God, we are mad at the cancer. We will not give up. We are not going to throw in the towel. We will support Connor in everyway imaginable to help him deal with this. He is outside playing with his friends at the creek, totally oblivious to what he will be told tomorrow.

Please, please don't stop praying. Please pray for him, specifically at 2:00 pm tomorrow. God is in control, we will continue to pray for a miracle. Thank you all for the wonderful guestbook entries and emails. Forgive me if I can't answer them right now. Connor has our undivided attention. But, the encouragement helps us more than I could ever tell you. We are thankful for you all.

We love you...


~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 5:40 PM CDT

I know you all are waiting for an update. I wish I could tell you that we received encouraging news. But, the fact is , WE DIDN'T. It is as bad as it gets. Period. Eddie and I are trying to take in all that was discussed today. After we sort through our emotions and make some decisions, I will give more info. We are just not certain what course we will take right now. We will go back in tomorrow with Connor, so that Dr. Shankar and Dr. Debbie can sit down with him, with us right there by his side, and tell him. No, we have no clue how he will react. I know how I would react. This is just all too overwhelming. Connor is 9 years old, he has been fighting courageously since he was 6 years old. What kind of sense does that make. Yes, we are mad. But not at God, we are mad at the cancer. We will not give up. We are not going to throw in the towel. We will support Connor in everyway imaginable to help him deal with this. He is outside playing with his friends at the creek, totally oblivious to what he will be told tomorrow. Please, please don't stop praying. Please pray for him, specifically at 2:00 pm tomorrow. God is in control, we will continue to pray for a miracle. Thank you all for the wonderful guestbook entries and emails. Forgive me if I can't answer them right now. Connor has our undivided attention. But, the encouragement helps us more than I could ever tell you. We are thankful for you all.

We love you...
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

Friday, May 7, 2004 1:17 PM CDT

**PLEASE PRAY FOR A MIRACLE FOR CONNOR**

This is an entry I don't want to make, but you all need to know. We just found out this morning the results from Connor's scans. His cancer is back, in the same area in his pelvis. Eddie and I will go Tuesday to meet with Dr. Shankar to go over options. She told me we would have some very tough choices to make. Please pray for a miracle for Connor. Please pray for all of us.

Connor DOES NOT KNOW YET. If we feel a need to tell him anything this weekend, it will just be that "something" showed up on the scan, and that we will know more next week. So, please, please, no phone calls this weekend. Please understand. I don't want Connor to wonder why Mommy is crying, so I'm going to try my hardest not to. You may reach me through the guestbook or through email. I'll update after we learn more. We are completely devastated.....

Thank you for all the prayers you have prayed, and all the prayers you will pray, and for all the support. We love you all!

Love, hugs and prayers,
Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE! A special Happy Mother's Day to those of you who no longer have your child here on earth with you. You are still a most special Mother and always will be!

Sunday, April 25, 2004 11:34 AM CDT

Hello everyone, thanks for checking in!

Well, let's see, where to begin?? Let me start with this:

Connor returned to school this past week! YYAAHH! He went three days, four hours each day, and did GREAT! The getting him up and getting him there was the hard part. We have gone without STRUCTURE and SCHEDULES for SOOOO long. The night before his second day back, I was lying down and talking with him at bedtime. He said, "I can't wait to get back to school tomorrow, so that I can see all my friends." MUSIC TO MY EARS! I just know it will do him good to be there. He is still working with his homebound teacher twice a week. His grades will actually continue to come from her. AND, he got his report card on Friday, ALL A's! I am so proud of him, after all he has been through, and all of the school he has missed, to get all A's! Now, if I could just get him to let me help him work on his handwriting. He gets in such a big hurry when he is writing. Anyway, thank you so much for all your prayers regarding his return to school!

Friday night, Connor, Nana, Grandma and I participated in the Relay For Life in Portland. Mom's (Nana) work, Albany International, always has a team in the Relay. This year, their team alone raised more than $13,000 for the American Cancer Society! Way to go guys!!!!! These people have supported Connor AND US throughout his entire TWO battles with cancer. Connor was very apprehensive to participate in anything Friday night when we first got there. But after a while, he lightened up a bit. They announced the names of all the Survivors in attendance, and they walked over and got their ribbons. When they announced Connor's name, the place exploded in applause and cheers. OF COURSE, it made this Mom cry. He then walked the Survivor lap with Rita Taylor, Chairperson of the event. I was so proud of him. The Relay goes from 7:00 P.M. until 7:00 A.M. with walkers on the track the entire time. At midnight, they had a Womanless Beauty Pageant. What a hoot! There were 23 contestants participating, with names like: Ima Butts, Jawannaman, Hottie Harley Davidson, etc., you get the idea. It was hilarious. We got back to Nana's at 1:30 A.M. What a night!

Connor will be having a CT scan of his chest and an MRI of his pelvis on May 5, starting at 11:00 am. These will be his 3 month scans.Please, please pray for all to be clear.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.

Matthew 18:19-20

Gabe had his scans last week, ALL CLEAR, THANK GOD! Hooray, Gabe! Stop by his page if you can, and offer up some congratulations for Gabe and his wonderful parents, Lu and Rob. Lu has started a chapter of Candlelighter's back up here in Tennessee. She has some great plans for helping out the families of cancer kids in this area. Please stop by her new site: Lu's Page. She has included some great info and links. Thank you, Lu, for your efforts!

A great big THANK YOU to Kevin Carter of the Tennessee Titans. His annual 'Waiting For Wishes' Celebrity Waiter Dinner at the Palm raised over $125,000 this year! He is a big supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The current issue of Nashville Lifestyles magazine has a full page ad for the event. Connor is in a couple of the photos, as he was the Child Ambassador for Make-A-Wish at last year's event.
Click here for article.
(Sunday afternoon--there seems to be a problem with the link, I'm trying to get it resolved. Thanks!)


Please visit some of the sites above. The kids really could use the encouragement. We are so thankful for you all. Please keep Connor in your prayers. I know I've asked before, but please pray for his emotional well-being. He is still having a difficult time with mood swings. Believe me when I tell you that some days are UNBEARABLE for us all. We cherish the good days, and pray for more of them. He has been through so much since Oct. 2001, there is no question about that. But the courage and bravery of him, and ALL THE CHILDREN, is astounding. Thank God for your blessings. Thank God if you have healthy children, never take that for granted, NEVER. Do something nice for someone this week, maybe even anonymously. Spread some joy around, smile often, laugh lots. We love you all, peace to all, and may God bless us all!



Love and hugs,
Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Tuesday, April 13, 2004 9:35 AM CDT

Good morning everyone, thanks for checking in! Yes, I know, I know, I have been so slack lately in updating. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I certainly don't like to go so long between, I can't remember things that happened yesterday, let alone, TWO WEEKS AGO! Anyway, I'll do my best to update.

Connor did have his head CT on March 30th. It was fine, although they scared me when they called me with the results by telling me that there was a "benign cystic area" on the back side of his brain. After checking with a couple of different doctors, including Dr. Shankar, it was determined to be a buildup of cerebral fluid in that particular area. She said it can happen at any time on any part of the brain, and that it was of no concern. Thank God!

Saturday, April 3rd, I went with Mom (Nana), and my younger brother, Chad to see 'The Passion of the Christ'. All my life, I have known of and read of what Jesus went through for US. But to see it, up close and personal, right there in front of you, well, it is really hard to even try to explain just what this movie does to you. The pure agony and torture that Christ went through, for ALL FOR US, is more that anyone could ever comprehend. And watching Mary as she watches her child go through this, is heart-wrenching. Thank you, Jesus, for the sacrifice you made for us!

We have been "baby-sitting" a frog and a newt. They belong to Ragan and Victoria, Connor's cousins, who, with their Mom and Dad, have been in Orlando this past week. Zoe, our cat, is not amused. She is, however, thankful for the crickets that we have to feed to the frog. So thankful, in fact, that she seeks them out, turns the bowl over, gets the cylinder out of the bowl, and proceeds to have a "cricket appetizer". Yes, we have made two trips to the pet supply store to replenish the crickets. I think I finally found a safe haven for the bowl. Too much temptation for Zoe.......

This past Friday, Good Friday, I went with Nana, Grandma, and my aunts, Sherry and Ann, to Louisville. I have a great aunt who lives up there. She has recently been through chemotherapy, and is having more problems. Her daughter, Sylvia, is recovering from inflammatory breast cancer. And her other daughter, Linda, has been having some health problems as well. We had a good visit with them. I can remember going up there when I was little, and how much fun it always was. We wish you well, Aunt Margot, Sylvia and Linda! You are in our prayers!

Easter Sunday, we awoke to discover that the Easter Bunny DID make a stop at the Hunley house. We went to church, and had a beautiful worship service. The church was filled to capacity. I'm thankful that we live in a country where we can openly praise God, some people are not so fortunate.

Sunday afternoon, Connor and I got to go to the Predator's playoff game against the RedWings. Polly, who works for the Preds, was kind enough to give us tickets. Thanks Polly!!!!! The game was AWESOME, the Preds won 3-1. It was so exciting to be there.

I want to ask for prayers for Kevin Martin. We met him and his wonderful family last year, after Connor's relapse. They had moved here from Nevada, where they were friends with Richie's family. It is amazing how this Caring Bridge network brings people together. They knew of Connor through Richie's page, then we "happened" to run into them in a restaurant, where Linda, Kevin's wife, recognized Connor. It was definitely a "God-thing"! Anyway, Kevin is a ten year cancer survivor. He is now having some problems with his lungs, and is currently undergoing a variety of tests. They are awaiting results, and PRAY that it is not a return of cancer. Please keep this family in your prayers, and sign his guestbook if you can, to offer support. Linda has been a great support to us, since we met them, now they need OUR support. Thank you!

Well, Sumner county schools are on Spring break this week, which means Connor doesn't meet with his homebound teacher. He is, however, going to start back to school on Monday, April 19th, on a part time basis. He will also continue on home-bound through the rest of this school year. He is, obviously, very nervous about the return to school, please, please pray for it to go SMOOTHLY. He hasn't actually been in school since before Christmas. I think it will be really good for him to be back, once he is used to it. According to his teacher, Mrs. Pemberton, his classmates really miss him and ask about him all the time. The STRUCTURE will be good for ALL OF US!

We appreciate you all. Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for your support. Thank you for the guestbook entries, the phone calls, the cards, gifts, and most of all, THE PRAYERS! I want to ask for prayers for my older brother, Johnny. God knows his needs, physically, mentally and SPIRITUALLY, just please pray for God to guide him, he is having a difficult time right now. Connor will be having his chest CT scan and his pelvic MRI in 3 or 4 weeks. We pray that they will continue to be CLEAR. Please visit some of our buddies on the drop-down menu above, and offer them support, if you can.

Cancer is so unfair. Somedays are worse than others. Everyday after diagnosis is extremely difficult. NOTHING is EVER the same again, N-O-T-H-I-N-G. Anyone who has ever been through it, or had someone close to them to go through it, knows exactly what I am talking about. The fear of a relapse NEVER subsides, because the chance is ALWAYS there. Our faith and our trust in God are what we have to rely on. Our support system is very important to us. It's unfair for anyone, but the children......to have their childhood STOLEN from them seems most unfair. And then, of course, the children who lose their earthly battle with cancer, I'll NEVER understand why that happens. Yes, we all know that they are in a better place, where we all long to be some day, but their families need them HERE with them.

I feel a need to apologize for being so slack in answering emails, guestbook entries, and returning phone calls. Some days, I question my own ability to "keep up" with life. I used to consider myself a pretty "together" person, I guess this goes along with watching your child fight for their life. I think it must chisel away at our brain cells. Once again, thank you so much for your prayers! Have a great week everyone! Can you believe, we have a rain/sleet/snow mix happening here today! Crazy weather, it is supposed to be back in the 70's this next weekend. Take care, peace to all, and may God bless us all!

We love you!
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Saturday, April 10, 2004 5:18 AM CDT

Easter Thoughts

At Easter time my thoughts go back
To that night 'neath the olive trees,
When Christ asked those He had chosen,
Can ye not watch one hour with me?

Not one knelt there beside Him,
Not one took heed of His plea.
What would my response have been
Had He asked that question of me?

He was betrayed then bound by the soldiers,
And led down the hill all alone.
Abandoned by those claiming to love Him,
No concern or compassion was shown.

Three times Peter denied Him,
As Christ predicted he'd do.
Oh, Master, have I been guilty
Of also denying you?

He was mocked by the crowd in the courtyard.
A crown of thorns pierced his head,
As He carried the cross the Calvary,
Where He suffered and died in our stead.

But there was no defeat in His dying,
He arose to live evermore,
Showing to those who love Him,
Death isn't a wall....but a door!


By Barbara Hayes Howell

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Matthew 28:1-10 NIV
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magadalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven, and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here: He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell the disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," He said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see Me."

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority on Heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And sure I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Have a blessed Easter, reflect on the sacrifice made by Jesus. We all have the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven, He made that possible.....



Thanks for stopping by. I'll update in a couple of days.

We love you!
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Monday, March 29, 2004 4:31 PM CST

^i^ ^i^ ^i^

Please keep Maxie's family in your prayers. They have some "most-difficult" days ahead. Maxie lost his rhabdo battle on Saturday, March 27, 2004, just 7 days shy of his eleventh birthday. He has fought a courageous fight, and now he is in the presence of God, where we all long to be some day.
^i^ ^i^ ^i^


Hello everyone, thanks for checking in! It's a rainy Monday, but that's O.K., those of you who know me KNOW that I love rainy days! Connor is doing fine. We will be going on Wednesday evening for the report on the testing he had done (neuro-psych). His clinic appt. for tomorrow is being put off until next Tuesday, April 6. Dr. Shankar is out of town this week, and we really want to see her. She called Friday to let us know, which I thought was super-thoughtful. She has been with us since the beginning and REALLY knows Connor, so we are more comfortable with her.

We had a good weekend, overall. Connor and Eddie went bowling together Friday night, I was soooo tired, so I wimped out on them and gave them their "boys night out". Connor bowled TWO STRIKES IN A ROW! He was so excited to tell me. He still smiles when I mention it. Saturday afternoon, I took him and his friend, Brian, to the Hendersonville Skating Rink. They had a great time. We met the nicest man, David, who owns the rink. His granddaughter, Hailey, is going through treatment at Vanderbilt for ALL, so he immediately recognized Connor by his bald head as having taken chemo. He gave Connor a cool Dale Jr. cap. Thanks David! Oh, yes, by the way, I forgot to mention that Connor is teaching me to inline skate. No, I haven't broken any bones YET. It is just something I've never done, and I thought Connor would enjoy it if I skated with him sometimes in the neighborhood. I'm not sure what my neighbors are thinking, probably that I've FINALLY gone off the deep-end!

Yesterday, Connor and I went to Nana and Poppy's. Poppy took Connor fishing. Connor has been wanting to go for a while now. I think they caught 2 or 3, but threw them back in. They had fun anyway, that's what it is all about. Nana cooked a WONDERFUL lunch, and she and I watched a Lifetime movie, we LOVE to watch Lifetime! When we got home, Eddie was in the process of cleaning out the garage, so I helped him with that.

I added the Scooby-Doo theme today. I think it's great that Scooby is still around. I grew up on Scooby-Doo, as I'm sure alot of you did. Remember Saturday mornings, how they USED to be, with Scooby, Bugs Bunny, Fat Albert, etc., AND the Schoolhouse Rock segments. Now THOSE were the Saturday mornings I remember!

Connor has a scan tomorrow at Vanderbilt. Please say a prayer that it will be all clear. We have no reason to think that it won't be, it is just a precautionary scan of his head. His regular scans should be in about six weeks, I'll keep you posted.

Have a great week everyone! Thank God for all your blessings, they are there, and they are numerous! We are thankful for you all, and for your continued support. You are a strong-hold for us, whether you realize it or not. Take care, peace to all, and may God bless us all!

Love, hugs and prayers,
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 8:43 AM CST

Hello everyone, thanks for checking in! It's a sunny day in Tennessee today, it's going to be up to near 60 degrees. HELLOOOOOOOOO Spring! There hasn't been alot to report, that's why I haven't updated before now. Connor is doing O.K. We have some appts. at Vanderbilt this week, then he goes back to the clinic next Tuesday for the first time in 6 weeks. That is the longest stretch since his original diagnosis in 2001! We still do not have results back from his neuro-psych testing. We should get that back either the latter part of this week, or the first of next. Shortly after that, we are going to try to get him back into school, at least on a part-time basis.

********************

God Knows.....


When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried SO long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.
If you feel like your life is on hold
And time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and it seems
as though noone is there...
God is by your side.
When you think you've tried everything
And don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense
And you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter
And you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well
And you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens
And you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill
And a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are
Or whatever you're facing...
God knows.

--Kelly D. Williams

********************

O.K. guys, for a "feel-good" story, go to Chance's page, and read how some wonderful people stepped in to get Chance a new computer when his went out. Yes, there is "GOOD" in this world!

Praying you all have a wonderful week. Please keep Connor in your prayers. His emotional state is VERY FRAGILE right now. Thank you to my Mom, Nana, for being my "therapist" each day, as we deal with this. Thank you also to my friends, Christian, Lu, Donna, and Patty for trying to help me cope with everything. Thank you to ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. It means so much to us. Please continue to pray for all of our friends in treatment or in remission. Even in remission, the battle is far from over, with life-long monitoring. Never forget to pray for those who have lost their children to this or any other disease or accident, they NEVER stop grieving. Thank you all for standing by us, we will never forget it!

Peace to all and may God bless us all!

We love you,
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Saturday, March 13, 2004 8:34 AM CST

**No, I haven't updated yet, just wanted to get in the St. Patty's Day spirit with the background--Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!!!!**

Hi everyone, thanks for checking in! What a beautiful sunny day we have here in Tennessee! Thank you, God, for another day!

**********

This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

**********

Connor has had a pretty good week. He had the achievement/IQ testing at Vanderbilt. He had two 2 hour sessions, one Wednesday, then finished up yesterday. The results will now be compiled, and we will have a meeting to go over everything. After that, we will have a meeting at Connor's school, and devise a plan for his return to school. He also worked with his homebound teacher on Tuesday and Thursday.

Connor had a special visitor on Thursday afternoon, after his "school session". Kevin Carter, Tennessee Titan #93, called Wednesday and was wanting to come by for a visit. You may recall, he and Connor did a photo shoot, and shot a commercial last February, just before Connor's relapse. It was for Kevin's fundraiser that he has each year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He has stayed in touch with Connor, and even had us to a game a couple of months ago. Anyway, he brought Connor a COOL remote-control Hummer that Connor LOVES (Eddie, too!). He then "hung out" with Connor in his room playing Playstation. Kevin is a phenomenal person, both on AND OFF the field. He and his beautiful wife, Shima, do so much to "give back" to the community. Kevin has received many awards for all of his philanthropic efforts. Kevin, thank you so much for EVERYTHING you have done to encourage Connor. Your friendship means so much. Sorry that you were bombarded by Connor's friends requesting autographs. They all think you are the best!

Yesterday, while Connor was in for his testing, I met Joey's mom, Donna, for lunch. She made me laugh so much. She brought me a hand-made bracelet, with C-O-N-N-O-R spelled out on it. THANK YOU, DONNA, I will cherish it for always. We had a great lunch, and even greater "girl-talk". Joey will be two years off treatment this summer. They are an exceptional family!

Yesterday afternoon, right up from our house, the "Peep bus" was on display. Now, I don't mean THAT KIND OF PEEP, I mean the marshmallow candy kind of peep! The bus was really cool, painted in all the Easter candy colors. You could go on the bus and they had different little displays inside. Before we left to go up there, Eddie asked me if I had the camera. I told him yes, that I had put it into my purse. WE ARE SUCH GEEKS SOMETIMES! Anyway, you don't see that bus everyday, so we enjoyed it.

Last night, we went to see 'Starsky and Hutch'. We had been carrying around some tickets that were given to us, so we decided to use them. The movie was REALLY GOOD. Connor actually said it was the best movie that he has seen in a lllooonnnggg time. Some language, but not too bad. Connor loves cars, as you all know, so he was really getting into all the cars from the 70's era.

He is still snoozing right now, I'm certain he will be up ANYTIME, ready to get outside and play. I want to get out and go to a few garage sales, YES THEY ARE STARTING UP AROUND HERE, YYAHHH! Please say a prayer for Connor. We really need some help and guidance with regards to Connor's medications and behavior. Just trust me when I say that some days are REALLY BAD. I told someone yesterday that I have really learned patience, more-so that I ever thought I would have. I don't like to go into detail in here, just please pray about it, I appreciate it more that I can tell you!

As we approach Wednesday, March 17, we will be thinking of Eddie's wonderful Dad, Joe, who passed away Feb. 8, 2001, the same year that Connor was originally diagnosed. Joe's birthday is on St. Patrick's Day. We miss you so much, Joe!




Taken in December of 2000




Have a great weekend, and great week ahead, everyone! Please continue to pray for all of our friends either going through treatment, or the ones in remission, to STAY in remission. Also, please pray for the families of the children who have gone on to be with God. The pain these families go through EVERYDAY is beyond the comprehension of anyone who has never experienced losing a child. Be thankful for all you have. Try not to complain about "having to run the kids from here to there for this practice and that practice". BE THANKFUL THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THOSE KID-THINGS! So many children are not, period. We love and appreciate you all! Peace to all and may God bless us all!

Love, hugs and prayers,
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Sunday, March 7, 2004 7:11 PM CST

<BGSOUND SRC="http://www.geocities.com/rshunley1969/whowouldntwannabeme.mp3.wav" LOOP=TRUE>

**The names for the links in this entry blend in with the background, just move your cursor over the name, and it will show up better for you to click on**

Hello everyone, thanks for checking in! Connor is doing fine. He worked with his home-bound teacher twice this week. We will start some achievement testing this week at Vanderbilt to kind of see where Connor is, where his strengths and weaknesses are academically, etc. Hopefully, within a few weeks, he will be back in regular school, at least a few days a week, to start. He does very well with his home-bound teacher. He is quite nervous about going back to school, who can blame him?? But we know that in just a short period of time, he will have adjusted well. Please pray specifically for that, THANK YOU!

Thursday evening, I had a Board Meeting for AngelHeart Farm. Connor and Eddie hung out together that night, then again on Friday night, as my dear friend, Christian, and I went out to dinner together. Saturday, Connor and I, along with Connor's friend, Brian, went to Nana and Poppy's for a while. The company that Nana works for was having a yard sale to raise money for the Relay for Life in Portland, that is coming up. They always have a team, and raise alot of money for cancer research, GO APPLETON WIRE! Then, Saturday night, Eddie, Connor and I met Eddie's family for dinner. Today, we went to church, and have been out running all day. Connor is still out right now playing at one of his friends' house.

We don't have to go back to the clinic until March 30! Wow, it seems so strange not being there several times a week, but BOY, ARE WE GLAD!!! There is a story in the Tennessean today that is heartbreaking, the story of a little boy named Andrew, whom we know from Vanderbilt. Please, even if you don't have time to read this article on Andrew, please say a prayer for him, he has been through so much.

Please also continue to pray for our friends having difficulties right now:

Cody's page

LaKota's page

Abby's page

Ian's page

Maxie's page

Little Sadie Grace's page

Little Cyrus's page


Thank you all for your love and support! Thank you for continuing to sign Connor's guestbook! I hope you all have a GREAT WEEK! Enjoy each and every day, sunny or rainy (snowy in some cases!). Each day is a gift from God, use it wisely. Once again, I remind you to stop by some of our friend's pages on the drop-down menu just above the journal entry. You have no idea just what it means to know that people care enough to stop by the pages, and leave guestbook entries. There have been many days that the kind words you all leave have really helped us to face another day. That may sound cliche', but, I assure you, it's 100 percent TRUE!

Thank you all, peace to all, and may God bless us all!

We love you!
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 9:51 AM CST

Good morning, everyone, thanks for checking in. Temps outside in the 60's and near 70 today, what's not to love about that?!?!? Nothing much to report on the home front. Just coasting along, no news is good news. Connor has spent alot of time over the past few days, OUTSIDE with his friends. Roller hockey, exploring the creek, putting up tents, you name it, they've done it. Spring is in the air! Thank you, God, that Connor is able to get out and ENJOY HIS CHILDHOOD, FINALLY!

Not much went on over the weekend. Eddie worked Saturday, I cleaned house, Connor played all day. Sunday, Connor and I went to Nana and Poppy's. Connor got out up there and rode his bike in their neighborhood, and made a new friend, who lives next door to them.

Thank you for your prayers regarding Connor's appt. last Friday. We are trying to get Connor's meds where they need to be, I pray that the changes made will be positive changes.




While we haven't had a lot going on, we are mindful of those friends of ours who have had ALOT going on. I will ask you, once again, to please visit the following sites, and offer them much-needed support:

Cody, who had a bone marrow transplant two ot three months ago, and now is showing abnornal growth in his neck. He started radiation yesterday.....

LaKota, who just relapsed with AML, LaKota's Mom, Debbie, is a great support to all of the Caring Bridge kids, and sadly, lost a child, Cody --age 2 1/2-- to an AML relapse in 1990.

Ian, a precious little boy who has just relapsed with rhabdo. He is starting treatment this week.....

Abby, who is presently FIGHTING for her life....

Ross, who just lost his earthly battle with MLD, after he AND his brother, Trevor, both had stem cell transplants in Dec., 2003. Please continue prayers for Trevor, and for the family....

Angel Dustin, Dustin went to Heaven 18 months ago, his Mom kept his page up, sharing her heartbreak, on Sat., Feb 28, 2004, after updating that day, she collapsed and joined Dustin in Heaven. She leaves behind a son, Tyler. Please, please pray for Tyler and this family, as they deal with this lastest devastating blow.

There are so many others, too many others......

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Please visit some of the kids on the drop-down menu and offer support, they all are in need of support. Hug your kids tight, tell them how loved they are, tell them EVERY DAY. Thank God for all of your blessings, you know there are too many to count. Spend some time playing with your kids, everything else can wait. Thank you for being our friends. We are thankful to you all for all of the support and encouragement you give to us. We are truly blessed! Please pray for Connor to forever remain cancer-free!

Love and peace to all, may God bless you all!

Love, hugs and prayers,
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

---

Thursday, February 26, 2004 2:08 PM CST

***Thursday night--11:00 pm--nothing new, just changed the background, I know the gold ribbons made it difficult to read the words on the page---sorry!***


Hello everyone, thanks for checking in. We are doing fine this week. Connor is working with his teacher right now. He got a report card Tuesday, STRAIGHT A's! Way to go, Connor!!! We will be at Vanderbilt tomorrow for an appointment, please say a prayer for us regarding this appt. I won't go into detail on here, but God knows our needs, and it is NOTHING regarding cancer or the threat of...

Today, I want to use Connor's page to ask for special prayers for a few of our special friends, please, please visit their sites and offer encouragement to them:

Cody's Page

LaKota's Page


Abby's Page

Katia's Page

Ian's Page



Even if you only have time to say "I'm praying...", I know it would mean the world to these families. Please also say a prayer for Angel Jen's Mom, Judy, who had surgery last Friday and is recovering at home. She is one special lady!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Thank God for the blessings in your life, they are there! We are thankful for the friendship of each one of you. We appreciate you.

Now, do something for YOU, turn up your volume and click on the following:

Riversongs--Rain


Peace to all and may God bless us all!

Love,
~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Miracle Trooper!"

---

Monday, February 23, 2004 4:50 PM CST

***Prayer Request--Please go visit Lakota. We need to storm Heaven with prayers for her. Please sign her guestbook, and let her (and her Mom, Debbie) know that you are praying. Thank you so much!***

Hello everyone, thanks for checking in! Thank you to everyone for the well-wishes and "congrats" in the guestbook. We are thrilled beyond belief by the results from Connor's tests. In case you missed the last journal entry:

**Connor is cancer-free,
thank you God!**

Dr. Shankar called today, and confirmed what Nurse Kelly had already shown me in the reports. But, to hear it come from Dr. Shankar's mouth made it even more real. "Thank you" seems so inadequate in expressing our gratitude to all of you for all of the prayers you have prayed for Connor.

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one;
Count your blessings,
See what God hath done;
Count your blessings,
Name them one by one
Count your blessings,
See what God hath done.......

********************
The following poem is by Helen Steiner Rice:


Never Borrow Sorrow From Tomorrow

Deal only with the present,
Never step into tomorrow,
For God asks us just to trust Him
And to NEVER borrow sorrow--

For the future is not ours to know,
And it may never be,
So let us live and give our best
And give it lavishly--

For to meet tomorrow's troubles
Before they are even ours
Is to anticipate the Saviour
And to doubt His all-wise powers--

So let us be content to solve
Our problems one by one,
Asking nothing of tomorrow,
except "Thy will be done."

*********************

We took our little weekend trip to Pigeon Forge this weekend, as planned. Eddie was in a meeting Friday night and Saturday until around noon. His good friend, Keith, Keith's wife Marliss, and their children Ryan and Ashton, were also there for the weekend, so we had someone to hang out with. The kids (and the Dads)rode go-carts Friday night. Saturday afternoon was spent in Gatlinburg, just walking around. We went to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum. Connor LOVES to watch the Ripley's show that comes on TV, so he really enjoyed the museum. We all met back up for dinner Saturday night. We had a wonderful time at dinner. Eddie, Connor and I had shopped in a little magic store in Gatlinburg, so we arrived at dinner with all sorts of little "tricks" up our sleeves. We had such a good time with the tricks, that, after dinner, we all piled in one vehicle and went back to the store, so that everyone else could shop. After getting back to the hotel Saturday night, I hit the sack immediately (yes, I'm a wimp!), and Eddie, Keith and Connor hung out downstairs until the wee hours of the morning playing cards. I think Connor was the "dealer". Needless to say, I was the first one up Sunday morning.

We headed back out of Pigeon Forge around 2:30 or so, after paying a visit to the Flea Market. We then met Ginny for a late lunch. We had a great time with her. Connor was so happy to see her, she had him blushing at times. The child is in LOVE! We finally arrived home around 7:30 last night, much to the delight of Zoe, our kitty. I found this graphic last night, and it looks JUST LIKE Zoe. Connor was amazed when he saw it:


Zoe's twin

Our new friends, Chance, Angel and Patty arrived safely back home Saturday. We so enjoyed the time we were able to spend with them. I know they made some lasting friendships and impacted alot of lives in a positive way while they were here.

We appreciate you all, more than you know. Please keep all of our friends in your prayers. Those just diagnosed, those currently in treatment, those in remission, and the families' of those who have gone on to be with God. A couple of families' need extra prayers this week: Angel Connor Stoke's family and Angel Cade's family. I know how much those thoughts and prayers can make a difference. It may not seem like much to you, but it means the world to the recipient. May you all have a wonderful week. Cherish every moment! Do something nice for someone, it's the little things that count.

I want you all to take a peek at a little miracle from up above:

Cyrus's Page

Little Cyrus was born on Feb. 11, 2004 in Minneapolis, MN, weighing only 11 1/2 ounces and only 10 inches long! He was 13 weeks premature. I found the link through Monica and her daughter, Gabbie's page.


Peace to all and may God bless us all!

Love, hugs and prayers,
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Brave Little Miracle Trooper!"

---

Thursday, February 19, 2004 4:41 PM CST

***PRAISE GOD, CONNOR IS CANCER-FREE!***

The reports were in today from Radiology, and his CT scan AND his MRI both showed NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!! How great is that!!! I am nearly turning cart-wheels, if I could, I would! We went in to have his PIC line removed, (THANK YOU, NURSE KELLY FOR YOUR GENTLENESS WITH CONNOR, WE ADORE YOU!!). Connor was SO nervous in anticipation of that procedure, but it went just fine. Connor is now TUBE-FREE for the first time in a whole year! Kelly then looked in the computer for the reports, and there they were. She went over what they said with me, but I think all I got out of it was NO SIGN OF CANCER! The concrete block has been hoisted off my chest. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all the prayers lifted on Connor's behalf! God is so good! Please, please, continue to pray for Connor to forever stay CANCER-FREE! We've "been there, done that" with the rhabdo beast before, so we NEVER want to allow ourselves to take for granted Connor's good health. As my dear friend, Lu (Gabe's Mom)said on Gabe's page (and it's great advice, by the way!), we don't want to live in fear each day of Connor's life, of another relapse, we want to live each day to it's fullest. Knowing that prayers continue to go up for Connor really helps us to be able to do just that, ENJOY EACH NEW DAY!

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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

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Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is He who made us,
and we are His.
we are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the Lord is good
and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100 1-5--A psalm for giving thanks

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Tuesday, we met Chance, Angel and Patti at the clinic. They came down loaded with books, pins and gifts for the kids. They are the sweetest, most thoughtful people! Lu and Gabe also met us there. Connor's tests ended up taking well over two hours (the MRI itself was over an hour and a half, of him having to lie there PERFECTLY still). Towards the end of the MRI, Connor started sweating and was nauseated. They stopped for a minute and got him a cold washcloth, and that really seemed to help. I felt so sorry for him. That was his longest MRI ever. Anyway, we were back there so long that Lu went ahead and took Chance, Angel and Patti on back to their hotel. I know they were tired.

Yesterday, Connor and I picked them up from their hotel, and took them to AngelHeart Farm. Lu and Gabe met us out there. Tracy was so kind in letting us all come out on short notice. Connor and Chance were more interested in exploring the tadpoles in the creek that runs through the property. But they had a blast! Angel did a fabulous job riding, she even had Tracy talk Patti into riding with her. Patti did beautifully, Angel just giggled to see her Mom get on the horse. Gabe did very well himself. He is becoming quite the Equestrian! He talks up a storm now, and has healed up so well from his surgery in November. It was a gorgeous day, we had a great time. We all went to eat lunch afterward. After that, we met Kim P. from Hugs and Hope in Madison, and Chance, Angel and Patti continued on their Tennessee adventure with her. I am so thankful for the time that we got to spend with them this week. Just goes to show how SPECIAL this Caring Bridge network is! Thank you, Ken, Fran, Robert, Becky, Mary, and everyone responsible for bringing Chance and his family to Nashville. You all are special Angels on Earth!

Connor worked with his homebound teacher this afternoon. She always brags on him and how well he picks right back up where they left off. He actually hasn't been able to work with her for over two weeks, due to his hospital stay. For those of you who have been inquiring, Connor will make a gradual transition back into school. We are working on some testing and planning for this to take place. There is no hurry, home-bound is in place and will be there as long as we need it.

He is now outside, "camping out" with some of his friends. That means they packed coolers with drinks and food and have "hiked" down to the creek for a picnic. I'm sure he will come home soon with his jeans wet up to his knees. It is SO GOOD to see him doing BOY THINGS! Not being stuck in the hospital! Thank you God, oh, thank you!

Tomorrow, Connor and I will accompany Eddie to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for the weekend. His company is having their annual meeting there, so we thought we'd take full advantage of a weekend away. We are looking forward to it, of course, first thing Connor will do as soon as we drive down the parkway in Pigeon Forge is yell, "I WANNA RIDE THE GO-KARTS!!!" He will want to do that before we even get settled into the hotel. This weekend will be all about Connor, and letting him have a blast! We'll even get to see Ginny while we are there, as she lives in the Knoxville area. Please say a prayer for us to have a safe trip. We will be back on Sunday.

Once again, thank you for being here with us. Yeah, you think you are THERE....but you are really HERE, in our hearts anyway! Have a great weekend, everyone, hug your children tight, ALWAYS thank God for the blessings in your life, there are many. We love you all!

Love and hugs,
Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Cancer-Free, Brave Little Trooper!"

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Tuesday, February 17, 2004 8:29 AM CST

Good morning everyone, thanks for checking in! Well, the day has arrived, Connor's end-of-treatment chest CT scan and pelvic MRI. He will be having them early this afternoon. I will post results as soon as we have them, although we really don't EXPECT to hear anything until probably Thursday evening or Friday morning.

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Do not be anxious about anything, but by everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:6-7

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...And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

James 5:15

*****

He has delivered us from a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him, we have set our hope, that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

2 Corinthians 1:10-11

*****

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
In the day of my trouble,
I will call to You,
for You will answer me.

Psalm 86:6-7 A Prayer of David

*****

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be freed from your suffering.

Mark 5:34

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We are trusting in the promises laid out in the Bible for a complete healing in Connor. We have seen with our own eyes what God can do, specifically with Connor's surgery last May. Please pray for CLEAR scans and a CLEAR MRI. TODAY AND FOREVER. Thank you from the bottom of a parent's heart.


Last night, Chance, his sister Angel, and his Mom, Patti, arrived in Nashville around 10:30. Connor and I surprised them by meeting them at the bus station and taking them to their hotel. We were so thrilled to finally meet them. They are a wonderful family. Chance and Connor really hit it off. They have so many of the same interests! They are planning on coming to the clinic today to meet their other friends they have made through Caring Bridge. This trip they have made from Savannah, Georgia (14 hour bus trip!), was made SOLELY for the purpose of them meeting their new-found friends. Now, how special is that?!? We pray for them to have a wonderful stay in Nashville. Anyone who has kept up with Chance, and is wanting to meet them, email me privately, and I will give you hotel/phone number info for them.

Little Rae Rae's (Mackenzie Rae Reynolds)visitation will be today from 4-9 pm at the Highland Baptist Church in Pulaski. The funeral will be tomorrow at the church at 2:00 pm. The funeral home in charge of the arrangements in the Carr and Erwin Funeral Home in Pulaski. Their phone number is (931)363-1533, for more info. Please keep this family in your prayers, as they are facing a MOST difficult time. Little Rae Rae was not even 2 years old.

I will post results from Connor's tests as soon as I get them, remember, it may be a couple of days.

Thank you ALL so much for your support and encouragement. We couldn't do it without you!

We love you all!

~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

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Saturday, February 14, 2004 9:40 AM CST

Added Sunday, Feb. 15--Typing through the tears....I just learned through Craig's page that a beautiful little baby girl, Rae-Rae, passed away yesterday, suddenly. She was in the room next to Connor a few weeks ago when he was in for chemo. She is only 1 or 2, I'm not quite sure, but I know she was well-loved by EVERYONE at Vanderbilt. Apparently, she died from a mass of blood behind her brain, they thought she had a stomach virus and dehydration. This literally makes me SICK, I can't understand it. Please pray for her family.....

Happy Valentine's Day (and Happy Birthday (aunt)Sherry, Angel and Angel Colby!) family and friends! Thanks so much for checking in! We are home, we are home, we are home! We got home last night around 6:00. There is no place like home, to borrow a quote from Dorothy!

Connor had his PIC line placed Friday morning around 9:30. That is his first PIC line ever. We have had a lot of friends, including Gabe, who have had them, but never us, until now. A small tubing is run up through the vein in his arm through the needle. Then a tiny wire to place to where it needs to be. Connor's line goes 28 cm. up his arm and, if I understood correctly, into his chest. This line is temporary. We only had to have it so that I could administer the IV antibiotics here at home. He has an access that comes out of his arm much like the central line access. He told me last night that it didn't hurt at all. He is getting the Vancomycin 4 times a day, which involves a midnight hookup. The medicine goes in over an hour and a half, then it has to be unhooked and the line flushed out. Well, I went to bed at 11:00 pm last night. Connor was still awake playing Playstation. (Yes, I thought he deserved to stay up as late as he wanted to!) So, I told him IF he was up at midnight, please help make sure I get back up to hook him up. Well, at midnight, right on the nose, he woke me up. I can imagine him sitting there watching that clock, minute by minute. He was such a good helper! Now, grant you, I wake up NUMEROUS times throughout the night EVERY night. So, I wasn't relying solely on Connor to be my alarm clock, (did you REALLY just roll your eyes??), but he was a HUGE help! He will be getting the antibiotic through Tuesday, at least. So that's not too bad. We have come home before and had a 21 day regimen to complete.

Connor is still snoozing, surprise, surprise! When we got home last night, first thing we had to do was give Zoe (our kitty) lots 'o lovin'. Then, Connor had his best friend, Jordan (one of our neighbors) over. We ordered pizza for them, so they just hung out for a while. I'm sure as soon as Connor awakens this morning, they will be playing together all day.

Concerning the new hospital, yes, it is beautiful. The funny thing was, there were so many "perks" that we didn't discover until our last night there. There was actually a family laundry room, a family kitchen, and a family business center with a computer, right there on our floor. So, Thursday night, I was up until 1:00 am doing laundry. There are computers and small refrigerators in every patient room, which is great! Believe it or not, they already had a full house, which is sad. We had a couple of uncalled-for, unpleasant incidences (is that a word??) over the last two days of Connor's stay, I won't go into detail, but OVERALL, he had great care and nurses throughout the week.

Please remember our friends currently in the hospital. John Marlin is still recovering from his bone marrow transplant. He is having alot of the side effects right now, and he certainly needs prayer. Also, Chyanna, still recovering from her cord blood transplant, is also experiencing some of the side effects. Little Andrew (either 2 or 3)was BORN with cancer. He was in remission at Christmas-time when we saw them after a bone marrow transplant. He has now relapsed, we need to pray for a MIRACLE for this family. Also, I received an email about a little 2 year old boy, Brandon Simms, who has a brain tumor and is there at Vanderbilt. Craig was admitted yesterday for a round of chemo. These are just a SMALL number of the kids who are in need of prayers. Also, our friend, Cody, has had "activity" show up on his latest PET scan, please pray for that to CLEAR UP COMPLETELY! **Cody's Page**. Katia in Florida is having major "after transplant" side effects as well. She has been in the hospital STRAIGHT THROUGH SINCE AUGUST!


Our friend, Chance, from Georgia, is coming this next week to visit all of his friends at Vanderbilt. He is a 14 year old survivor of cancer, diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was only 3 years old. He, his Mom, Patti, and his sister, Angel, will be making this trip Monday, please pray for a safe journey for them. ***Chance's Inspirational Page*** Chance is amazing, please pay a visit to his site, I know you will be amazed, as I am, with him and his compassionate nature at such a young age.

We are scheduled for Connor's end-of-treatment chest CT scan and pelvic MRI on Tuesday afternoon. Please pray for all to be CLEAR! His PIC line will stay in until his results are looked over by the tumor board next Thursday. Thank you for your support. It is so hard to believe that it has been 2 and a half years since this all began. In February of 2001, Eddie lost his Dad, Joe, two weeks after he had heart surgery. Joe was a wonderful, Christian man, and we still miss him dearly. Then, in October of that same year, Connor was diagnosed. Nothing about life is EVER the same again after a cancer diagnosis, as I know many of you reading this know, FIRSTHAND. It really puts everything in perspective, and it also lets you know who your REAL friends and REAL loved ones are. I have alot of faults, but I HOPE and PRAY that if someone I truly cared about was going through something like this, that I would be by their side. I know everyone has problems, I do know that, but when it's your child, it's different. We are blessed with so many who love us, and have wanted to be a constant source of support. As I've said before, this is something you NEVER get used to, having a child with a LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS. Nothing becomes "old hat" about that, trust me on that one. So, as the parent watching your child go through all of the "crap" involved, each and every hospital stay is just as tough as the one before, some even more-so. Some might think "Oh, Connor is in the hospital again, well, they are used to it by now...", but let me tell you, if it were THEIR child, they would look at things much differently. These children should be thinking about "kid stuff", not hospitals, procedures, cancer and all of the possibilities involved, etc. So, once again, let me say "THANK YOU!!!!!!!" to those of you who have "been there" for us. It means the WORLD to us, I really mean that. Connor's battle is FAR from over. He will have to be monitored for the rest of his life. So, we sincerely appreciate your continued prayers for Connor to live a long, healthy, happy, cancer-free life here with us. Thank you for letting me vent!

Now, as thankful as we are that Connor is doing so well, we are always aware that there are grieving families out there, grieving for the loss of their precious children, taken from them all too soon. PLEASE visit the "angel" sites on the drop-down menu above. Today would be a good day to visit Colby's site, as it is his 6th birthday, but he is celebrating in Heaven, as his family is left here to "celebrate" without him. These parents and siblings are forced to continue to try to "live" each day, when this world holds nothing for them any longer. They REALLY need our prayers. It breaks my heart into a million pieces to think about what they go through....

A great big 'ole THANK YOU to Mitchell Martin and his Mom and Dad for the cookie bouquet! **Mitchell's Page** Connor received it at the hospital yesterday afternoon, and was absolutely THRILLED! Mitchell is a rhabdo survivor himself, his link is on the menu above. They are a wonderful Christian family, I know you will enjoy visiting his site. Thank you, also, to our visitors this week. We appreciate you all! Gabe stopped by with his beautiful Mom, Lu. Gabe is doing incredibly well, following his surgery in November. He was chattering up a storm, and busy as a bee! He is a cutie-pie! Also, Connor's teacher, Mrs. Pemberton, thank you so much for calling and checking on Connor. She had a bag for Eddie to pick up yesterday at school. They had their Valentine party yesterday, so Connor had fun reading all his Valentine's from his classmates last night. He misses his friends at school......

Well, sorry this is so long. I hope you all have a wonderful, candy and flower-filled Valentine's Day! Connor's "Valentine" is Ginny, of course. He had a special card waiting when he got home last night from her, he blushed from head-to-toe. Thank you, Ginny! Take care everyone, we love you!

Love, hugs and prayers,
~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Trooper!"

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Monday, February 9, 2004 10:26 PM CST

***Added Wednesday, February 11--1:00 pm--

We thought Connor was going to get to go home today, things change...

*******Heading to surgery at 4:10 pm*******

~~~~~7:30 pm--Connor is back in his room following surgery. He went back in tears, but he did just fine. He is starting to come off his anesthesia, so he is starting to hurt a little. Thank you for your prayers. We will be here for a few days, not sure what the plan is yet. I will keep you updated. Thank you all so much!
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(now backing up to earlier afternoon)
He has developed another infection, so, they want his central line (the line that goes into his chest for chemo, meds, blood draws, etc.) OUT TODAY. It has been in for a year now, and seems to be the source for all of these latest infections. So, since his platelets are at 16,000 (normal range 150,000-400,000), he is getting a platelet transfusion at this moment. Then, in an hour, around 2:00, they will draw counts again to see where his platelets are. They will HAVE to be at least 50,000 for the surgery, so that there will be no uncontrollable bleeding during surgery. The plan after surgery is to put in a temporary IV for the continuation of antibiotics, then, in a couple of days, put a PIC line in. So, we will be here for a few more days. Anyone of you reading this before surgery time, please pray for everything to go smoothly. Connor is very nervous about this procedure, understandably, not to mention the fact that they told him yesterday he could go home today, now that STINKS! Thank you for all your support! I'll let you know how things are going later on tonight.


Hello family and friends! Thanks for checking in. Yes we are still in the hospital. For those of you who don't know, Connor was admitted Friday with a fever. We actually came into the clinic that day for a blood transfusion, but just before starting the blood, they checked his temp, and it was 102. So, they proceeded with the transfusion while we waited for a room. He had a really bad cough for a few days last week, but that was it. His counts were completely bottomed out. He had less than 100 white cells, normal range--4,500 tp 11,500. His platelet count Friday was 20,000, normal range --150,000 to 400,000. So, Saturday, he developed nose-bleeds. He ended up getting 2 platelet transfusions, one Sat. morning, the other Sat. night. He didn't feel like doing ANYTHING Saturday. It takes ALOT to get Connor down, but he wasn't interested in T.V., Playstation 2, or anything else. He wouldn't eat or drink anything. He actually didn't eat a bite of anything all day Friday and Saturday. Our buddy, Nikie, and her Mom, Cyndi, were here Friday and Saturday, so we got to visit with them, (Hi guys!)

We had been given tickets and backstage passes to the George Strait/Dierks Bentley concert for Saturday night. (THANK YOU BEN!!!) We had two tickets, so Connor and I were going to go. Well, obviously that plan changed. So, Nana and Poppy came down to stay with Connor for awhile so that Eddie and I could go. The concert was in downtown Nashville, so we knew we could get back quickly if need be. Connor developed another nosebleed, and was needing his Mom (that's me!), so we came on back around 9:30. THANK YOU NANA AND POPPY FOR "BEING THERE" for us, as you've been throughout his journey!

Sunday was the big day here at Vanderbilt. MOVE DAY to the new Children's Hospital! Wow, what a facility! It stunk that Connor had to be in for a fever, but if he had to be here, Sunday was the day. They have been working on the hospital the entire TWO AND A HALF YEARS that Connor has been in treatment. The new hospital will serve children within a 250 mile radius of Nashville. Let me tell you, it is GORGEOUS! We were moved around Noon on Sunday. It was a carefully orchestrated event. We arrived in our BRAND NEW ROOM, and I'm sure our mouths were hanging open. It is incredible. And the bathroom in the room has a full-sized tub/shower combo! Those of you who have spent many nights in the hospital can see how important THAT detail is. Plus, Connor is the first patient EVER in room 6416! Now, as exciting as that is, we want this to be our ONLY inpatient stay ever. Connor has been able to get out a little bit, with a mask on, to check everything out. He is neutropenic right now, obviously.

Last night, Connor had a special surprise. When Eddie and I went to the Meet and Greet Saturday night before the concert, we got to talk to Dierks, and told him Connor was in the hospital. Well, he and his friend, Michelle, came out last night to visit with Connor. They were here for about an hour. Dierks and Connor played PS2, then Dierks played his guitar and sang a few songs for Connor. They were SOOOOOO nice to take time out of their busy, busy schedules to visit with Connor. THANK YOU, DIERKS AND MICHELLE!

Today, Connor's infection was identified as an Alpha Strep blood infection. He is on two different antibiotics right now, and we should know tomorrow more about how long he will be here. We do know that we will be going home on IV antibiotics, when we do get to go home. He had to have another blood transfusion today. His counts are still VERY LOW, please pray for them to RISE so that he will start feeling better, and will be better able to fight off this infection. Right now, his body is defenseless against any germ. His doesn't have a fever tonight, although he has had one the entire stay.

Thank you for all of your continued prayers. Connor is scheduled for a pelvic MRI and a chest CT Scan next Tuesday, February 17th. After we get the results back from that, we should be able to say that Connor is in remission! We just know the tests will be free of any sign of cancer. Trust in God, trust in God, trust in God.......

We are so grateful to you all, have a great week, hug your children tight, remember the important things in life. Please pray for those still fighting, all our friends in remission, the families' of those who have earned their angel wings...... Thank God for all you have!

We love you all!
~~Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Miracle Trooper!"

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Monday, February 2, 2004 10:02 AM CST

***Yet another Friday 2/6/04 update: I had to come home to pack for at least a 3 day stay. Connor developed a fever just before they started his transfusion, so that got us an admission. Ya know, we were really anxious to see the new hospital, but not quite like this. The BIG MOVE is Sunday, so we will be involved in that. Hopefully, we will get to come home Monday (at the earliest). Please pray for Connor's fever to break, and for the cultures to NOT GROW ANYTHING. Thank you for all your support. Once again, I will not have access to this page or my email until we get into our new room at the new hospital, I think all the rooms there have computers. Thanks and have a great weekend!*****

******Added Friday morning @ 10:30--Just want to ask everyone for prayers for the family of Carlie Jane Brucia from Florida--as most of you know, her body was found early this morning after her disappearance on Sunday. The monster is in custody and is being charged with her murder. I can't BEGIN to imagine what Carlie's family is going through right now. Please say a special prayer for them. Please also pray for the family of Conor Ford. I just found out he lost his earthly battle with the cancer monster yesterday. Little Alex Haigler went home to be with Jesus this morning. Please keep these families' in your prayers as they prepare for the hardest days of their lives.

On a lighter note, three of our friends are recovering from transplants from the past week and a half, John Marlin, Chyanna Alexander and Katia Solomon, please pray for the success of the transplants and for side effects to be kept at a minimum. Thank you so much!

I am taking Connor in today for a blood transfusion and a platelet transfusion. He also has a very nasty cough, please pray for him to remain fever-free, so we can avoid any hospitalizations. Thanks and we love you all!******


Hello, hello, hello! Thank you all for checking in! Yes, we are home. YES, WE ARE HOME FROM CONNOR'S LAST CHEMO! Can you BELIEVE IT??? Connor is still sleeping this morning, so I thought I'd FINALLY update.

The past couple of weeks have been VERY difficult. The anxiety of ending treatment, and everything that entails, has NEARLY gotten the best of the three of us. BUT, we made it through the treatment, it is now behind Connor. It was an especially tough week in the hospital. For those of you who have inquired, NO, the new hospital is still not open, the newest date is February 8, this coming Sunday, for the move. Anyway, the chemo was really hard on Connor, as we had expected. His emotional state was very fragile all week. We had some rough days. Please pray for Connor, he has so much on his plate right now. He has Brooks on his mind alot, we are trying to face his fears regarding Brooks death head-on. I want to say a special 'THANK-YOU' to Dr. Debbie for all her help, not only over the past week, but over the past year. Debbie, you have been more help to all of us that you will ever know. She is going to help us devise a plan for the back-to-school transition. Connor will not have to be thrust back in full-time, we can do it gradually. That will be best for him right now. We, as a family, have many issues to work through together. Life, as it is for any cancer-family, has been day-to-day total chaos over the past two and a half years. There is NOTHING in your lives that cancer does not affect. N-O-T-H-I-N-G! The range of emotions that you experience on a day-to-day basis is unreal. As I've said before, everything revolves around cancer. My dear friend, Lu, Gabe's Mom, gave me a pep talk a few days ago, and she told me that we now have to choose to NOT let cancer dominate our lives, it WILL NOT WIN. We won't give in to the fear of relapse. Thank you, Lu! By the way, Gabe had his scans Thursday, Lu called me Friday evening, his SCANS WERE CLEAN, NO SIGN OF CANCER, YEAH!!!!!! Way to go, Gabe!

Connor will have a scan of his chest and an MRI of his pelvis in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know the exact date when I get it. (ADDED 2/3/04--SCAN OF CHEST WILL BE 2/17/04 AT 2:00, MRI OF PELVIS WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW THAT SAME DAY AT 2:30--PLEASE PRAY!) We KNOW the scans will be clear, please help us pray for that to be a reality. This week, we have appointments four out of five days at Vanderbilt. Next week will be the same, I'm sure.

Friday night at the hospital, our buddies, Diego (from Child-Life) and Rebecca (Connor's nurse), surprised Connor with a little after-hours fun. Connor and Diego had a Silly-string battle. It was so funny. Thank you, Diego and Rebecca, for making Connor's last night in the hospital, so much fun! We love you guys!



Saturday, Connor's last day in the hospital, started out with Eddie bringing a 'Way to go, you did it Connor!' cake to the hospital, along with a bottle of sparkling grape juice and three champagne glasses.

Connor was discharged around 3:30 in the afternoon. We had a family prayer before leaving the hospital room. We then came home, changed clothes, and went BACK to Nashville, for the Predator's game, thanks to Vanderbilt, Diego, and the Child-Life staff. We had dinner before the game in the corporate reception room at the 'Geck'. We then proceeded to our seats, GREAT seats by the way, along with everyone else with Vanderbilt. There were probably 30 people in our group. The game was great, the Pred's pulled a win off in overtime with only 15 seconds remaining. We then went back to the reception room, where several of the players came by to sign stuff for the kids. We had a really great time. Thank you, Vanderbilt and the Predator's, for a great family night out!

Yesterday was sleep-in day for Connor. He had certainly earned the right to sleep as late as he wanted, which turned out to be about 2:30 in the afternoon! We told him we would do anything he wanted to do. He asked his friend, Jordan, to go with us. We went to the Car and Truck show in Nashville and looked around. Connor is a car fanatic, as most of you know. We then went to Connor's choice of a restaurant, China Star, and pigged out on the chinese buffet. Connor actually did not have much of an appetite. He went for three days in the hospital last week without a single bite! But, he always enjoys China Star. We were going to ride go-carts after that, but they were not open (might've been because it was 43 degrees, ya think?), so we went bowling instead. We had a great time, Connor and Jordan especially. We got home last night in time to see the end of the Super Bowl. Congrats New England! (Although I have to say, I was pulling for Carolina!) Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Even BEFORE the exposure incident, your dancing was disgusting, do you know that kids were watching, you needed to GET A ROOM! O.K., enough said, I just think it is ridiculous when someone, as they do, has such an opportunity to impact our youth, and they choose to 'act a donkey' on national television, what a shame.

We are so thankful, SO thankful. Thankful that we have our child here with us. Thankful that God has given us another day together. Thankful for our families'. Thankful for our friends. Thankful for YOU! YOU have been such a guiding force for us throughout this journey. Your presence, your prayers, your kind words, your cards, your gifts, your friendship, YOUR PRESENCE. Just knowing we have so many on 'Connor's team', rooting for us each day, well, that really helps us get through the days. We have been blessed, we know that. God had been so good to us. We are thankful. Thank you God!

As we celebrate Connor's ending of treatment, we are very aware of all of our friends who are still battling, and those who lost their earthly battle. Please continue to pray for our friends, and our friend's families'. Some of them are on the drop-down menu above, I will be adding more names, as I get them, I have a list now to add. So sad, so sad to know of so many 'new' kids, starting this hellish battle. Also. please continue to pray for Connor. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING... that is what we will do. We will never get so comfortable that we will not pray. We know Connor is here today because of prayers. We will NEVER take that for granted. Please, please, remember to hug your children extra-tight, and thank God for them. He has blessed you with the opportunity of being their Mom or Dad. They need the assurance that you are there for them, that you love them, that you will do anything for them. Let them be aware of that EVERY DAY! Our children are one of life's greatest gifts. Always thank God for that gift.

Thank you for coming by, we need you, we appreciate you, we love you! Have a great week everyone!

Love, hugs and prayers,
~~Rhonda, Eddie, and Connor, our "Bravest Little Miracle Trooper!"

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Wednesday, January 21, 2004 9:56 AM CST

***Connor is scheduled for his next (and last!) chemo on January 27. This will be a five day stay. Please pray for it to go smoothly. Thank you so much!***

Hello family and friends, thanks for checking in. First of all, thank you for the "extra" love you have shown over the past week to Connor as he has had to deal with the loss of his 10 year old friend, Brooks. He had asked me questions and talked about it some, on his own time. I didn't press him to open up. God certainly answered my prayers, I was praying Connor would not want to go to the visitation or service, and he didn't even ask me. Eddie and I went to the visitation Sunday night, then I went to the funeral on Monday by myself. The service was beautiful. It was a celebration of Brooks and the impact he made on so many people. He truly was wise beyond his years, as most of these children are forced to be by this dreaded disease. His family will miss him beyond belief, but they are assured that he is now in the arms of Jesus, safe and secure, awaiting the day when they will all be reunited. In addition to his parents, Lee and Sue, Brooks is survived by his brother, Forrest, and his sisters, Jessica and Olivia. Please keep this family in your prayers.

Please visit a special page made by our new friend, Judy. A link to her beautiful daughter, "Angel" Jennifer's site is on the drop down menu:

Connor's page created by Judy
Thank you, Judy!


It was a rough week at Vanderbilt, as two more children lost their earthly battle with cancer over the weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of 15 year old Marissa, and with the family of Nick, I'm not sure how old he was, but he was a relatively new diagnosis. We had never met either of them, but will definitely be keeping their families' in our prayers.





Last Friday at the clinic, Connor had to get blood and platelets. We were quite certain he was low on both. He had been having nose-bleeds, and his lips were nearly white. We got to hang out with our buddy, Craig, and his Mom, Helen, at the clinic. We were due to go back to the clinic yesterday, but Connor was so tired from not sleeping the night before, that I called to see if we could reschedule. His teacher was due to come at 2:00, and I knew we would be really pressed for time, and I just wasn't up for that extra stress. So, tomorrow, we go back for counts again. I have to go to court in the morning in White House for a speeding ticket that I got a few weeks ago. Connor was with me when I got pulled over. He was sssoooo mad at the policeman. Of course, I tried really hard, but I was tearing up a little, and the policeman told me not to cry. THAT is what made Connor mad. I tried to explain after the fact that I had been breaking the law by speeding, but he wasn't going to have any of it. He will be going to court with me, I hope he doesn't disrupt the courtroom in protest.




Hopefully, Connor's counts will be back up, and he will be able to go to school Friday and Monday. He hasn't been since before Christmas. In another month or so, he should be back full time! I'm sure that will be an interesting transition. Please pray specifically for that. THANK YOU!

I hope you all have a great weekend! If you have time, please visit some of the sites on the drop-down menu above, and leave an encouraging note in some of the guestbooks. Your notes are what get us through alot of days, whether you realize it or not. Please also say a prayer for my Grandma. She is very special to me. She had a suspicious spot removed from her head this week, and they are sending it off to see if it could be skin cancer. Please pray for the test to be NEGATIVE. I certainly appreciate it. (I love you, "Cass"!) Thank you all for stopping by, I apologize if I haven't answered your email over the past few days, I have kind of been in a slump lately. I'll try to do better! We love you all, peace to all, and may God bless us all!

Love, hugs and prayers,
Rhonda, Eddie and Connor, our "Bravest Little Miracle Trooper!"

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Thursday, January 15, 2004 7:18 AM CST

Update 1/17/04--6:50 am--IT IS WITH VERY HEAVY HEART THAT I TELL YOU THAT OUR FRIEND, BROOKS RICHARDSON, LOST HIS EARTHLY BATTLE WITH CANCER YESTERDAY EVENING AT VANDERBILT. CONNOR AND I HAD BEEN AT THE CLINIC ALL AFTERNOON. HE HAD TO GET A BLOOD AND A PLATELET TRANSFUSION. WHEN WE GOT HOME, I HAD A MESSAGE ABOUT BROOKS, AND IT WASN'T LOOKING GOOD. WE WENT BACK DOWN THERE. I DEBATED ON WHETHER TO LET CONNOR GO, BUT HE WAS PRETTY INSISTENT ON BEING THERE FOR HIS BUDDY. WHEN WE GOT THERE, HE HAD JUST PASSED. I AM HEARTBROKEN FOR HIS PARENTS AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW HE IS NOW CANCER-FREE, WITH JESUS IN HEAVEN. BUT STILL, HIS PARENTS ARE LEFT HERE WITHOUT THEIR CHILD, IT MAKES NO SENSE. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM, THEIR NAMES ARE SUE AND LEE. THEY HAVE THE HARDEST DAYS OF THEIR LIVES JUST AHEAD. PLEASE ALSO PRAY FOR CONNOR, I TRIED TO GET HIM TO OPEN UP AND TALK ON THE WAY HOME, BUT HE JUST SAT AND STARED OUT THE WINDOW. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE ALL THE THOUGHTS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH HIS MIND. THOUGHTS THAT NO 9 YEAR OLD SHOULD EVER HAVE TO THINK. FOR ANYONE READING THIS WHO KNOWS OF BROOKS, I DON'T HAVE INFO YET ON THE SERVICE. I JUST CHECKED THE TENNESSEAN THIS MORNING, AND IT ISN'T IN THERE YET. IT WILL PROBABLY BE IN THERE TOMORROW.--TENNESSEAN.COM--
Sunday, January 18--visitation from 3-5 and from 5-7 pm at Woodlawn funeral home on Thompson Lane Sunday. Funeral will be held Monday, Jan. 19, at 2:00 pm at Hillsboro Church of Christ with visitation Monday one hour prior to service. To read full obituary, Click here and scroll down to Stockton Brooks Richardson. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS....

Hello everyone, thanks for checking in! Connor's chemo last week was rough, to say the least. He stayed in his room the majority of the time, which for Connor, is unusual. It just hit him especially hard. Having the two 'five day chemos' in a row really took it's toll. His marrow just didn't have enough time to recover in between. His next chemo is scheduled for January 27th. It is another five day stay, same drugs, so he really could use some prayers. I cringe to think it could be WORSE than last week. But, IT IS HIS LAST CHEMO. Yes, his last one and he is finished with treatment. Yes, we are relieved, but, as I've said before, 'been there, done that', so we are being more cautious this time as far as a way to celebrate. One of Connor's doctors suggested a quiet little weekend trip somewhere, just the three of us. NOT a big celebration. So, we are hoping to be able to do that. Because as scary as it is to finish and stop chemo, Connor has accomplished SOOOOOO much, and he certainly deserves recognition for that. We haven't had a conversation yet with Dr. Shankar concerning after-treatment plans. It would be my hope that scans could be done every two months, instead of every three months, as was done the first time. That may not even be a possibility. We do have faith that God will keep Connor in remission, but God also gave us a brain, and we realize that there is always a chance for relapse again. So, we will pray, as we do all the time, for Connor to remain cancer-free and live a long, happy, healthy life. Isn't that all any of us really want for our children??

Thank you all for the prayers lifted up last week for Connor. A special thank-you to Mary T., in Baltimore. We 'met' Mary through Hugs and Hope. She called the hospital last week to check on Connor, it was such a joy to finally get to speak with her. Also, Ann R., in California. She sent Connor a box-full of presents. When I came home to get clothes, it was sitting on our front porch. I took it back to the hospital with me. Connor had been vomiting while I was gone. He got that box, and was so excited opening his gifts. Wonderful timing, Ann, thank you so much! We appreciate all of the cards that you all continue to send to Connor. And to all of you who are signing Connor's guestbook, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I have a couple of prayer requests. The first one is for Ashley and Ryan. **Click here for their page** Ashley was diagnosed back in 2000 with ALL. She relapsed in her bone marrow in October, 2003. She is getting ready for her transplant. Ryan is her 21 month old little brother. This past Saturday, Jan. 10, he was admitted to the hospital, and they diagnosed HIM with ALL, as well. They are actually sharing a hospital room. Can you imagine what their parents are going through right now?!? Please, please pray for this family. Also, Katia S., in Florida, just had lung surgery to get rid of an infection. She relapsed in August, 2003, with AML. She is getting ready for her transplant. They have been in the hospital SINCE SHE RELAPSED. Please pray for this family. **Click here for Katia's page**

I'm going to try to add some children to the drop-down menu at the top of the journal. There never seems to be a shortage of new names, it really is very scary. We all have so much to be thankful for. I thank God every day for another day. Another day with Connor. We are so thankful to have him here with us. So many families' no longer have their child with them. So many are left to face each new day without their precious child. Stop for a moment and whisper a prayer for these families. Nothing but the grace of God, and the strength that only He can give them, will get them through today.

We appreciate you all. And I do mean 'all'! You give us the will and determination to get through the days, with the love and support that you give us. Thank you for taking this journey with us, we know you didn't have to. I