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Thursday, March 25, 2004 12:17 AM CST Hello to our family and friends,
So many people have asked so I thought I would journal what led up to Davin's passing...As everyone knows, Davin was put on Hospice on Monday, December 8th...What we all thought is that he had about 3 months to live, but with the understanding that if we could get his pain under control, he could possibly "function" somewhat normally...There are plenty of children on hospice that go to school, etc. and have "normal" lives...That was our point...Get his pain under control so we could spend some quality time with Davin and let him enjoy his last days...Well, after trying a couple of different pain medications, we thought we finally had it under control...We were so worried though, because all he did was sleep...Now, we are still on day 2 and 3 of Hospice...Tuesday and Wednesday...on Wednesday, Davin stopped urinating...We hated that he slept so much, but we liked the fact that hopefully he wasn't in as much pain when he was sleeping...We were damned if we did and damned if we didn't...On Thursday (December 11th), I woke up and went in to work...Daddy stayed at home...I told Rushell that I would probably be home early...My intention was to go in and get everything done and come home...Rushell called about 3:00 pm and asked when I was coming home...I told him I had a few things to finish and I would be on my way...Well, I ended up leaving a little after 5:00...I called Rushell and told him I was on my way...Now, our house is about 45 minutes away during rush hour on a good day with no wrecks, etc...The hospice nurse called me about 5:20 pm and said that Rushell had called and said Davin wasn't breathing...She said she would meet me at the house...Here I am stuck in traffic and my child is dying!! I wanted to be there with him!! I wanted to be there for Rushell!! I was panicing...My friend called and told me to call 911 and let them know what was going on...maybe they could escort me through the traffic...well that didn't work...not during 5:00 traffic...I finally made it home about 6:15...He was already gone...Rushell said he passed about 5:25 pm...He said that he had stopped breathing and he attempted to do CPR on him...He just wouldn't breathe...Then Davin's little heart started racing and then it started slowing down...beat by beat, until it stopped completely...Rushell stayed by his side the whole time and hugged and kissed him...Rushell and I just hugged and hugged and cried and cried...He laid in his bed looking so peaceful...He was out of pain...You could tell...It was such an awful feeling, yet it was wonderful...No more pain for Davin, no more chemo, no more surgeries, no more!! But, we were here to suffer the loss...how we already missed him!! Now, we had to tell his sister, Tuesdey...she was in her room with her door closed the whole time talking on the phone...she's eleven, so she was clueless to what was going on...just being a kid...I went in and asked her to get off the phone and I said Heaven has a new angel...she knew...she just started bawling...the three of us just hugged and hugged...We stayed in his room with him until the funeral home came and picked him up, which was about 9:00 pm...We just layed with him, knowing that would be the last time we would see him here on earth...What an empty feeling!! The funeral home got to our house and Rushell carried him out to the car...Oh, it was such a touching moment...but so heartbreaking seeing daddy carry his son's limpless body out of the house...We all just stood in the driveway until he rode off...WE LOVE YOU, DAVIN...ALWAYS!! WE MISS YOU SO MUCH!! WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN UP IN YOUR NEW WONDERFUL HOME, HEAVEN!!
Love,
The Rucker Family
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Well, it has been a little over 2 months since our precious angel went to heaven. We still cannot believe it!! Not a minute goes by that we aren't thinking about Davin...it just breaks our hearts that he is gone...not being able to cuddle with him and not hearing him talk about all the cars that he is going to get when he grows up...no more nights watching Mavericks basketball in front of the television...our lives are so different now...We moved to a new house the first weekend of February...this helps so much...Davin passed at home, so all of us have flashbacks of that night...we just couldn't live in that house anymore...too many memories...We want to thank everyone that continues to visit our site and offer words of encouragement...They help SO much!! More than you will ever know...THANK YOU!! We will try to update more often...not a day goes by that we don't check the guestbook...it has just been hard on all of us.
We love all of you!!
The Rucker Family
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Hello...This will be short as it is still too hard to write our feelings right now...But, we wanted to wish Davin a very Happy Twelfth Birthday on Monday, January 12th; His first in heaven with Jesus...WE LOVE YOU DAVIN!! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR "SWEETS"!!
Love,
Daddy, Mommy, & Sissy
P.S. Alot of people thought that Davin's birthday was back in December, but that was his sister's (Tuesdey's) birthday.
Memorial Services for Angel Davin will be on Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 2:00 pm.
North Dallas Funeral Home at Farmers Branch
2710 Valley View Lane
Dallas, TX 75234
Friday, December 12, 2003
It is with great sadness that we have to write today...Heaven now has a new angel. Davin peacefully went to sleep on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at about 5:35 pm. with his wonderful Daddy by his side. He courageously fought this fight to the end...He will definitely be missed!!
We will write more later about arrangements, etc. as it is too hard to write right now.
God Bless,
Rushell, Shauna, Tuesdey and ^i^ Davin
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Hello to our family and friends...
I am so sorry we haven't updated in several days, but things have been so hectic...
Davin was started on Hospice yesterday...He sleeps 22+ hours per day and is in alot of pain...Right now, we are working with Hospice to try and find the combination of meds out there to make him have no pain...This is the hardest thing we have EVER dealt with in our lives...It really, really sucks!! I just can't believe we are having to watch our precious son die!! It is so awful!! Words cannot even describe how we are feeling...Please pray for all of our family for strength to get through this...We really need the prayers right now. Tears flow constantly...Our hearts are aching so terribly right now...Of course we are getting no sleep...The pain meds that we give Davin is given once every two hours, so we have a timer to go off every two hours so that he doesn't miss a dose...We don't want him to be in any pain...
We want to let everyone know that we APPRECIATE all the cards, gifts, guestbook entries, words of encouragement, etc...They really help out alot!! More than words can say...We are sorry we can't personally respond to each of you, but please know that we love each and every one of you...Please know that...
Just a reminder that if you live in the Dallas area, Davin's school is having a Garage Sale Fundraiser for our family...It will be held this Saturday, December 13, 2003 at:
Shorehaven Elementary
600 Shorehaven Drive
Garland, TX 75040
If you need directions, please feel free to email me and I will tell you how to get there...
Donations can also be sent to:
The Rucker Family
1802 Pleasant Valley Drive, Suite 100-175
Garland, TX 75040
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
To view all of our Hawaii pictures Click Here Then just click on "slide show" on the right side of the page...Enjoy!!
Saturday, December 6, 2003
Just a quick update...Davin is still not feeling the greatest...He has just been laying in bed since we got home from the hospital, not eating much either...Please Pray!! It breaks our hearts to see him like this...We are meeting with the Hospice nurse on Monday to find out more about their program...Also, we are looking into an alternative treatment called Protocel...We have read numerous success stories about this product...Our way of thinking is it doesn't hurt to try...The only drawback is that insurance does not cover the expenses because it is considered alternative...We are in a major financial crisis already...Davin's school is going to help us out with our first fundraiser to help cover costs for his care and for this new treatment:
Garage Sale
Saturday, December 13, 2003
8:30 am - ?
Shorehaven Elementary School
600 Shorehaven Drive
Garland, TX 75040
Donations can also be mailed to:
The Rucker Family
1802 Plesant Valley Drive, Suite 100-175
Garland, TX 75040
Thank you so much for checking up on Davin and our family...Thank you so much for all of the kind notes that are left in the guestbook...We appreciate all of them!! WE LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
**HAPPY ELEVENTH BIRTHDAY, TUESDEY ON DECEMBER 4, 2003!! WE LOVE YOU SWEETIE!!**
Monday, December 1, 2003
Okay...this sucks...THIS REALLY SUCKS!!
We spoke to Davin's oncologist today about the official pathology report on Davin's biopsy...It is all tumor...and growing at a very rapid pace...this tumor was not present three months ago...It grew that quickly...With that said, we are running out of options for Davin...The tumor is inoperable, he can't have any more radiation, and they are already giving him the best chemotherapy drug available...all the other chemo's are less potent than the one he is getting now...and the tumor still grew...This is the hardest thing we have ever ever had to go through...I just can't believe this!! The oncologist said that he doesn't like giving any specific time periods, but that he probably has three to four months to live...We have an appointment with Hospice at the end of this week, just so we can get everything started and we won't be in such a panic once the time comes to call them in...Right now, we are still going to remain positive (although that is easier said than done...as I bawl my eyes out through typing this)...Davin is such a fighter...He has fought for ten years now...We will not give up hope!! Please, please continue to pray!! We need all the prayers we can get!!
We are at home now...Davin got discharged from the hospital today; so he is resting comfortably in his OWN bed... :)
Lord, please give us the strength we need to deal with this situation...We are still looking for a miracle...
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
To view all of our Hawaii pictures Click Here Then just click on "slide show" on the right side of the page...Enjoy!!
Saturday, November 29, 2003
Hello to our family and friends,
Davin had his surgery yesterday and he made it through okay...The neurosurgeon was only able to get biopsy's...He said that there are definitely tumor cells and his cerebellum looks very abnormal...He said the tumors are INOPERABLE...Please PRAY for a miracle!! We are waiting for the official biopsy reports to know more...they say it takes about 48 hours...PLEASE PRAY!! DAVIN NEEDS ALL THE PRAYERS WE CAN GET!! He is in ICU at Children's and is in *ALOT* of pain...I wish I could take the pain away!! I will update as soon as I have more info...we don't have internet access at the hospital, so I will update when I can...PLEASE PRAY!!
Davin Rucker
c/o Children's Medical Center of Dallas
1935 Motor Street
Dallas, TX 75235
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Davin will be having brain surgery this Friday, November 28th at 7:30 a.m.
Please keep our family in your prayers at this time...
If all of this isn't enough, Davin lost his balance and fell on Sunday and busted part of his front tooth out...He had to go to the dentist and they had to do a partial root canal on him (a pulpectomy)...They will do the complete root canal sometime in March or April of next year......LORD GIVE US STRENGTH!!
Davin Rucker
c/o Children's Medical Center of Dallas
1935 Motor Street
Dallas, TX 75235
PLEASE PRAY...AS WE TRULY BELIEVE THE POWER OF PRAYER WILL MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN!!
God Bless!!
Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
To view all of our Hawaii pictures Click Here Then just click on "slide show" on the right side of the page...Enjoy!!
New Pics were added in the photo album, too!!
Saturday, November 22, 2003
The doctor called and Davin's surgery is scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2003...the day after Thanksgiving...We are not sure of the time yet, we will know that on Monday...He will be in the hospital for a few days...He will be at:
Children's Medical Center of Dallas
1935 Motor Street
Dallas, TX 75235
I will update with the room number, etc. when we get that information.
Please Please say BIG prayers!!
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Friday, November 21, 2003
Davin will be having brain surgery again...We are not sure of the date yet, the doctor is supposed to call us back today after he talks with the neurosurgeon. This time the spots are on the back left part of his brain...the first time, they were on the front left part...They are going to take as much tissue as they can safely take and then do a biopsy on it to figure out where we need to go from here treatment wise...The tumor isn't a solid mass like the first one...on the MRI, it looked like a haze or smoke over the left back part of his brain, so they can't go in and resect it like they did the first time...
We will update as soon as we know when the surgery is scheduled...Please Pray!! Please Pray!! Please Pray!!
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Well, the doctor called us last night and didn't have news that we really wanted to hear. Davin's MRI showed some abnormal bright spots on his Cerebellum that are about 3 to 4 inches from the original tumor site...Dr. Bowers said that he is puzzled by these bright spots because when the contrast was given during his MRI, the spots weren't bright anymore like they were before the contrast was given. Davin's original tumor did just the opposite, it got really bright when the contrast was given. He said normally tumors in the same individual respond the same way each time...So, with that said, Davin is going back for some more tests today...He will have an MRI of his spine and he will have what's called an MRI Spectroscopy...This particular test is just like an MRI, but they inject a different type of contrast and they zoom in to these bright spots...They are then able to tell what the chemical make up of the spots is...Tumors are known to have high concentrations of certain chemicals...These tests will be at 2:30 pm today and we will meet at Dr. Bowers office at 4:30 pm to get the results...We just don't like the sound of all of this...There is definitely something there...I will update as soon as we get the results this evening. Please pray...Pray hard!! Please ask everyone that you know to pray...We truly believe the power of prayer can make miracles happen!!
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Please keep Davin in your prayers!! We had to take him to the Emergency Room this past weekend because he was having the same symptoms that he had a year ago when he was diagnosed with the brain tumor...vomiting, headache, weakness on his right side, and drooling...We are so worried!! He had an MRI done last night...we should know the results later on this afternoon or tomorrow...PLEASE PRAY!! This cancer crap SUCKS!! I HATE IT!! One minute he is doing great and then the next minute, this...It is constantly on our minds...I can't imagine what is going through his little mind!! It isn't fair!! We are praying for a miracle...I know God produces them, so please pray with us!! As soon as we get some results, I will update this page...
On a lighter note...We had a blast in Hawaii!! I will update more about the trip later on and I will post some new pictures...
Thank you everyone for checking on little Davin...Please come again soon!!
God Bless!!
^i^ Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Friday, October 31, 2003
Happy Halloween to all of our family and friends!!
Today is kind of a mixed feeling day for us...One year ago today, we were sitting in the Emergency Room wondering what in the world was wrong with Davin...Then, the horrible news was delivered that he had a massive tumor on his brain...I hate that day...I say "that" day, because I love "this" day...Today Davin is a ONE YEAR SURVIVOR to this awful beast!! This is so great because one year ago today, the doctors thought he was only going to live 6 to 12 WEEKS...Now it has been one YEAR!! Wooo Hoooo!!! Davin is kicking some cancer butt!! He is such a great fighter!!
On to some exciting news...This Sunday, November 2nd, we are leaving for a 7 day Hawaiian Cruise!! Davin was granted his Hawaiian Cruise wish by Children's Wish Foundation International!!! We are so excited!! We look at this trip as a "Celebration of Life"...A ONE YEAR SURVIVOR!! We are going to have a special toast on the cruise in Davin's honor...A toast to LIFE!!
I will update more when we return and will post some pictures of our trip...
Please continue to pray...Davin's MRI is scheduled for November 18th...PRAY!! PRAY!! PRAY!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Well, just a little update...We won't know for sure what is going on with Davin until his MRI that is scheduled for November 18th...AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! (That is me screaming...LOL...)...So, I will update as soon as we know something...Thank you for checking in on us and PLEASE keep praying!! We love all of you!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family
Friday, October 24, 2003
Just a quick update...STILL NO NEWS!! ARGHHHHHH!!!! But, I wanted to let everyone know that we are going out of town today and won't be back until Monday...We are going to a wedding in Oklahoma...CONGRATS TO KATHERINE AND JD!! :)
We didn't want to alarm anyone with no new postings for a few days...Please keep praying!! We will update when we return...
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Well, Davin went to the doctor yesterday...and we still don't know anything!! We are so frustrated!! The dentist spoke with Davin's oncologist and she thinks what is seen on the x-ray is a projection of a "bone flap"...so you ask, What the hell is a bone flap??? Well, of course I was wondering the same thing...It is the piece of skull that was removed during his tumor resection surgery and then put back in, kind of like a jig saw puzzle piece...It is still Davin's actual bone...My guess is the skull fuses back together kind of like when you break a bone...Well, the oncologist wasn't real sure about this theory but he says he will get to the bottom of it...We hope it is sooner than later...The "not knowing" is killing us!! We thought we'd let everyone know what we know...and that's not much!! We will update as soon as we get more news...Please just keep PRAYING!! Thank you, too, for everyone that checks in on little Davin...It truly means the world to us knowing that so many people care!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Monday, October 20, 2003
Just a quick update...We still have not heard anything about the dental x-ray...Davin's oncologist thinks it could be "artifact" on the x-ray, like Davin moved or something and caused a shadow...I still won't be satisfied until we know for sure...considering his medical history...He goes to see the doctor tomorrow, so hopefully we will have more answers then...Another thing...Davin had seizure activity yesterday...This all just worries us to death!! PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY!! PLEASE HAVE EVERYONE YOU KNOW PRAY FOR LITTLE DAVIN AND ALL THE OTHER PRECIOUS CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM THESE AWFUL DISEASES!! We will post an update as soon as we know something...
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Hello to our family and friends,
We need your prayers!! Davin went to the dentist this morning for a regular check-up...They did a panoramic x-ray, as well as bite wings...The dentist stared at the panoramic x-ray for several minutes and didn't say anything...Then he grabbed it and said I'll be right back, I need to go consult with another dentist...Well, I'm sitting there freaking out!! What in the world is wrong??? Both dentists came back and showed me their concern...There seems to be some kind of mass in his right sinus cavity...The left one looks normal...They said they had never seen anything quite like this...Well, of course, I am freaking out...The oncologist told us when Davin was diagnosed with the Brain Tumor that Davin's chances of getting other types of cancer are very great...because of his history of alreay having leukemia and the brain tumor...PLEASE PRAY FOR DAVIN!! PLEASE PRAY THAT THIS IS NOT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!! PLEASE PRAY THAT MAYBE IT IS JUST A "GLITCH" IN THE X-RAY!! I don't know how much more we can handle!! Our lives revolve daily around cancer and it makes me sick to my stomach even thinking about it...We have got to find a cure for this awful beast that affects SO MANY...actually TOO MANY people...Please pray for us...I will update as soon as I know something.
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, October 1, 2003 11:52 AM CDT Hello to all of our family and friends!!
Last night was a long night...Davin was up sick all night...Poor thing...the only thing he was worried about was if he could go to school today or not. He loves going to school and seeing his friends. It is the chemo that is making him sick, so I told him if he wasn't feeling sick when he woke up and he wasn't too tired he could go to school. He woke up this morning and said "I feel great!"...Bless his heart...whether he felt great or not, he was determined to go to school!! So off to school he went...This shows us what determination Davin has...He is such a fighter!! I know alot of kids (including myself when I was his age) who would have played up being sick so they could get out of going to school...to stay home and watch TV or play games all day...But, not our Davin...He is strong and determined...God has a wonderful plan for Davin...we just know it...He is too special of a child!!
Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers...We truly believe the power of prayer can make miracles happen!! And those prayers are definitely working...we grow stronger each day.
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, and Tuesdey
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 11:11 AM CDT Davin is back on his daily chemo regimine…He is handling it okay for the time being…He is starting to be a little lethargic…But no nausea!! Last night Rushell and I had a long conversation about our lives with Davin…We wouldn’t change it for the world, but why in the world do these precious, innocent children have to suffer? I know that Davin has to feel left out of things…Like when he looks outside of his window and sees boys his age playing football in the street and riding their bikes, etc…We wonder if he ever wonders why he isn’t out there too…or when he asks his sister to write his name for him…Does he wonder why he can’t write his own name? Being a parent of a child with cancer is so hard…Cancer sucks!! The very treatment (radiation) that Davin had for his leukemia when he relapsed, is the very treatment that caused his mental delays…You are damned if you do and you are damned if you don’t…But, we had to try and save his life…So, we will gladly take our Davin, the Davin that we all know and love, and fight with him…fight this courageous battle that he is trying to conquer…FIGHT, DAVIN, FIGHT!! He is definitely our little warrior…OUR HERO!!
We have got to help find a cure for this awful beast!! It seems like I get emails daily about our circle of caring bridge friends…those that have relapsed and those that have gone on to become angels…It breaks my heart!! Please keep all of these families in your thoughts and prayers…WE TRULY BELIEVE THE POWER OF PRAYER CAN MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN!!
Please continue to keep little Katia in your prayers as she goes through treatment for a relapse of AML...Please pray for all the caring bridge children as they fight the fight of their lives...
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Thursday, September 11, 2003 1:27 PM CDT As I sit here today, I can’t help but think of all of the victims of the September 11 tragedy…Please know that we are holding you all close to our heart and you remain in our thoughts and prayers…
Davin is back on his daily chemo regimine…He is handling it okay for the time being…He is starting to be a little lethargic…But no nausea!! Last night Rushell and I had a long conversation about our lives with Davin…We wouldn’t change it for the world, but why in the world do these precious, innocent children have to suffer? I know that Davin has to feel left out of things…Like when he looks outside of his window and sees boys his age playing football in the street and riding their bikes, etc…We wonder if he ever wonders why he isn’t out there too…or when he asks his sister to write his name for him…Does he wonder why he can’t write his own name? Being a parent of a child with cancer is so hard…Cancer sucks!! The very treatment (radiation) that Davin had for his leukemia when he relapsed, is the very treatment that caused his mental delays…You are damned if you do and you are damned if you don’t…But, we had to try and save his life…So, we will gladly take our Davin, the Davin that we all know and love, and fight with him…fight this courageous battle that he is trying to conquer…FIGHT, DAVIN, FIGHT!! He is definitely our little warrior…OUR HERO!!
We have got to help find a cure for this awful beast!! It seems like I get emails daily about our circle of caring bridge friends…those that have relapsed and those that have gone on to become angels…It breaks my heart!! Please keep all of these families in your thoughts and prayers…WE TRULY BELIEVE THE POWER OF PRAYER CAN MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN!!
Please keep little Katia in your prayers as they look for a bone marrow match…and the Levy Family whose precious little girl became an angel yesterday…God Bless all of these families and all of these children!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, September 3, 2003 1:49 PM CDT Greetings!!
Everything has been going good in the Rucker household...Davin and Tuesdey enjoyed last weekend with their Grandma and Papa in Oklahoma City, while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the first OU football game of the season!! GO SOONERS!! If you didn't know by now, we are HUGE OU Sooners football fans...We love this time of year!!
I don't have much to update but wanted to let everyone know to please pray for a friend of ours named Katia. She has leukemia (AML) and has recently relapsed. They are looking for a bone marrow donor, so please keep her in your prayers Click here to visit Katia's site.
Also, a very special lady named Sara, who is a Hugs and Hope volunteer, has set up a webpage for Davin's NASCAR wish. Please go and check it out!! Davin's NASCAR wish
I guess we will close for now...I will write more later on...Please continue to pray for Davin and all of our other friends that are battling this terrible monster!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Saturday, August 23, 2003 2:06 PM CDT Hello, Everyone!!
We have GREAT news here in the Rucker household!! Davin had his three month MRI last Thursday...The results came back and he has NO RECURRENT TUMOR!! We are all so excited!! Davin will remain on his daily chemo plan (5 consecutive days every 21 days) and if his MRI's stay clear we will talk about ending chemo in January 2004...PLEASE KEEP PRAYING...IT IS DEFINITELY WORKING!! We truly believe the power of prayer can make miracles happen!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Saturday, July 26, 2003 4:50 PM CDT Hello, Everyone!!
I bet everyone thought that we fell off the side of the earth!! Sorry it took so long to update...we've had a lot of issues going on in our family...Please keep all of us in your prayers!!
Davin and Tuesdey went to spend a week at Grandma and Papa's house in Oklahoma City...they got back last week...Boy, it sure was quiet around our house!! They had a WONDERFUL time!!
We have been weening Davin off of his dilantin (anti-convulsant) and this week would have been his last week taking it...He hasn't had a seizure since November 2002, so we thought we'd give it a shot...BAD NEWS...Davin had a seizure this past Tuesday...Of course I freaked out, thinking the stupid tumor was coming back with a vengence...I called his oncologist and they think he just needs to be on the dialantin full time, since he has had these "spells" since 1994...since he's not having weakness, nausea, or headache, they told me not to worry too much...I AM A WORRY WORT!!! So, Davin is back on the original dose of Dilantin that he was taking...
Davin has his next MRI on August 14th, so please keep him in your prayers...This "PMS" (Pre-MRI Syndrome) is killing me!! I much rather have the other "PMS"...LOL...
Not too much else going on...just trying to keep cool in this VERY HOT TEXAS HEAT!!
I added new pictures in the photo album...please check them out!!
God Bless!!
^i^ The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, June 25, 2003 5:53 PM CDT AHOY MATES!!
The Rucker Family is full of fish phrases, so we thought we'd greet you with pirate talk!!
We just got back from our deep-sea fishing trip in Florida...WE HAD A BLAST!! Davin was scared of being outside on the boat, but he did enjoy keeping the Captain company inside while watching cartoons...We ended up catching 42 fish--Red Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack...and these were BIG FISH!! It's not too easy bringing almost 300 pounds of fish home on a drive from Florida to Texas...But, it was well worth it!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO CAPTAIN RODNEY AND GAIL SMITH OF www.deepventure.org FOR MAKING THIS TRIP POSSIBLE...WE CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH...WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME AND YOU ALL ARE THE GREATEST!! GOD BLESS BOTH OF YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION YOU HAVE STARTED!! THANK YOU TO CAPTAIN LEVEREL AND MATE BRAD OF "FAMILY TRADITION" (www.panamacitybeachfishing.net) FOR TAKING US OUT ON YOUR BOAT...CAPTAIN LEVERAL IS AWESOME AT FINDING THE FISH AND HIS MATE BRAD WAS AWESOME AT HELPING WITH EVERYTHING TO HELP TO MAKE OUR TRIP OUTSTANDING!! THANK YOU TO "PAPA JOE" AT "LOLLYE ON THE BEACH" MOTEL FOR DONATING THE USE OF OUR ROOMS WHILE WE WERE IN PANAMA CITY BEACH...
As soon as we get our pictures developed, we will post them on the web page...
This trip really meant alot to our family...We were able to "get away" from our everyday lives here in Texas...running back and forth to the doctor, wondering if Davin is going to feel good from day to day...etc, etc...Watching the sun rise off of the ocean, feeling the ocean waves splashing against our bodies, watching Davin and Tuesdey play in the beautiful white sand, watching the dolphins swim by the boat, feeding fish to the pelican when he landed on our boat, hearing the waves splash against the beach...all of these precious moments really made us step back and RELAX...we were able to really enjoy God's gifts that he has given to all of us...It was such an awesome experience!!
We do know this~Whenever we have a bad day, we will cherish these memories and will be able to think about them and re-live them in our minds and turn our day into a good one!!
Until next time...May God be with all of you...and Make the most out of every single day that you have here on Earth...
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Friday, June 6, 2003 10:05 AM CDT Greetings Everyone!!
It has been way too long since I have updated this journal...I thought I'd better take some time out and let everyone know what is going on in Davin's World...
Davin has really been feeling good lately...PRAISE GOD!! It is so much easier getting through the day knowing that he feels good.
Davin and Tuesdey's last day of school was last Friday...they are so excited about being out for the summer!! We are all counting down the days for our deep-sea fishing trip in Panama City Beach, Florida. We are leaving June 20th. This trip was donated to our family by a wonderful organization called www.deepventure.org . Please visit their website and learn all about this awesome husband and wife and their quest to touch the lives of children living with cancer.
Davin went to the neurologist this past Wednesday and got a great report!! Dr. Cook would like to start weaning Davin off of the dilantin, which is used to control seizures. Davin has been seizure free since his brain surgery in November 2002...Before the surgery, he was having 3 to 4 seizures PER DAY!! This is great news!! The doctor told us to wait until the Monday after we get back from our trip to start the tapering schedule. He just doesn't want any surprises when we are away having fun!!
I guess I will close for now...I promise I will try and not wait so long to update this journal!!
One more thing...we are still in desperate need of help getting our vehicle fixed. If you have any suggestions or fundraising ideas, please let us know.
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Tuesday, May 6, 2003 3:24 PM CDT Greetings, all!!
WHOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!! LET'S CELEBRATE!! THERE'S A PARTY GOING ON RIGHT HERE....A CELEBRATION TO LAST THROUGH OUT THE YEAR........
As you can see, we are so excited here in the Rucker Family!! Davin had his 3 month MRI yesterday, and we got the results back today...HIS MRI LOOKS BETTER THAN THE LAST ONE!! The doctor walked in and said "I have GREAT news"...that is all we heard...LOL...After about a week of all of our nerves on edge and not being able to sleep, we can finally breathe again!! The "bright spot" we have been watching is SHRINKING!! Dr. Bowers said that the fluid around the tumor cavity is going down and the blood vessels aren't as enlarged...and NO NEW TUMOR GROWTH!!
Please, join in the celebration with us!! We are all doing the happy dance!!
I will write more later, but thought I'd post this for now...
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Saturday, April 26, 2003 6:08 PM CDT Greetings Everyone!!
It has been over a week since I have updated everyone...Please take this as a GOOD THING!! Davin has been doing great with this round of daily chemotherapy...YEAH!! His eating has slowed a little and he gets fatigued very easily, BUT HE IS ALIVE AND SMILING!! That of course, makes us SMILE!!
We had a WONDERFUL Easter...Davin and Tuesdey got all kinds of neat goodies from the Easter Bunny and from all the many angels that send us good wishes on a regular basis...Thank you especially to Angel Susan and Angels Mercedes, Ric, Ian, and Max for being so gracious to our family...They keep SMILES on all of our faces everyday!! God Bless you for all that you do!!
Davin has an MRI scheduled for Monday, May 5th...PLEASE keep Davin in your prayers and pray for GREAT test results...We are all kind of nervous and anxious for this test to come...Please PRAY!! We truly believe the power of prayer can make miracles happen!!
Please, also, continue to keep our family in your prayers for Financial Strength...This awful beast of cancer is causing great financial hardship and stress on our family. We are also in desperate need of a reliable car. Please continue to pray for us.
I will close for now...and as always...CELEBRATE THIS WONDERFUL DAY!!!
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Tuesday, April 15, 2003 9:17 PM CDT Hello!!
It was such a beautiful day here in Garland...Davin had a doctor's appointment this morning and everything looks good right now...His blood counts were all good, so he can continue on with Chemotherapy...
This afternoon, Davin went on an Easter Egg hunt with his class from school...and boy, was he excited!! He had a GREAT time!!
There's not too much more news from the Rucker household, so I guess I'll close for now...
...and remember to CELEBRATE!!
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, April 9, 2003 7:13 PM CDT Greetings from the Rucker Family!!
Great news!! Davin is starting to eat again!! YEAH!! I can't believe how much of a party we throw when things like this happen...we have really learned to celebrate EVERYTHING in our lives...you never know when you might not be able to!! So, our advice to everyone is...CELEBRATE EVERY DAY THAT YOU ARE ALIVE AND FEELING GOOD!!
Davin was excited this past weekend, because his Uncle Brian came down to see him...Uncle Brian lives in Oklahoma City, so we don't get to see him as much as we would like to!! We had a great visit with him and his friend, Heather.
There isn't too much else going on in Davin's World...He is going to school tomorrow...he usually tries to go every Thursday...he likes to see his friends every once and awhile...we think it helps with his morale.
I guess I'll close for now...I'll write more later...
And remember to CELEBRATE!!
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, & Tuesdey
Wednesday, April 2, 2003 9:33 AM CST Hello, all!!
I think that the daily chemo is really starting to take a toll on Davin...He is getting weak and he doesn't have much of an appetite at all. He has lost all the weight that the steroids put on him...we just don't want him to lose too much more!! We have been trying to feed him things that he likes, but he just isn't interested. His spirits are so awesome, though...you wouldn't think that anything was wrong! He loves playing basketball outside...In fact, it is a MUST that he plays everyday!! He would stay out there 24 hours a day shooting hoops if we would let him!! LOL...That is what helps us all get through each day...He is such a precious child to all of us!!
We will continue to fight this beast with all of our might!! Please keep all of us in your prayers...
There was an exciting package that came in the mail for Davin today!! He received his very own Love Quilt!! It is an NFL theme and the individual squares of the quilt have been cross stitched. Each square is an NFL team and mascot. The backing of the quilt is football helmets. Davin had a huge smile on his face when he got this special gift. It is so beautiful!! We would like to personally thank all of the stitchers and quilters that put their tender love into each and every stitch of this quilt!! Please visit www.lovequilts.com to learn more about these special angels that stitch for these special childern. I will post a picture of the quilt soon!!
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, Tuesdey
Tuesday, March 25, 2003 9:05 PM CST Hello!!
It seems like forever since we've chatted with everyone!!
Davin and Tuesdey made it back from Oklahoma City and we were informed that they had a wonderful time!! I think they visited the whole population of OKC...and of course we called them at least three times a day to make sure everything was okay...I was banned from calling after about the second day of their visit!! LOL...Just kidding!!
On Sunday, we went to a "St. Baldrick's" event...This event is where people sign up to have their heads shaved bald and they collect pledges for the National Children's Cancer Foundation...It is held around St. Patrick's Day. Davin got a huge kick out of watching other people get shaved. He laughed at everyone that went bald. There were even two women that went bald!! We met so many nice and caring people. It takes lots of guts to shave your head bald!! Davin and Tuesdey really got a kick out of meeting Tara Gibson, who is Miss Dallas County 2003. Her platform is Children's Cancer so she was there supporting the event. Tuesdey is still talking about the Miss Texas pagent, which by the way will be held on July 5th on UPN...GO TARA!!
Davin went to the Audiologist yesterday (Monday, March 24th) and had his hearing checked. Sometimes radiation and chemotherapy can cause hearing loss and problems, so the doctors will be periodically checking his ears. The audiologist told us that everything looks great and he has no problems right now...YIPPPEEEE!!
He went to the Oncologist today, and his blood counts are good, so he started back on daily chemotherapy. He will take it for five consecutive days, then he will "rest" for two weeks. Please keep him in your prayers!!
Davin also got a VERY SPECIAL package in the mail today, I thought I would share with you...To give you some background, Davin has "chemo angels" that send him cards, gifts, etc. (sometimes on a daily basis!!). Thank you to all these angels that put a smile on his face daily, because it also puts smiles on our faces, as well!! Angel Mercedes, Ric, Ian, Max, and we can't forget about the dog, Lydia, had arranged for Dirk Nowitzki from the Dallas Mavericks to autograph a jersey for Davin...WELL...IT CAME IN THE MAIL TODAY!! Davin was so happy!! They also included a Dirk Lego set...You should have seen the smile on his face!! GOD BLESS YOU, ANGEL MERCEDES, RIC, IAN, MAX, AND LYDIA!! GOD BLESS YOU DIRK FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S LIFE!! ALSO, GOD BLESS YOU, ANGEL SUSAN FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AS WELL!! We have really gotten close to these angels...they have truly been a God-Send!! They truly help us get through each and every day!!
Well, I think that is all that has gone on this week, I guess you could say it's enough...we've been pretty busy!!
I will close for now...Please keep your prayers coming!!
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, and Tuesdey
Wednesday, March 12, 2003 9:42 AM CST Greetings!! First of all, we would like to welcome you to Davin's web page. We created this page to make it easier for everyone to stay informed on Davin's progress. We will be adding pictures soon in the picture album, so please check back often!!
It is Spring Break so, Davin and his sister, Tuesdey, are currently in Oklahoma City visiting their Grandparents. We are so excited that Davin was feeling well enough to make this trip!! It sure is quiet and lonely around our house...Daddy, Mommy, and our dog, Mugzy just don't know what to do with ourselves!! We know we are supposed to relax and enjoy ourselves, but that is just too hard to do...Actually, we don't know how to do that!! LOL...
Please visit often, to see updates...we will try our best to keep this page current...BUT, please keep in touch with us other than with this page...We really appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, and support!!
God Bless!!
The Rucker Family~~Rushell, Shauna, Davin, and Tuesdey
Monday, March 10, 2003 5:56 PM CST
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