Hi all,

A little slow on posting the outcomes of the visits to the doctors.  Sorry.

No evidence of disease!  The ultrasound tech did say the scar tissue remains on the right kidney and he appears to have a cyst there as well, but there is no cancer--in the abdomen or on the lungs!  I'm not sure what the story is about the cyst...guess that makes for another discussion with the nephrologist.  His blood pressure has been running a bit high (for him, compared to what it was before); I think I'll monitor that a bit more frequently and then send the numbers to the nephrologist to see if we should look at changing anything, considering we don't see her again until September! 

The oncologist felt that Asher's eye issues were allergy related and she recommended a consult with an allergist too.  He saw the ophthalmologist and she confirmed it.  Definitely allergy eyes and she concurred with the allergist consult AND gave him eye drops to use to help.  She also said we're looking at ANOTHER change in lens prescription when we go back in 6 months!  Ughh!  Cute story though, Friday morning he woke up and he was rubbing his eyes like crazy and he stopped, looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm going to rub these allergies away."  Gosh, if it only worked like that, I'd bottle that remedy and would be able to put all 5 kids through college :)

So, the appt with the allergist is set for 7/9.  Curious to what he will say.  Asher was tested for allergies the day before he was diagnosed with cancer; at that time, IgG and IgE antibody testing showed he was allergic to whey and lamb (of all things).  From what I've been told, you can develop them as time goes on...just hoping he's not allergic to dust...that would be a VERY difficult battle in this house! :)

Asher was featured in our local paper twice over the past week.  There's a little boy named Caleb who has finished treatment for Stage III Wilms (they also live in Washington County); Caleb's mom, Julie, and I have become friends, but the boys had never met.  The Hagerstown Relay for Life was a week ago and they met for the first time there, doing the survivor's lap together.  Sweet victory!  The paper did an article on both boys the day before, sharing their stories and how they were going to meet.  Then, there was a picture the day after the Relay of them walking the survivor's lap together.  Very cute.

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=225289&format=html

http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=225380&format=html

This was even printed in yesterday's Opinion section of the paper:

Thumbs up

 

To Caleb Hawbaker, 5, of Hancock, and Asher Hopkins, 6, of Leitersburg. Both are cancer survivors who provided plenty of inspiration at last week's Relay for Life fundraiser at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown.

We went to my father's family reunion yesterday.  It was a sweet thing to be able to share with so many loving family members how well he is doing.  AND, he got to do his first belly flop off the diving board...don't think it was intentional and it DEFINITELY was not enjoyed :)

Gosh, sometimes when I sit back and think of it all, the tears just roll.  God has been good, in the sorrow and the joy.  Makes me think of our Sunday School lesson this morning from Matthew 5:  Blessed are the broken hearted, for they will be comforted.  He truly has been our strength and our portion.

Please pray for our friends Missy and Ryan Morgan.  We met them at the Lighthouse Family Retreat in 2007.  Missy (Mom) and Ryan (10 yr old son) are waging war with the cancer foe and are in the hospital now.  Drop them a message if you get the chance.
www.superryan.blogspot.com

Love you all.  Will post an update after he sees the allergist!

Blessings to you and yours,

Maria