I thank you for all the prayers, hugs, and comments of concern for Alex's relapse of osteosarcoma. He is high spirited & courageous and will continue to battle this next journey with me - his mommy, my dad & mom, and his two brothers (Trentin & Trevor) by his side for encouragement and you; our friends and family with thoughtful words and prayers.
3-25-14: Three days prior to Alex's 15th birthday, March 28th, Dr. Joyce found a tumor on his left leg under the knee. He immediately scheduled Alex for scans that day and a bone biopsy the following day. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in three different areas on March 26th, 2014. One in his lower leg - below the knee, one in his hip joint, and the most painful one for him is in his spine pressing on a muscle. As this new journey begins, the steps of procedure is unclear to me. Our cancer doctor, Dr. Yeager has expressed concern of how to treat this type of reoccurring osteosarcoma. He has not heard of it nor knows how to treat it. For the tumor to come back in areas other then the lungs is very rare. He will be looking for the advice of Dr. Anderson, formerly of MD Anderson Hospital. I will update as I feel able to, not nearly as much as prior. As I am a single mother of three wonderful boys, little to no help from Alex's father or his family, relying completely on my parents, sisters, family members, and friends for help with all of us. Those in our lives are a complete blessing to our family. No matter how small you think the gesture is, it has a huge impact on our lives. I appreciate your support, words of hope, & encouragement during Alex's next steps in life. This journey may lead Alex & myself to another state for treatment or just on the other side of this state. I am determined to go as far as I may need to insure comfort with his medical treatment.
Additional ways to stay in touch:
1) Children's Hospital's webpage:
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/ send a greeting card online. Printed, then handed to Alex while he is in the hospital.
2) Alex has a Facebook account.
3) Send me a personal email to familycircle7@hotmail.com
If you would like to donate financially, please contact me at familycircle7@hotmail.com
or copy and paste this direct link to paypal, you will need an account to access this account. . .
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Z6X5EZKFZQGZC also a site was made on www.gofundme.com/alexcooper (
http://www.gofundme.com/alexcooper)
and finally, Chase Bank is able to take deposits. I'll post the details once I receive them.
All of this information was posted during Alex's first journey with osteosarcoma in 2013.
Our prayers go out to all of you, that you can handle Alex's diagnoses of telangiectatic osteosarcoma as high spirited & courageous as he has & will during his battle to over come this disease
appreciate your support, words of hope, & encouragement during Alex's next steps in life.
Additional ways to stay in touch:
1) Children's Hospital's webpage:
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/ , send a greeting card online. Printed, then handed to Alex while he is in the hospital.
2) Facebook, I believe you can send him messages.
These are the dates that Alex will be at Children's Hospital for his chemo treatments. These dates may go over a day or so, depending on how his body reacts to the medicine. This is only the first half of his treatment plan. A second half will be added at a later time after we know what his surgery plan is to remove the tumor.
February 28th, 2013 until March 6th, 2013
March 25th, 2013 until March 28th, 2013 (Alex's 14th birthday) Room H12B.40
April 1st, 2013 until April 4th, 2013 Room H12B.33
April 8th, 2013 until April 11th, 2013 Room H12A.15
April 29th, 2013 until May 2nd, 2013 Room H12B.42
May 6th, 2013 until May 8th, 2013 Room H12A15
Surgery, then four more months of chemo (dates listed below)
River Valley Middle School 8th grade student body designed t-shirts in honor of Alex. They are a yellow, black, and white design saying, "COOPER RV CARES" with the number 42 (his RV Football number) and a Viking mascot on the front of the shirt. Hessler s Screen Printing and More, in Marion made the shirts in honor of Alex. Bryce Hessler, who's parents (Kim and James) own and operate the store, has been a wonderful and encouraging friend to Alex. The colors are to remind Alex, even though his fellow student body and RV staff may or may not be Pittsburgh Steeler fans, they will wear the colors proudly in support of him. The student body and staff also purchased snow cones during the school's Relay for Life walk that was held during school hours in May to benefit any of Alex's needs.
River Valleys team for the Marion Counties Relay for Life honored Alex as well. The lime green t-shirt proudly had Alex's last name on the right sleeve of their designs this year. Ms. Itterly helped to make this happened. Let me give a shout out to her for such a wonderful and helpful friend that she has been to our family. (And a cancer survival herself, 9 year survival!!!)
For family and friends wanting to help out, please contact me so that we can figure out what will best meet Alex's needs and reach his goals. If you feel a financial donation is needed, please contact me or use the PayPal link below for additional expenses or special needs for Alex that may arise for his future. Honestly, if you just drop a greeting card in the mail it seems to have a special place in his heart before he even has the card opened.
PayPal link:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8DNBURHCULRK4 If family and friends would like special photos added to this website, please email them to me. familycircle7@hotmail.com When sending an email to me, please mark "Alex Cooper" in the subject line. Also, send me a quick note letting me know its ok to post the photo on his site and a description to add with the photo.
SURGERY - (at Cleveland Clinic) May 20th, 2013 until June 4th, 2013
2nd half of Chemo dates
July 1 - 3
July 22 - 25
July 29 - August 1
August 5 - 7
August, 26 - 29
September 3 - 6
September 10 - 12
September 24 - 27
October 1 - 4
October 8 - 10
October 22 - 25
October 28th - November 1st; LAST CHEMO!!!
