Journal entry by Cal and Kristi Carlson —
Today, I am so grateful for Colton’s health! One year ago today was Colton’s final dose of treatment. We spent the year celebrating with many adventures and look to do even more in 2024!
We started out 2024 with a scare of reoccurrence as Colton found a bump on the back of his head. We originally were scheduled to go back to St Jude next week (Feb 14) for check up. However, with the concern of reoccurrence, a call to St Jude and a few days later we were headed back for check up. A bit stressful but thankfully the bump was not a cancer concern and the rest of his scans, bloodwork etc still show NED ( no evidence of disease). So….we continue the roller coaster cancer diagnosis that has been given to us!! Unless crazy happens again, we do not go back to St Jude until end of May. We tentatively have his ear drum repair scheduled then but will see as it gets closer.
Colton is still feeling good and keeping busy! He still deals with congestion, ear drum hole which affects his hearing, and random other things but of course never complains. Since the last time I wrote, Colton earned his Eagle Scout rank. So now we have 4 Eagles in the house!
As for the rest of us, we are still working to find our new normal but there is no time to settle as Connor graduates this year… yikes! As he heads to college we will work on a new normal! Cooper gets he driver’s license soon… another yikes! And Colton will move on to high school next year! All great milestones to celebrate!
We appreciate you checking in on our family and for the many prayers! ❤️ Please continue to pray for families still in the midst of their treatment and the families that have suffered loss to this terrible disease!🙏