May 15, 2010

I apologize that I am late in communicating about Addison’s latest developments. I have contracted a virus which has lowered my emotionally quotient as well as my physical response. Last May 29th, we received the devastating news of Addie’s original Leukemia Diagnosis. April 29th of this year we received horrific news that he has relapsed due to Leukemia “Blasts” in his Central Nervous system. This would explain why he has been suffering from severe headaches. As a Mom, I kept telling the Doctors, something is wrong beyond the sinus infection. He rated the pain at 8 out of 10 which is so out of character for him as his pain threshold is extremely high. The chance of relapse is only 3-7% so this has been a shock for his Medical Team as well as us. His survival rate is now at the 50-50%. When he heard the news he sat stoically and shed a silent tear. We did receive a dose of great news with the Bone Marrow Aspiration. It was negative and a great sigh of relief as the survival rate is 10-20% with that scenario. He will return to MD Anderson to undergo a couple days of lumbar punctures and high dose chemo. We are hoping he can return to school and finish up before his counts begin to plummet. He has started a new regime of high dose steroids so we are back to following the diabetic diet which he naturally is following. At the risk of spoiling him, we are dedicated to letting him live a normal life as possible. Jack, Stefan and Addie are out looking at cars as I write this. Addie’s medical team has stressed that friends, Coaches, and Teachers will be the greatest asset to Addie as he begins chemo once again. The NP stressed that Addie will be angry and not to take it personally. We are trying to absorb this latest smack down and re-fill our cup of faith to continue with a positive mind-set. It is difficult to not be angry and frightened but Jack and I are committed to having our Poker face on when around Addie. I feel selfish asking for prayers but faith is the only answer in the darkness we are facing. I can’t thank you enough for not abandoning us in Addie’s greatest hour. To get back on the bike after a major crash is never easy but progress always begins with the first brave step. Hopefully, we will look back at this day and remember the courage to continue was the only direction to travel. As Tiny Tim would say, “God Bless us everyone.”

"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it." Margaret Thatcher