Wow.  So it’s been over 13 months since I last posted on this blog.  I’ve been debating whether to leave it up or take it down.  I think I’ll just leave it here, in case it might still help someone with the hepatoblastoma info.

Anyway, Noah turned 3 on 11.16.09 and has been cancer free for over 15 months now!!!  He’s experienced quite a bit of hearing loss in his left ear from the Cisplatin…something we knew might happen, but not as prevalent as it is.  He started pre-school on his birthday too.  He LOVES school and will randomly grab his backpack, walk to the front door, and say “I go to school.  Bye!”.  We’ve got some lingering issues with eczema from the treatment, but other than that, this kid is doing great.  He’s as healthy as a horse, except for the things that the chemo affected.

Looking back on this whole experience, I can’t believe I was this calm about the whole thing.  I’m sure I was much calmer in this blog than I was in real life.  I was scared to death, but always trusting that our Savior would do just that for him.  Noah’s battle with cancer has had so many effects, both good and bad, on so many people.  I know that him being sick drove my wife and myself ever closer to Christ, both during and after the treatment.  There are people almost every day that marvel over how well Noah is and how strong he fought.  We worry more now…Crystal’s turned into a bit of hypochondriac, but for the most part, is fine.  All in all, I wish none of us had to go through this, but we’re all stronger because of it…in so many ways.

So, this will be the last post on this blog, unless I get the itchin’ to start giving yearly updates or something.  I think Noah’s run in the blogosphere is pretty much over.  We’re getting back to a normal life…if there is such a thing after an experience like this. 

Please continue to pray for cancer patients around the world.  There are so many who are affected who do not have a voice.  If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please seek Him out.  Were it not for our faith during this time, we would’ve been totally lost.  And besides that…He created everything!  I think He’s due some worship.  =)

God bless,
Doug

My goodness.  It’s been a long time since I posted.  I know that several people have been wondering how Noah’s been doing.  Well, here it goes…

Noah wrapped up treatment in August.  Shame on me, but I can’t remember the date.  We had a brief period of September where we were worried because his AFP went from 3 to 6 to 14.  It wasn’t supposed to happen like that.  But it turned out that because his liver is regenerating, it bumped his counts up.  They’re back down now…I think the last AFP was 3 or 4.  That’s what we want to see.

Noah started speech therapy about 3 weeks ago.  Understandably, he’s a little delayed developmentally.  He really wasn’t interested in learning to talk.  That’s turned around lately though.  He’s starting to say more stuff, but we’ve still got a ways to go.  He’s gets frustrated because he can’t express himself…that, and everyone has spoiled him rotten.  It’s nothing we can’t work through.  I think we’re just all happy that he’s still here. 

Crystal, Dillon, Noah, and I are basically trying to pick up the pieces from the last 8 months and start back into life.  Dillon started taking karate.  Crystal is starting to worry less.  Noah’s developing.  I started back leading worship at New Bethel.  We’re kinda getting back to where we were before…but everything’s different now. 

I probably won’t really be posting much on here anymore.  I just don’t have the time since school started back up.  And honestly, I think we just want to put this part of our lives behind us.  Obviously, if anything new happens, I’ll post…and I may just say hello from time to time.  There’s an RSS feed that you can add to your reader (if you have one…if not, try Google Reader) to see if anything new has posted. 

I wanted to especially thank Boyd and Paula McClellan.  Paula made a “Noah’s Ark” toy for Noah and Dillon…by hand.  It was beautiful and they love it.  Thank you guys so much.

Thanks so much to everyone who has posted or prayed or even thought about our family during this time.  Your thoughts and prayers and gifts have meant so much to us.  We truthfully would not have been able to make it through without it.  God has blessed us so richly with so many good people that surround us.  God bless you all. 

God bless,

Doug, Crystal, Dillon, and Noah

Wow…six weeks goes by fast.  I’ve been a little delayed in writing anything on the blog because we chose to use the 6 free weeks after surgery to just have some time with our boys. 

Dillon and I just got back from a cruise last night.  We went to Progreso and Cancun with my parents and my sister’s family.  It was pretty good, but there were 2 people conspicuously missing from the trip.  Unfortunately, Noah had to start chemo back up this past Monday.  Not that we would’ve taken him on a cruise ship anyway…especially not to Mexico.  Random diseases are everywhere.

As previously mentioned, Noah did start back up on chemo this past Monday.  He’s doing pretty well.  Some vomitting, but nothing unmanageable.  But we’ve gotten SO MUCH good news over the past six weeks.  Here’s the rundown:

• Noah’s post-surgical AFP is 3!!!  That’s right, THREE!!!!!  Basically, THERE IS NO MORE CANCER!!!!  Hallelujah!!!! Praise the Lord!!!
• Pathology came back on the tumor.  There was significant necrosis (cell death) with no sign of mitosis (dividing cells).  So the chemo did what it was supposed to do.  Again, praise the Lord!!!  This is all His doing. 
• Just two more rounds left.  We even got something in the mail from a cancer SURVIVORS foundation!!!  I love the sound of that word.  Survivor. 

So, we have 2 more outpatient visits in this, the 5th round.  Round Six starts August 25th.  We’ll be done with all chemo by September 10th!!!!  I think I’ll plan a party for that weekend.  We’ve got so much to celebrate. 

Thanks for bearing with my inattentiveness to the blog.  We were enjoying our boys.  And did we ever.  Wow, you should see Noah’s hair.  He’s a little fuzz ball.  I’ll post some pictures very soon. 

Thanks for all of your support and prayer and encouragement.  I can never let you know just how much all of it has helped.  But above all, I give thanks and praise to God.  Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us.  And He has kept true to His word.  I can never say enough about what the Lord has done for us…so I humbly say, “Thank You, Lord!!!”

God bless,

Doug