1/12/06 2:40 PM All previous history correspondence to this date....
UPDATE Mon., 1/9/06, 8:30 PM
Hawk had an average weekend for him. He and Skyla stayed at Nanna & Papa Smith's home until Sunday afternoon. He felt like getting up a few times. Lindy had said that she had been seeing some hair on his pillow and on her shoulder earlier during the week. But, I was shocked when I picked the kids up at 5 PM Sunday evening. From Friday to Sunday, Hawk had lost the hair in two spots behind his ears, a little smaller than a baseball. The doctors had warned us than Hawk might lose his hair in these areas because of the radiation...but the change was so quick it was unsettling.
Lindy had a rough weekend following her surgery. She was in a lot of pain. We saw her doctor this morning. He had left the wound open to drain, packed with gauze. I could not believe the very, large amount of gauze packing that was inside the opening in her arm. Hopefully she will have a better tonight.
May the Lord Bless you and yours.
UPDATE SAT., 1/7/06, 9 AM
I have good news to report this morning. Hawk did not have to go back into the hospital this week. His bowels and bladder have began to function OK. We did have to go up to Dr. K's office 3 times this week after the daily radiation, but the outcome was good. He has now finished 13 of the 30 radiation treatments.
He remains very tired, with very little energy. He has started to lose some of his hair. We did find out this week that the heavy dosage of steroids cause the joints and muscles to hurt like a bad case of the flu. This helps us to understand why he is often stiff and complains when we try to move him. It helps us to understand why he often only wants to be left alone. Late in the day, he often does not want anyone to hold him. He wants to only lay on the couch by himself. He will have the TV on, but is often in a daze.
Dr. K did reduce his steroids down to only 2 per day this week. It is our prayer that the dosage can be reduced to only one per day next week.
The steroids are given to help control the swelling of the brain from the radiation treatments. As the body adjust to where it can tolerate the radiation better, the steroids dosage can be reduced. At the beginning of the treatments, Dr K informed us that the side effects of the steroids are often worse that the radiation. We are only now beginning to fully appreciate how true this is.
Shaylee, the 4 year old girl from Crossville that has the same cancer, was laughing Friday. We asked her grandmother when she started to see the improvement in Shaylee's moods. She stated that when they reduced the steroids to only a half tablet a day, the mood and energy really improved. As stated in earlier emails, Shaylee has received 10 more radiation treatments than Hawk.
Lindy's outpatient procedure to remove the abscess in the lymph nodes in the left arm was performed at UMC on Friday. All reports are good to this point. Hawk and Skyla are at Grandparents Smiths (Nanna & Papa) now to give Lindy some rest.
All your emails, notes, and words of encouragement are appreciated. We are most appreciative of your prayers. We have received feedback that the update emails are being forwarded to so many people across the USA. A man in Nashville told us that the prayers have gone international because he has forwarded the emails to Australia. We also have recently learned that there are prayers in Mexico.
That Soooooooo many prayers are going up to the Lord on Hawk and our behaves is very uplifting and strengthening. Our family is really, truly Blessed by all of you. I do not know how anyone could get through a period like this without the support of friends (and people we do not know--I will not call you strangers) and the Lord. It is our Prayer that you and yours will also be Blessed by the Lord for all your love and concerns.
Love,
Pa (Ken)
UPDATE TUESDAY, JAN. 3, 2006, 9:30 PM
I'm sorry that I had not sent an update earlier following my email from Friday. Hawk finally had a BM about 10 PM Friday night after being on the stomach drip for 10 hours. Saturday morning, the doctors allowed Hawk to have a clear, liquid diet. He was able to handle the food. So after noon, they allowed him solid food. You cannot image the food he ate after not having any real food since Thursday night. We had to with hold food for a period to ensure he did not get sick. He was dismissed from the hospital about 4 PM on Saturday.
Hawk started radiation again this morning, having his 10th treatment of 30. His appearance has really changed. The steroids have caused his face to become more full and round. He cheeks are red and pushed out like a chipmunk's full of nuts. The doctors had reduced the steroids to only 2 per day from the first dosage level of 8 tabs per day. The doctors increased the steroids back to 4 per day after having the impacted bowels.
Hawk's stomach is still hurting. His stomach was x-rayed again this morning. If there are still problems Wednesday morning, he may have to be admitted to the hospital again and the "go lightly" laxative administered via a stomach drip. We are praying that he does not have to be admitted. He really hated going in this morning. We believe he was thinking that he might have to stay at the hospital again.
Lindy had a lump a little smaller than a baseball come up on the inside of her left arm. We went in before 7:30 AM this morning to have a MRI of her arm at Vandy. While she was having her test, Hawk and I was in another area of Vandy for his radiation treatment. The MRI showed an abscess.
She will have an outpatient procedure Friday, 1/6/06, performed at UMC, after taking Hawk to Nashville for his radiation treatment.
Please keep her, as well as Hawk, in your prayers. Your prayers will work miracles, if it is God's will.
In Christian Love,
Ken
Update Friday, 12/30/05 8:46:03 PM Central Standard Time
It is Friday night, 12/30/05 about 7:30 PM. This update is being written from Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. This is one of the advantages of the new tech age and a modern hospital. There is an Internet hookup in every room.
It has been a rough 24 hours for Hawk. Mimi and I had the kids last night to try and give Lindy a night to relax. In all honesty, I believe it becomes a night to break down instead. But, she needs that time also, as many of you know from experience.
Last night, Hawk woke up 8 times during the night, either needing to go to the bathroom or having gone to the bathroom. He also complained of his stomach hurting during the night.
We came in for his daily radiation treatment this morning at 8 AM. We told the radiation dept. about the problems of the night and were told to go to Dr. Kuttesch's office. After speaking to Dr. K for a few minutes, an appointment was made for Hawk to have an x-ray of his stomach area. The results showed badly impacted intestines and an extended bladder. In the doctor's office, Hawk had a catheter inserted and had over 350 cc of urine removed. He immediately said that his stomach did not hurt any more. Next, a tube was inserted through the nose into the stomach. A liquid laxative drip (go lightly) was started about noon.
We were moved to a room about 1:30 PM. The hospital was full and they had a hard time finding a room for us. We are on the 8th floor which is normally for the infants scheduled for surgery. Thanks goodness we are not on this floor for that reason.
The liquid has been draining into his stomach now for over 8 hours. He has been able to urine but has not had a BM. We asked how long it took for the medicine to work and got the standard answer "each child is different", some go within an hour and others take longer. Thankfully, Hawk has slept most of the day. He can not eat or drink anything because this would made the medicine toxic. The liquid draining into his stomach is filling him. But still, when he wakes up he says that he is hunger. He has not eaten since 7 PM last night, since he could not eat after midnight before the radiation. The steroids have really increased his appetite. Our little boy that never ate much is now eating 3 times what the normal little Hawk used to eat. So we are just waiting. BUT, it is wonderful to be in a facility that can react in a timely manner to address the problems as they develop.
The prayer session we had at church Wednesday night was WONDERFUL. It was very up lifting to have so many people there praying for Hawk and all our families. I also want to thank all of you for sending the update emails on to your Christian friends all over. It is so much comfort to us to know that the Lord is having so many prayers lifted to Him on Hawk's behave and for our families, both the McPeaks and Smiths.
It is our prayer that you and yours Will be Blessed as you are blessing Hawk. May you have a wonderful and safe weekend and future years.
Love, Ken
Wed., 12/21/05 Update
Friday, 12/16/05, was a confusing day for us at the hospital. Nothing happened per the plans.
Things that did happen were:
*Early in the morning, Hawk was measured and fitted for the helmet that will be used to aim the radiation treatments. the tumor will be shot from 4 different angles.
*At 5 PM, he was finally taken to surgery to have the port catheter installed that would be used for access for shots and IV's instead of having to stick him every time. The port will be accessed each Monday with a lead that will stay in until he finishes his radiation each Friday. It will then be removed for the weekend. The process will be repeated each week.
We waited all day for the surgery. He had not eaten since 7 PM the previous evening. We were finally able to leave the hospital about 10 PM.
Hawk did not have his normal energy over the weekend. This may have been the result of having been mediated and put to sleep twice on Friday for the procedures and/or the steroids.
Hawk had his first radiation treatment on Monday, 12/19/05. He handled the treatment well.
He will be mediated for each radiation treatment. He was a little dizzy and sleepy after the procedure. He ate fairly well that morning.
On Tuesday, 12/20/05, he had his normal treatment at approximately 8 AM. He throw up in the car on the way to the hospital. He was sick on his stomach twice more that evening. We do not know if this is a flu, the result of the treatments or the steroids. Hopefully, the doctors will be able to clarify for us today.
We never knew what caused this problem.
Thursday, 12/15/05 PM Update
Hawk had the MRI this morning. The results are very bad. He has been diagnosed with a malignancy, Pontine Glioma. The tumor is approximately 1.5 by 1.6 inches in size. This is one of the worst cancers. It is located on the brain stem which controls body functions. The cancer is inoperable and does not respond to chemo. The only treatment recommended is radiation and steroids. The radiation effects about 50% of the tumors. The mortality rate is about 95% before two years.
We spoke with Dr John Kuttesch, Hawk's brain cancer specialist. He said that you never know how a child will respond to the radiation.
Therefore, we know, with your prayers, Hawk is going to be in the 5% group. He stated that he had a child that had the treatment now for about 1 1/2 years and is back in school with little motor skill loss.
We have a meeting with the radiation Dr. tomorrow morning at 8 AM to discuss treatment more. They will start preliminary work later tomorrow morning for the radiation and if possible Hawk will have his first treatment tomorrow afternoon. The sooner the radiation is started, the sooner the pressure on the brain and the effects on his left side can be reduced. He will have treatments for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. He will then be tested after about a month to see the effect of the treatment.
Thanks for the emails and calls.
Sorry that I have not responded to each one.
Give your kids and grandkids--all your loved ones--a special hug tonight and every day.
Thursday, 12/15/05 AM Update
Hawk started to drag his left leg this week. We saw his doctor yesterday and she sent us immediately to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital ("VCH"). The CAT scan showed a plum sized mass at the base of the brain. There had been nothing on a CAT scan he took two years ago.
They believe it is definitely cancer. More will be known today when they do a MRI. They have already told us to prepare for a long hard journey. We need the prayers of you and everyone you know. I will send an update as we know more.
Ken
UPDATE Mon., 1/9/06, 8:30 PM
Hawk had an average weekend for him. He and Skyla stayed at Nanna & Papa Smith's home until Sunday afternoon. He felt like getting up a few times. Lindy had said that she had been seeing some hair on his pillow and on her shoulder earlier during the week. But, I was shocked when I picked the kids up at 5 PM Sunday evening. From Friday to Sunday, Hawk had lost the hair in two spots behind his ears, a little smaller than a baseball. The doctors had warned us than Hawk might lose his hair in these areas because of the radiation...but the change was so quick it was unsettling.
Lindy had a rough weekend following her surgery. She was in a lot of pain. We saw her doctor this morning. He had left the wound open to drain, packed with gauze. I could not believe the very, large amount of gauze packing that was inside the opening in her arm. Hopefully she will have a better tonight.
May the Lord Bless you and yours.
UPDATE SAT., 1/7/06, 9 AM
I have good news to report this morning. Hawk did not have to go back into the hospital this week. His bowels and bladder have began to function OK. We did have to go up to Dr. K's office 3 times this week after the daily radiation, but the outcome was good. He has now finished 13 of the 30 radiation treatments.
He remains very tired, with very little energy. He has started to lose some of his hair. We did find out this week that the heavy dosage of steroids cause the joints and muscles to hurt like a bad case of the flu. This helps us to understand why he is often stiff and complains when we try to move him. It helps us to understand why he often only wants to be left alone. Late in the day, he often does not want anyone to hold him. He wants to only lay on the couch by himself. He will have the TV on, but is often in a daze.
Dr. K did reduce his steroids down to only 2 per day this week. It is our prayer that the dosage can be reduced to only one per day next week.
The steroids are given to help control the swelling of the brain from the radiation treatments. As the body adjust to where it can tolerate the radiation better, the steroids dosage can be reduced. At the beginning of the treatments, Dr K informed us that the side effects of the steroids are often worse that the radiation. We are only now beginning to fully appreciate how true this is.
Shaylee, the 4 year old girl from Crossville that has the same cancer, was laughing Friday. We asked her grandmother when she started to see the improvement in Shaylee's moods. She stated that when they reduced the steroids to only a half tablet a day, the mood and energy really improved. As stated in earlier emails, Shaylee has received 10 more radiation treatments than Hawk.
Lindy's outpatient procedure to remove the abscess in the lymph nodes in the left arm was performed at UMC on Friday. All reports are good to this point. Hawk and Skyla are at Grandparents Smiths (Nanna & Papa) now to give Lindy some rest.
All your emails, notes, and words of encouragement are appreciated. We are most appreciative of your prayers. We have received feedback that the update emails are being forwarded to so many people across the USA. A man in Nashville told us that the prayers have gone international because he has forwarded the emails to Australia. We also have recently learned that there are prayers in Mexico.
That Soooooooo many prayers are going up to the Lord on Hawk and our behaves is very uplifting and strengthening. Our family is really, truly Blessed by all of you. I do not know how anyone could get through a period like this without the support of friends (and people we do not know--I will not call you strangers) and the Lord. It is our Prayer that you and yours will also be Blessed by the Lord for all your love and concerns.
Love,
Pa (Ken)
UPDATE TUESDAY, JAN. 3, 2006, 9:30 PM
I'm sorry that I had not sent an update earlier following my email from Friday. Hawk finally had a BM about 10 PM Friday night after being on the stomach drip for 10 hours. Saturday morning, the doctors allowed Hawk to have a clear, liquid diet. He was able to handle the food. So after noon, they allowed him solid food. You cannot image the food he ate after not having any real food since Thursday night. We had to with hold food for a period to ensure he did not get sick. He was dismissed from the hospital about 4 PM on Saturday.
Hawk started radiation again this morning, having his 10th treatment of 30. His appearance has really changed. The steroids have caused his face to become more full and round. He cheeks are red and pushed out like a chipmunk's full of nuts. The doctors had reduced the steroids to only 2 per day from the first dosage level of 8 tabs per day. The doctors increased the steroids back to 4 per day after having the impacted bowels.
Hawk's stomach is still hurting. His stomach was x-rayed again this morning. If there are still problems Wednesday morning, he may have to be admitted to the hospital again and the "go lightly" laxative administered via a stomach drip. We are praying that he does not have to be admitted. He really hated going in this morning. We believe he was thinking that he might have to stay at the hospital again.
Lindy had a lump a little smaller than a baseball come up on the inside of her left arm. We went in before 7:30 AM this morning to have a MRI of her arm at Vandy. While she was having her test, Hawk and I was in another area of Vandy for his radiation treatment. The MRI showed an abscess.
She will have an outpatient procedure Friday, 1/6/06, performed at UMC, after taking Hawk to Nashville for his radiation treatment.
Please keep her, as well as Hawk, in your prayers. Your prayers will work miracles, if it is God's will.
In Christian Love,
Ken
Update Friday, 12/30/05 8:46:03 PM Central Standard Time
It is Friday night, 12/30/05 about 7:30 PM. This update is being written from Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. This is one of the advantages of the new tech age and a modern hospital. There is an Internet hookup in every room.
It has been a rough 24 hours for Hawk. Mimi and I had the kids last night to try and give Lindy a night to relax. In all honesty, I believe it becomes a night to break down instead. But, she needs that time also, as many of you know from experience.
Last night, Hawk woke up 8 times during the night, either needing to go to the bathroom or having gone to the bathroom. He also complained of his stomach hurting during the night.
We came in for his daily radiation treatment this morning at 8 AM. We told the radiation dept. about the problems of the night and were told to go to Dr. Kuttesch's office. After speaking to Dr. K for a few minutes, an appointment was made for Hawk to have an x-ray of his stomach area. The results showed badly impacted intestines and an extended bladder. In the doctor's office, Hawk had a catheter inserted and had over 350 cc of urine removed. He immediately said that his stomach did not hurt any more. Next, a tube was inserted through the nose into the stomach. A liquid laxative drip (go lightly) was started about noon.
We were moved to a room about 1:30 PM. The hospital was full and they had a hard time finding a room for us. We are on the 8th floor which is normally for the infants scheduled for surgery. Thanks goodness we are not on this floor for that reason.
The liquid has been draining into his stomach now for over 8 hours. He has been able to urine but has not had a BM. We asked how long it took for the medicine to work and got the standard answer "each child is different", some go within an hour and others take longer. Thankfully, Hawk has slept most of the day. He can not eat or drink anything because this would made the medicine toxic. The liquid draining into his stomach is filling him. But still, when he wakes up he says that he is hunger. He has not eaten since 7 PM last night, since he could not eat after midnight before the radiation. The steroids have really increased his appetite. Our little boy that never ate much is now eating 3 times what the normal little Hawk used to eat. So we are just waiting. BUT, it is wonderful to be in a facility that can react in a timely manner to address the problems as they develop.
The prayer session we had at church Wednesday night was WONDERFUL. It was very up lifting to have so many people there praying for Hawk and all our families. I also want to thank all of you for sending the update emails on to your Christian friends all over. It is so much comfort to us to know that the Lord is having so many prayers lifted to Him on Hawk's behave and for our families, both the McPeaks and Smiths.
It is our prayer that you and yours Will be Blessed as you are blessing Hawk. May you have a wonderful and safe weekend and future years.
Love, Ken
Wed., 12/21/05 Update
Friday, 12/16/05, was a confusing day for us at the hospital. Nothing happened per the plans.
Things that did happen were:
*Early in the morning, Hawk was measured and fitted for the helmet that will be used to aim the radiation treatments. the tumor will be shot from 4 different angles.
*At 5 PM, he was finally taken to surgery to have the port catheter installed that would be used for access for shots and IV's instead of having to stick him every time. The port will be accessed each Monday with a lead that will stay in until he finishes his radiation each Friday. It will then be removed for the weekend. The process will be repeated each week.
We waited all day for the surgery. He had not eaten since 7 PM the previous evening. We were finally able to leave the hospital about 10 PM.
Hawk did not have his normal energy over the weekend. This may have been the result of having been mediated and put to sleep twice on Friday for the procedures and/or the steroids.
Hawk had his first radiation treatment on Monday, 12/19/05. He handled the treatment well.
He will be mediated for each radiation treatment. He was a little dizzy and sleepy after the procedure. He ate fairly well that morning.
On Tuesday, 12/20/05, he had his normal treatment at approximately 8 AM. He throw up in the car on the way to the hospital. He was sick on his stomach twice more that evening. We do not know if this is a flu, the result of the treatments or the steroids. Hopefully, the doctors will be able to clarify for us today.
We never knew what caused this problem.
Thursday, 12/15/05 PM Update
Hawk had the MRI this morning. The results are very bad. He has been diagnosed with a malignancy, Pontine Glioma. The tumor is approximately 1.5 by 1.6 inches in size. This is one of the worst cancers. It is located on the brain stem which controls body functions. The cancer is inoperable and does not respond to chemo. The only treatment recommended is radiation and steroids. The radiation effects about 50% of the tumors. The mortality rate is about 95% before two years.
We spoke with Dr John Kuttesch, Hawk's brain cancer specialist. He said that you never know how a child will respond to the radiation.
Therefore, we know, with your prayers, Hawk is going to be in the 5% group. He stated that he had a child that had the treatment now for about 1 1/2 years and is back in school with little motor skill loss.
We have a meeting with the radiation Dr. tomorrow morning at 8 AM to discuss treatment more. They will start preliminary work later tomorrow morning for the radiation and if possible Hawk will have his first treatment tomorrow afternoon. The sooner the radiation is started, the sooner the pressure on the brain and the effects on his left side can be reduced. He will have treatments for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. He will then be tested after about a month to see the effect of the treatment.
Thanks for the emails and calls.
Sorry that I have not responded to each one.
Give your kids and grandkids--all your loved ones--a special hug tonight and every day.
Thursday, 12/15/05 AM Update
Hawk started to drag his left leg this week. We saw his doctor yesterday and she sent us immediately to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital ("VCH"). The CAT scan showed a plum sized mass at the base of the brain. There had been nothing on a CAT scan he took two years ago.
They believe it is definitely cancer. More will be known today when they do a MRI. They have already told us to prepare for a long hard journey. We need the prayers of you and everyone you know. I will send an update as we know more.
Ken
posted by Ken (Pa) McPeak at 2:46 PM
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