JANUARY 31, 2006; UPDATE WITH WONDERFUL NEWS

Hawk has had a great period since the last update as can be seen in the picture above where he and Lindy were enjoying one of our beautiful, sunny TN days.

One of Hawk's class mates at the Southside Learning Center is Maravich Bond. His parents are Tonya and Troy Bond. Troy is the coach of the boys basketball team at Wilson Central High School ("WCHS"). They wanted to do something special for Hawk. On Tuesday night, 1/24/06, WCHS had "Hawk Smith Night" at their basketball game. We want to thank the Bonds and Gayle Hooper for all their efforts on Hawk's behave.

On Friday, 1/27/06, Hawk was treated to a day at the circus by the Make a Wish organization. Hawk was in one of the sky box suites and had a wonderful time.

Also on Friday, 1/27/06, there was a wonderful front page article in the Wilson Post on Hawk covering a benefit concert and silent auction that is being held at Watertown HS gym this Friday night, 2/3/06, at 7 PM. This benefit is being coordinated by Gayle Hooper, the Director of Wilson County's Learning Centers, Anita Christian and Cheryl Ellison, Watertown Elementary School Principal and Asst. Principal respectively. This is the school in which Lindy teaches Special Education. There was also a wonderful human interest article on Hawk and the benefit in the Lebanon Democrat on Tuesday, 1/31/06. I spoke with Clint Brewer, the Managing Editor, who stated that the article will be posted to their web site tomorrow. It will be aged out but will be put in their archives files on the site after that for viewing. There is going to be another human interest article in the Wilson Post on Wednesday, 2/1/06. I spoke with John Bryan, the publisher, who stated that the articles they wrote will be on their web site under news until they age off. The web sites for the papers are wilsonpost.com and lebanondemocrat.com, if individuals are interested in viewing the articles. NOTE: We can not say enough or offer enough praise for the individuals mentioned above and the many, many more that are doing so much to help Hawk and Lindy. It is our prayer that the Lord will Bless them and their families as they are blessing us.

We also received good news on the steroids. During the office visit with Dr. Kuttesch on Thursday, 1/26/06, he removed Hawk off the steroids completely. We have seen a wonderful change in Hawk's mood in the last 15 days. He is laughing and smiling again all the time and having a wonderful time. Hawk and I have spent the last two days as guys out days. It has been great.

We also have good news on Lindy's housing. They are presently living in Hartsville, which is approximately 30 miles away from us. When Lindy is teaching, she has to drive from Hartsville to Lebanon to drop the kids off at the Learning Center in Lebanon and then drive to Watertown, a total trip one way of over 30 miles. We had wanted to get the family back closer to us and her work. Barbara & I have been able to buy a re-possessed house, built in 1994 that sits on a 2.6 acre wooded lot at the end of a cul-de-sac, that was being sold on the courthouse steps. The inside has been completely trashed. We will have to redo the inside from top to bottom, but the house is structurely sound. Pa now has a project to complete. We have to do some fix up work and sell Lindy's house in Hartsville, refurbish the new house, and then refinance the new house in her name. The wonderful news is that Lindy will only be about 5 miles from both sets of grandparents and about 5 miles from the Learning Center. The Lord was involved in this development, it was definitely a small miracle. We are still praying for the BIG miracle for Hawk.

OUR PRAYER REQUESTS FOR HAWK

Our prayer requests for Hawk and his family are:

• If it is the Lord's will, that the tumor be completely removed and Hawk will be completely cured. We believe that all things are possible through prayer and the Lord,
• But, if that is not His will, that Hawk will be in the 5 % to survive past two years,
• That the Lord will Bless Hawk with a good quality of life during this ordeal,
• That all of Hawk's extended family will be provided strength by the Lord during this illness, that we can be strong for him and each other,
• That there will be blessings resulting from Hawk's illness, even if we are not aware of them, and
• That all the families, churches and individuals praying for Hawk will be Blessed as we are being Blessed and strengthened by their prayers, hugs, cards, emotional and financial support.

Please provide Hawk's blog site for inclusion in your church bulletins and in correspondence to your friends. This will help people wanting to follow Hawk's progress to be keep informed and to help keep him in their daily prayers. Below is a text that you can cut and paste to emails for easier distribution.

Please pray for Hawk Smith, a 4 year old boy from Hartsville, TN who has been diagnosed with a malignancy of the brain stem, Pontine Glioma. This terrible cancer is inoperable and does not respond to chemo. The only treatment recommended is radiation and steroids. The mortality rate is about 95 % before 2 years. You prayers are needed. To follow his progress, you can access his internet blog site: hawksmith.blogspot.com/

PERSONAL FAMILY INFORMATION;

Since our email is being sent to many individuals that do not know Hawk or the family personally, I wanted to provide a picture and some family information.

Above is a picture that was taken this summer as the family prepared to go to church.

Hawk was 4 on August 31. He loves the outdoors. He is a big help to his grandpas. He loves to help Grandpa McPeak ("Pa") in the garden planting corn, picking the vegtables, driving the tractor and pickup. We turn him loose to drive as long as a tree, the barn or the fence is not going to be knocked down. He loves to sit in Pa's lap and drive on his own. He loves to help Grandpa Smith ("Papa") with the goats.

Lindy, his single Mom, is a special education teacher for the 4, 5, and 6th grade at Watertown Elem. School.

Skyla, his little sister, was 1 on September 18. She just loves her big brother and he is so good to her. Skyla has a keep sake grown on that Grandma McPeak ("Mimi") made for her in the picture. The babies born during the year were being presented a gift and being blessed by the congregation.

Hawk and Skyla's dad is Jamie Smith. He is an installer for a vinyl siding company.

Mark Taylor of Hartsville, TN is Lindy's fiance.

Lindy's parents are Barbara and Ken McPeak ("Mimi & Pa").

Jamie's parents are Gwen and Mike Smith ("Nanna & Papa").

You can use the following addresses for any correspondence;

Hawk, Skyla and Lindy Smith
845 Dalton Hollow Rd.
Hartsville, TN 37074

Ken and Barbara McPeak
6951 Cainsville Rd.
Lebanon, TN 37090-5710

Jamie, Mike and Gwen Smith
4808 Franklin Rd.
Lebanon, TN 37090

Please share this email and future emails with anyone that you want to share it with. We have individuals and churches from North Carolina to California and Michigan to Texas praying for him. We know that the email has been sent internationally to at least Australia and Mexico.

Please feel free to send the update emails to all individuals who will include Hawk and the family on their prayer list.

UPDATE FRIDAY, 1/20/06, Infection

We had a scare this afternoon. As reported in the 1/19/06 update, Hawk had an office visit with Dr. K on Thursday. Hawk had a sinus infection. Dr. K prescribed an antibiotic. He stated that Hawk needed to have a blood culture workup to insure that there were no other more serious infections that the antibiotic might cover up. It would probably take 3-4 days for the culture to grow to complete the test, but there would be a preliminary test result on Friday.

Lindy got a call today that there was a staph infection and that Hawk needed to be bought into the Dr.'s office immediately. Hawk, Lindy, and both sets of grandparents were soon at Dr. K's office. Since the access tube had been removed that morning following radiation, the first thing that had to be done was a new access tube inserted in the port catheter. Blood was drawn and we were told to be prepared to admit Hawk in the hospital by the nurse.

Dr. K came in the exam room later with the preliminary test results. The blood counts looked good. Hawk was in a great mood with no fever. Dr. K explained that when the blood was drawn on Thursday from the access tube, that had been in place since Monday of this week, the staph germ probably had been picked up from the tube. Hawk was given an antibiotic via the access tube as a safety measure and allowed to go home. We were coached to monitor his temperature and notify the office if it went above 101 degF.

Because of his low immunity, we were told to limit Hawk's exposure to only 3-4 people and to stay away from sick individuals, especially children.

We thank all of you that became aware of these developments this afternoon and immediately offered prayers for Hawk and his extended family. You are wonderful.

NOTE: I received an email that prayers were being offered for Hawk in Sri Lanka. It is amazing to us all the prayer warriors that are praying for Hawk in some many locations.

May the Lord continue to Bless all of you, as you are Blessing our family.

UPDATE THURSDAY, JANUARY 19,2006, Current developments:

We had an appointment with Dr. K this morning. He lowered the steroid level to a half a tab or 2 mg. every other day. We hope that this will continue to lessen the side effects of the steriods. In the last 30 days, Hawk's weight has increased from 32 lbs. to 40 lbs. or 25 % because of the steriods. Hawk does not look at all like the old Hawk. The effect is seen most in his face, which is now very round and puffy. They made a mask of his face and head, before the radiation was started, to be able to properly guide the treatments. This morning the Dr., administrating the mediation to put him to sleep, stated that they had had to put a breathing tube down his throat before the radiation treatment. His face and neck had swollen so much that the mash was restricting his breathing. It is our prayer that the effects of the steriods will lessen, he will start to eat less, and his weight will be reduced.

As of Tuesday, 1/17/06, Hawk's attitude has continued to improve with the reduction of the steroid levels. He continues to feel better. We often play memory and go fish in the radiation waiting room floor while we are waiting for the doctors. It is wonderful to hear him laughing. He and Mom beat Pa every time. He gets a big kick out of that. We make a bid deal going into the hospital that he is not going to win that day. His answer is always the same, "Oh yes I am".

Below is a picture taken in the radiation waiting room. Lindy and Hawk were in the floor playing with a space ship toy that had been given to him by a lady that we play bridge with. They were having a great time with a lot of laughing. You can see the effect of the steriods in his face. You can look at the picture of him with the family information publication to see the impact.

As of Monday, 1/16/06, Hawk continues to respond well to the reduction in the level of steroid mediation. He has laughed and smiled much more this week.

Skyla and Hawk were at home with Lindy Friday night. Skyla throw up and had diarreha during the night. The grandkids spent Sunday night with us. About 2 AM, Hawk became sick. He throw up twice in the mid of the bed requiring a complete bed change. He also had a fever. Thank the Lord, the illness did not last long. Both kids were over the illness the next day. Hawk's temperature was normal by the time for him to have his radiation treatment.

UPDATE THURSDAY, 1/12/06: Current developments this week

Hawk and Skyla spent the night with Mimi and Pa McPeak Sunday night. Hawk's radiation treatments resumed Monday morning, 1/9/06.

The kids went back with Lindy to Hartsville for Monday night. Hawk had a very rough night. He fell asleep about 6 PM. He woke up at 11 PM. After that time, he would only sleep for short intervals. He woke often complaining with his stomach and being hungry. Of coarse, he could not eat after midnight because of having to be mediated before the radiation treatment Tuesday morning. Lindy was very stressed out when I met her at the Learning Center Tuesday morning after driving from Hartsville with Hawk crying most of the way.

Tuesday morning,we talked to Shaylee's grandmother when we met in the Radiation Dept. She stated that Shaylee had also had problems sleeping when she was on the higher dosages of steroids. We asked for an appointment with Dr. K.

We were not able to see him but were able to be seen by a member of his staff. The steroid dosage was reduced to one 4 mg tab a day to be given in the morning.

Wednesday morning, Hawk asked to go into the Learning Center to see some of his class mates. He had a few smiles for the first time in a long time. This is one of the issues that had concerned us so much. Our once happy, always smiling child, had been so sad and moody. After radiation, Hawk and Lindy went to Nanna Smith's. Hawk took a 3 hour night. This was the first time that he had taken an afternoon nap. Although he was very tired, he seemed to fight the nap.

That night, there were many more smiles and even some laughing. He slept well Wed. night, only waking up one time.

Thursday found him smiling much more. He also had more energy. After radiation, we went to the vet to see his dog, Dixie, that had been hit by a car shortly after Hawk was diagoised with cancer in December. Dixie is continuing to improve also. Hopefully, she will be released late next week.

We were very glad to see these improvements in Hawk.

On Thursday, Dr. K reduced his steroids to a half a tab or 2 mg a day. We hope and pray that we will see more improvements and no detioriation in his conditions.

We continue to be Blessed by so many people praying for Hawk and the family.

Thanks

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