FEBRUARY 1, 2007, MEDICAL CONDITION UPDATE...Alive Hospice personnel came to our home on Wed., 1/31/07, to meet with the family and complete a very brief physical of Hawk. The Hospice personnel included a doctor, a RN and a social worker. All three ladies are wonderful. Dr. Karen Cassity, a Pediatrican, is a mother of 4 and 6 year old children. It is wonderful that Alive Hospice have these type individuals working with the families.

There has been a very marked, daily change in Hawk's condition, in the last 10 days especially. As reported in earlier update below, on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, Hawk's left leg was a little weak and his right eye was pulling to the center.

On Thursday, Jan. 25, Hawk and Skyla had taken Mimi and Pa to the circus in Nashville (See write up in special activites under this blog site for the trip to circus). It was at the Gaylor Center in down town. We had parked and started walking into the building. Hawk had walked with very little problem at first. The back doors had been locked and we had to walk to the front of the building. Hawk had given out about half way and I carried him the rest of the way. His left foot was really dragging. We had to wait over half an hour for the building to open. During that time, he had rested and was back up playing with other kids. He had enjoyed the circus a lot. Several times he had commented that he really, really loved the circus with the clowns, or horses, or tigers, etc. It was a wonderful night for all. The kids spent the night with us and then went to Nana and Papa Smiths Friday morning. Hawk was walking better Friday morning.

We picked the kids up for church Sunday morning, Jan. 28. Hawk was having difficulty walking, his left foot was dragging when he picked it up and it was pointed inward. He would try and run, and would immediately fall.

I went to Lindy's on Tuesday, Jan 30, morning and Hawk could hardly stand. He needed to be held by both hands to walk. I did not notice any major problems with his arms.

Hawk spent Tuesday night with us. When I got home that afternoon, he was even having more difficulty walking and was showing considerable weakness in his left arm. This change occurred in the course of the day.

When we got up Wed., Jan. 31, he was having problems even taking steps with help. The weakness in the left arm was more pronounced. When the Dr. was giving him the tests, he could not touch his nose with the left finger tip.

He and I made up a game. In stead of picking him up to carry him, he sticks his legs out straight and we make out like he is water skiing on the hard wood floor and tile. He loves it and shouts to go faster.

Hawk is in great spirts. He enjoys playing. We sat at the table Tues. night and played with the play dough for close to an hour. His only pain now appears to be minor headaches and the Dr. told us to start tylenal every 6 hours on a constant basis.

Our prayer now is.... If it is not the Lord's will to perform a miracle and remove the tumor; that the rest of Hawk's journey be as painless, as enjoyable and as timely as possible. We pray that you will join us in this prayer for him.