Thursday, May 31, 2007

It has been a long time but here is an Update-

Here is a long overdue update!! We had an extremely busy weekend—5 baseball games in 3 days in Indian Trail, a cookout with family and friends for Memorial Day, swimming at the pool, shopping for summer clothes and a warning ticket from a friendly police officer in Matthews!!! (My tag had expired—I was not speeding!) I am telling you this because we had a pretty normal week ☺

Last weeks test went OK—Grier did great— We thought he was going to be in some discomfort after the bone marrow test and he made it through with flying colors—he came home ate a doughnut and was ready to play—loves playing baseball while sitting in a chair-

Grier went to clinic on Tuesday to make sure his counts were OK to start the 3rd cycle of chemo—Everything looked good so we were admitted and chemo started around 3pm on Tuesday- This cycle is different from the previous rounds—it is two different types of chemo and it runs for about 3 hours total—we were concerned about the cisplatin because it seems to cause the most nausea and vomiting but so far he has been fine ☺

We also heard that the results from the CT scan—there has been shrinkage in the tumor ☺ Some areas like the abdominal area has shown a greater percentage than the lung area— It is still not small enough to remove surgically. But it is responding to the chemo—and I have to remember that this scan is after 2 cycles and we have 4 more to go- The bone marrow test came back “clean”—no neuroblastoma cells were found in the bone marrow—This was great news for us to hear-

This cycle is four days instead of the three so our hope is to go home by Saturday. Chemo will end Friday but with cisplatin you have to give a lot of fluids after to flush out the kidneys to avoid damage—He is ready to go and is waiting for the medicine to end—This is a good sign since he thinks it is normal to be at home and not at CMC☺

13 comments:

Mary Ellen Paine said...

Glad to hear you had a good weekend. Very glad to hear Grier is doing well. Our prayers are going strong and we will continue them for all of you. Please know we will do anything you need.
The Paine's

Anonymous said...

Amy,

Thanks so much for the update. Glad to hear your weekend was busy and normal...what is that like?

Sounds like Grier is doing well...amazing! How resilient these little people are! What GREAT NEWS about the shrinkage in the tumor and the absence in the bone marrow!!! We will certainly pray for continued shrinkage AND continued comfort for Grier!

You have a positive outlook with four more rounds to go! How it will all be worth it when the tumor shrinks and becomes operable! We will surely look forward to that...it won't be long.

Think of you often and hope your days at CMC are short-lived this go-round. Please let me know if you and Grier need ANYTHING!! Don't forget Mitch wants to make cookies for Grier...what kind?

Love and Prayers...
Dina

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this update, Amy! I'm glad you had a fun but busy weekend, and what a PRAISE that the bone results were good and that there is shrinkage. I hope Grier continues to tolerate the treatments well and that you are back home soon. You all continue to stay in our prayers,

Stacy Sparks

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy and family, What great news to hear about some positive results. It is my last day at Covenant, but I will continue to keep in touch online about Grier. My thoughts are with you and the family. Hope each day brings good news . Hugs to all, Susan Shanus

Anonymous said...

Amy,
We were so glad to get the update after the tests. What good news to hear. We continue to pray for all of you and are so glad that you were able to have a "normal" Memorial Day weekend! Love to all of you!
Martha Mallory

Unknown said...

Amy! That is such exciting news! I am so glad the tumor has shrunk and everything is clean with the bone marrow! I hope Grier will be able to sit still for the extra day at CMC, haha.

I'm so glad life has been normal! Though so many baseball games and activites seems hectic! haha And check out those license plate tags! I once had the sticker but didn't know to actually put it on the license plate it self... the officer couldn't hold back his chuckles, haha.

Four more rounds will fly by. You all have done amazingly thus far (Especially Grier! Go Grier Go!), I have faith that this will certainly continue to be the trend.

Love and God Blessings! Reading good news on your blog always makes my day! :)

Anonymous said...

Amy & Company,
Great news on the tumor shrinkage and clean bone marrow scan! The good news just keeps coming these days with baseball in Indian Trail and your front yard, swim team, a picnic, and a cheerful Grier! Will stop in on you again soon to see the little guy play ball. Continued love and prayers to all of you -- Go Christenburys Go!

Betty G

Anonymous said...

Amy,

I'm so happy to hear the good news. We've all had you in our prayers, especially this week. You all are an amazing bunch!! Does Grier still have his velcro baseball glove at the hospital? We had so much fun watching him with that! Hope you'll get back home soon,

Lots of love,
Lucy

Anonymous said...

Amy,

It was great to see you all today...what a wonderful surprise when Jeff, Hayes and Grace showed up! I can't tell you how excited I was that Grier knew my name...that took me through the rest of the afternoon!
My thought and prayers are with you all the time...

Love,
Frances

Anonymous said...

Amy,

Yeah! close to normal weekend and good test results back! So happy to hear you are home more than at CMC. Hopefully this round of chemo is going as smooth as possible. We pray for continued good news and strength for all of you. We will also continue to light a candle at church every Sunday for Grier. Andrew and Athan take turns. Please know our prayers will continue for more good news! You are amazing!!!!

Stephanie Gillespie

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy,
Hope that this is your last night at CMC for a while. So glad to hear that all test results came back with good results. Hope the new Chemo drugs will shrink the tumor even farther. We continue to pray for Grier at dinner every night. Hope to see you soon,

love the Baders

Anonymous said...

Amy,
The good news just keeps coming for you all and I am SO glad to hear that. As I write this on Sat. a.m., I hope that you are preparing to head home for another "normal" weekend. What are those?? Is there such a thing? I hope you are able to rest and take care of yourself as you keep all the balls in the air. I know your first priority is your family, as you have readily demonstrated, but if you want to come sit on the porch for a few minutes, just give me a shout! Have a wonderful weekend!

The Barnetts

Anonymous said...

Congrats on all the great news! I'm so glad Grier is getting better! :-)

GO STEEL FAB!

GO STEEL FAB!

Go Grier Go Magnets are Here!

Go Grier Go Magnets are Here!

Grier's address in NYC

Grier Christenbury
Ronald McDonald House of New York

405 East 73rd Street

New York, NY 10021

Before 3F8

Before 3F8

After 3F8

After 3F8
30 minutes later

Free Money for Go Grier Go!.. just by shopping online!!

iGive.com

Grier leaving NY-pres and going back to MSKCC

Grier leaving NY-pres and going back to MSKCC
www.cornellpediatrics.org-- Great hospital!

Grier going for a ride in the ambulance across the street

Grier going for a ride in the ambulance across the street
just transporting-- not an emergency!

Grier patiently waiting surgery to remove tumor

Grier patiently waiting surgery to remove tumor
Monday 10/29/07

Go Grier Go Picnic in the Park

Go Grier Go Picnic in the Park
Thanks to everyone that helped!!!

On the way to NYC!

On the way to NYC!

Grier at the "new" clinic at CMC

Grier at the "new" clinic at CMC
Playing with the doctors and nurses 10/19/07

Some of our team at the Hopebuilders 5k

Some of our team at the Hopebuilders 5k

HOPE IS GOOD!!

HOPE IS GOOD!!

Supersib- GRACE

Supersib- GRACE

SuperSib-- HAYES

Grier and his Wonder Pets fly boat cake!

Grier and his Wonder Pets fly boat cake!
I am 3!

Grier & Grace at Covenant

Grier & Grace at Covenant

Grier & Pat

Grier & Pat

Go Grier Go!

Go Grier Go!




Jack and Charlie wearing Go Grier Go T's

Jack and Charlie wearing Go Grier Go T's