Thursday, February 15, 2007

Good News

Everyone,

We have some good news to share! Dallas' oncologist had been out of town at a conference last week when Dallas had his MRI. As I shared earlier, the MRI report came back as "no change". However, I talked with Dallas' doctor yesterday and she had just finished reviewing his MRI herself. She feels the tumor IS responding to treatment!!! She explained there is some edema (swelling) around the tumor site which is referred to as "treatment effect" but she does see some necrosis (dead cells) of the tumor.

Larry and I were naturally overwhelmed by joy at this news. Dallas, in his usual, dry humor, responded with a simple "cool".

Dallas has finished this final round of chemo yesterday. He'll rest today and tomorrow and will receive his third stem-cell transplant on Saturday. We should be released to the hotel on Sunday. Hopefully, we'll be able to come back to Tallahassee two weeks after that.....I hope the azaleas will still be in bloom then!

Other exciting news.....all children who are treated for cancer here at Shands qualify for the Dreams Come True program. One of Dallas' dreams was to meet Jack Johnson, a recording artist. Well, Jack Johnson lives in Hawaii and is on hiatus this year. However, we just found out that he is giving a special benefit concert in Honolulu on April 21st. Dallas gets to attend the concert as Jack Johnson's special guest...and he gets to take his family!

Thank you all again for your prayers and thoughts through this ordeal....we can't express our appreciation enough.

Love,

Shel and Dallas

3 comments:

Sharon said...

Whooooooo HOOOOOOO! Fantastic News!!
We too have been praying every night, tonight we will be saying a special little Thank You with our prayer.

I'm not sure who Jack Johnson is, maybe if I heard a song or two I'd recognize him. HOWEVER...Honolulu??!! Awesome! Special Guest??!! TOO COOL!!!!
Dallas and the whole DuBose Family, you guys SO deserve this! We are thrilled for you!!!

Dallas, Hang in there, this is the beginning of the end that we have all been praying so hard for.

Thank you for sharing such wonderful news right away, you made our day!!! Keep the positive news coming! We are arms wide open for it!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Jesse McKenzie said...

Shel and Dallas -- How very wonderful. We're spreading the word around here and are just so thrilled that things are getting better. And how fantastic about the whole Jack Johnson (who asks this '70s rock fan) and Hawaii (yeah, I do know where that is!!. It's just wonderful to hear this news and hope u get home really soon. Much Love -- Jesse McKenzie

Aunt Nancy and Uncle Stinnes said...

Aloha,

Boy how nice to go away for the weekend and come home to such GREAT news. We've passed the word to all up here that are rooting for you. Can you hear the applause?

What a wonderful surprise to be able to go see Jack Johnson in Hawaii. WOW. I am watching and listening to him right now on an Austin City Limits show we recorded Saturday 1/27/07 Did you see it?

Hope you have a good week and God speed you back home to many bright days ahead.

Love and prayers.
Aunt Nancy & Uncle Stinnes