Well, it certainly has been a long time which is probably a good thing. With little to report I'm afraid we've gotten lazy on the blog front. Dallas is doing really well. In fact, he started school last week. His scan in September showed that the tumor had decreased which even shocked the doctors! Another scan in December showed no decrease in size but also no growth.
The family had a wonderful Christmas spent at our lake house in central Florida. Dallas still has his unique sense of humor in tact which was evident by the "I intend to look this cheap" cocktail napkins he gave me as a stocking stuffer.
Everyone's continued support and prayers mean the world to us; without them, this past year and a half would have been a far heavier load to bare. We continue to seek further treatment options to assure Dallas wins his battle over Timmy. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers; in return we'll try and provide more updates! :)
Jessie
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
May Update
Hi Everyone!
Just a short update to let you know how things are going. Dallas had a PET Scan and MRI yesterday at Shands. The GOOD NEWS is there is no new tumor growth! In fact, Dr. Smith said she couldn't locate the two large blood vessels that have been feeding the tumor. We are happy with this report. However, it seems the shunt which was placed to alleviate the accumulation of fluid in the ventricles is not functioning correctly and requires surgery. Dr. Pincus, the neuro-surgeon at Shands will be performing the surgery on Thursday (May 17th). The surgery is not supposed to be extensive and we should be back in Tallahassee on Friday.
xo,
Shel
Just a short update to let you know how things are going. Dallas had a PET Scan and MRI yesterday at Shands. The GOOD NEWS is there is no new tumor growth! In fact, Dr. Smith said she couldn't locate the two large blood vessels that have been feeding the tumor. We are happy with this report. However, it seems the shunt which was placed to alleviate the accumulation of fluid in the ventricles is not functioning correctly and requires surgery. Dr. Pincus, the neuro-surgeon at Shands will be performing the surgery on Thursday (May 17th). The surgery is not supposed to be extensive and we should be back in Tallahassee on Friday.
xo,
Shel
Monday, April 23, 2007
Aloha!
Aloha Everyone!
We're in Hawaii for Dallas' Dreams Come True trip and having an incredible time!
I wanted to share some of the pictures (and there are quite a few) we've taken so far.
Just go to http://picasaweb.google.com/jessicadubose and click on Hawai'i (161) for a slideshow.
Mahalo!
Shel
We're in Hawaii for Dallas' Dreams Come True trip and having an incredible time!
I wanted to share some of the pictures (and there are quite a few) we've taken so far.
Just go to http://picasaweb.google.com/jessicadubose and click on Hawai'i (161) for a slideshow.
Mahalo!
Shel
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
April Update
Hello Everyone!
It's been awhile since I've updated the blog...the old adage "no news, is good news" sure has rung true!
We do have some good news to report. Dallas had his follow-up MRI this past Monday at Shands. The report showed a slight reduction in the size of the tumor. This means the 3 chemo treatments and subsequent stem-cell transplants can be considered successful. Dallas will continue on his maintenance chemo regime and return to Shands in early July for another MRI. Our hope is the tumor will remain smaller and not start to grow again.
Dallas is feeling much better and getting stronger everyday. He still does not have much of an appetite as the heavy chemo has affected his taste buds. This will improve in time, as will his strength and stamina. He stays busy with household chores, visiting with friends, going to movies, watching sports shows, playing basketball....the usual activities every 18 year-old boy enjoys! Last week, unbeknownst to me, he even submitted his application for the Fall term at TCC! He hopes to return to work part-time after our trip to Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii! We leave for Dallas' "Dreams Come True" trip on Friday, April 20th. Prior to our departure, the Tallahassee representative for the Dreams Come True organization will be taking us to dinner at Bonefish to tells us all about Dallas' meeting with Jack Johnson, our accommodations and other activities they have planned for us. Jack Johnson is the headliner at the Kokua Festival, a benefit concert held annually at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu. Dallas will meet Jack Johnson before the concert on Saturday, April 21st. Other plans include a trip to Pearl Harbor, Swimming with Dolphins and Snorkeling tour, a tour of the island including Diamond Head and several waterfalls, a dinner cruise, and finally, a relaxing day on Waikiki beach. We return home from our adventure on Friday, April 27th.
I also want to bring your attention to the foundation and event that we are working with in order to raise money for families like ours. A dear friend who has been an incredible support to us, Carla DeLoach, together with The Brain Tumor Foundation for Children will be holding a huge garage sale on Dallas'(and David's) birthday, April 28 in order to raise funds for families who may need emotional support and financial assistance while seeking treatment for an illness similar to Dallas'. Please read more about the event at http://www.firstgiving.com/tallahassee or you can click the "Firstgiving" benefit link on the right hand side of this page. We appreciate anything you can do to assist us with this meaningful fundraiser.
As always, Dallas and our family cannot begin to express our appreciation for everything you all have done to lighten our hearts during this difficult time. We are blessed indeed!
Much love,
Shel
It's been awhile since I've updated the blog...the old adage "no news, is good news" sure has rung true!
We do have some good news to report. Dallas had his follow-up MRI this past Monday at Shands. The report showed a slight reduction in the size of the tumor. This means the 3 chemo treatments and subsequent stem-cell transplants can be considered successful. Dallas will continue on his maintenance chemo regime and return to Shands in early July for another MRI. Our hope is the tumor will remain smaller and not start to grow again.
Dallas is feeling much better and getting stronger everyday. He still does not have much of an appetite as the heavy chemo has affected his taste buds. This will improve in time, as will his strength and stamina. He stays busy with household chores, visiting with friends, going to movies, watching sports shows, playing basketball....the usual activities every 18 year-old boy enjoys! Last week, unbeknownst to me, he even submitted his application for the Fall term at TCC! He hopes to return to work part-time after our trip to Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii! We leave for Dallas' "Dreams Come True" trip on Friday, April 20th. Prior to our departure, the Tallahassee representative for the Dreams Come True organization will be taking us to dinner at Bonefish to tells us all about Dallas' meeting with Jack Johnson, our accommodations and other activities they have planned for us. Jack Johnson is the headliner at the Kokua Festival, a benefit concert held annually at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu. Dallas will meet Jack Johnson before the concert on Saturday, April 21st. Other plans include a trip to Pearl Harbor, Swimming with Dolphins and Snorkeling tour, a tour of the island including Diamond Head and several waterfalls, a dinner cruise, and finally, a relaxing day on Waikiki beach. We return home from our adventure on Friday, April 27th.
I also want to bring your attention to the foundation and event that we are working with in order to raise money for families like ours. A dear friend who has been an incredible support to us, Carla DeLoach, together with The Brain Tumor Foundation for Children will be holding a huge garage sale on Dallas'(and David's) birthday, April 28 in order to raise funds for families who may need emotional support and financial assistance while seeking treatment for an illness similar to Dallas'. Please read more about the event at http://www.firstgiving.com/tallahassee or you can click the "Firstgiving" benefit link on the right hand side of this page. We appreciate anything you can do to assist us with this meaningful fundraiser.
As always, Dallas and our family cannot begin to express our appreciation for everything you all have done to lighten our hearts during this difficult time. We are blessed indeed!
Much love,
Shel
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Home, Sweet Home
After spending more than 2 1/2 months in Gainesville, Dallas and I have finally returned home! We are both thrilled to be here!
Dallas is doing well. His blood counts are slowly returning to normal after his last stem-cell transplant. His platelets have been the slowest to rebound. He required platelet infusions the last 10 days we were in Gainesville, but they are finally approaching normal levels. His appetite is improving and he's feeling alot better than he has in weeks. He's out and about.....so you'll be seeing him around!
We go back to Shands in early April for a follow-up MRI. Right now, Dallas is on a chemo regime of tamoxifen as maintenance. Tamoxifen has few side effects and will not adversely affect Dallas' blood counts. In April, after the MRI, the plan is to re-evaluate his treatment needs.
We are all looking forward to our trip to Hawaii in April for the Jack Johnson concert. Dallas will have an opportunity to meet Jack Johnson before the concert. The organization that is planning this trip, Dreams Come True, is an awesome group. They have planned several side excursions such as hiking to waterfalls, swimming with dolphins, and snorkeling. What a wonderful experience this is going to be!
Again, we can't thank you enough for your many warm thoughts, cards, emails, phone calls, and your prayers. It's great to be home. I don't think there is a more beautiful place in the spring than Tallahassee.....and I don't think a family could be any more blessed than we are with such good friends and family.
Much love,
Shel
Dallas is doing well. His blood counts are slowly returning to normal after his last stem-cell transplant. His platelets have been the slowest to rebound. He required platelet infusions the last 10 days we were in Gainesville, but they are finally approaching normal levels. His appetite is improving and he's feeling alot better than he has in weeks. He's out and about.....so you'll be seeing him around!
We go back to Shands in early April for a follow-up MRI. Right now, Dallas is on a chemo regime of tamoxifen as maintenance. Tamoxifen has few side effects and will not adversely affect Dallas' blood counts. In April, after the MRI, the plan is to re-evaluate his treatment needs.
We are all looking forward to our trip to Hawaii in April for the Jack Johnson concert. Dallas will have an opportunity to meet Jack Johnson before the concert. The organization that is planning this trip, Dreams Come True, is an awesome group. They have planned several side excursions such as hiking to waterfalls, swimming with dolphins, and snorkeling. What a wonderful experience this is going to be!
Again, we can't thank you enough for your many warm thoughts, cards, emails, phone calls, and your prayers. It's great to be home. I don't think there is a more beautiful place in the spring than Tallahassee.....and I don't think a family could be any more blessed than we are with such good friends and family.
Much love,
Shel
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
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
Thursday, February 8, 2007
"No Change" is a GOOD thing!
Everyone,
Dallas had an MRI yesterday. The report came back as "no change" which is better than the last report of "new growth". We were hoping it would show the tumor had shrunk.....but we're grateful it's not growing. He was scheduled to start his 3rd and last treatment tomorrow but his platelets were low today so they are giving him a platelet transfusion and have postponed the treatment until Monday. He'll be in the hospital for the usual 6 days and then we'll need to stay in Gainesville for at least 2 more weeks after that while his blood counts rebound to normal.
Other than low platelets, Dallas is doing great! He's been feeling better....not as tired as he was and the nausea has disappeared. Of course, much of that will return during his final treatment, but he's anxious to finish up and get back home.
We miss everyone and can't wait to get back to Tallahassee!
XOXO,
Shel
Dallas had an MRI yesterday. The report came back as "no change" which is better than the last report of "new growth". We were hoping it would show the tumor had shrunk.....but we're grateful it's not growing. He was scheduled to start his 3rd and last treatment tomorrow but his platelets were low today so they are giving him a platelet transfusion and have postponed the treatment until Monday. He'll be in the hospital for the usual 6 days and then we'll need to stay in Gainesville for at least 2 more weeks after that while his blood counts rebound to normal.
Other than low platelets, Dallas is doing great! He's been feeling better....not as tired as he was and the nausea has disappeared. Of course, much of that will return during his final treatment, but he's anxious to finish up and get back home.
We miss everyone and can't wait to get back to Tallahassee!
XOXO,
Shel
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
