Numbers, numbers!

Here's Ricky on Father's day with his uncle Greg and going to work on some old telephone poles for the tags.

Quick update: Ricky has been feeling pretty lethargic the last several days, it turns out he is anemic. His blood test yesterday was good otherwise: ANC over 2000, platelets were 1.90 but the red blood cell count was way down. Exam was stable, but we have noticed more TIAs and of greater duration and strength over the last couple of weeks. No headaches or nausea so we’re happy about that.

He got his monthly antibiotic, Avastin and two bags of red blood cells. His mother says he has more energy this morning so maybe that was the cure. He’s off the Albany NY to his grandparents and relatives for the weekend.

Thanks once more for all the kind thoughts and prayers, as one of the doctors told me, he’s writing his own story!

Bill

Last day of school!

Today Ricky finishes 4th grade. He goes to the most wonderful school. God bless everyone there who makes his days so special.

His blood test last Thursday was awesome, his ANC rose from 75 Monday to 1410! We were able to go to DFCI Friday morning and get him back on the Avastin. He and I left right from there for Vermont for the weekend. He had been feeling pretty poor, likely with a sinus infection so he was put on the 5 day antibiotic Azithromycin and by Saturday was starting to feel better. We've seen some pretty bad TIAs the last few days, but otherwise he is doing well.

Here he is eating popcorn, Fritos and Skittles with root beer in Vermont. The other pictures are from an early Father's day celebration last night. He did have a stomach issue the other morning, perhaps the jalapeno poppers he ate for breakfast might have been the problem!

The Magical Moon Foundation

Great article in yesterday's Patriot Ledger: http://www.patriotledger.com/archive/x2000485304/Knights-shine-for-Magical-Moon-Foundation There is a typo, Ricky's age is 11,not 7.

Donna Green has really done so much for the kids! It has been really great for Ricky. The web site is: http://www.themagicalmoonfoundation.org/

Ricky is on http://www.themagicalmoonfoundation.org/hallofknights.html

Donna is dong a great job but really needs more help! If you want to get involved, please contact Donna.

Bill

Numbers, numbers.....

Monday's blood counts were still below what we need to resume the Avastin....another test Thursday. He's still fighting a bad cold, and has been under the weather all week.

Bill

School is almost over.....

and Ricky is going to finish the year! June 17th is the last day, he loves school,but he tells me that he is getting very tired by the end of the day. He doesn't have all the energy he once had, he has enough for most of the day, but he naps in the afternoon often. He's been fighting a cold but is still going everyday, he doesn't want to miss anything or anybody.

A couple of pictures from recent visits to Dana Farber. Ricky is with Lindsay Teittinen who does patient surveys and Ricky just clowning around.

Please keep the prayers and good thoughts coming our way!

Bill

At Dana Farber today we were not able to get his Avastin as his ANC has crashed to 50 from 1500. His platelets dropped down to 145K, so we have modified his medications and will have his blood tested again Monday and hopefully go back Wednesday for the Avastin treatment. His exam was stable except for a cold, he looked good. He continues to have clusters of TIAs, otherwise he has had no other symptoms.

For those that follow his food selections, this morning his breakfast was hot and sour soup and double pan fried noodles. Indeed a "crazy breakfast".