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Just like in the movie Cars
with JT's favorite song,
His "Life Is A Highway"
and sometimes seems so long
Whatever the road means to him
with it's twists, turns and curves
He faces them like a real winner,
and to be called a hero he deserves
JT loves cars and tractors and things
roaring engines, the excitement it brings
His life is a journey he takes everyday
with his attitude he's a winner we'd say
Even with all the ups and downs
JT has more smiles then he has frowns
A positive spirit brightens everyone's day
he keeps us all going you could say
JT welcomes you to share in his journey
here he takes pit-stops to keep you informed
Please bookmark this page and come again
to know this hero, it will your heart warm
Copyright ©2007Island Princess
Q. What, exactly, is leukemia?
"Well, to be honest, it’s pretty much one of the toughest trial that our family has ever faced. ---- Oh, you wanted the medical definition? Well, in that case, leukemia is cancer of the blood forming tissues that make up the bone marrow inside the large bones. The diseased bone marrow then floods the body with abnormal white cells. These cells do not perform the infection fighting functions of healthy, mature white cells. In addition, production of red cells, which carry oxygen, and platelets, which help prevent bleeding, is decreased. Around our house, in laymen’s terms, leukemia is “sick blood”."
Q. Are there different types of leukemia?
"Why, funny you should ask! Yes, there are. Childhood leukemia is different than adult leukemia, and even childhood leukemia can be broken down into several different types."
Q. What type does JT have?
"He has ALL, which stands for Acute Lymphoblastic (or Lymphocytic) Leukemia. Basically, fast acting, and ugly. But I think all leukemias are ugly, so maybe I’m not the best person to explain. 75% of children with leukemia have ALL. It’s always nice to be part of the popular crowd, don’t ya think?"
Q. When will JT be in remission?
"JT was in remission by Day 21 of his chemotherapy regimen. Remission is defined by having the signs and symptoms of leukemia disappear and by having less than 5 percent abnormal cells found in the blood, bone marrow, or cerebrospinal fluid. Now we can focus on the fun stuff, like the side effects from chemo."
Q. As long as he is in remission, why does he still have chemotherapy?
"Despite being in remission, if chemotherapy were to be stopped now, it is definite that the leukemia would return. Remission is less than 5% cancer cells, but with blood cancers of this type, it only takes one cancer cell, out of the billions and billions of cells in your body, to multiply and begin the cancer again. Think of cancer like a tree growing out of the ground. Once the tree is cut down to ground level and you can no longer see it, you are in remission. Chemotherapy has to continue so we can make sure the roots are killed and the tree cannot grow back. Discontinuation of treatment before ALL cells are gone, would be fatal."
Q. Well, isn’t there EVER any good news at your house?
"Why, yes there is. At some point in time (opinions vary, but we’re talking ball-park a few years after treatment ends) JT will be considered “cured”. That means that the risk of the original disease returning is no greater than the risk faced by all healthy children of developing the same disease."
Q. So, then you can quit worrying?
"Does the phrase 'when Pigs fly mean anything to you?"
Q. So, how long is treatment, anyway?
"For kids with standard risk ALL, like JT, there are several treatment options with different protocols, but generally speaking, treatment lasts three years, two months for boys, and two years, two months for girls"
Q. Why is treatment longer for boys?
"Because they’re more bull headed, and it could effect their postarity"
Q. Will JT ever have to have a bone marrow transplant, or one of those con-tro-vers-ial cord blood transplants we keep hearing about?
"Hopefully not. Barring any complications or relapse, JT’s chemotherapy regimen should be enough to win this battle. For kids on higher risk protocols, or those that relapse, other treatment options can include one or more of the following: increased chemo, bone marrow transplant (BMT), peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT), or radiation therapy."
Q. How can I help?
"OK, so maybe you didn’t really ask this question, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Donate blood. As often as possible. And consider signing up with the American Bone Marrow Registry. Call 1-800-745-2452 or visit American Bone Marrow Registry for more information
 
MEET JT'S FAMILY !
ANGEL JEAN
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Journal
Sunday, November 4, 2007 9:25 PM CST WOW it has been along time since I have updated!!! We have had a lot going on around here and I just havent been able to make my self sit down and write, I was really sick in August and was close to being hospitalized. Then JT got really sick the end of Sept., he was having high fevers for a whole week and the cultures were coming back negative and in Logan they didnt know how to run the virual test Primarys wanted so we went to clinic and his counts bottomed out so the admitted us. later that night his nurse came and told us that he tested positive for Parainfluenza so we would probably be able to go home the next day.. He got a shot of Neupogen that night and then the next morning and we were able to come home. On the 22nd of Oct. when we went for Chemo and a back poke he was still really congested so I told them I wanted to delay the back poke a month since he has had problems twice before with alot of secreations and aspirating them so on the 19th he will get a back poke. We only have 5 more treatments left!!! I am quite a bit worried about when he is done if he will have MORE behavior issues and MORE learning problems. I know a few kids that didnt have problems until they were off treatment, late effect of treatment and all... On a good note we went to the Make a Wish place and JT got to declare his WISH so we are planning on going to Disney World in January, we wanted to go at Christmas but Give Kids the World full. We are so very excited this will be a very much needed fun escape for our whole family and it will be great to just have a blast and get back together as a family.. Well I will update again later LOVE TO ALL, Shelia and JT
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Patient Room: 4422 Primary Children's Medical Center
100 N. Medical Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT. 84113
(801)662-4422
Links: http://www.acsevents.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=161618&supId=130766624 RELAY FOR LIFE
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