Hello to all the faithful Carson followers! J
It has been too long since I last wrote, so I will back track a little. First, let me start with more about our last visit to St. Jude. When we go back, it is like visiting our old neighborhood, catching up with friends and seeing our old stomping grounds. Carson and Derek were so happy to visit their “last home and friends.”
The best part of our visit was that all tests came back completely clear. As usual, Carson handles all the tests and scans extremely well, never complaining—this makes it so much easier on me! After Carson woke up from his scans, we went to the new ice cream bar to get some gelato. While there, we saw our Fellow, Dr. Jeff. He told us to follow him, he was going to go track down the scan results so we could head home that night instead of waiting until the next day. When he walked back out from behind doors, he had Dr. McGregor with him. My first thought was “oh no.” Thank God my first thought wasn't true and they said all was clear!
Someone asked me how I get through the scans every time, and really I don't worry about them much. I feel that when Jesus held Carson in his healing hands that he healed Carson forever. While I am not naive to the statistics and the chance of relapse, I just know worrying about it will do no good. If Carson does ever relapse it will be a complete shock, but something we will deal with at that time. We have the peace of knowing that God has a perfect plan for all of us. We are grateful that God has given us that peace.
The only drama we had while there was a dermatologist appointment. About six weeks ago, I had noticed Carson's birth mark behind his ear had turned black in the middle. I showed our doctor at St. Louis Children’s, but they quickly blew it off as a black head. It didn't seem to feel right to me that he would get a black head on a birth mark, especially while he was taking high doses of Accutane, which is a medicine used to also treat acne medicine. So while at St. Jude, I asked our doctor to look at it and they referred us to a local dermatologist. The dermatologist thought it looked suspicious and wasn't comfortable leaving it. So he told me he was going to remove it in his office.
That was all well and good, except that the dermatologist is not used to seeing many children The drama began when the dermatologist decided to do the sneak attack and stick Carson in the neck with a needle of Novocain. Carson and I were unaware of what was happening, so of course Carson freaked out and had to be held down. Had they explained to Carson what was about to happen, he would have been fine, as he has had many shots and procedures and has never cried. I felt like crying too, because I felt like I let him down and didn't protect him. The good news is that the biopsy came back with no signs of cancer!
We are so thankful that my friend Jeannie came down with her two boys to help out. It was nice showing her around and letting her experience some of what we lived through for a year. She was a real blessing to me, and we are thankful to Jeannie and her husband for making her trip to Memphis possible!
While at St. Jude, ALSAC asked us if they could video Carson for a segment on their web site. Carson was a little tired from all his scans and not eating, and didn't talk much. He did suck his thumb and rub his blanket, until it was time to go out on the play ground and then he was a real ham J
Another exciting thing is that the new St. Jude calendars are out and Carson is on the envelope and front page. He also had a St. Jude bear named after him. You can go on the St. Jude web site and the Carson bear is in the hope catalog.
Halloween, was a very exciting time. Carson and Derek were so excited to go trick or treating. They practiced all day what to say when they got to the door, and for the most part they remembered all their "trick or treats" and “thank yous.” They did pause for a while to play with Libby and Opie our neighbor’s new puppies.
After going to about fifteen houses, the boys decided it was time to go home and try out some of their candy. I think they might have had just as much fun handing out candy as they did getting it. They would remind the kids to say trick or treat and thank you. Carson and Derek both dressed as Batman, they wanted to be superheroes. We looked for Superman (because that's what I think Carson is) but settled on Batman, and of course Derek wants to be and do everything Carson does.
We were invited to go to Lindenwood University to speak to a bunch of college students who were volunteering to help St. Jude. Carson is the poster child for their “Up ‘til Dawn” fund raiser. St. Jude has prepared door hangers and posters with Carson's picture on it, as well as flyers that the kids mailed out to friends and families asking for support of St. Jude. I was honored to speak to these college students, I am so impressed that these young people are doing such a wonderful thing by raising money and awareness for childhood cancer and St. Jude. Our nephew Brian volunteered to help at his college when he heard they were doing a fund raiser for St. Jude, and he was excited to see that Carson was on all the materials! I always knew that Carson was cute and special, but I never would have imagined he would be seen all around the US!
Next week we are doing a photo shoot for the Ladue News, so look for Carson and some other children on the front cover soon. I am glad God uses Carson and his illness to tell his God story and to support St. Jude!
The older boys all finished their football season. All their teams had amazing seasons, and they each worked really hard and did a great job. Brett's team went undefeated, Brendon's team went to play offs, and Garrett's team went to the championship game, and unfortunately lost, only the second loss all season. Brett and Garrett started basketball this week, and Brendon started wrestling. Brendon has never wrestled before, but he is very athletic and hard working so I am sure he will do fine.
Carson and Derek are enjoying preschool, and playing outside while it's still nice out.
Carson started his first of eight rounds of Topotecan last Tuesday. Saturday was his last dose, he will then be off for two weeks. This new Chemo has been a little hard on his digestive track. He has had diarrhea off and on for the last two weeks. Last week we had his stool tested for Cdiff but it came back negative, and over the weekend we dropped off another sample to be tested again, but I believe it is a side effect of the chemo drug. He has felt nauseous, but only threw up once. God has blessed him with strong blood counts so far, so please pray that they continue to stay that way. Derek was exposed to strep throat on Thursday, but thankfully the Mom informed us so we can keep Derek and Carson separated and be on the lookout for symptoms with Derek.
Thank you to everyone for praying for clear scans and continuing to pray for the side effects to go away and for Carson to continue to have good counts and not get sick. We are so blessed by your continued prayers, love and support!
Carson had his hair cut today for the first time in 18 months. He looks very cute! His hair is now white blond and baby thin, compared to before when he had thick red hair.
God Bless,
Debbie
