Wed, 29 Dec 1999 20:35

Disney World

Dear Family and Friends,

We had a wonderful Christmas! Our favorite part was receiving some beautiful ceramic nativity figures and a cherry wood creche from our fellow teachers at church. The boys love it and are in awe of the beautiful pieces. We have adopted a 'touch only with one finger' rule but the boys seem to find creative ways to cross the line (like pushing it over with one finger). Logan said he wanted to put his peanut Jesus (that he made in his Sunday School class) in the box. So, we moved the real Jesus figurine to the side so his peanut Jesus could have center stage.

We have been the object of much generosity during this Christmas season. I will list only a few. A radiation patient presented Knocker with $80 in 'Toys R Us' money for the boys' Christmas. We, who were not planning to get them any presents (just because of the not-a-Christmas-tradition thing) were able to get them a nice toddler basketball goal that will expand from 3 feet up to 6 feet tall. We were showered with many gifts from people who stubbornly refused to reveal their identity :-), such as gift certificates to local restaurants and a local store (Target). There were clothes, toys, music, books for the boys, too. A basket of homemade food like bread, salsa, Russian tea and more.

Oh, my favorite fun gift was a pair of rollerblades from my sister, Julie. Adam was scared by them at first and tried to take them off my feet. "Get off Mommy" he told the skates in a mad, tearful voice. I have only used them in the driveway so far; it takes a while to put on all the gear (borrowed) like helmet, knee pads, shin guard, etc. By that time the boys are ready to go back in the house. Hopefully, it will reach the stage where it becomes real exercise.

Logan finished up his radiation treatments on Wednesday, December 22nd as scheduled. He did remarkably well. He didn't complain of any more headaches (after the first week). He had no nausea, no skin burning, and minimal tiredness. The long term effects are still unknown. The radiation oncologist said to expect the intelligence deficits to start showing up in about 6 months and declining for a 2 year period. Also, that a vision problem, if it were to occur, would most likely show up after 2 years down the road. (Do not worry about tomorrow 'cause tomorrow will worry about itself. Do not worry about your life.....) We are still hopeful, though that God will choose to protect Logan's good cells to preserve thinking and vision and other abilities.

We had our interview with Make-A-Wish on Monday, December 27th. Logan's official wish is to go to Disney World. We had to coach him, since he didn't really 'get it', the whole wish thing, but we know he will enjoy himself. He especially likes the 'Toy Story' movies. It looks like the dates will be January 5th through 10th. Make-A-Wish is providing an all expense paid, many-frills vacation for the 4 of us. A limosine will pick us up at our house on January 5th and take us to RDU airport. We will fly to Orlando, FL where we will be met by a 'Give Kids The World' representative. We will be staying in our own villa at 'Give Kids The World'. Southern Living Magazine in the December, 1999 issue has a nice write up and description of this village if anyone is interested (also at www.gktw.org; and www.wish.org). It serves children with terminal and life-threatening illnesses at no cost to the family. Needless to say we are very much overwhelmed by this unexpected opportunity.

Prayer Requests:

For a safe trip to Disney World that is honoring to God.

Please continue to pray for Logan's total body healing and protection--especially for protection of good cells but death of all cancer cells.

Wisdom and good communication for all involved in Logan's treatment for the best possible treatment decisions.

Minimal or no long-term side effects from previous treatments and upcoming BMT.

Pray for upcoming MRI on Jan 18th--that we will receive good news that tumors are gone/no new tumors and able to start the BMT (if this is God's will).

Scheduling of loving persons to agree to watch Adam (in 5 day blocks or weekend blocks) for BMT (around Jan 20th) during the expected 8 week period of isolation.

For continued good health.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and for sharing our good moments along with the bad.

Laura