Over Halfway

Today marks the last day of September and the last day of a month that has been reserved to bring awareness and funding to childhood cancer research.  I struggled whether to type a post today.  Would it be too cliche or desperate for me to post something with one last petition for people to continue to fight for children with cancer?  Answer: I don't care.  The reality is that childhood cancer is not cliche.  The minimal treatment options are a reality.  The need to increase awareness is not cliche.  The lives that families have to live with a child going through cancer treatments are not cliche.  They are real.  They are real hard.  And this is my unashamed plea for all reading this (and please re-post on facebook, twitter, instagram, myspace - is that still around?, email, or whatever other social media network you're a part of) to keep this topic at the forefront of your minds for the next 11 months while awaiting another September.  I encourage you to re-read our last post laying out some options of how to get involved in helping to fund research and expand treatment options for patients and their families.

Next month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I've known several women who have been diagnosed, treated, and cured of this type of cancer.  Great advances have been made in curing this type of cancer over the last 10-15 years.  During the month, you can see banners, commercials, marketing campaigns, and NFL players wearing pink to support this cause.  I'm grateful there is such a huge backing for women fighting this cancer.  I do hope that in the future September will be as marketed to support childhood cancer patients and their families.  The allocated amount of pediatric cancer research funding is unacceptable.  3.8% of federal funding for cancer research is allotted to childhood cancer research.  This will not change overnight, and we are left with grassroots organizations attempting to close the funding gap.  Thanks for reading the first two paragraphs!

Ari has been doing fairly well.  After today's radiation treatment, Ari will have 10 treatments left.  He has been experiencing some increase in some of the acute side effects.  Although he is still vomiting consistently throughout the day, we've noticed a slight increase.  He's also been fatigued more, leading to some increased irritability.  All that being said, he continues to be playful, interactive, and happy for a good portion of the day.  We met with our radiation oncologist today, and she confirmed that this would be the point within his treatment where we would begin to see some of the increase in side effects.  We are thankful that he has handled everything well up to this point.  Our oncology team continues to work on the plan for chemotherapy after radiation ends.  We do know it will be a bit of a change of direction but are awaiting the full details in the coming weeks.

We continue to be blessed by being in Portland at the river cottage.  It has been relaxing and a great time for our family to enjoy together.  We also have had visits from some family and good friends that has been life-giving.  We are very thankful for this time.  We'll be here for about 2 more weeks before heading back to Eugene.

We continue to ask you to pray for healing for our little guy.  He has been making some crazy cool progress here recently as he has re-learned how to clap, play peek-a-boo, and roll from his back to his tummy.  Ari has been very vocal, exploring by mimicking our sounds and making his own.  It's pretty awesome!  His smile is back, and he's been trying to figure out how to laugh again.  It really has been a great time for Ari's progress.  Praise Jesus!

Here are some pictures from the past couple weeks.

We have really enjoyed sunrises on the Willamette River.

On the river path for one of our walks.

Book time with Momma.  Ari has been loving books here recently!

Mr. Chris lets Ari play with all the equipment that no one else will let him play with...we're OK with that!

Ari loves laying on this bench before going in for his daily radiation treatments.