About Us

Our family of 6 (dad Adam, mom Sherry, big sister Abby and little brothers Isaac and Brady -- who was born on December 14, 2010) joined the ranks of pediatric cancer fighters when our 4-year old son Logan was diagnosed with a dangerous and highly malignant form of brain cancer in mid-August 2010. Logan's cancer journey began abruptly on Sunday, August 15, when his right eye suddenly turned inward during dinner. Twenty-four hours later, we were checking into Children's Hospital Oakland and finding out that life sometimes takes you places you'd never, ever imagine yourself going.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Re-Born

Logan is less than 12 hours away from the first of his autologous stem cell infusions. A year ago, I wouldn't have understood the meaning of those words, but today, I'm keenly aware of their profound significance. Tomorrow is, if God sees fit to touch my son and heal him once and for all, Logan's brand new birthday.

Of course, it's not quite that simple. He will, in reality, have two new birthdays, since he has so many bags of fluid to thaw that they'll be finishing the process on Thursday, but you get the point. Both days, morphed together into one, signify a new birth for my baby. And we pray with the collective wholeness of our hearts, minds and souls that the cancer will be gone and stay banished for good.

I feel a cautious sense of optimism as I think of it; as I look back over the grueling 8 and a half months in the rearview. As I realize how very much my sweet boy has endured and the unique ways our family has suffered. I long to have a testimony to share. Deeply, truly I do. Thank you for continuing to pray for amazing healing and restoration of health, hope, faith and peace for Logan and within our family unit.

In terms of the right-now, I'm happy to report that he's feeling much better. He's had three days of positive blood cultures, but has been on antibiotics and today was substantially more comfortable. He felt well enough to watch TV and play Farmville. His hearing is awful, but an ENT stopped in earlier today and confirmed that his ear canals are stuffed with wax, a by-product of his radiation therapy, and there's likely fluid behind his eardrums. So while he's undoubtedly lost some of his hearing, it's likely not as profound as it seems. His nausea and vomiting are currently well-controlled, and as long as he doesn't have issues over the coming days, they'll attempt to make them all PRN (as needed), per Lizzie the BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) NP. So all in all, good things are afoot.

Forgive me while I go the way of the related tangent for a moment. Thursday isn't just the second of Logan's two new birthdays. It's also the day that an old acquaintance-recently-turned-friend from high school, Jessica, will put her own life on hold so she can donate bone marrow to a man she doesn't even know. Rather than going through the non-invasive apheresis process that many donors can use (which happens to be the very same process Logan underwent to harvest the stem cells that will be infused tomorrow and Thursday), Jessica will donate via the traditional, markedly more painful method. If you would, please pray for a safe procedure and for a quick recovery for her, and for restored health for her match. And if you're able, please consider registering as a potential bone marrow donor at marrow.org. As our family has learned over the past year, anyone can be struck by cancer and other diseases at any time.

Thank you all, bless you, and good night.

7 comments:

  1. wow. Its here. You guys are always so close to my thoughts but special days like this, it will be constant. As I've experienced 2 bone marrow transplants in my own family, I understand the enormity and signifigance of this day. Day zero.
    And special prayers for your friend Jessica. Her selfless act is very appreciated by another family. I hope she gets to meet her recipient one day soon and see he or she in great health.
    Hang on to that optimism. It is real. We all believe.

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  2. Coninuing to pray for complete healing and new life in your family. I am serving Jury Duty right now and the juror next to me asked me this afternoon if I minded him asking me who Logan is? (Since he sees the bracelet all day : ) I told him about your family and Logan and that part of the reason for the bracelets is to recruit more members to Logan's Army. He is a new daddy with a 6 week old son at home so it seemed to be no accident or coincidence to me. I am so thankful that today was such a better day for Logan. I hope that his new birthdays provide even more good news!

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  3. Sherry,
    I'm so happy to hear that Logan's hearing loss may be less than you thought, and that he is currently feeling so much better. I'm hoping, praying, wishing, feeling and BELIEVING that those little cells will get in there and do their work to heal your beautiful little boy!
    What you have done to get so many people to keep Logan in their thoughts and prayers is incredibly powerful, and I'm honored that you have included me and my recipient in your requests.
    Good luck tomorrow and Thursday.
    ~Jessica

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  4. Yes, I will be praying for Logan and your friend Jessica. I can't believe it has come to this week. Praying Praying Praying

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  5. Praying for Logan and for Jessica. I wonder if Jessica is the donor for my friend Tracy who will be receiving a BMT in Seattle this month? Wouldn't that be just like god to connect the two friends I have been praying for for so long? :)

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  6. Continuing to pray!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad Logan is feeling better! Please please please Gd, make him well.

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  7. Praying for Logan, your family, and Jessica!

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