Sweet Laurren

As some of you who follow her blog may already know, sweet Laurren Smith went home last night to be with Jesus.  Free of pain and suffering…home with her Creator and Savior.

And, as we shared with our kids today, we are not sad for Laurren because we know she is in a much, much better place. Yet still, we are incredibly sad for her parents, Brian & Patty, her siblings and her many friends, including us. We will surely miss her sweet, generous spirit and her quiet charm.

We met Laurren and her family during a two-week hospital stay in the fall of 2007. She was inpatient as well…and we met her because she went room-to-room on Halloween passing out homemade goodie bags to the other patients on the oncology floor. Amazing.

Of all the families we’ve met at Children’s, the Smith family is the one we have gotten to know the best. And, of all the kids Gage met at Children’s, Laurren was always his favorite. Often, when we were in the hospital together, the nurses would have to look for them in each other’s rooms as they would be playing Uno or making crafts together, all the while hooked to their IV poles.

Please remember the Smith family in your prayers as they prepare for her service on Tuesday…and as they grieve their unimaginable loss.

If you’d like to leave a message on their blog or read her parent’s reflections on her passing, you can find it here.

RH

Our Weekend

Well, I may not be doing a great job of keeping the blog updated these days, but I’m at least still posting Halloween pictures! I haven’t fallen off the bandwagon completely…

So, last night was the kids’ favorite nights of the year…what could be better than costumes and candy!?!  Avery was Duke from GI Joe, Gage was Snake Eyes (also from GI Joe), Ellie was Ariel and Wesley…well, Wesley was in bed because she threw such a two-year-old fit about getting in any costume…or any clothes for that matter…that Blake decided to stay home and pass out candy while she slept so the kids and I could enjoy the night without her.

Then, Ellie decided her Ariel costume was too itchy, so she just wore the white shirt and pink leggings I had chosen as undergarments for it…but she at least wore the Ariel shoes (for about 5 minutes) and carried the Ariel wand (for a few minutes more). You can tell from the pictures that it was a crazy night…

This was the closest we got to a picture of all four of them…

At least Avery loved her costume…

Then, today Gage had another flag football game…here he is proudly holding the flag he pulled from other team…

But, the real highlight of the game was to watch Gage on one team and his cousin Randell on the other team. Blake and Randell’s dad are first cousins, so I guess Gage and little Randell are second cousins.

Anyway, little Randell is Gage’s age…and he was born deaf. I still remember being stunned at the news that first day I heard. And, I’m sure they remember being stunned when they heard Gage had leukemia four years later. Each boy’s challenges have brought immense and ongoing struggles to our families. Even though Randell now has cochlear implants to allow him to hear and Gage is progressing through his treatment protocol, I know both families have endured dark days when the thought of a beautiful afternoon watching our sons play flag football with their friends seemed like an impossibility.

Yet, today, there they were.

At then end of the game, I had to take a quick picture of the two of them. Their paths rarely cross, yet I know they each understand in a special way the difficulty that the other has also faced. It was such a hopeful moment to watch them both play today…a game I won’t soon forget.

And, we did just finish another week of steroids (Ooops…forgot to post beforehand!). As always, it was a rough week and we’re glad to be done.

Thanks for continuing to pray and for checking in.

RH

Back in Action

Yes…I’m back in action on the blog, and Gage is back in action playing flag football for the first time. He’s on a team with other 1st grade boys from his school, and he’s absolutely loving it.

He and Avery also play football with makeshift flags many mornings and afternoons in the front yard, as well as playing soccer and, for the first time today, turning the soccer net on its side to use it as a volleyball net. Pretty handy, since Avery is playing soccer and volleyball this fall.

For many parents, these are the routine things of fall. For us, these are things we haven’t been able to do before…three sports just in the fall?!? It’s the normal busy-ness of family life, and it feels so good to have the health and margin in our family to let the kids play sports with their friends and take on the crazy schedule it brings.

As for me back in action on the blog, I’ve been reflecting some about the how, when & why of my posting (or lack of) these days. Several of you have even asked if the ‘radio silence’ means all is well…or that you should be concerned.  Good question.  And, the answer is: some of both.

All is well: Yes, no unexpected trips to Children’s, Gage is continuing to endure the maintenance part of his protocol as well as could be expected, etc.

Cause for concern: Yes to this too.  Only, these days it’s often harder to share what the concerns are. There are the ‘easy to explain’ things like the threat of swine flu and the swirl of emotions, decisions and conflicts it brings… Or the year-long construction on Gage’s school campus and the mold, bacteria & fungus in the dirt that rates an “8 out of 10″ on his oncologist’s scale of concerns…so now the mask-wearing, recess-skipping, carpool-challenging aspects of being outside the school on many days.

And, there are also the other ripples in the cancer pond that are harder to share. They are more subtle and, often, more personal…and, as they often relate to how our kids are personally doing on this journey, the blog doesn’t really seem like the right place to share them as our kids get older. Still, there are an unending number of things I see in our family life each day that “have cancer on them”…things that are different, more complex and harder because of the leukemia…things that require an extra dose of wisdom, flexibility, courage, patience and strength to face.

So, even if, in this season, I can’t always share the particulars of what’s challenging for each of us, rest assured that we still covet your prayers for our family.

And, I know many of you have continued to follow Laurren Smith’s story as well, and I wanted to ask you to continue to pray for her as they have pursued all mainstream treatment without success and are now in Mexico seeking alternative treatment. We love their family, and would love for you to join us in praying for them during this time.

Thanks for checking in and for supporting us, especially as we start another steroid & extra chemo week on Monday. Thanks too for letting me share with you that we still need your prayers even when we can’t share all the details.  And, I’ll try to update the blog a bit more too.  Just know that behind the fun pictures are still plenty of heavy burdens.

Matthew 11:28

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

RH

Back to School!

Yesterday, Avery & Gage went back to school…Gage to 1st grade and Avery to 3rd grade. They love our neighborhood school, and I’m so thankful for all that the teachers & staff have done to make school such a great place for our kids…even in challenging times.

In some ways, I still can’t believe we made it through kindergarten last year…and in other ways, I’m beginning to imagine what it will be like when Gage is finished with his treatment next fall.

On days like yesterday, when I can really feel the passage of time, I spend much of my day reflecting back on much harder days and also anticipating that someday there will be a first day of school  that doesn’t involve dropping off nausea meds with the school nurse.

Here are a few pics from yesterday…

Avery and her new teacher…

Gage and his new teacher…

Ellie & Wesley heading back home after the morning drop off…

And, here are the other pictures that ran through my mind yesterday morning…

Dropping Avery off for 1st grade (2007)…

Dropping Gage off for kindergarten and Avery for 2nd grade (2008)…

This year, dropping Gage off for 1st grade and Avery for 3rd grade…

Psalm 31:24

Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD

Please pray for us this year as we continue to walk the road of Gage’s cancer that our ultimate hope will be in the Lord…and that we would be able to help our kids understand that as well.

There are many things that I am tempted to fear: swine flu…and the question of what that might mean for Gage’s year, fever & hospitalization, family chaos & emotions that run high when he’s not doing well…in addition to the things all parents worry about with kids at school (academics, friendships, etc.). Still, the only secure hope is in the Lord…and as we continue in our third year of treatment for Gage, I want to be able to be strong and take heart in His care and love for us…not grow weary and discouraged.

So please pray that the kids would adjust well to school this week, especially since next Monday Gage will spend the day at Children’s for a spinal tap, extra chemo, a breathing treatment and the beginning of a week on steroids.

(If you’re new to the blog and curious about Gage’s daily chemotherapy protocol, you can look at this older post that explains it.)

As always, thanks for checking in and for praying.

RH

Long Day

Today was Gage’s clinic visit that comes around every four weeks. And, until you’ve lived a week on steroids, a week on detox and then two weeks of  (hopefully) minimal side effects, you never realize how fast every four weeks comes around!

Usually these visits are somewhat smooth at clinic, but Gage then feels pretty crummy for the rest of the week. Unfortunately today, the clinic visit was long and stressful…and we still have a week of steroids to look forward to. When the nurse tried to access Gage’s port to draw blood (to check his counts) and to administer his chemotherapy, his port was blocked and not working. So, after multiple tries (including re-accessing his port), the nurse pushed a “clot busting” medicine through his port…and we waited.

In the meantime, the doctors discussed x-rays, dye studies, delaying chemotherapy until tomorrow…and the possibility of needing a new port. As you can imagine, the day got pretty rocky for everyone as this point, especially Gage.  And, the clinic was running very slowly to begin with, so the stress, hunger and boredom had plenty of time to simmer. Thankfully, the anti-clot medicine finally worked, and the nurse was able to both draw blood and give chemo. Relief. And, another reminder that we live closer to the edge than we’d like to with Gage…it doesn’t take much to put us in a vulnerable spot with him.

So, almost six hours after arriving at clinic, we finally left. (And, then Blake took Gage to the new Lego store at the mall to end the day on a better note.) And, during the long visit today, we also got to see the new plaque near the prize closet at the clinic that Team Holmes named in honor of Laurren Smith.

Please keep praying for sweet Laurren and her family, as they are in California seeking further options to treat her cancer.

And, thanks for your prayers for us this week, as Gage and our family walk through the challenges of another week on steroids.

Thanks for checking in…

RH

Summer Living

Well, here’s hoping that I’m not the only one procrastinating a bit this summer!

Unlike the scheduled drudgery that the school year can become, summer around here seems to move from one focus to the next every week or so…with very little time spent in front of the computer! And…we’ve certainly cut a few corners too…breakfast for dinner, swimming instead of a shower…and, maybe just relaxing at night instead of updating the blog. Sorry!

Still, summer has been going well. Ever since Gage got his ear tubes in May, his days have been so much better. The steroid week was rough as usual, but at least on his better days, he does actually feel better.

And, the kids have been enjoying fun camps in our neighborhood…and doing a couple weeks of swimming lessons too. Gage  has done flag football, tennis & basketball camps, all of which he really enjoyed. It’s always a strange conversation for me to let the camp director know that he has cancer, has a port implanted in his chest, etc. From looking at him, they could never tell right now, so they always look surprised and concerned. Thankfully, there is no reason he can’t participate right now, and he’s enjoyed the time playing with friends.

And, Avery went to Pine Cove Camp (sleep-away camp) for the first time this summer. She enjoyed her time there, but unfortunately got sick in the middle of the week. She spent the night in the infirmary Wednesday night, and we picked her up Thursday morning. Then, after a quick trip to the pediatrician, she was exiled to our room until she was fever-free for 24 hours. Unfortunately, that time didn’t come until Sunday night. So, we’ve all spent a little too much time at home lately, but thankfully it seems like no one else caught it.

Also, please continue to pray for Laurren Smith and her family, as I know many of you have been faithful to do. They continue to receive discouraging news about the growth of her tumors and their limited treatment options. They are dear friends to us, and it’s heartbreaking to know what they’re facing right now.

And, as you probably can imagine, I have a backlog of pictures to share…  Enjoy the pictures, and I’ll try not to procrastinate so long next time.

Gage down on the field at a Rangers game with other Wipe Out Kids Cancer ambassadors…

Fun times for the 4th of July in East Texas…

Wesley taking aim at the pinata…

Riding in the parade with cousins…

Ellie in the sack race…

Back in Dallas at our neighborhood 4th of July parade…

Ellie…

Avery…

Ellie waving her flag….

Gage lost his two front teeth!

Wesley protesting having her picture taken…

Well, hopefully I won’t go so long until I update again…and thanks for checking in and for your prayers!

RH

Great News to Share!

Saturday night (June 20th) at Sammy’s BBQ was a HUGE success…thanks to the many of you who donated to Children’s to make it so incredible!

To recap, we’ve been raising money for Team Holmes at Children’s since a couple months after Gage was diagnosed in the summer of 2007. Blake, along with a couple friends, have met often since then with the leadership at Children’s to better understand the needs of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD), where Gage is treated. Our goal?  To make life better for families battling childhood cancer at Children’s.

As you may know, Children’s is a private, not-for-profit academic pediatric medical center, and it relies on the generosity of the community to help fulfill its mission to make life better for children. And, some of the things that “make life better for children” are things that definitely need private funding if they’re going to happen.

So, we decided to raise money to support the Childlife department at the CCBD.

First, we raised funds to cover three years of salary for the first, full-time Childlife Specialist on the inpatient oncology floor . So, for the last year or more, Lindsay (pictured below in red) has been caring for and loving the kids and families on the oncology floor 40 hours a week in a way the doctors and nurses don’t have the time or training to do. You can read more here if you want to learn more about what she does.

Now, we’re also raising money for other things that support Lindsay and the other Childlife Specialists who care for the CCBD kids:

* General budget support that gives them freedom to plan events & activities for the inpatient kids

* Funds to stock the prize closet, where the kids go at the end of their day to get a “prize” for each “poke” they received. If you can imagine, they go through at least 100 prizes/small toys each day…all year long. And, the small reward at the end of a long day means a lot to all the kids.

* The salary for one of the clowns who visits weekly. Click here to see a post from this Spring with Gage playing with the clowns.

* Two new mobile Wii/DVD fun stations that kids on the floor can use in their rooms (especially important for those on isolation who can’t even leave their rooms)

* And, having a more fully staffed Childlife team also allows them to pursue other projects, such as the recent addition of Beads of Courage at Children’s. (You can scroll to the bottom of our April 15 post to learn more). They’ve also been able to extend the hours of the playroom on the floor…a huge difference maker for the 10th floor kids who can’t leave the floor during their stay (days/weeks/months at a time) because of their suppressed immune systems, among other reasons.

And, because of your generosity, Children’s allowed us to officially name the Prize Closet as a recognition of the money that’s been raised through Team Holmes. So, on Saturday night, we made two big announcements:

* Team Holmes raised $40,000+ for Children’s through our event at Sammy’s BBQ (ticket sales & donations)…and, to date, we’ve now raised about $190,000 total!

* The prize closet will be named in honor of Laurren Smith, whose story many of you have faithfully followed. The plaque outside the prize closet will read:

Generously donated by Team Holmes
In honor of Laurren Smith

Here’s Blake surprising the Smith’s with a framed copy of the plaque…

As you can imagine, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room at that point…and you can read about if from the Smith’s perspective on their June 24th blog entry. Blake and I agreed that it’s not often you get to give a gift that meaningful…and it was so special to honor Laurren and her family for the kind generosity they’ve shown to others during her fight with cancer.

So, we’re thrilled with all that happened Saturday night. It’s not really an anniversary we enjoy celebrating, but it certainly makes it better to spend the evening with family and friends. And, we certainly plan to continue raising money for Children’s…both on the anniversary of Gage’s diagnosis and throughout the year. Once you have personally seen the immense needs that families are facing, it’s hard not to be moved to action. Thanks for joining us in giving back.

And…here are a few more pictures from the night…

The kids before the night began (sorry…we left Wesley with a sitter!)…

A room filled with family and friends…

Laurren…

Gage standing by Blake while he spoke…

Smiles from everyone at the end of the night…

Gage and the girls continue to enjoy their summer. Please pray that this week would be smooth, as it is our last week before we begin steroids again next Monday at clinic. It’s amazing how fast every four weeks comes around…and how slowly it seems that the steroids work their way out of his body.

Thanks, as always, for your support.

RH

Beach Pics At Last

Maybe I should have mentioned when I promised to post the beach pics “soon” that I probably took 1,000+ pictures at the beach. And, it’s pretty hard to go through 1,000 fun, cute beach pictures…much less cut it down to a manageable number for the blog!

And, thankfully, we’ve had a fun week that’s kept me busy too: Avery at basketball camp, Gage at flag football camp, everyone swimming…and getting ready for tonight’s fundraiser at Sammy’s BBQ. Who knows why I’m choosing to post on the blog while I should be getting ready…but, this way, when people ask tonight about the beach pics, I can say that I finally posted them!

Thanks for checking in…and enjoy the pics!

A rare picture of all four…together and clean!

Many hours spent building sand castles and hunting for shells…

Wesley didn’t love it quite as much…

Ellie…never one to lack for flair!

Gage & Ellie sharing their ocean finds…

More Ellie!

Scuba diver Gage…he loved learning to use the snorkel!

Ellie enjoying watermelon on our porch…

Everyone after a morning at the beach…

Avery swimming in the surf…

Blake & Wesley watching the waves roll in…

Avery’s big shell!

Ellie laughing and running on the beach…

Avery, Gage & Ellie calling it a day…

An afternoon appointment with the ice cream man!

Yum!

Thanks for checking in!

RH

Summer’s finally here!

Well, our family spent a wonderful week in Florida last week enjoying the beginning of summer…the reason for no updates!

Highlights: the beach, no school, the ice cream truck in the afternoon, searching for unbroken shells…and tons of fun pictures of it all (to follow in a later post!). The craziest part? Twelve hours in the car with all four kids each way! Thankfully, Gage felt great the entire time (unlike last year at the beach), and we had no unexpected medical issues. A huge praise.

And, after a day back, we headed to Children’s this morning for the visit we do every 12 weeks: finger poke to check blood counts, visit with the doctor, breathing treatment (to protect Gage from a type of pneumonia that immune-suppressed people are vulnerable to), chemo in his port, chemo in his spinal fluid via a spinal tap…and then begin a week of twice-daily steroids, in addition to his usual nightly chemo.

Needless to say, we’re all pretty exhausted from both the fun things, like Florida, and the not-fun things, like a very long day at clinic…and a hard week to come on steroids.

Thanks for checking in, and please remember us in your prayers this week.

Also, we’ve loved seeing the responses come in to our June 20th event…hope you can join us!!

RH

We made it!

Sorry for the long delay in updating.  There is so much I could have shared, but I would have needed a Twitter account to keep you up to speed!

It’s been a busy couple weeks…many doctors appointments, pharmacy runs, phone consultations and more. It’s really much more than you could possibly want to know, but it’s been a whirlwind. Two major things in all of it…Gage got another ear infection (yes, after the tubes) and then his ear was so blocked up no one could see if the tube was still in there (if not, back to the OR to get another one). Thankfully, the tube is still there…but so is the infection. So, more antibiotics, follow-up appointments, etc .

And, on a much more fun note, Gage finished kindergarten today!

I still remember the emotions of sending him off to school after the many hard, hard months at the beginning of his treatment. And, although the year has certainly had its rough spots, he’s loved kindergarten. I’m so excited that he’s had such a great year…and so thankful to take a break from the push-and-pull of the daily decisions we have to make during the school year.

Here are a few pics of the kids at drop-off this moring…

Thanks for checking in…and see you June 20th!

RH