Thanksgiving Update

Just an update - we were able to have a nice Thanksgiving at home - thanks again to all of you who provided a beautiful and bountiful feast for us! Hans got a bit of a fever on Saturday, so we returned to TCH on Saturday, as per protocol, for 48 hours of observation and preventative anitbiotics. They are now planning on keeping him for possibly a few days longer in order to harvest his stem cells for the "bone marrow transplant" down the road. We are hoping everything goes as smoothly as possible and that Hans can enjoy a week or more at home before getting admitting into the hospital for round three of chemo - Thursday next week.
Lara

Portrait, Fall 2006

This Portrait was taken just 2 1/2 weeks before Hans was admitted into Texas Children's Hospital. I just adore it! J. Isaac Photography took it outside of Hans' preschool, and then generously donated hundreds of wallets to pass out. I have truly enjoyed passing them out. I do have wallets to mail out to our friends and family who live far away. I have even given a couple to our favorite doctors and nurses at TCH.
Lara

Home Again!

We have happy news from Houston: Hans was relased from the hospital this morning, pretty much as scheduled. He handled his second round of chemo like a real champ.

He is very indepedent back at home. He is just enjoying his video library which is now quite large thanks to your many kind gifts!

Grandma Kathy goes home tomorrow - but then we go back to the airport just a few hours later to pick up Grandpa Oscar who will spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with us.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

With Love, Lara

Round Two...

Hans has been readmitted into Texas Children’s Hospital for Round Two of Chemo. Hans has handled the readmission remarkably well. He didn’t seem to be traumatized to return. He acted like it was no big deal, just another trip to “The Office,” as he calls the 9th floor of TCH.
During his six days at home he began eating and drinking very well. He was also moving around a lot more. He’d walk through the house and ride his Big Wheel to and from our nearby park! He’d never really even done that before. So, he is in much better shape and general health entering this round of Chemo than he was going into the first. We hope to be released from the Hospital on Sunday morning, to go back home again. As a reminder: Hans’ blood counts are expected to be quite low through the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, so he shouldn’t have many visitors during that time.
Thanks to everyone who is keeping Hans in their thoughts and prayers.

Lara

Follow up online for 'Run for Hans'-See Link Below

Blog update on the Run for Hans on Inside The Woodlands blog at http://blogs.chron.com/woodlands/
You can also post a comment there.

More of Scott's Race Shots

Our neighbor Scott's shots from the race

Hans and Elle after first getting home

Hans resting comfortably at home this morning

PLEASE do yourself a favor...take a look at the following candids taken by Becky Martin...doing this is sure to bring a smile to your face

go to this link - http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZsmTlm0YuGJ4

Links to other sites

Hi everyone,
There are so many good pictures from the run. You can go to
Becky Martin's great candids at http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AZsmTlm0YuGJ4
http://runthewoodlands.smugmug.com and click on "RTW #165" and see what a great event it was. Also you can go to http://houstonrunning.blogspot.com and read "An Incredible Story From the Run for Hans 5K" and "A Rock Concert at Run The Woodlands?" Scroll down farther to "394 Runners at Run for Hans RTW 5K" and "Reports of 300 to 400 at Run for Hans RTW 5K" and read about the run from the perspective of various people involved. The generosity of our community is amazing!
Ginger

Picture of the Gals..from (L) Kelly,Lara,Marlene,Ginger,Carmen (notice Elle on Left)

Two more...

Hi again,
I woke up thinking that I forgot to mention my great big thanks to J. Isaac Photography for her generous donation of hundreds of wallet portraits of Hans. I had fun passing them out at the race yesterday!
One more... thanks to my whole dentist's office... Dr. David Cunningham for showing up yesterday morning!
Thanks a bunch,
Lara

What a Great Run for Hans, Thanks to The Woodlands!

I had an incredible time at the Run for Hans today. When we first pulled up to the Race I couldn't believe that there wasn't a place to park! It was totally inspiring to see how many turned out to support Hans' Journey back to health! Thank you!

I have to send the biggest thank you out to Beth Whitehead for putting on this race. How awesome is she? I think her life has been totally turned upside down the past three weeks. She's pretty amazing - and I just met her 4 months ago! I'm glad you sort of get your life back now, Beth. Luke's Locker - you guys are awesome too!

Thanks, also, to Katie and Denise and all the Little Saints staff. It seemed like every teacher was there to give me a big hug. You guys are awesome too! It was nice to see tons of parents and students from there too. It was really neat to meet everyone who had just heard about Hans from a friend or a relative and have been thinking about him.

Thanks to Carmen, Ginger, Marlene, Kelly, Stacey, and Anne and all the mammas from the playgroup for all their volunteer work. Our hearts are really full with gratitude.

I have to echo Ginger in thanking all the restuarants for their contributions - Chick-fil-A, It's a Grind, Shipley's Donuts, Brooklyn's Bagels and Panera bread (Elle's Favorite).

Elle and I were touched that Mrs. Castro and Mrs. Horn (Elle's Teachers) and Mrs. Parker (Elle's teacher from last year) and both her daughters were there! It was great to have our neighbors out there, and Scott taking pictures! And all the Glen Loch (Elle's school) families that came out - and then just good friends to walk with like Anne and Kira, Wendy, Shane, Sidney, and Marianne and Erin. I must say I'm proud of my Girl Scout Troop, 11251, for FINISHING the 5K walk. Way to go girls!!!

What's also incredible is that the great majority of runners and walkers were strangers to me this morning - so that's why I say thanks to The Woodlands and neighboring communities for really stepping up to help out.

Just a few more thank you's - my Mom's friend Pat Kioke of Seattle, WA and my great uncle Dougie Daniels of Goldendale, WA donated frequent flyer miles for sending my mom, Stephanie Cady, down to Texas.

Also -thanks to Kev's aunt and uncle Mark and Debbie Siefertson for the money for the laptop (I was going crazy waiting in line for the hospital computers and there are only two up there!) Also, Kevin's aunt Holly Susterich for flying Elle home for Christmas. And of course, thanks to Kev's mom, Kathy Jurgens, for coming down to visit multiple times - same as my mom! And geez - our Realtor - Sheri Winter Glass of ReMax - just dropped off a very generous donation after reading about us in the paper, thanks, Sheri!

Okay - I hope I haven't left out too many - for now - but I need to give you an update on Hans. He is doing really well at home! He's eating more and moving around more and thanks to a technical difficulty he's not on his TPN until monday (that means no IV at home - which is okay since he is eating and drinking more). He is funny and happy and silly. He is losing a lot of hair, but it doesn't seem to be bothering him too much. I was worried about that since his hair has always been a Big part of his whole identity. That's how people know him. We'll just have to see how it comes back in.
More later...
With Love,
Lara

Run for Hans

I just wanted to thank everyone for their tireless efforts to make the "Run for Hans" a success. I personally was overwhelmed by the number of people who came out early on a Saturday morning to run/walk and support the Weberling family. I hope everyone had as great of a time as I did.

I think Beth Whitehead did a wonderful job organizing this event and making it happen. Rich Cooper and the other members of Woodlands Fit did a great job too to help direct runners at intersections and to help the run go smoothly.

There are so many people to thank and I don't have a complete list but I just wanted to list a few: Susie Schreiber and Luke's Locker for their incredible support and expertise; Jon Walk from Houston Running Blog in getting information to the running community; St. Anthony's Little Saints including Jude, Bernie, Jill Tresaugue, Katie Kozak, Denise Hunter, and Denise Oppenheimer for organizing the raffle and set up and break down; Shipley's Donuts, Panera, Brooklyn Bagels, It's a Grind, and Chick-Fil-A for their generous donations of food and beverage (the Chick-Fil-A cow was awesome!); Jason O'Donoghue and Lans Taylor for providing great live music; First Choice ER for providing ambulance service "just in case"; all the companies providing products and services for the raffle; "Elvis" for making an appearance; and Carmen Smiley for everything.

God Bless you all,
Ginger

Hans is coming home!!

Hi everyone,
Great news! I talked to Lara this morning and she said they are definitely coming home today! Yea!! Lara, Kevin, Elle, and Hans are looking forward to the first night together as a family in a long time. Thank you all again for your continued prayers. We hope to see you all tomorrow morning at Hans's run.
Ginger

In the news ...

The following article appeared in the online version of the Houston Chronicle (www.chron.com):

Nov. 1, 2006, 4:08PM

Woodlands group to run for child with cancer
Event will benefit local 3-year-old who is undergoing chemotherapy

By LAURA ISENSEE

Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

The Weberling family thought they were going to leave The Woodlands and move back to California this month.

Instead, their 3-year-old son Hans is undergoing chemotherapy to treat a form of childhood cancer, called neuroblastoma.

Local running, church and other groups, however, have quickly rallied to support the Weberlings.

On Nov. 11, Run The Woodlands, a semimonthly 5K organized by Luke's Locker, will become Run for Hans to benefit the family, who have been involved with various groups since moving to The Woodlands 4 1/2 years ago.

Lara, Hans' mother, teaches 3-year-olds at St. Anthony of Padua's Little Saints Early Childhood Program where Hans went to school. She also leads her daughter's Girl Scout troop and started training to run a half marathon with Woodlands Fit in July while her husband, Kevin, has coached YMCA soccer for the last several years.

"When I found out (about Hans' diagnosis), I thought how could I really, really help this family. It was easy for me to think of, because that's what we do, we run," said Beth Whitehead, who coaches Lara in Woodlands Fit and spearheaded the event.

Run for Hans

The event, sponsored by Woodlands Fit, Luke's Locker and St. Anthony of Padua's Little Saints Early Childhood Program, is expected to draw members from at least five running groups: Team Luke's, a group with Luke's Locker, Team in Training, Woodlands Fit, Hunstville-based 7 Hills and The Woodlands Running Club.

It costs $1 to run and all donations go toward the Weberlings, said Susie Schreiber, manager of Luke's Locker.

In its seventh year, Run The Woodlands draws an average of 50 runners every second and fourth Saturday of the month, Schreiber said. This is the first time the run will raise money for a local family, Schreiber said.

Along with the 5K, there will be a run and games for smaller children, sponsored by St. Anthony of Padua's Little Saints Early Childhood Program, said Denise Hunter, administrative assistant with the program.

"The run, it's just going to help them with the cost this is going to be. And it's going to make the family feel like everybody's behind them," Hunter said.

Community support

The run is just one of several efforts to support the Weberlings.

A mother's group with St. Anthony's has organized meals for the family for the next five months. Friends opened a Hans Weberling Fund with Chase Bank and started a blog at www.hansjourney.blogspot.com to update friends and family about Hans. Fellow parishioners and friends from Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church also prepared the Weberling home for Hans' return from the hospital.

"I knew I had a lot of friends that I would be missing, but I had no idea how supportive the community would be ... Their kindness, generosity and selflessness is really overwhelming," said Lara Weberling on the telephone from the hospital.

"The thing I'm most thankful for from everyone is their prayers," she added.

Kevin said the support has made him realize how important it is to take care of each member of the community all the time and not just when something bad happens.

"It's certainly changed our outlook, and it always will. Hopefully it will for others, too, who are chipping in," he said.

laura.isensee@chron.com

WANT TO HELP?
Run The Woodlands is Nov. 11 at Barbara Bush Elementary, 7420 Crownridge in Alden Bridge. Children's run and games start at 7:30 a.m., and the adult 5K begins at 8 a.m. The run will include a raffle and other activities.
For more information, call 281-419-0326.

Denise Hunter's/Little Saints-St. Anthony's correct email

Please note that the previous email address of dhunter@houston.rr.com is INCORRECT. Please use dthunter@houston.rr.com or dhunter@staoptw.org . If you have sent her an email and haven't received a response yet please resend your email to either correct address above.
Thanks,
Carmen

Message from Lara

Hi everyone,

Well, it has been 17 days now - and our lives have been totally turned upside down. I am taking my first few moments away to sit at a computer while Hans is napping and Kevin is watching football (no one ever had to twist my arm to get me away from a football game!).

I just want to give a brief update and extend my thanks to everyone.

Hans had a pretty rough day yesterday. He spiked a fever early Saturday morning, and was quickly treated with preventative anitbiotics while they waited for labs to come back (we're still waiting on those). Then, due to a low level of platelets, he had nose bleeds throughout most of the afternoon. It was a little scary to witness, especially when we couldn't do much to stop it. So, we're staying at the hospital until the doctors are sure he is free of infection and that he won't go home with bleeding problems. We would love to be home, but are prefectly pleased to stay here as long as Hans needs to be under a close eye. Things are looking up today, he has been playing with cars and hanging out with his Mom and Dad. He's still not eating much but a few pretzels, but he is drinking lots of Sprite now.

I am usually pretty compulsive about sending thank you notes, but I don't think I could even being to keep up these days - please know that we're so very appreciative of all your gifts, notes, cards, and most of all prayers and well-wishes. Kevin and I can't even believe the love! Hans especially loved the Buzz Lightyear toy and the Cars Little Golden Book some one from school sent! He just can't wait for Tuesday when the movie comes out on DVD. I'm sure Kevin will be the first in line to pick it up on Tuesday morning.

I'm looking very forward to the race! Thanks so much to everyone for their hard work on it. It's pretty mind boggling that it could be put together in just 3 weeks of Hans' ER Admission! How did you do that????

Well - the library has already stayed open an extra 15 minutes and now must close. I'll update the blog as I am able.

Thank you very much.

With love,
Lara

Hans Update 11-02-06

Hi Everyone,
Some of you have already gotten the Run for Hans flyer which I'll forward in a complete separate email since it's so large. You may have seen it around town at our church, other churches, on the blog, various schools, Kroger, Blockbuster to same a few. Please mark your calendars for Sat., Nov.11th. I'm asking everyone to come on out and run/walk that day for Hans. It's only $1 for the registration plus donation.There is a short run (which will actually be a short loop - no longer than a 1/4 of a mile) for children 5 and under before the 5K (3 mile) run begins. Be there about 7:00a to register if you are having your kids participate in the kids run which begins at 7:30a. The 5K begins at 8:00am. If you aren't a walker/runner maybe you might consider volunteering with the run. If so, please contact Denise Hunter at St. Anthony's Little Saints 281-296-2800 email- dthunter@houston.rr.com or dhunter@staoptw.org and tell them you are with Mothers of Young C however you're affiliated) and would like to help. I suspect they might need people manning the table to collect donations or whatever. If you are planning on coming you might want to consider wearing RED that day since that is Hans's favorite color.

Also, I spoke to Lara on the phone last night and she said they are still working on Hans eating and keeping it down. They hopefully will be able to come home Friday or Saturday per the doctor. He could come home with a bag of nutrients that would hook into his i.v. and be going thru during the nights like from 9pm thru 9am. Lara did ask that I mention to everyone to please think about donating blood at Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to replenish the blood that Hans has had to get on two separate occasions. Unfortunately, since January, regulations have changed so the blood you donate won't be allowed to go directly to Hans but Kevin and Lara feel better giving back what they took so levels will remain on an upward slide. There is a center located at 3091 College Park Drive (936-321-8440) - more info, www.giveblood.org/. Also, this coming Sunday Nov. 5th from 8:00a-2:00p at the Sts. Simon and Jude Family Center Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will be there doing ablood drive. Photo id (drivers license is required). You have to be at least 17 years of age and at least 110 pounds. Please come out and give if you can it would mean alot to the Weberlings!!!

Lara did have good news yesterday that Hans' brain scan came out clear. Today he will be doing the complete body scan to detect any tumors in his body. Pray everything comes back clear on that.

Thanks for all of your prayers! I keep hoping the next email I send out will be "Hans is Coming Home-Hooray!" in the Subject field.

Remember, spread the word to your friends, family, acquaintances, businesses you deal with - WHOEVER! since the run is right around the corner. We are expecting a very big turn out! Thanks again!

God Bless,
Carmen

I was so fortunate to be able to vistit with Lara and Hans yesterday!
He had his Buzz Lightyear costume all ready - though I haven't heard if he actually got dressed last night.

Lara had him up and out of his room which is fantastic. The little dude isn't finding much enjoyment from walking around but Mama has been great in getting him going. Now's a good time to send big thoughts of encouragement for Hans to start eating and becoming more physical.

As many of you know, they were hoping to bring him home yesterday. But since he hasn't eaten much more than a few bites of cereal they need to keep him there for observation (who can blame him - do any of you really like hospital food?) The doctors were considering a feeding tube supplement - possibly as early as last night. He wouldn't replace real meals but at least supply him with some basic nutrients. He can even come home with the contraption!

I'm sure many of you agree - the fresh air and comforts of his own home are going to give Hans a big boost. So let's all send up big prayers today that Hans can muscle down a few big bites!

Kelly