CHOP CHOP...

Hans, this morning, doing one of his favorite things, transforming his Transformers - he usually has them all out on the coffee table, he transforms them all into vehicles, lines them up, and then all back into robot form.

Garage sale gurus! Diane and Athena's dad, Athena, Lois, Scott and me...

Trick or Treatin' up at our shopping center - Elle, as Elizabeth Swan again!, Morgan as spanish dancer, Michael as Ghost buster, Ryan as Poilceman, and Adrian as soldier

Hi -
I don't know why it has taken me sooo long to post.
We got the news last WEDS that Dr. Maris, did in fact see enough on the scans, (when he got them the way he really wanted them) to go ahead and do the MIBG therapy at CHOP. This is kind of a big deal - now it's on again. I had sort of gotten accustomed to the idea that we perhaps wouldn't have to do it. But, we shall forge ahead... Really - there was just the one spot on the arm, and the liver is still a ?? b/c it is not confirmed on a CT - a lot of docs don't regard it as disease.
There is a lot that needs to be worked out - will we be on clinical trial with MIBG /Irinotecan - or will we get it on a 'compassionate use' basis - which essentially means that it will not further science, but may help Hans. When will we go? How many trips will we take? All of those questions remain to be resolved, so we're waiting for a lot of details now. They have suggested that if we do go on the trial, we may be have to go up there for a work up beforehand, the therapy, and then for an additional visit later. So - yikes - THANKS FOR THE MILES!!!

Treatment last week wrapped up fairly well. I think it hit Hans a bit harder and tired him out more this go-round. I think it's because he was fighting off a cold as he started, so he was a bit down out of the gates. He was sleeping a lot toward the end of the week - and by the time Halloween rolled around at Day 5 of the chemo - he wasn't up for much excitment. He was happy to hang around at home and recieve hugs from a few special friends and neighbors and help pass out candy - while Elle was out securing enough sweets for the two of them for some time. Hans also got a new Wii game which seemed to match his energy level over the weekend nicely - so he really wore daddy out on the Wii. Kevin has been a pretty good sport about logging many hours of gaming in with Hans and they've now solved Spiderman and are on to Star Wars...

Athena did a great job of putting together the Garage Sale. She raised $1,700 for NB families! I had fun helping out and getting rid of some junk. I am planning on helping out next weekend at the College Station sale too. Thanks to my friends Anne, Michelle and Matilda who were able to go through some of their stuff to donate for us! I cut out early in time to watch Elle's game. It's fun to watch the girls growing into their skills more and more. It's really fun for me to see them get to know each other and be able to do little plays like the 'give and go'... I am enjoying this season a lot!!!