07/19/2010
by Michael Wells Sunday was an R & R day for the Wells family. It began with a 7:00 am walk around our neighborhood (no Pit Bulls), I love walking with Brady first thing in the morning; it’s so peaceful and quiet. After Sherrie friend Kellie headed off to the airport we were off to church but Brady was really not feeling well (temperature around 102˚) and both Sherrie and I were not feeling much better. We managed to stay in church for maybe 5 minutes before leaving and it was none to quick as Brady had a lovely vomiting episode on the way home. Such is the life of a baby with leukemia. By late afternoon we managed to recover enough to head off to the mall for some light shopping and a snack. Then it was off the Grammy & Papa’s house for leftover sausage & pepper subs. Yummy, even the second time around. An editorial correction; our thanks went out to Jennifer who delivered this delicious meal, when I read the card it was consortium of families; The Balernos, The Campbells, The Hoffmanns, the Meszaros, and The Brywkas. Thank you all! Yesterday, we also received a lovely gift basket from our neighbors, the Berkery’s. The gift came along with a donation to the Hugs for Brady Foundation and an offer from Gina (Brady’s only baby sister) to help us any time we need her. Great family and we love you. This morning I received the first edition of the photo shoot from Katie. The photos look really great and if you have a few minutes you can view them at: [link removed] They really look incredible; thank you Katie. I have to get my butt in gear and start some “office” work this morning, so until next time – prayers, hugs and warm thoughts are welcomed as this horrible disease continues to ravage our baby. PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER BILL!Today Brady had a visit from Dr. Drachtman, Nurse Practitioner Donna and Counselor Christine. It was incredibly touching to see Dr. Drachtman, one of the world’s foremost pediatric oncologist / hematologist sitting on my kitchen floor examining Brady. I really don’t think there a more dedicated, talented group of people than the team at RJWU Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. Brady looks very good on the outside but the cancer is continuing to cause havoc on the inside. Tomorrow Brady will be back in the day clinic to receive platelets and blood as his counts on very low. He is receiving pain medication (orally) just about around the clock now. His temperature fluctuates around 100˚+ but this is all to be expected but needless to say very difficult to deal with. We had two wonderful surprises today. First, I have been trying to find a particular toy tractor that Brady had at the hospital and really liked. I have searched in just about every store you can think of but I could not find the tractor with the cart full of farm animals anywhere. Well, this past Saturday I was in Princeton and stopped in one of Brady’s (and mine) favorite toy store; jaZams and while they didn’t have one in stock they knew exactly what I was looking for and told me they would try their best to get one within the next two weeks. I asked if there was anyway possible to speed things up as I explained Brady’s condition. Well today I got a phone call to come to the store and pick up the tractor. When I arrived at the store, a gift wrapped package was waiting for me and they refused to let me pay them. I cannot begin to explain how amazing some people are. I also cannot imagine what it took to get the Funtime Tractor the same day they ordered it. My thanks to jaZam and the good people of International Playthings of Parsippany New Jersey for making our son very happy; he hasn’t stopped playing with his tractor since he opened the package. Speaking of “good” people; the owners of a local restaurant / ice cream parlor – Confectionately Yours of Franklin Park, NJ is planning a major fundraising event in the next few weeks. I don’t have any specifics yet but they have told us it will include a car show, blood drive, silent auction, and local guest celebrities. I will post the details of this event once I have them. Some time, a simple thank you is just not sufficient to express one’s gratitude and this is one of those times. If you’re in Franklin Park stop in and tell them Brady sent you!
“8 Years Later—Still No Cure for Pediatric Cancer” is a series of posts revisiting the journal kept by Sherrie and Michael Wells during the cancer diagnosis and treatment of their son, Brady Michael. Hopefully these entires will provide an understanding of the journey families face when dealing with these horrific diseases and of the important work the Hugs for Brady Foundation does.