11/19/2009
by Michael Wells Today is another day of positive progress. Brady’s blood counts continue to head in the right direction: White blood count 1.7, Platelets 56,000 and Neutrophils 170. The only downside is there are 4% blasts still hanging around but we hope they are on their way out and gone. Brady is slowly being weaned off the various antibiotics and is currently only receiving two: Zosyn and Acyclovir. These should be gone by Saturday!!! I found a very good website with some excellent videos explaining AML: https://www.careflash.com/video/acute-myeloid-leukemia. Check it out the graphics and explanations of AML are outstanding. Brady is currently having dinner with his Mom; tonight’s feast is: nothing! Oh well, I think he’s beginning to get much better when he starts to be a fussy eater. Actually, he is currently not hooked up to anything and I think he just wants to walk around for a while. We have a 14 month old toddler with a severe case of cabin fever. Check out the new photos Sherrie has made arrangements for us to meet with Dr. Bunin of CHOP on Wednesday December 3rd to discuss bone marrow transplantation. It should be a very interesting meeting and help us with this decision. Wish us luck!!! Oh, before I forget – a couple of “Thank You’s” are in order: Fran (Anna sister) thanks so much for the beautiful custom made blanket; Sherrie, I mean Brady is going to really love it. Thanks to Karen Campbell & family and my son Stephen for the generous donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Marathon* – Brittany will be running for Brady. And now I want everyone to sit down for this thank you. I think by now everyone knows Sherrie, Brady and me love to go for our daily walks around our neighborhood. During these many walks we have met several of our neighbors and most of their dogs. One of our neighbors; Tony deserves an incredible “THANK YOU.” You see, Tony sent us an email telling us he wants to donate his bone marrow to Brady. We are just beyond words to express our gratitude for such an unbelievable gesture – Tony; heaven has a special place for people like you! Thank you and tell Bunker (his dog) Brady says, “Woof-Woof.” Finally, Please keep Brady in your thoughts, prayers and hugs – we REALLY want to be home for Thanksgiving… PS Happy Birthday Grandma Jan!!!*The Hugs for Brady Foundation will ALWAYS be in support of other foundations who allow people to donate blood, platelets, plasma, or register to become a bone marrow donor. However, we no longer ask supporters to donate financially to ‘The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’ as their focus on childhood cancers does not coincide with our foundation’s mission.
“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.