Hope for Hayden: Updates

After speaking with the doctor before leaving the hospital last week we had decided to try a chemo that was not really strong but hopefully strong enough to slow the cancer down. However after a week on the chemo Hayden was really sick and his cancer was still growing. So we are now trying some radiation on his jaw where that mass is starting to give him trouble due to it getting bigger. We are afraid it may affect how he eats. His pain has also been a lot worse but I think we finally got that under control enough for him to have a good time in Disney World and not be too sleepy. After we get back from our trip we will be meeting with the doctor on that Monday to talk about more options or how we want to continue with his treatment. Thank all of you for your thoughts. Love Monkey, Jim, and Iva

This is the one post I never wanted to post. Hayden had his repeat scans done this last week. His cancer has come back and spread worse than it was the first time. He has three masses one in his jaw, one in his belly, and one in his lymph node. It is also in very bone of his body. We wanted to wait until today after we spoke with his doctor. She has told us we have about 6 months with our little Monkey give or take depending on how his cancer response to the new chemo. She said that there is less than 10% of a chance for a cure at this point. The only thing that CMH can offer at this point is trying to prolong his life. Jim and I both want to try to make what time we have with him as fun and symptom free as possible. The chemo that we are going to try has shown in most kids to slow down the growth with very little side effects. We are also going down to Huston to talk with another doctor that may have some new phase one drugs that will help slow the growth rate down too. Right now Hayden is having very little pain and looking at him you would have no clue he is even sick. He is full of energy and playing like a normal 3 year old. Also the Dream Factory has offered to send us to Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Orlando within the next month. I am sorry I did not post sooner but it has been a very rough few days. We have had a wonderful support system of family and friends along with the doctors and nurses up here on the floor that have come to be like family to us. Thank all of you. Love Jim, Iva, and Monkey.

Hi everyone, sorry for not updating recently! Hayden is doing great, he has a full head of dark black hair that will need a haircut soon. He's running around like a wild man and gaining weight like crazy. Hopefully we will get the feeding tube out of his nose this week, but his Hickman thats in his chest for medications and blood draws will have to stay for awhile longer. Other than a few low grade fever scares we haven't had any problems. He got lots of presents from Santa on Christmas and had a great time. He's always busy and usually hyper. Thank you to all of you for your continued caring, support and prayers, please keep it up because it's getting him through this. Will try to update soon!
Love
Monkey, Jim and Iva