February 2006 Archives

We just got the plan for Jack's tranplant on Wednesday. Jack will be admitted on March 14th. I know we had said the 7th but be that as it may and not interfere with brilliant minds the transplant has been moved back another week. Upon admission Jack will be getting a double lumen broviac catheter placed in his chest to be able to recieve his chemo and have blood drawn. Chemo will be immedicately started at 2:00 am March 15th. No time will be wasted. So, here we go, after 3 long years of ups and downs we will finally be working toward the cure. I (charlotte) will be staying with Jack in the hospital most of the time but we were able to get housing not far from the hospital so there will be a place for Roy to stay as well as Christina when she comes and visits. Roy, unfortunately, can not be with us all the time because of work and God knows we need the insurance and someone needs to be with Christina. However, he will be there as much as he can. At this point the actual transplant will be on March 25th. We will be going to Philly the week before admittance to have the preliminary bloodwork and other testing done and provided everything is fine this long awaiting journey will come to pass. We can't thank all of you enough for your continued thoughts and prayers.

After sending out this email about the child from Randolph, NJ being abducted, I felt the need to share this with everyone. This parents worst nightmare happened a little too close to home. Thank God the child has been recovered and is home safe with his mom. Thank you all for responding back to me "Thank God", because this is definitely to true work of God answering prayers. God Bless this Mom and her son.

I recieved this email today from my paster at the Caldwell United Methodist Church. It just seemed very appropriate to post. "The Slow Work of God" is the key to faith. If it weren't for faith and the power of prayer where would we be? I thank everyone for their continued prayers for Jack and pray for God's "slow work" to lead him through a successful transplant to a long life. Amen

"I read the following quote from a faithful Christian named Teilhard de
Chardin and really appreciated it. Sometimes, especially when we
become impatient with God, with each other, with ourselves, we need to
trust in "the slow work of God." Is this quote for you?

Well, we were discharged yesterday afternoon and happy to be home. Jack and Christina got into their routine right away, playing, screaming and fighting. (I guess everyone is feeling better!)

I really want to share wonderful email that I recieved today from my long time friend Robin.

Hey Charlotte,

How is Jack doing? I hope he's getting better really fast.

I wanted to share a nice story with you. One of the woman I work with, actually the advisor for the Kids For A Cause group that is going to do the fundraiser, just found out that she has breast cancer. She is going through all of the testing now to find out all of the details and her course of treatment. She came to talk to me yesterday because she wanted to tell me that your little Jack is her inspirtation and is helping her get through this difficult time. She tells herself when she just doesn't think that she can get through one more test or any more poking or prodding, that she is so lucky. She's had a good, healthy life so far, and the life she has now, is the only life Jack has ever known. And she tells herself that if he can go through it and still be happy then she can too.

So, Jack is important to us all. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Robin

Things like this really puts everything into perspective. There are so many people who are suffering from many different issues and outlook is what makes the difference. Please always remember to keep the wonderful people who have kept us in their thoughts and prayer as well as those who have medical issues and need healing in your prayers.

Robin, please give your friend our very best and she will be in our prayers. God Bless

Jack is back in the hospital again after Christina being such a loving sister and sharing her stomach virus. Christina was able to get over in less then 24 hours, but Jack on the other hand couldn't just ride it out. He started symptoms Friday night and by Saturday morning we were on our way to Philly. After getting a little fluid he started to perk up and will probably go home on Monday. Its been 10 months since our last hosiptal stay and I am very happy to say that this is a short one. This is one of the complications of having NEMO. Christina was able to ward off the virus quite quickly and keep herself hydrated, unfortunately Jack gets everything much more amplified and without the IV fluids he probably wouldn't have bounced back so quickly on top of making sure he stays hydrated so we don't have to worry about him having another stroke.

I guess the car show in here in Philly at the convention center, so they brought a couple of cars over (Rolls Royce, Mazeratti, Corvette, and a couple of others) along with Miss America - Jennifer Berry. Jack decided to play shy and didn't want his picture taken with her but we got a poster with pictures of the cars and an autograph from Miss America.

Also, please continue to keep Baby "Simon" in your prayers. With his parents consent I am able to post his name so you can remember to pray for him and his family. He will be undergoing a stem cell tranplant at the end of the month.