White Cells are moving upward!!!!!

Chris' white cells are coming around!!! He is still in the "danger zone" but finally they are creeping up! They are all the way up to 900. We are hopeful. His platelets are still dropping, but he didn't need an infusion, so that was great. His last infusion was Friday. This is hopeful. One day at a time.....prayerfully.......
:~)

Radiation Done! No Visitors Yet

Chris is officially done with radiation!!! He has his "spiderman" mask home now. They used that to lock down his head and focus the radiation in the right places. Chris continues to have problems with his blood counts. He has had 6 platelet infusions, but didn't need one today! We are hoping his white blood cell count (to fight infection) will start to come up as it is almost non exsistant.

To think that if Chris' benefit had been after the 15th of March he would not have been able to be there. God is so good! He had such a wonderful time.

Unfortunately we still have to enforce the "no visitors" rule for the moment. We thank you for your continued caring. :~)

Link to Rockin' for the Cas

You can see Chris perform the final song of the night with his band, the Barefoot Soldiers, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFjws32IOpI.

Update for Visitors

Chris is not able to have visitors for a few days. Our daily trip down to Madison revealed that Chris's white blood cell count is low....so his immune system is not able to fight off diseases or infections. Chris will be laying low for awhile as we wait for his white blood cell count to get back to normal.

Benefit Success!/**Home Visit Update**

Wow, what a wonderful Benefit! We would like to thank each one who had a part in putting this together. So many people came out to show their love and support and we were really blessed. We cannot begin to express our appreciation to all of you. Chris really enjoyed being there, seeing everyone, and performing with the Barefoot Soldiers once again. It was a joy to listen to and we were impressed with each of the bands (Trailer Kings, Audio*Otic, and Muzzy Luctin) who donated their time and talents. The silent auction was a big hit. Everything was so well organized....it was impressive. Chris' friends and friends of friends are really amazing. Their hard work, positive attitude, deep caring have been evident to us and we are truly touched. Extended family being together, their incredible generosity and fantastic slide show were more than we could've ever dreamed of. It is wonderful to have such dear friends who stand behind you at such times. Friends who give up their time...what a gift! Thank you!

Rockin for the Cas was really great! The Cas was really "Rockin!"

We were so happy that Chris was well enough to enjoy the whole evening. He now has had to have more platelets (to help with clotting), and his white blood cells are not working as well, so they have issued a "no children" over for the time being, and if anyone has been around someone who is not feeling well, if you could wait a bit before coming over. Guess we have to enforce the sanitzer again!!! :~)

Change in Treatment

Chris had to have a change in treatment. We got a call yesterday saying that Chris' platelets were too low, (this means his blood won't clot and this could cause a brain bleed) Chemo had to be stopped and will not begin again till platelets are under control. He had 5 units of platelets today. We were thankful he didn't need to have more yet. He needs to be checked every day for this till things level off. We had hoped for at least this first round of treatment (chemo and radiation) to go well. Know that God has things under control. One day at a time! :~)

Recent News

We checked out a new procedure with laser surgery for Chris. He does not qualify for the Clinical Trial at this time. We were told to wait till his next MRI (in May) and contact the Doctor again if he has any tumor re-growth. The nurse who called regarding my e-mail sounded hopeful that the new procedure may be FDA approved soon. This sounds like a hopeful option. We appreciate any/all info. that has been forwarded to us and diligently check out new Clinical Trials.

Thanks for your caring!

:~)