#Loganstrong

Logan’s ANC counts are above 1k and going up!  This means a somewhat return to normalcy for him/us.  He can be out in public places without the risk of getting exposed to viruses.  This means he can celebrate his mom’s 40th birthday tomorrow in public;)!!!!

So it looks like we will have a break until about the 3rd week in January (still weekly check-in visits).  They will then re-stage Logan and see if the radiation/chemo treatment he just finished worked.  If the treatment showed signs of eliminating his cancer then he will do it again.  If there are signs it did not work they immediately cancel that experiment and move onto another one (T-cell immunotherapy).

#loganstrong

Today Logan is spending the day getting back stem cells they took (harvested) from him weeks ago.  The doctors collected about 8 million stem cells and froze them in four separate bags.  Today he is getting one of those bags transfused back into him.  It is an all day process as they will hydrate him as well as give him nausea medicine.  After receiving the stem cells he will then need to be monitored for 5 hours afterward.  So VERY long day for him.  Some of the side affects that the nurses will be watching for are low blood pressure, hives, fever, and nausea.

It is anticipated that Logan’s white blood cell counts will also drop this week.  This means that no public places and if he spikes a fever he is automatically admitted to hospital.

Logan had a nice weekend…after he was at safe levels of radiation he spent the weekend with one of his best friends…Logan.  Yes no typo they are both named Logan James.

#loganstrong

Logan and Mom are heading home from their morning appointment today at Seattle Children’s hospital.  Reports are good.  Logan’s counts remain good and radiation has pretty much left his body.  This means he is free be in public.  He is however still taking the oral chemo and will continue to do so through this Saturday.  This chemo has been making him feel nauseated lately.  He has lost his appetite which in turn lost weight.  The weight he worked so hard to gain is gone…he was down 5 pounds at weigh in this morning.  The doctor was not worried about it but Logan is…..he does not want to have to put back in his feeding tube.  So hopefully appetite will slowly come back…..

They are expecting his counts to drop early next week from the chemo so more than likely he will be in isolation next week.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers….

#loganstrong

Logan’s radiation registered at a 7.1 this morning.  He needs to be at a 7.0 to come home.  The radiation nurse told Kelly a couple of tricks to help lower the .1.  One of which was to change his linens and clothes.  Kelly did that and he is now at a 7.0 and heading home at noon!!!!!

#loganstrong

They just took Logan’s radiation level and he is now at 11.5 which is down from the 19 he was at yesterday.  They are anticipating him possibly leaving tomorrow.  Once he is below 7 he can be discharged.  Yesterday afternoon he experienced a little nausea.  After a good dose of Benadryl and a nap he felt better.  Today he has been feeling good…..had a bloody nose just recently due to how dry the room is.  He still has his great sense of humor through all this.  He informed Mom’s friend Mandy that he was going to turn his room into a man cave and block the camera so they could not see in:).

Can’t wait for Logan and Kelly to be home….

#loganstrong

Logan is doing awesome!

He received his radiation Tuesday afternoon successfully.  Two hours after giving him his dose of radiation they test his levels.  He registered “HOT” which is full of radiation.  His levels were 90.  They then test his levels every 24 hours and when he is below a 7 he can be discharged.  Yesterday he registered at a 39 and today a 19.  So currently a Saturday discharge is looking great!  His attitude has been amazing.  He has not experienced any nausea and he is sleeping well through the night.  For those that usually text/Facetime with him the hospital did not set this feature up correctly on his iPad.   So he is not ignoring you;)

The above picture is the TV in Kelly’s room.  It is on 24/7 looking over Logan’s left shoulder.  As you can see the entire room is lined with plastic.  All games/iPad that are in room are quarantined for approximately 6 months after treatment until they are radiation free.

Continued thoughts and prayers…they are working!

#loganstrong

Peyton getting in his last hug for the next couple weeks:).

Change of plans…Logan and Mom will be admitted today at 1pm.  The plan is still to start the radiation therapy tomorrow at about 2pm.  The 24+ hours is for both of them (as well as Aunt Traci and friend Mandy) to go through training and get accustomed to the room/set-up.

Here is a link to the medical explanation of the treatment Logan will be getting:  Clinical Trial

#loganstrong

What a great holiday weekend!  We spent time with friends (old & new) and family in Seabrook, WA.  Logan had an amazing time.  His favorite part was no crutches!  The doctor called us on Wednesday before we left and cleared him to do all activities.  The bone did heal wrong, which we knew.  Once he beats the cancer he will have a surgery to fix it.  He swam, played soccer on the beach, went on a lot of walks, and laughed and smiled constantly.

We also found out Logan was randomized into trial number 3 of the MIBG experiment.  In addition to the radiation he will also take an experimental oral chemo for 14 days.  He started this today.  We are not knowing what to expect for side affects.  Mom and Logan will spend all day at hospital tomorrow doing tests and preparing for stay.  The plan is they will then come home, go back up early Tuesday and be admitted.

Please pray for Logan (and Kelly) during this experimental treatment….

#loganstrong

I am thankful for my family, friends, and people that don’t even know me/us but still pray for Logan’s recovery.  I am thankful for Logan’s little brother Peyton.  We know how much you love and admire your big brother and know only you can push his buttons just right and get away with it;)  I am thankful for my wife, Kelly.  Every minute, hour, day is a challenge and your love and strength are amazing.  I am thankful for family.  We could not get through this without all of you.  I am thankful for friends.  You help keep us sane and positive during dark times.  I am thankful for community.  Everyone that has reached out to support us.  Every message, “like”, smile, helps extremely!  Most of all I am thankful for Logan.  You are an amazing young man.  Your strength, courage, smile is contagious.  During your fight(s) you have inspired so many people to be better.  You are a HERO!

We are currently awaiting a call from Seattle Children’s Hospital to find out what clinical trial Logan will be randomized into.  Yes, you read that correctly.  A computer picks what trial he will partake in.  There is a total of 3 trials.  All are very similar.  One is just radiation and the other two involve chemo(s).  Logan & mom will be admitted next Tuesday with a planned discharge day the following Saturday.  Logan will be in a lead lined room and not able to get out of bed.  They will provide him with an iPad, maybe x-box, and lots of on demand movies.  He will have 24/7 Skype capabilities with Kelly in the next room.  Kelly (aunt Traci & friend Mandy) will help with Logan’s daily care as the nurses only can monitor his progress outside of the room.  When Kelly goes into the room she will have a radiation monitor on to make sure she is not exposed to too much radiation.  They tell us an active parent is exposed to about an x-rays worth of radiation.  After discharge Logan will be in isolation as he will still be radioactive.  He will need to use his own bathroom, have his clothes washed separately, all utensils he uses have to be immediately washed in hot water.  Saddest of all he is discouraged from hugging or being hugged.

We are going to go off the grid for a couple of days and go celebrate the holiday out in Ocean Shores with some friends and family.  Where we are going has an indoor pool and yes Logan can swim!!!  He is so excited!  I will plan on updating everyone on Sunday when we return.

Thankful…..Thank you!

#loganstrong

Logan’s results are in from his re-staging this week.  Cancer is still there as expected but no new growth/advancement.  This is what the doctors hoped for.  So in looking at the glass half full we are happy with the results.

Logan continues to do amazing and feel great!  We will get a nice 3 day break, then quick visit on Monday, then the rest of the Holiday week off to spend with friends and family.  The current plan for the MIBG experiment is he will be admitted on December 1st with plans to be discharged on Saturday December 5th.

#loganstrong