How about a quick report card to begin with. These are the tests that Peter is going through (and has gone through before and will go through again).
- Bone Scan: Negative!
No visible cancer from this test done last week. - CT Scan: Negative!
No visible cancer from this scan of his whole torso, head, neck. - Echocardiogram: Negative!
His heart sounds good. - Bone Marrow Biopsy: No Results Yet
He was put under today to extract marrow from both sides of his pelvis. - MIBG: Scheduled for Today
This is the scan that “lights up” cancerous areas. - Audiogram: Upcoming
Eager to know how his hearing is holding up.
We’re all praying that his string of straight A’s remains in tact. His platelets have rebounded to 50000+ as of today, so the latest assumption is that Peter will start radiation on Monday.
Although I haven’t been composing updates as frequently lately — and I do apologize for that — I have been getting a firsthand perspective on Peter’s progress. My wife (known herein as Auntie G) and I recently spent some time in Florida for some R&R and the Eigner’s took advantage of our empty house while we were away. We’ve been back for over a week now and the Eigners are still here, so apparently the quarters suit them better than the Ronald McDonald House. In any case, we’re happy to have the crew here while they need to be near the hospital.
My last memory of Peter before his diagnosis, probably around July 4th ’06, is playing baseball in the yard at my parents’ place (Poopster’s). In those days I was lucky to see him once every two months or so. I would pitch him the ball, Grandpa would tell him to keep his elbow up, and he would give it a rip, then tear around the imaginary bases and finish with a safe slide at home plate. What a joy it was to watch.
After I returned home, the news came that something wasn’t quite right with Peter. Those baseball sessions in Grandpa’s yard grew shorter and shorter and less frequent. Next thing I knew, I’m receiving horrible news from a teary Erika and Peter is being rushed to the hospital in Minneapolis. You know the rest. Ever since then the treatments have been annihilating the cancer and borrowing much of Peter’s body and energy in the process — particularly after the final round of chemo.
But with the return of spring, we’re once again in the yard — my yard this time — and Peter is back to standing on the left side of the imaginary home plate. He’s back to telling me when I make a bad pitch, he’s back to giving the ball a good rip, and he’s back to sliding into home. He’s not fully recovered, but he’s recovered enough to be doing the things he really loves; And you can tell he loves baseball.
Matt, you have an extraordinary way with words… your post is so uplifting.
Peter, we continue to pray for you daily. You are a champ! Looking forward to spending time with you and your family soon.
Love,
Sara, Kevin, Marley, Ty & Kaia
Wow – what good news! Keep it coming!
Reading this was a wonderful start to a sunny, pretty day.
Peter – we talk about you and your sisters everyday. You continue to amaze us with your strength.
Love,
Deb & Kevin & big Pete
Thanks Matt for the update. You made my day so much brighter.
Keep fighting Peter. I cant wait to see you home soon.
Take care and enjoy the nice sunny weather.
Love you
Jill S.
Wow, what great test results so far – Peter, you’re amazing! We will continue to pray for you, and can only expect that the rest of the tests will come back with the same great news.
We are also happy to hear you are out enjoying the beautiful weather, and are back to doing many of the things that you love to do. You deserve it!
God Bless you and your family!
Lori and Cary, Luke, Brooke and Erica
P.S. That poor path thing never had a chance, did it? Way to go!
Matt~ I share the Ballinger’s thoughts… you do have an extraordinary way with words. Some day, I can only hope that Peter can look back at all these journals from “Uncle Matt” and realize (in case he doesn’t realize it yet!) how incredibly lucky and loved he is. 🙂 I am sure I speak for all of Peter’s team when I say “THANK YOU for helping us be a part of this journey!”
Peter – my friend, my hero, my MAN! Straight A’s?? YEEEE-HAAAAA! That is one report card that you ought to be proud of. I received (mostly??!!!) straight A’s my entire school career. However, none were as special and meaningful as your series of “perfect scores!” Keep it up, my friend!
I CAN’T WAIT until you get the ‘ok’ to “wean” back into daycare! We are ALL so excited to have you back with us! Oh – and I will play baseball with you, too. (I can guarantee that I won’t be as good as you and Uncle Matt….)
Enjoy the sunshiney day! We look forward to hearing about the rest of your “straight A’s”!!! Kate’s here today – she sends an extra big kiss and hug!
With much love~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker
Peter-
What great and encouraging news so far!! We will wait to hear the rest of the results, especially the MIBG scan!! We are so proud to have met you and are so proud of the fighter you are! I know that for the few hours we spent together with your parents in a hospital room what an amazing family you are, you guys and all of your trials have been what has kept our family going through our journey with this cancer. Please know that if you need anything to let us know. We will keep praying for all negitive results, and keep fighting buddy!
Hey Peter,
What a star you are. You’re doing great with all those tests and getting rid of those “bad Guys” for good. YOU GO PETE!!!
Love,
Uncle Ed and Aunt roz
Hey Peter,
I am sooo happy to hear this news. We continue to pray for you and your family eveyday. We wear are wrist bands proudly. We also were in Floirda recently and we have many pictures from Disney with all of us wearing our braclets and many people asked what the braclets said and after we told them they said they would like to be on your team also. So you have many people praying for you so I sure hope the power of pray is in full force and the rest of your reports are all A’s also. Keep fighting and keep swinging that bat. Take care Eigners!! Please tell Uncle Matt thank you so much for the updates I check your site daily.
Love,
Nancy Bushey
AMAZING!!! But then, that’s your new middle name, Peter! We are so happy to hear this news; you all have been through so very much in the past 9 months. I was in meetings all morning, so what a wonderful post to read after lunch!!! Just makes a sunshiney day even BETTER! Uncle Matt – thank you tremendously for your keeping us all in the know during this journey. How lucky you are to have the Eigners there!! But I bet that family can’t hardly wait to be back HOME with a ‘normal’ daily routine!!! Thinking of you all!!
Love,
Ron & Peg
Great post Matt … I agree with the Ballinger’s you definitely have a greate way with words. It is good to hear Peter enjoying every possible moment and I can see the smiles and hear the laughter from Milwaukee. Love, Luck, and Laughter to all … keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers. I’m so glad you and Auntie G are in the position to house Peter and entourage at times to give them some space and a yard to run in … I’m sure the one room apartment at the Ronald McDonald house … although great … can get a bit claustrophobic after a while.
What a wonderful note…filled with such good news!! Peter, you are amazing!!! I am just so happy to read this positive report. Good for all of us to be reminded that things can change drastically in a very short time and we need to be more thankful for all the good things in our lives. What a long way you’ve come, Peter, and everyone is SOOOO proud of you….you’ve really been a little trooper. Thanks again for the updates, Uncle Matt….great job!
God Bless
Dee Wade
Thanks Matt, GREAT NEWS…Can’t wait to get the Eigner’s back in Brainerd!..Take care …miss you all!! The Z’s
We are so excited on you latest testing. Getting such good news so close to you completion of your transplant is wonderful. Each day your getting stronger and stronger. Take care and May God Bless you and your family always.
Lots of Aloha,
Ruthie and family
What great news for your grandma on her birthday — and everyone. Such a wonderful picture of Peter. Mary
WAY TO GO PETE! I’m so impressed, again, at your health. NOTHING seems to keep you down! And I never heard–is it the Rangers or the Islanders? The Mets or the Yankees?
Matt–your site continues to be nothing short of amazing. I’m continually impressed.
My daily thoughts and prayers to you all. I can’t wait to meet you someday Pete.
xo jackie