The big activity for Friday was Ty and Erika’s scheduled meeting with the doctors. It lasted over two hours. The doctors were knowledgeable and forthright. They learned more about Peter’s condition and what’s ahead.
I’m not going to get into all the extreme detail here, but the main results are as follows. In addition to the tumor in his abdomen and his infected marrow, Peter’s cancer has traveled to lymph nodes in his shoulder and behind his ear. In other words, his cancer is NOT in his lungs, liver, kidneys, etc and we can certainly be happy about that. Because the cancer has spread, Peter is Stage IV and NB is usually diagnosed after it has spread. The first round of chemotherapy will be starting on Tuesday. A couple days ago, Erika and Ty thought they may be going back home for this weekend, but they’ll be staying here at the hospital after all.
Peter was in high spirits Friday night and had some timely visits. Peter and Kevin brought an air hockey table that fits on his bed. And later Carl arrived to play the “dinosaur game” on Auntie G’s computer, among other things. The little guy was chatting away and cracking us up well past his bedtime and we all enjoyed the Twins dramatic victory.
Some new pictures are posted in the photos section, including some action shots from this summer. Enjoy!
I think the miracles are already beginning! No cancer in the lungs, liver, kidneys…. that is just the beginnig of good things to come, I am confident! We hope you find a way to have some fun this weekend, Peter! We also hope that mommy and daddy are able to get some well deserved rest and an occassional break. From what we can all gather on our end, you all have quite the support system there with you!! That, too, is a miracle!!
Rumor has it, young man, that quite a bit if money was raised for you last night at Shep’s street dance! Papa & Monga Allord were there – we’re talking $1,000 + just from raffle ticket sales last night! People all over town were talking about you, Peter! Everyone claimes to have an “addiction” to this web-site! We just all want to stay as close to you as possible during this time, and for many of us, this is the only way!
We hope you continue to stay spunky and high spirited this weekend! Maybe I will give you a call this weekend… will you talk to me on the phone, Peter?? I would really love that!! Emily and her daddy are going to see the movie HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS today… maybe she can talk to you and tell you all about it. I told her that I will have to make fried worms for lunch one day!! She thought that sounded gross!
Stay strong, my sweet boy. Keep smiling… and be sure to flutter those gorgeous long eyelashes of yours at the nurses now and then ,too!
Miss you and love you till the day after forever!
Jenni
Ty and Erika – I can only ditto everything Jen has said above! As the tears trickle down my cheeks, it is so difficult to imagine what you as parents are going through right now. Please, please, please use ALL of the strength flowing through this wonderful site Matt created. Last night we all spoke frequently of the Eigner situation, and yes, the site has become an addictive life line to you. Take care, be strong and positive! And as usual, PLEASE use any of us as needed!!
Peg and Ron
We are a fellow NB family fighting this disease since Jan 2005. My son Ryan also had all the unfavorable characteristics of this disease. He also has the agressive form of this disease. HE was diagnosed at 21 months. He responded right away to the chemo. He had it in several areas too. He also had a tumor above the right ear that was almost the size of a golfball . It was on the outside of the skull. He was clear after round 3 of chemo. We travelled to MSKCC in NYC for his surgery in June 2005 and right before transplant he was cancer free. We are now on the monoclonal antibodie study in NYC , and Ryan just finished his 7th round. He still remains clear of this disease. Doing the antibodies raises the survival rate. I know you have awhile to go but if you have any questions please email me. I know when Ryan was diagnosed I didn’t know anything about NB until I got onto the computer. That is what led us to the doctors here in NYC. We travel from Michigan. The doctor here told us that having the agressive form of NB doesn’t matter as long as you do the antibodies. Wishing you the best throughout his treatment. We will pray that he responds well to treatment and that he will be in Remission soon. Never give up hope. There are ALOT of survivors out there!!! I am glad he is feeling better since he started the chemotherapy.
Take care,
Cathy and Ryan http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanregan
Hi Peter, Ty & Erika –
Peter, I told you that I would try and sell hundreds of raffle tickets for you…and I did!!! I think after the night was over I had sold over 200 tickets. I think when I counted all the money it was around $1200! I hope they sell more tonight. Shep even let me wear the Mario Lemieux jersey. I was sure glad I wore pants, the jersey was so big on me it came down to my knees and if I had wore shorts it would have looked like I did not have any pants on!!! Know that so many people are thinking about you. Take care and we can’t wait to see you soon.
Love,
Heidi
Hi Peter:
I am thinking about you all the time. I liked when Jenni Kelly (your daycare mom) mentioned MIRACLES in her comment today. I have been thinking about how much you and your family love the game of hockey. I think that it is cool that your Dad relates what you are going through to hockey. So I thought about when your mom and dad have told us about how much you enjoy watching the movie about the 1980 gold medal Olympic hockey team called “Miracleâ€. Remember the famous saying from that movie “Do you Believe in Miracles†! Guess what Peter, I believe in miracles. I bet you do too!! Tell your dad and mom about how the USA hockey team beat the Russians so USA could win the gold medal! Peter, you are going to WIN this game too!! I believe that God sends his angels to help people and miracles happen everyday.
With so many, many, people who love you and who are also praying for you — I truly believe that you will WIN and be all better soon.
Hugges and kisses to you in the hospital.
We believe in Miracles……………………
Sue and the rest of the Peltomas – Rod, Jenny, Ryan and Molly
Peter!!
Hey Buddy! I was just looking at your site and come across the picture of you and your spiderman toy…pretty cool! I have been reading that some of the Warrior hockey boys have been coming to visit you, you are one lucky boy! Those boys are pretty cool huh! I saw your T-ball pictures, I know that you are awesome at t-ball. Remember when we played a game at Jake’s grad party and you hit a homerun EVERY time, WOW, I was impressed! Well I just wanted you to know that I think of you every single day Pete, get better soon so we can play ok!!
with love,
Jenny