An update from Jeni...

Jude had his first 3 month check up MRI of the brain and spine today. Everything is good! The spine is still clear and disease free. The brain is still not totally clear, the one tiny spot that is left may be just dead tissue, they aren't sure. But it is less conspicuious, or I guess you could say it's smaller than before. As long as it isn't growing, it is good news. I asked the doc if that meant he is in remission, but since they don't know if that spot is a tumor or just dead tissue, they can only say he has no active disease. So, since he has had radiation, our hope is that the spot, whatever it is, will continue to shrink until nothing is there....or at least just never get bigger!
He also had a bit more hearing loss in the high frequency range. But not too significant as of yet. Kidneys and other organs are functioning normally, and he has improved also in speech, and in moving and balance. Still have a way to go, though.
The doctors are still going to watch his weight with weekly weigh-ins at his pediatrician in CA. His appetite is still very low, and they say that could continue for months. He has to continue the high calorie shakes for now, but if his weight drops, then they may put him back on the steroids. We hope not, because there are long term side effects with those that we'd like to avoid.
They are going to check his thyroid to see if it is functioning ok, and also his bones to see if they are growing.
It is really nice to see all our favorite doctors and nurses again. They are so wonderful here! We are so glad to have such a great team caring for Jude.
Thank you again all of you...each and every one of you... for your continued prayers and caring thoughts! We love you!

And we have more pics!!! =)

Therapy Dogs

Playing Super Chex!! At the Grizzly House

Pink Palace...he loves this place!

Jude's doctors

Families returning home.... There's Louisana Tim (wife Tanya in blue) in the shades!!

Finally an update! They are home!!!!!

Let people know that we are home ( i don't think everyone knows ) and that Jude is eating and doing well. He is off the steroids now, and his appetite is slowing down, but he is still eating and has gained a few pounds. His eyelashes and eyebrows are growing back too. In March we will get another MRI and see how things look. I want to say thankyou again so very much to everyone who came to visit, and for all the kind gifts that we recieved, and for all the many thoughts and prayers from all of you. You have no idea how much we appreciate it and how much it has helped us get through this difficult time. I really can't even put into words how thankful we are. What a tremendous blessing it is to have so much love shown to us... Thankyou!!!

Judeebug! Playing and learning!

Playing Super Chex Hockey with Uncle Corey and Aunt Veronica!!! He loves this game!

About to look in a microscope with Dr. Shrinivasan after a lesson on cells!!!

Update from Jeni!!!!!

So we talked to the doctor today, and he went over the images with me (and Jude, who kept saying, "woe! it looks like a skull!") He says that everything looks very good. Everything has continued to shrink, including that questionable spot. He says there are only a few spots that he can see, which is a huge improvement from when we got here in May, when Jude's brain had 50 tumors, and remainders from the big tumor that surgery couldn't remove, plus tumors in the spine. So hopefully, these remaining spots will continue to shrink, even after we go home. (Radiation continues to work for years) To be honest, I am afraid to get too happy, because this kind of cancer can come back fast and agressively and at any time......but for now, it's great news and a relief! (for the next three months, anyway) Jude is getting another appetite stimulant...so if he can eat enough to maintain and or gain weight, we will be able to come home if he is stable. Docs havn't given us a date yet, they just have to monitor Jude's weight and his counts, and make sure he is eating and holding his own. Hopefully he'll be hungry soon....
Thankyou so very much again for all your prayers, love and support. It means so much...and we love you all!!

PS....Uncle Cory and Veronica came to visit, and had a great time!

Visits warm the hearts....

The beautiful fountain outside the Target House

Gina was able to visit!! What fun they had!!!!

A note from Jeni...

"Those pics were of Jude's no mo chemo party in the med room and in the hospital room. He Loved the confetti, of course. His immune system is 0, and we are waiting for it to come up. Meanwhile, today is the first day he actually feels good enough to walk to all his apointments in the hospital. He has been feeling really yucky, and has been having burning pain from the acid in his stomach and the tears in the mucosa lining that the chemo caused. Basicly the mucus lining from his nose down to his gut is raw. The doctors put him on Protonics to help heal that, and gave me IV meds for him so he wouldn't have to take so much by mouth. Thank goodness it has helped, because neither him or me has got more than 3 hours sleep at a time for a while!! He is doing good and looking forward to going home. Hopefully that will motivate him to eat when the time comes. Talk to y'all soon!! XXXOOO's!!!"