I'm MAD!

Alex and Owen May 2008

Do you ever get mad? I mean really mad??? At say.... the devil?

Well, I am....

It's been a rough few weeks.... seems every time the phone rings there is more bad news. I understand the world isn't always sunshine and roses, but come on....

First, I've already told you about my buddy Ethan. Well, he now has a website and is quite the popular little dude! You can visit him at www.caringbridge.com/visit/bibb stop by and visit and leave him a note. His treatments have begun and he is having good and bad days, but he also got an awesome new camo laptop so he can read his guestbook and send emails, so leave him a note! Also, do you have boys? Do they have little green army men (the ones you throw away every time you step on one because they hurt like crazy?) If you do, get them out and place them around your house, office, car, etc. Each time you see them pray for our Small Solider Ethan! So that is strike number one.... devil! You won't win!!

Second, there are numerous other issues that are resolving themselves but none the less they are there. Again not winning those battles either....

Third, NOW.... here is my latest outburst of anger..... Leave my babies alone!

I have to give you a little background information about Owen. Owen is Alex's BEST FRIEND, he just turned 4 in March. Owen was born with a Genetic disorder called Beckwith - Weidman Syndrome (BWS). Children with BWS are very likely to develop tumors. Owen's liver is the size of a 12 year old (remember he is 4), he had issues with his tongue when he was little, but had tongue reduction surgery to remove part of his tongue, so now he appears to be a normal little boy. You'd never know he has any type of disorder. Well... Owen's mom is an Oncology Nurse who is very up to date on her research. She is VERY aggressive when it comes to his treatments. Almost so much that the folks at Vanderbilt Children's hospital think she is nuts. However, she stays on top of his care. He has his blood drawn every 6 weeks to check his afp levels. This number shows them if there is a tumor growing in his body. He also has ultrasounds ever 12 weeks (I think) to check his organs for any growths.

Last time Owen had his blood drawn his afp level was .06! Whooo Hooo, that is awesome. That is the lowest his level has ever been, and for a child with his condition that is unheard of. Right now is the time that he is most likely to develop some sort of tumor. WHEN he reaches age 8 the risk disappear for good. So.... why am I mad???

Well, Friday I get a message from Owen's mom saying they had found a spot on Owen's liver when they were doing his scan. They redid the films several times and could not determine if it was a shadow, or a growth. So they had to wait on his blood work to see if something was up. So I freak out because well... that is just what I do! Yvonna told me not to worry over the weekend, they would hear from his blood work on Monday and we could just pray him thru it.

Well.... Monday comes and so does the results of Owen's blood work. In 6 weeks time Owens afp level went from .06 to 12. Yeah, not good. I was busy at work with Yvonna called and jotted down what she told me and finished what I was doing. When I called my sister to tell her the results I went nuts. They had told Yvonna they were going to redo his scans in 6 weeks to see it the spot was still there and to see if it had grown. Well as I was telling my sister I got all upset and that wasn't good enough, so I call Yvonna back....

They are redoing Owen's blood work in two weeks to see where his afp levels are, the hope is they have either gone back down, or stayed the same. If they are higher, they will most likely put Owen to sleep and do a CT scan to see the spot on his liver. This type of cancer can go from Stage 1 to Stage 4 in a matter of weeks. I should also tell you that if it is a growth, his immune system could still attack it and get rid of it.

So, please remember Owen in your prayers. When I tell you this little boy is important to me, you have no idea how much I mean that. I couldn't love him anymore if I'd given birth to him. Please remember his parents as well. Owen and his family mean the world to Clint and I. So there you have why I am so mad.... love on your babies... if you don't want to call me and I'll come to it. Children are PRECIOUS gifts. I thank God everyday for mine. Life can change in an instant. Unlike Ethan, Owen's parents have always known this could happen, but that doesn't make the news any easier to hear when it does. Please remember both of these precious boys, lift them up to Our Heavenly Father. He knows their needs, and he will take care of them. Again Mr. Devil... you won't win....