Going home--July 30, 2011

Harley Davidson and helpers sharing some barbecue they were cooking out front with the patients

Dane was absolutely relieved to get his needles out!!  He was dragging his feet to have them changed again!

                               

                                    I LOVE this painting of the beautiful Denver Children's Hospital! 


This day was so amazing!  We were so surprised--once again that Dane's numbers recovered so quickly even though it felt so very long!!  The doctors kept telling us day after day "in a few weeks you will go home," and sure enough on Friday, July 29th Dr. Nancy told us to sit tight that we may go home in a week or two. To our surprise Saturday morning our kind nurse left Dane's numbers, we had requested, by his bed with a note to enjoy Captain America (because Dane kept telling the nurses that was going to be the first thing he did!)  Daner and I packed his room in a flash, Dad came to help get all Daner's things into the cars, Daner had his needles taken out (yeah!!  he didn't have to have them changed!!!  They were a day overdue ), the Harley Davidson crew delivered lunch (pic above) and they had all their motorcycles parked out the front doors, Daner showered and meandered out the door.  We couldn't figure out why he wasn't running out those doors, we had to continually motivate him to get goin' and  later found out that he was  uneasy leaving this safe place that had taken such good care of him. 
When we pulled into the neighborhood (I wish someone had taken pics--it was such a wonderful sight!) Dane's Nana and Papa,  Uncle Brandon, Aunt Mandi and cousins, friends: the Ginn family, the MacDougall family, the Bentley family, the Lamb family, and his friend Tyler Wolter all lined the streets with signs of victory and cheering and clapping.  They had made a finish line in the road and it was fantastic!  Everyone stayed for a barbecue celebration.  After a few hours most of us all met at the 20 mile theater for Captain America and the joy on Dane's face was priceless!

REMISSION!!!

Daner has been home now for a month.  Daner's family went in yesterday to be tested (this will happen every month for the next year).  The one month and one year a major mile markers for him.  His blood work came back yesterday and he is still cancer FREE!!!  We couldn't be happier.  What a blessing!  Thanks for so many prayers for him and his family.

Getting Close to the end!

Dane's cub master Todd Preece with his wife Becky and daughter Meaghan  came and visited and taught us a new game called Fast Track--super fun!!                                                      

Jackie and her cute kiddos Haley, Ashely and Ty came with a  blizzard (mmmm) and played banana grams

Tali came to see Daner and boy was she excited!  She wasn't about to let him hop in the tub without her!!

Kristi and Zach came and helped pass the time for Dane.  Dane and Zach played UNO, checkers, puzzles, legos and painted sun catchers.  Dane was excited to nibble on Kristi's homemade white chocolate chip cookies and Sonic cherry lime aid--mmmm!

                         Kevin picked up Zach later that night after he and Dane got to hang out all evening. 

            Sweet Dillon came and played games with Dane this afternoon.  He was so entertained by all of the games Dane had in his room to keep him busy!

Dillon, Katherine and Ty playing in Dane's room today.  So fun to have visitors come and help pass the time!

Aunt Mandi and Uncle Tom came to visit tonight.  They brought some money their little neighbors earned for Dane doing a lemonade stand--adorable!  Thanks London Dickman and friends!

                                    
                                         Uncle Bret and Cole came and spent the night with Daner

                Racing Crew with Nascar came to visit Daner--they told him he is going to be on ESPN!

                                         Pictured with: Shane Gray, Dom Lagane, and Johnny Gray

                                                              Drawing with Stephanie

                                       Uncle Kasey and Aunt Katie came to visit with Bella and Cody

                         He enjoys wrestling around with Dad! (I think he takes out some of his pain on Dad!)

Tali enjoys the wagons at the hospital with cousins Cody and Bella

Dane had some visitors this week trying to help him pass the time here at the hospital.  Uncle Bret and Cole slept over and they ate Chinese, played video games and watched a movie.  The distractions help take his mind off of his ever aching belly and occasional throwing up (at random!)  Nascar drag racers came and said hello to him one day and then they told him to watch ESPN to see if he was on it, but unfortunately we don't get ESPN on the room TV!  Uncle Kasey and Aunt Katie came in from Utah and visited with him one evening and then the next day they came to sleep over.  Even though he wasn't feeling his best (still), they watched Rango and played games.  I know these distractions have helped the time progress faster while he is so uncomfortable!  After visiting with the doctors several times this week we have come to find out that they are "hopeful' that his treatment will work, it does for 70% of AML patients.  Only five years ago it only worked for 20%!  We are glad that we didn't have this five years ago!!  We found out what Dane has ahead of him and what will be ahead of him if he has a  "dormant" bad white blood cell resurface.  We were fearful at first, but are putting faith in God who has a plan for our son and hopeful that Dane is to live a full life. 
   After talking with Dr. Albano yesterday we told her of Dane's severe discomfort in his stomach and she ordered an x ray.  It came back totally fine, which is good, but unnerving at the same time because their is no other option to treat his discomfort.  Each day we watch and wait for his numbers to rise and for him to feel better.  Even though he feels so crummy, he will give us an occasional smile and some funny Danerisms to make us laugh!  We enjoy his sweet personality, even on the grumpy days.  He is always so kind to his nurses! 

Cole and Daner playing an exciting game of War

Daner showing Cole some Hot Rod highlights

Cousin time!  Dallin, Daner, Kai, Kalea and Jackson

A visit from an Army guy: Daner's Uncle Bret!

Daner and his brother Ty having some wheel chair races

(running over the security guy's foot)

Chick-Fil-A night Bret, Cole, Dallin and Ellie

Nana, Arianne and Cole

Dallin and Ty

Sarah and Talia 

Jamie and Maleah

Bret's family visiting: Cole, Bret, Kyle, Ellie, Daner, Dallin, Arianne and Maleah

From Aunt Arianne:

We are SO happy to be here visiting from Texas!  We are really enjoying our time with all our family here.  We are especially grateful to be here to visit with Daner and help with the other kiddos.  It has been so touching to be here and see what Dane and Jamie's friends and community have been and are doing for them.  The Chick-Fil-A night was a HUGE success!  I couldn't believe how many people were there!  I was also so touched by the videos that have been made for them of the wards and friends proudly wearing their shirts, orange ribbons and green.  I cannot believe the amount of letters, prayers, cards and loves that have been sent their way.  The Lord is truly blessing our family! 

One night while I was at the hospital I had a minute with Daner all to myself.  I asked him if he really understood the amount of people that loved him so so much.  I also asked him if he understood how much his parents and siblings adored him and were always so concerned about him.  He said yes, he thought so and then he said something that took me a bit by surprise.  He said, 'When I get older I want to do service for others.'  He then told me his plan to come and help people at least once a month.  He told me how the things that had been done for him touched him and that he wanted to do that same thing for others.  I am so thankful for the sweet disposition that little Dane has.  He rarely complains and is so thankful for every little thing.  He is such a blessing in our lives.  

S-L-O-W rEcoVeRy.........

Visitors from Thursday, July 14~

Our friends and neighbors, Trevor and Brady Smith (not pictured-Ganelle) came to visit and play cards with Dane

                   Some of Mom's sweet friends brought Dane Anthony's pizza, what Dane was craving.  Pictured:
                                   Janet, Camille, and Anna- we had a lot of laughs and staff kept popping their heads in
                                        to see what we were laughing about- that in and of itself was funny~

        Dane's ANC dropped fast on Friday and he has been really lethargic and sick ever since

                              Talia and Ty come to give Dane some loves from his brother and sister

Over the past week Dane actually has felt progressively worse than ever before.  Typically after he finishes a week of chemo he will feel better and make big improvements the very next day, but not this time.  The doctors remind us that he has undergone the heaviest treatments of Chemo a child can go through and it is taking a toll on his body.  The throwing up catches him totally off guard and he has been running to the bathroom all week.  Everyday we are hopeful it will subside to no avail.  His ANC came down to a 4 on Sunday and today his number is a 33, small improvements, but we are happy to see those!  He had a blood transfusion yesterday which should help him have more energy today.  He stayed in bed all day, other than to use the bathroom.  His nurse brought in a wheelchair last night in hope that he would feel like getting out of his room, but he was too uncomfortable and ended up spiking a fever and getting hooked back up to his IV for fluids (because he didn't have the energy to drink).  We had an incredible turn out to the Chic fil A fundraiser on Monday night and his Nana and I told him all about it which brought big smiles.  It was so comforting to feel the love and support from so many and we are forever grateful to all who had Dane on their minds and in their prayers that night!  I was looking at a calendar this morning and was in shock that we have only been here for a little over two weeks so far.  It feels like we have been here for at least three and after talking to other family members, they feel the same way.  It has to be because he has been so sick this time that it is really dragging out.  I am sure it feels much longer to him!  He has a lot of support from friends and family members trying to keep his spirits up.  Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and friends visiting with him and providing great distractions to the monotony of it all.  I know that we soon we will be singing " I'm coming home, I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home.  Let the rain wash away all the pains of yesterday!"

Reminder about Dane's Fundraiser

Can't wait to see all of you tonight at Chick-fil-la!  The fundraiser will be held between 5-8pm at the Chick-fil-la right in front of the Parker Adventist Hospital.  When ordering food, please remember to tell them that you are here for Dane Pearce!  Bring your $1 per person to play spin the wheel, and all of those proceeds will go directly to Dane tonight!!!  I hope we can pack the restaurant tonight!!! See you all there! If you have any questions, contact Kristi Runyon at kristirunyon@comcast.net.

LaST DAy oF ChEmO!!!

 The nurses brought Dane a cake this morning to celebrate his last day of chemo!!

                            A few nice old clowns came to visit and bring some smiles~

                                                     Ty excited for Dane that it is his last day! 

                              Denver firefighter Troy with his wife and daughter inviting Dane to a party

 Bronco players: Braxton Kelley and Russ Hochstein with  Buffalo Bills Erik Pears.  (We got to see Brady Quinn but he was visiting the other side of the hall)

                                   Dane giving two thumbs up for his last round of chemo- hopefully ever!!

What an exciting day.  The nurses brought Dane in a cake this morning and sang Happy Last Chemo Day to You!  And boy are we excited!  Dane has felt nauseated off and on all day, but our nurse Deb is on it!  Even though he was brought a cake he wanted to celebrate with marshmallow popcorn.  Two clowns came to bring some smiles early in the day and one put his wig on Daner.  He thought that was pretty funny, I thought he looked like Annie.  Ty and Tali came to see him and play and celebrate.  Dane wanted Ty to stay and play with him and they have had fun playing some X box and meeting Firefighter Troy with his wife and daughter.  They invited him to a party with the firefighters in August and were really kind to him.  Dane and I passed Brady Quinn as they were outside a patients door and they promised to visit, but we were on the other side of the hall and met two other Bronco players with a friendly rival from the Buffalo Bills.  They visited the boys and asked Dane what position he played.  With the football players on strike all of the guys are hopeful to play again soon, even Daner (and you could sense their uneasiness about it!)  With Dane now finished with his chemo, he is nibbling on this and that and everything sounds good to him!  Yay!  Now the waiting game begins as his ANC tanks and then rebuilds so we can go home.....for good!

Sunday, July 10

                      Not feeling too great while smurf juice is going through his infusion line

   The nurses keep telling him how cool his pee is.....well, here it is--GREEN (yellow & blue make:green)

By evening time he was feeling ok, so some of his cousins came to play: Dallin, Dane, Kai, Kalea, & Jackson


Every day this round we seem to do the countdown: One more day to go......  Dane's sisters Halee and Mikayla slept over to be with Dane before they flew to Virginia for two weeks.  Dane and the girls enjoyed each others company and then they left early before Dane woke up.  He had a slow morning feeling really uneasy any time he moved, usually to go to the bathroom.  After getting sick we pumped him with anti nausea medicines and by afternoon he was able to take a quick bath, because the warm water doesn't settle well with his stomach, get his room cleaned and bedding changed.  His favorite thing to eat right now, and pretty much the only thing I can get him to eat is the fresh fruit cup with cantaloupe and watermelon.  I guess at least he is craving healthy things right now and not Big Macs.  Later in the evening Dane's Aunt Arianne came to visit with cousin Dallin and then Aunt Mandi with cousins Kalea, Jackson, and Kai.  Luckily we have the "fun guard" checking people in and he allowed everyone to come to Dane's room instead of the required allotment of 4!  Dane enjoyed visiting with everyone and played UNO with his cousins, shared cookies Aunt Arianne made and Nurse Donna brought everyone Popsicles.  Aunt Mandi and kids stayed with Dane while I traded with Dad and they played slap jack, watched Hot Rod highlights which made everyone laugh and he tried eating some crackers, but they made him sick.  When dad arrived, they got a much needed good night sleep~

Chick-fil-la Fundraiser July 18th

We just wanted to let all of you know that a fundraiser has been put together for Dane, which will be held at Chick-fil-la, Monday Night July 18^th.  It will be located at the Chick-fil-la by Parker Adventist Hospital, in Parker running from 5-8 p.m.  This is a great opportunity to show your love and support to Dane and his family.  If you have Team Daner shirts, we would love to have you wear them that night.  Here are some of the details about this special event:

*When ordering food, please make sure you tell them you are here for Dane Pearce

*If everyone brings $1 per person and plays “Spin the Wheel”, which you can win different items, all of those proceeds goes directly to Dane Pearce and his family that evening!  Such a small thing, will make a huge difference in the outcome of this fundraiser!! There will be a table with a jar that you can put your $1 in, and Chick-fil-la has said that the Pearce family will be able to walk away with that at the end of the evening. Everything will go directly to Dane!

*Wear your Team Daner shirts, or any green shirt if you have them!  Green is one of Dane’s favorite colors

*Invite as many people as you know to come enjoy a fun dinner with a great cause!

If you would like to be placed on the evite invitation, please email Kristi Runyon at: kristirunyon@comcast.net

Thank you for all the love and support you continue to give to Dane! Every prayer, act of love, effort, and service is helping him get through this last round of chemotherapy.  See you all in a few days at Chick-fil-la!!!

July 8, 2011

                                            You can tell he is not very comfortable today :(

Daner did well with me yesterday while I was with him and I got to be with him until 6pm.  He did have an upset stomach here and there and we were able to stay on top of it with some anti nausea meds.  We played a few games- Operation and UNO, rested, read from his book, and enjoyed the day together.  By afternoon I had talked him into a shower and fresh clothes.  I asked if he could be disconnected for awhile and they did that for him.  He gets really nauseated when he walks around, so I got him a wheelchair and took him to the cafeteria for some lunch which was a vitamin water and an avocado with soy sauce of all things.  He really enjoyed the time out of his room, but we did have to rush back to have his lines reconnected for his chemo and get some anti nausea medicine to stay ahead of the game.  His Dad came around 5 and Dr. Nancy came in and discussed the results from his cardiogram.  His numbers weren't where they needed to be to start his second chemo medicine, mitazandrone, and she felt strongly that this was because the scan had been done to close after his propafal and it had altered his results so she didn't really go into what plan B would be.  It left all of us really uneasy and we were eager to have the cardiogram done again!  We watched the rain out his large picture window in his room for an hour or so.  It was coming down in sheets and was soothing to watch.  I left my boys and they were able to spend the evening together and this morning.  Daner didn't do so well through the night and morning and had gotten sick a number of times.  He went to be early again to try and sleep off his nausea.  They performed another ecco cardiogram again this morning and the doctors came and discussed the results with Dane and his Dad.  The number was close to where it needed to be and they told them that the benefits outweighed the risks and that they were going to go ahead with his treatment as planned.  They did discuss the long term effects on Dane's heart and that he one day may need to take medication for it, but if they did a different treatment plan for him his recovery would not be as promising.  This news was extremely unsettling for Daner and it is so hard to watch a young 11 year old boy have to worry about the future of his heart and life.  They  started him on his smurf juice at about 12:30 and was it ever blue!  The doctor told him his pee will be green and his tears and possible whites of his eyes will turn blue!  Dane didn't like watching it go in so the nurse brought a nice pillow case to cover it with.  He did get sick a few times so the nurse gave him benedryl and off to sleep he went.  It is much easier to see him resting and peaceful than to watch him awake and miserable.

Round four- the FINAL round!!

Propofal clinic- having his needles put back in

Dane with Dr. Salstrom

Asleep after being given his propafal- he had another lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspiriate

Waiting for him to wake up

Heart scan

Wednesday, July 6
Our sweet son had to check back in to Children's today and not one of us wanted him to go, especially Daner.  He has had so much anxiety about this last round of chemotherapy, the doctors told him it would be the hardest, and we were all dragging our feet and really emotional about it.  We are happy it is his last round, but the emotional roller coaster it plays on our family was one we were just not looking forward to.  Dane was able to have a blessing before he checked in today given by his Uncle Bret with his Papa and Dad.  It gave Daner great comfort as well as his Dad and I and we are happy to have family in town to support us once again.  Dane threw up a few times before his procedures, I am sure because of his anxiety and queasy stomach from not eating, but after he had his needles put back in it all stopped.  He was really groggy trying to wake from the propafal, but after several hours he was able to be more responsive and move around with more ease.  He had a ecco cardiogram done on his heart to make sure everything was still looking well after the three rounds of chemotherapy done thus far and to make sure he would be ready on Friday for the mitazandrone, smurf juice- similar to the red devil- which will make him really sick.  He felt well the rest of the day with a few bouts of nausea that zofran was able to calm.  We played a game or two, read, did some math and drawing which was not his favorite time of the day.  Long periods of school work are just that WORK, and really challenging for him right now, but is is July and not too many kids are having to do school work so I am sure that contributed to the lack of motivation.  Later we watched A minute to win it and America's got talent and then he fell fast asleep.  Just what his body is needing.