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Max Update - March 2012

 

I was just reminded through the re-acquaintance of an old friend (I don’t think he’s really that old) that it’s been a long time since I’ve updated Max’s site.

So for those out there wondering what’s going on with Max here’s a little update! It’s now been 8 years since Max was first diagnosed – on 2-12-2004.

 

That’s him and me at last year’s Run of Hope in October 2011. Yep – Max is now taller than me! He’s a Sophomore at Seattle Prep, rows crew with Greenlake Crew and is having a great time skiing. He’s driving now too.

He’s doing so incredibly well at school – I don’t know how he does it (except for the fact that he’s working really, really hard).

Max got all A’s last semester. Max had radiation treatment on his brain every day for 6 weeks when he was 8. Sheez…

 

It’s wonderful to see Max grow and get to experience his struggles growing into being an adult and finding joy and satisfaction along the way.

Sometimes it’s hard being a teenager – even for superheroes. I feel so inept at having anything I to teach him but thankfully he’s finding his way wonderfully.

 

God has big plans for Max.

 

Thanks everyone for such wonderful support, for allowing this and other’s circumstances to wake something up in you that’s always been there.

It’s all we really are.

 

Blessings, love and light

Eric

Sonic Hedgehog

Sent from my Windows® phone.

Re: beck

Hahaha only beck

On Jul 15, 2010, at 8:43 PM, "Eric A. Hanson" <Eric.A.Hanson@microsoft.com> wrote:

Sent from my Windows® phone.

<SNC00010.mp4>

Well it's been a long time since I posted last (4 years). I'll get this all caught up at some point but today was a big day. Max graduated from middle school. He's 14 years old and on his way to high school. His success has not come easily, there've been so many challenges along the way. He's pesevered so couragously - it's important to sit back and reflect, and marvel at this amazing journey. It's funny by I forget about what we went through most of the time. I get caught up in day to day stuff, I complain about work, traffic, people that don't see things my way. And then I have a day like today - watching Max accepting his diploma, giving a speech in front of his class. He is so special. He's given so much.

God has big plans for Max.

Go Max! - Congratulations!
I love you.

Max Update! Jan 9, 2006

Wow it’s almost been 2 years since we started down this road with Max’s diagnosis on Feb 9th, 2004. It’s been a while also since we last sent an update but really things have been great for Max and our family over the last 3 months.

Max seems to have gotten more energy and strength lately, even over the last month or so. He’s able to play soccer, basketball, ride his bike, run (including the Seattle kid’s marathon) and even ski! These are truly remarkable abilities for a kid that’s had the kind of treatment he’s had. He’s also continued to be involved with drama classes and has done really well we think. He keeps working hard in clinics for basketball and soccer. His love to play continues to drive him to try and to participate even though the expectations he has for himself are rarely achieved. He does love to play and this love is very strong - it has taken him a long ways. He's not done yet.

Max is now in 4th grade and his report cards have been surprisingly strong. It’s clear that he’s having to work harder, especially with math and reading than he used to but the results so far have been good with this extra effort. He loves to read and is currently in the middle of the 3rd Harry Potter book.

Max is growing! After about a year and a half of not growing at all he’s started to get taller – Of course the growth hormone shot he gets every night is helping with that. We also got great news about his cognitive abilities through some special IQ tests he took at Children’s. Although there has been some impact from the treatments, particularly in the amount of time it takes Max to vocalize thoughts, he tested quite well and we were really encouraged by the results!

Back in December Max was featured in a Seattle PI article about the great work being done by the doctors and researchers at Children’s hospital for kids with brain tumors. Check it out –



We were also thrilled that Max was the “poster kid” for a recent fund raising mailer that went out for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The envelop featured a picture of Max on the outside, wearing a LiveStrong band with the heading “This Kid is Another Lance”! Inside was a picture of Lance and Max together, the back of which said – “I know Max will inspire you as he has me” – Signed Lance Armstrong. There was also a letter with Max’s story. This meant so much to Max, and to all of us. We’ve also taken a lot of inspiration and comfort from what Lance has achieved despite having cancer and enduring such grueling treatments.

Lance is Max’s hero.

Thanks so much to all our friends and family who continue to support Max with such tireless devotion. We are truly blessed.

Max will have his next regularly scheduled MRI and spinal this Wednesday, Jan 11th. It really gives us a lot of comfort to know we’ve got help from so many friends and family with prayers and loving thoughts for Max about these, that they’ll again come back clean. Please join us again! It DOES make a difference!

Blessings, Love and Light!

Subject: Max Update! Jan 14, 2006 MRI and Spinal Are Clean!

Rejoice!!
Thanks so much everyone for your prayers and love! We are so gratefull!!!

Love and Light!

Max Update! Sep 28, 2005

Hello everyone!
Not a lot of time for details but wanted to let you all know that Max is doing really well. We had a lot of fun this summer, spending a couple weeks in Italy and we made it back for our annual trip to Stanford Sierra Camp in the Lake Tahoe area. We’ll get some pictures on the site and into a mail soon. We’ve had some incredible experiences and adventures including playing catch with Edgar Martinez at Safeco Field as part of the Children’s Hospital Wine Auction and meeting Lance Armstrong (see attached picture). All thanks to amazing friends and Max’s indomitable spirit.

Max is now playing soccer on two teams, has done a little water skiing, and continues to get stronger every single day.
It’s amazing how far he’s come. We are very blessed.

We’re approaching Max’s next MRI and spinal - this Friday morning, Sep 30 and we’d really appreciate your help!
Please join us with your prayers and loving thoughts that these tests will again come back clean!

Wish I had time for more,

Blessings, Love and Light!!!

Max Update! June 10, 2005

It has been a busy couple of months so this is kind of long but we really want to get everyone caught up. – Maybe we’ll have to start breaking these into chapters - J.

Things seem to be going really well overall for all of us! It’s absolutely astonishing to think about what has happened over the last year plus. 16 months have passed since Max had surgery and started down the cancer treatment road. We went to a Mariners game last week and honestly, he looks like any other kid. For the most part Max is doing everything that a normal 9 year old boy would do, plus a few other things (physical therapy, growth hormones, thyroid meds…J). He’s got his hair back too! He’s even started putting a little “product” in it – hey, he is in 3rd grade!

Little league has gone well. I wish I could say that he was back to his old self, tearing the cover off the ball at the plate and pitching lights out strikes. He’s not there yet. But he was playing on the same team with boys and girls his age and he played about as well as most of them. Of course Max wasn’t satisfied with his performance but there were moments of real joy. It was so wonderful to see him smile, standing on first base after walking for the first time this season. After the game he said – “it felt great to be on first base again – that’s my first time in two years!” Two years - that’s almost a quarter of his life…

Max isn’t always happy about it. He really does expect himself to be as good now as ever and he’s mad at himself when he’s not. No excuses, no breaks. It’s astonishing, intense, and heart wrenching. Excelling just means so much to him, it ALWAYS has. Getting cancer hasn’t changed it at all. Max keeps fighting to be great.

Here’s some pictures from the baseball season.

In April we took a week off and went to Hawaii – the whole family! Probably the best way to describe it is to show you all some pictures – so have a look! Max did great but all the activity did tire him out. After playing on the waterslide, swimming in the pool and just running around he usually took a pretty long afternoon nap. One of his favorite activities was playing one v. one pool volleyball. He’d play against us over and over. We all did a little boogie boarding too and discovered the reason it’s called boogie boarding (when you get plastered by a wave it knocks all the boogies out of your nose)! Max did it! He rode some pretty big waves too! At first he was getting knocked around a lot. He looked so frail standing there in the surf, with his little board. Waves crashing into him, pushing him over. He kept with it though and by the end of the week he was able to get himself out past the breakers, float around and then ride a wave back in all the way up the beach.

In March Max got to be the honored child and special guest host at Ray Allen’s Bowling tournament benefiting Make a Wish. Standing alongside Sonics play by play announcer Kevin Collabro, helping to get things kicked off. “Are you ready to get out there and raise some money for Make A Wish” he said enthusiastically into the Microphone. It was completely un-coached, unrehearsed – unbelievable! The event was great. After our Make a Wish trip with the team it was cool to see them again. Max felt special – the players all knew him and most of them said hello. Luke Ridnour even made a point to come over and talk to him for a few minutes. Here’s some pictures!

The Sonics put us up in a suite for the final playoff game against San Antonio in Seattle where we got to meet Slick Watts and some other legendary Sonics players! What an amazing game. This team played so hard and inspired us so much. Max was sobbing on the way home as we heard the final seconds of the game and realized the season was over. It was an unbelievable basketball season – the entire Sonics organization, players, coaches and announcers are generous, caring people who have made an enormous impact on Max. They’re good basketball players too.

On May 21rd Max got to participate in the seventh annual Surviving With Style Fashion Show benefiting Gilda’s Club Seattle. The show was at the Westin hotel in one of the big ballrooms. Max got to pick out some clothes he liked at Target (basketball T-Shirt and shorts) and then walk down the runway sporting a big smile, brand new hair and his stylish threads! There were around 25 other participants (mostly adults) and hundreds of people attending the luncheon. We all had a lot of fun – especially Max! Halfway down the runway he tossed the basketball he was carrying to his Grandpa who was sitting eating lunch alongside and then caught it when Grandpa threw it back - What a ham! His little brother Beck even got to take a trip down the catwalk as Max’s support person the second time down. Here are some pictures of the show.

Max started taking thyroid pills and receiving daily growth hormone shots about a month ago. He’ll be on thyroid for the rest of his life and growth hormone for at least 10 years. These will help him grow which he hasn’t done in about 2 years. It’s really wonderful that these drugs are available now, that they’re safe and pretty easy to deal with. We’re told the growth hormone shot is similar in size and the way it feels to insulin. Eventually Max will be able to give it to himself.

We do see improvement in his strength, stamina, coordination and balance, but it’s slow and can be pretty inconsistent. A few weeks ago he ran (with a couple stops) a half-mile at his school and has continued to improve at throwing and catching. It’s great to see the improvement but sometimes still tough when we compare with where Max used to be. About two years ago he took first place in a cross-country meet against 60 other boys his age. It was a half-mile course.

Max will be going to camp good times later in June. He’s super excited about it. He gets to take his sister Robin with him too! It’s such a great idea – he’ll get a chance to meet and have fun with lots of other kids that are going through the same kind of thing he is and not have to worry about feeling different. He’s going to learn a lot from it.

Later this month, on June 27th, Max is going to have his next MRI and spinal. Please keep Max in your thoughts and prayers that these tests will once again come back clean.

Thanks for reading and making Max a part of your prayers and thoughts. It really matters.

Brain tumors are big deals. So is Max. His strength, courage and drive are awe-inspiring.

Max Can.

Blessings, Love and Light

Here are a few misc pictures from this spring!

Max Update! March 10, 2005

Hello everyone it’s way past time to get you all updated on the latest news about how Max is doing - Here are a few of the highlights from the last 2 months:

Max got his cast off in February (he broke his wrist in early January). It really seemed to improve his outlook and he’s been a lot more active. He started going to basketball practices again and even played in a couple of games. He ran up and down the court for only about six minutes. He might have touched the ball once. It was exhausting, frustrating and upsetting for Max. It was bold, courageous and it was a very big step - Max is playing basketball again.

On February 9th, exactly one year after Max was diagnosed; we were back at Children’s hospital for a fund raiser sponsored by KISS radio. Check out the picture with Max on the Children’s website here!. Max did an on the air interview with two wonderful and caring DJs, Jackie and Bender. Here’s a picture from the Kiss site of Max, Beck and Jackie! He seems comfortable with interviews; he’s done quite a few, especially those with the Sonics. It’s funny, every couple of days we see Max on TV in a commercial for the Sonics or Comcast or Children’s!

Later in February we were privileged to have the opportunity to participate in a Children’s hospital fund raiser put on by the Eleanor Henry Reed Guild. Phil Smart spoke about his experiences working with kids in the hospital. He’s an extraordinary man and we are so fortunate to have met him. Max and Phil had a little sit down, one on one conversation on stage so everyone could hear.

We were overwhelmed by the generosity of friends, new and old, who raised paddles to contribute to an endowment in Max’s honor helping to fund brain tumor research at Children’s hospital. Pledges totaled more than $70,000.

Max is riding his bike! It’s been a lot of fun to go for bike rides together around the neighborhood. It’s good for his balance and builds muscles too so we try to do it whenever we can. He’s got a cool new helmet and we’re shopping for some riding gloves this weekend.

School is going well, Max seems to be doing fine. So far we really don’t see much effect on Max’s schoolwork from all of this. In February Max was honored with the Paul Robeson Scholar Athlete Award. He received a trophy and attended a ceremony with his family where King County Executive Ron Sims and Dan Wilson spoke to all the honorees. Here’s the website with Max’s name under the Mark of Distinction Recipient category! Here’s a picture of Max with his trophy.

Max has started working out and training once a week with his old soccer coach doing drills, kicking the ball, dribbling, running. He works really hard, sometimes for more than an hour. We’re so thankful for his devoted generosity and it’s wonderful to see Max kicking a ball around again.

Little league baseball season is kicking off and evaluations were held last weekend. One of the league managers came by and watched Max play a little. He said Max was fine to join a team if he wanted and didn’t see a need for any special treatment. He could go through evaluations just like all the other kids! Max was pretty excited about it – “Did you hear the good news Dad? I get to go through evaluations for baseball!”

We keep working hard with activities for Max to build strength, confidence and just get things reconnected. He’s a pretty busy kid! Some of his weekly activities include drama classes, soccer training, guitar lessons, baseball throwing/hitting clinics and physical therapy. Also, whenever we can at home we shoot hoops (we’ve got a hoop in the kitchen, outside, in the basement, in Max’s room and even in the bathroom!) we play pool, foosball, kick balls around, play catch, we even have a regularly scheduled pillow fight every night before bed. He’s come a long ways. He has a long way to go. Running and balance are among some of his biggest challenges. Also, he’s pretty much stopped using his right hand for writing, painting and anything “small motor”. He didn’t use it for so long after breaking his wrist. Unfortunately this means we need to go back for OT (occupational therapy) once a week and start working on it again. Max never liked OT and having to go back has been really tough on him.

It’s not the way a nine year old boy is supposed to grow up, but it is way he’s going to grow up. Max is growing up.

We’re really noticing Max’s determination and desire more and more. There were times during treatment when he’d just walk away when he had trouble doing something. It was hard to watch but he needed to. More and more though we’re seeing Max refuse to stop trying even after being unsuccessful, over and over and over and over. It’s not an easy process; tears streaming down his face, wailing into the air, throwing himself on the ground after missing a cone in soccer or making a mistake on the guitar.

And then he gets up and tries again.

One of the little league coaches said when Max tried out for baseball last weekend – “Max is fine, he looks like an ordinary nine year old kid.” This was kind of profound thing to say. I guess it’s probably true and it’s really encouraging. Max can do pretty much everything that any other kid his age can do; he can ride his bike, play baseball, basketball, go to school, run (a little), he’s even got hair. On the other hand, it fully explains why Max feels so frustrated so much of the time.

Max is not ordinary an ordinary kid.

Fortunately, he’s not alone. We continue to have so much help from friends and family; Working with him on sports, taking him to events, and just being there for all of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Max will have an MRI and spinal on Monday, March 14. Once again, we ask for your love, your prayers and thoughts for Max’s healing and that these tests will come back clean.

Thanks for reading and making Max a part of your prayers and thoughts. It really matters.

Blessings, Love and Light

Here are some pictures from the last few months we wanted to share with you all.
Pictures of Max!


http://www.maxhanson.com

Max Update! Jan 7, 2005

Wanted to let everyone know that earlier this week, (on recess) Max fell and broke his wrist. It’s not a serious break and we’re hopeful that he’ll have the brace off in 3 to 6 weeks. He was playing bump and fell backwards onto his right hand when trying to brace for the fall. He was pretty bumbed out about it. We were too. Even so, last night Max’s spirits seemed surprisingly bright and he helped us get past it. Together we worked on his homework, kicked a soccer ball around the kitchen and played some left handed foosball. It’s going to be hard though. He can’t play basketball, throw or catch a ball, write, paint… Many of the things Max loves to do and has been working to get better at. It’s also uncomfortable for him to have to have a cast on.

It is what it is.

Maybe this will give him some time to build up some more strength for playing sports. He’s playing basketball on a rec team but it’s been kind of frustrating for him. He wants to play so much - His dribbling skills are pretty good, but he just doesn’t have the strength yet – running, jumping and passing are tough for him. So maybe a little time away from it will turn out to be a good thing.

Anyway, we just wanted to let you all know about it and ask once again for prayers of love and healing for our dear Max.

We all had a very joyous Christmas! Sometimes it was almost indistinguishable from Christmas we’ve had in years before. I’ll see if I can get some pictures out soon. Here’s a few highlights –
Max had a Christmas tree in his honor at the Festival of Trees at the Fairmont Hotel benefiting Children’s Hospital! It was really a great event. Max’s tree had a western theme. We enjoyed seeing many of you at Mass on Christmas Eve and it was especially wonderful seeing and hearing the children’s chorus (Max sang in the choir again this year). After Christmas Max’s new twin cousins were born! We were all so excited to meet them. Mom and both twins are doing well. What a miracle.

Max’s hair is growing in! His eyebrows and eyelashes are almost back too. He’s pretty happy about it. He’s also getting more energy and keeps getting stronger. The other day he jumped up in the air a couple times in the kitchen and said– “Look I can jump higher now!”

Someday, not long from now, he’ll look like any other kid. It seemed so hard to imagine just a few months ago. It’s amazing, it’s glorious. I remember pushing Max around in a wheelchair at a basketball game and watching him struggle courageously to cross the infield to be first base coach. Many of you remember it too. Thanks for being here with us, for sharing this challenge with us. You didn’t have to. You’ll probably never be the same either.
If we want, we can see - Miracles.

Gonna keep it short this time, but we’ll try to get some pictures out soon.

Love, and Big ol’ Blessings!

Max Update! Dec 2, 2004

It’s been a busy month! Here’s some of the details to get everyone caught up!

 

Max’s Make a Wish trip to Denver with the Seattle Supersonics was a huge success! We had so many great experiences on the trip - it’s really not possible to include all of them. Here are some pictures though they tell some of the story. Many of you may have seen Max on TV – he’s quite a star now! The other day we were at a Sonics game and someone in the concessions line in front of us even recognized Max from the TV coverage. Max was surprised and couldn’t help letting a little smile slip out.

 

During the trip we spent a lot of time watching Max on the court dribbling, shooting baskets and getting rebounds with the Sonics. Despite his challenges physically, it’s obviously where Max felt the most comfortable – on the basketball court. TV interviews, conversations with the team or autographs were fine, but not really his thing. Before the game he got to be honorary ball boy – this meant rebounding and passing balls out to the players. He was supposed to keep the balls coming fast so the players didn’t have to wait. He worked so hard, doing his best to run around and get balls. It really wiped him out. I think he felt good though - he was contributing and doing a good job.

 

The Sonics players, coaches and team management were absolutely wonderful. We really felt special and owe them a tremendous thank you.

 

Last Sunday the Sonics wanted to make Max “Fan of the Game” it was awesome! The whole family got tickets and they showed Max on the big-screen during the first quarter. Then Squatch came up, sat on him, and gave him a ball autographed by the Sonics! Later in the game I was watching Max dance along with the music in the arena - I thought back to the UW v. Stanford basketball game we went to in March. Max was in a wheelchair and was pretty out of it. Sporting events had always felt like our “turf” - Max and I have been going to football, basketball or baseball games since he was two.  Last March we felt in the way and out of place. Today Max was a star, fan of the game and even recognized in the concessions stand. He was dancing in the stands.

 

Things have actually been fairly normal over the last few weeks. Max doesn’t have hair yet, but we keep looking for signs. His eyelashes are starting to come in though. Blood counts are good and continue to improve, he’s in school full time and shows a lot of energy at times. He’s even enjoying throwing and catching a football. Every night I throw him “divers” with a little, soft, football - (I toss the ball out in front of him over the bed so he can dive and catch it). We used to do divers everywhere, in the lawn with a baseball, onto the couch, into a bean bag chair.

 

Over Thanksgiving we went to Portland to visit relatives and got to do some shopping at the Nike store in Beaverton. Max wanted new soccer shoes, new basketball shoes, shin guards a soccer bag and basketball jersey’s from his favorite players. He was also eyeing a basketball; even though he probably has 10 already, (they all have names).

 

Max is starting to feel more like Max.

 

It’s that time again - On December 13 Max will have his next MRI and spinal tap to make sure the treatments continue to be successful. Please join us with your prayers and loving thoughts to bring God’s healing Light to Max; that he will continue to healed and cured.

 

Thanks all of you for your love, prayers and hard work – It’s all helping Max get better!!

 

Love and God Bless!

 

 

Max Update! Dec 2, 2004

Max’s Make a Wish trip to Denver with the Seattle Supersonics was a huge success! We had so many great experiences on the trip - it’s really not possible to include all of them. Here are some pictures though they tell some of the story. Many of you may have seen Max on TV – he’s quite a star now! The other day we were at a Sonics game and someone in the concessions line in front of us even recognized Max from the TV coverage. Max was surprised and couldn’t help letting a little smile slip out.

During the trip we spent a lot of time watching Max on the court dribbling, shooting baskets and getting rebounds with the Sonics. Despite his challenges physically, it’s obviously where Max felt the most comfortable – on the basketball court. TV interviews, conversations with the team or autographs were fine, but not really his thing. Before the game he got to be honorary ball boy – this meant rebounding and passing balls out to the players. He was supposed to keep the balls coming fast so the players didn’t have to wait. He worked so hard, doing his best to run around and get balls. It really wiped him out. I think he felt good though - he was contributing and doing a good job.

The Sonics players, coaches and team management were absolutely wonderful. We really felt special and owe them a tremendous thank you.

Last Sunday the Sonics wanted to make Max “Fan of the Game” it was awesome! The whole family got tickets and they showed Max on the big-screen during the first quarter. Then Squatch came up, sat on him, and gave him a ball autographed by the Sonics! Later in the game I was watching Max dance along with the music in the arena - I thought back to the UW v. Stanford basketball game we went to in March. Max was in a wheelchair and was pretty out of it. Sporting events had always felt like our “turf” - Max and I have been going to football, basketball or baseball games since he was two. Last March we felt in the way and out of place. Today Max was a star, fan of the game and even recognized in the concessions stand. He was dancing in the stands.

Things have actually been fairly normal over the last few weeks. Max doesn’t have hair yet, but we keep looking for signs. His eyelashes are starting to come in though. Blood counts are good and continue to improve, he’s in school full time and shows a lot of energy at times. He’s even enjoying throwing and catching a football. Every night I throw him “divers” with a little, soft, football - (I toss the ball out in front of him over the bed so he can dive and catch it). We used to do divers everywhere, in the lawn with a baseball, onto the couch, into a bean bag chair.

Over Thanksgiving we went to Portland to visit relatives and got to do some shopping at the Nike store in Beaverton. Max wanted new soccer shoes, new basketball shoes, shin guards a soccer bag and basketball jersey’s from his favorite players. He was also eyeing a basketball; even though he probably has 10 already, (they all have names).

Max is starting to feel more like Max.

It’s that time again - On December 13 Max will have his next MRI and spinal tap to make sure the treatments continue to be successful. Please join us with your prayers and loving thoughts to bring God’s healing Light to Max; that he will continue to healed and cured.

Thanks all of you for your love, prayers and hard work – It’s all helping Max get better!!

Love and God Bless!

Max Update! Nov 7, 2004

Time for another update on Max!

Max finished his final inpatient chemo treatment on Sat Oct 23 and his very last chemo treatment on Wed the 27th. Attached are a couple of pictures. Max has been working so hard for this day for the last nine months. He’s done with treatments. We’re so proud of him but it seems he doesn’t really want to hear about it. He’s done, that’s that. He’s ready to look ahead. Here's some pictures from his last treatment, leaving the hospital - http://groups.msn.com/SharedHansonPictures/byebyehospital.msnw

As expected the treatments have lowered Max's white and red blood cells as well as his platelets – his “counts” quite a bit. In past treatments his body had rebounded remarkably quickly and counts bounced back pretty dramatically. This time it's definitely been tougher. His body has just been beaten down to a point where even as strong as he is; it really has to work to get back to normal.

We had to go in for a platelet transfusion on Halloween. It was pretty upsetting for Max – he thought he'd seen the last of the cancer treatment wing at Children's. It went fast though and before the end of Garfield the Movie we were on our way home.

As a result of the situation with Max’s blood we had to stay home from the Seahawks game against the Panthers. The Panthers are one of his favorite teams so he was pretty upset -yet another in the growing list of things Max wasn’t able to do. We decided we’d try to cheer him up by making Qwest field on Queen Anne. Next thing we knew there was a sign on the door to the basement “Qwest Field” in big blue letters. Max even made a concession stand in front of the TV in the basement. During the game his favorite part was always when I came over for some more peanuts, chips and beef jerky… It worked out well. The Hawks even won!

For Halloween this year Max was Santa Claus and his brother Beck was Rudolph! Once again I have to say that I don't know how he's doing this. He trick-or-treated all up and down the street by our house, climbed stairs carried a big ol’ bag of candy all while dressed as Santa - complete with a pillow strapped around his waist for added girth. Max doesn't even really like candy that much. Of course his evening was nothing like it would have otherwise been - running, laughing from house to house with a pack of friends. Max had to stay away from crowds of kids - he really wouldn't have been able to keep up anyway. This seemed more like an athletic performance – one thing Max wasn't going to let get away from him. He didn't.

Here's a few pics from Halloween
http://groups.msn.com/SharedHansonPictures/halloween04.msnw

This last Wednesday began the festivities surrounding Max’s Make a Wish trip. He came up with a really imaginative wish – The Make a Wish people are amazing for being able to pull it off. Max’s wish was to travel on the team plane for a road game with one of the local sports teams - Sonics, Mariners or Seahawks. Our Make a Wish volunteers told us they’d never heard that one before and cautioned us that it might be pretty challenging – Sports teams probably have some really strict rules about who can travel on the team plane. After a few months (and a few backup wish ideas) they got back to us - the Sonics graciously agreed to grant Max’s wish – He’d get to be a Sonic for the day. So on Monday November 7, we’re traveling to Denver on the team plane, staying with them at the hotel, going to shoot around before the game and Max will even get to be an honorary ball boy for the game! Then we all get to watch the game together. Tune in if you get a chance, it’s on Tuesday, Nov 9 on Fox Sports Net at 6PM. Make a Wish doesn’t let wishes happen without quite a big production! Here’s a quick itinerary so far, it’s been really incredible!!

We had a big send off party at Max’s school, complete with an all school assembly. The Sonics mascot, Squatch, even came and played games with the kids. We got some pictures with him and Max. We'll post to the site soon.

On Thursday Max was picked up from school by a limo! The kids in his class all went outside to have a look. Kids love limos!

The limo took us to Sonics practice where we got to watch Nate and the guys run through the offense and work on defense too. Max was invited to go down to the floor and Nate took time out from practice to introduce him to the team. He asked Max what he thought they should work on after seeing their first game the night before. “Playing better defense” Max said. Everybody laughed.

During the rest of practice Max sat on one of the benches by the court talking to Rashard Lewis, one of his favorite players who was laying low at practice. I later asked Max what they were talking about – “basketball” he told me. That’s it? “Yep, just basketball.”

After practice Nate told us we could go out and shoot some hoops if we wanted. Max had brought his own ball – “M.J.” (he names all his basketballs). He looked at me, passed me the ball and we headed onto the court. We shot baskets. I didn’t even think about it but this was the first time since before Max’s surgery that he and I have played together on a full size hoop with a full size ball. It felt great!

I guess it could have been a little uncomfortable or maybe scary for Max – hanging out with pro athletes. Somehow Max didn’t seem at all “start-struck” by it. Maybe he just figures he’s a basketball player, they’re basketball players – “what’s the big deal?”

Max’s blood has finally started to rebound and he’s at last perking up. It’s starting to feel like we can take a breath. Max should never have to worry again about whether he has to stay home from school because he doesn’t have enough white blood cells or have the threat of a transfusion hanging over him. He feels the difference too. This evening I came up stairs and caught him doing sit-ups in front of the TV while he watched the Sonics, Spurs game.

It feels like we’re standing at the edge of a monolithic ravine. We’re looking down one last time into the chasm we’ve just climbed out of before turning to walk away together. Thank you all for the hand on the way out.

Blessings, Love and Light,
Strength, Courage and Love To the Max

Max Update! October 19, 2004

Hello everyone, here’s a quick update on Max!

Overall Max has held pretty strong over the last few weeks with no big change one way or the other. School is going fine, he’s doing a lot of reading (sports books by Matt Christopher are his favorite) as well as drawing and coloring. These have always been things Max enjoys so it’s been great to see him take them up again! He’s proud of his work and did a great job with his entry for the local grocery’s Halloween kids coloring exhibition. It may not seem like much but it does mark a big change since last Easter when Max didn’t submit a picture because it was so hard for him to color the way he wanted to. Here's a picture from the first day of school. And one of Max and Beck

On Saturday, Oct 16 Max was Lucky Dawg for the UW Huskies football game! This meant that he got to meet the team captains and coaches and walk onto the field with them for the coin toss. Max wore his purple Husky jersey (Number 1) and held the hands a couple of the players as they walked to the center of the field. Over the loudspeaker the announcer welcomed Max as the Lucky Dawg and there was a loud eruption of cheers from all over Husky stadium. It was pretty emotional. Up on the large monitor in the stadium there was Max, smiling big as he shook hands with the referee and opposing players. Coming off the field he did his best to run to the sidelines and keep up with the players. Max didn’t say much about it, the whole thing was a little overwhelming but it very special and meant a lot to him. He was even on the local television news that night! I’ve attached a couple pictures.

Soccer season is in full swing and Max continues to attend and help coach his soccer practices and games. He even spent a little time playing goalie at practice! It meant a lot to him to do a good job and he really gave it everything he had. We’ve also started playing a little “indoor soccer” in the kitchen, one on one just like we’ve always done. Since his balance still isn’t 100% it works out good because he can hang onto the counters and the refrigerator as he battles me for the ball!

We had a chance to tour the research lab devoted to studying treatments for brain tumors at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research center. Dr. Olsen lead our family around the lab, explaining how the machines worked and what they were doing. Max even got to look at some cancer cells under a microscope. It was really amazing to hear how far they’ve come with the lab in just a few years. Just five years ago there were only a couple of researchers studying brain tumors at the Hutch. Now, thanks to commitment and hard work from people like Dr. Olsen and others in the community, they have over forty! They’re working on some really exciting treatments and hope someday to be able to cure tumors like Max’s without radiation and chemo-therapy. I’ve attached some pics of this as well. (Max and Doctor Olson, Max at Microscope)

This Wednesday, October 20 Max will go in for his final in-patient chemo therapy treatment and then have his final infusion the following Wednesday, October 27. This date has been sitting on the calendar in our minds for so long it’s hard to believe it’s really here. Max will be done with chemo therapy next Wednesday.

Some of you have asked if it would be OK to send a card to Max to congratulate him on this huge victory. Max loves getting mail so by all means – Yes do send a card to him if you feel like it!!

We’ve been through a lot together, thanks so much for hanging on with us. It is incredible to play back the last year. Think about it - Max’s diagnosis, surgery, recovery, rehab, six weeks in the hospital, wheelchairs, eye patches, losing hair, daily chemo and radiation, getting sick, more chemo, falling down, and getting up. We’re finishing up another phase and we’re beginning something new. Get ready - it’s big - These are the days of strength, accomplishment and glorious triumph!

We’re so ready!!

Blessings, Love and Light!!!

Max Update! Sep 28, 2004

Hello all, time for another update on Max!

 

First off he's really doing very well all things considered.  He's now completed five of his six in-patient chemo therapy treatments, (the fifth was completed last Saturday, September 25). He will complete the program with a final treatment toward the end of October. 

 

This was our fifth time through this three day treatment and by now the process seems kind of familiar. It’s still an exhausting, uncomfortable ordeal - sleeping in a room with up to three other patients, waking up every hour or so throughout the night for Max to use the bathroom, having vital signs taken throughout the night, nurses coming in and out and mostly being confronted with so many beautiful kids who’s lives have been so traumatically affected and forever changed by cancer.

 

It's still difficult and for some reason almost surprising to see "Hanson, M" on the door of one of these rooms as you walk in.

 

We play games, color, go to the playroom, watch movies, and overall we're able to keep things moving along. The people here are all so wonderful and it's good to connect with others going through this. Walking around the hospital it's hard to imagine that just a few months ago we pretty much lived here every day, every night for six weeks. I don't know how we did it.

 

So far Max’s body has coped with these treatments phenomenally well. This is a really aggressive protocol. We were told that it's not unusual for kids on it to spend more time in the hospital than out. The fact that Max can walk around is amazing - but he’s not just walking around. He’s going to school full time, reading books, doing math problems and taking tests. He’s helping to coach his school soccer team, going to Seahawks games and birthday parties. It is very sad what has happened to Max. He’s trying so hard to be just like he always was and despite the fact that he can’t run, jump, throw, or swim very far, he keeps trying anyway. There is so much he can’t do, so much he is unsure of, so little he understands and so much physical and emotional pain he feels. But his strength and courage are inspired and deeply moving.

 

We keep reminding ourselves how blessed we are that he is doing so well.

 

Max went back to school with the rest of his third grade class in early September! His teacher, the students, the faculty and all the parents at St. Anne’s continue to amaze us with their support and help. We are profoundly grateful.

 

All the kids in Max's class made self portraits and they're hanging on the wall outside the classroom. Max's is bald with a couple stubbly hairs and a really big smile.

 

It's soccer season and thanks to the kind support of the St. Anne soccer coaches Max has joined the team as assistant coach. He loves it! He's pretty good at it too, drawing up drills, helping put cones out and even kicking the ball around a little. During games and scrimmages he stands on the sideline shouting encouragement to his team. I looked on one practice and noticed something I hadn't before - a sense of strength and a presence that somehow set him apart from anyone on the field. In past years he was obviously a good soccer player. This year he seems to be something more. I can’t describe it. I just felt enormously proud and I wanted to be close to him.

 

On October 16 Max gets to be "Lucky Dawg" at the Huskies football game! This means he'll accompany the Husky football team captains onto the field for the coin toss and sit with his family in some special seats for the game. Max is really excited about it and so are we! If you can get to the game on October 16 try to come a little early and join us in cheering Max, (and the Huskies) on!

 

Thanks to our friends that stopped by Max’s hot chocolate stand on Sunday! He raised about $100 for Make a Wish Foundation thanks to your very generous contributions. We have some really exciting news about Max’s Make a Wish but we’ll save that for our next update.

 

Once again thanks to our dear friends and family everywhere for your support and continued help. This has completely changed most every part of our lives. We are so humbly grateful to all of you who have decided to let it change yours too, to be there for us, to help Max and to pay attention. Thank you.  Pay attention – there are angels, there are miracles, God is real.

 

Blessings and Light

Max Update! Aug 22 Spinal tap results are clean!

Rejoice!

Sorry we took so long to get this out to you all. I know you must be so anxious.
Max is doing well, we're going back in for his 4th chemo round on Wednesday. He's actually really strong right now. He outlasted me at the mini-golf course earlier tonight when he wanted to play another round (it was almost 9pm)!

I thought I'd include below the mail my brother Kirt tried to send to all of you at my request on Saturday (we were out of town and couldn't update everyone).

Max is just a 9 year old boy but the light he casts is beyond measure.

Blessings and love to all!

From: Kirt Hanson

Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 9:02 PM

To: LARMARHAN@msn.com

Subject: I have been asked to relay this information, perhaps some of you may not have heard:

I have been asked to relay this information, perhaps some of you may not
have heard:

I understand, the doctors say the spinal tap tests for Max came back
"normal" or "clean". Eric, Erin, Robin, Max, and Beck are
happy with the results. We can all be thankful. Please keep the
Prayers, Positive Thoughts, and Meditations coming.

A word from me:

Today I returned from Iowa for a couple of days. I have been providing
engineering support to a railroad for a landslide. The Railroad crew I
have been working with (in Iowa) has been praying for Max.

On Thursday morning one of the first things John said to me was "any
word from Seattle?". I thought he meant with regard to the problems and
the landslide we are working on. It turned out that the most important
information the man wanted to hear was the results of Max's tests.
For railroaders, anything above the railroad and train traffic is pretty
much unheard of (they are very, very, very devoted to the railroad). To
understand he wanted to hear about Max, before railroad business is
shocking, and wonderful! These people in the heartland, praying for a
boy, they have never met is overwhelming! I was pleased to let him
know the MRI looked great.

I am anxious to let John, Larry, George, Louie, Joe, and others in
Iowa, know that the spinal tap also showed good results, and are
positive.

God Bless, Positive Thoughts, and humble thanks,

Eric's Brother,

Kirt Hanson

Max Update! - Aug 18, 2004 MRI Results Are Clean!

I know everyone is anxiously waiting news about Max's MRI and spinal tap which were both performed ealier today -

We got the results of the MRI today and everything looks great! We're so very happy about this news but still of course waiting anxiously for results about the tests on his spinal fluid.

We expect to have those back tomorrow.

The procedures went very well today, Max awoke from the spinal tap hungry and ready to eat! He had a roast beef sandwhich and then we went to the driving range to hit some balls!

We'll update you soon everyone. Thanks so much, keep your faith and your prayers strong!

God Bless

Max Update! - Aug 12, 2004

Hello everyone!

Just time for a really quick update right now, we're having a busy summer!

Max has now completed his 3rd round of maintenance chemo. He's half way done!!!

As was the case with the previous treatments he got increasingly tired over the week and a half after treatment, his blood counts went really low, but then bounced back strong! Even when he was at his weakest though Max was pretty active and eager to go do things. We are continually amazed by his strength and mental toughness! In the words of one of his doctors he's doing "spectacular"!

Max does continue to gradually get stronger. He's even gained a couple pounds over the last month. We can tell especially by how far he's able to hit the ball! He's definitely making me work chasing down balls that he hits out of our yard.

One of the highlights over the last couple of weeks was the Chelsea v. Celtic soccer match at Seahawks stadium. Thanks to a very generous offer from a close friend Max was able to join some of his buddies as they escorted the Chelsea team onto the field during pre-game ceremonies. It was amazing actually. Being on the field listening to the crowd cheer and walking onto the grass holding the hand of elite soccer players from England. Seeing Max's little bald head in amongst all the other kids reminded us again of just how courageous and strong Max is. There were 30,000 people watching him and yet he didn't seem at all self conscious or scared.

After the match Max wanted to try to meet Scott Parker, the player he'd walked onto the field with. Scott had told Max that he'd try to find him at the rail after the game to give him a jersey. Of course Max remembered. It wasn't too surprising the Scott didn't.

It was tough though for a while. It was really, really hot. Max was very tired and we were walking around an empty stadium trying to find a way to get a message into the locker room. We ended up at the team bus where security was pushing everyone back and not letting us within 50 yards of the bus. Max started to cry as we walked away. As a last try we went back to the tunnel where the team and exited the field. There a couple coaches came out and were talking amongst themselves. I got their attention and asked if any of the players would be coming out for autographs. They didn't think so but suggested we try going to the team bus. I explained that Max really wanted to meet Scott and that he'd been on the field prior to the match. It took about 30 seconds and in the time I watched that coach make a decision to help us. I'll never forget that. He told us to wait a minute and then walked back to the locker room. He came out ad motioned for me to hand Max over the rail to him. The walked back together into the tunnel.

When Max came back about 5 minutes later he was wearing a big Chelsea jersey, number 19, Scott Parkers and a big smile. It was a big victory and a great lesson. On the way home I told Max, see that's what can happen if you don't give up. He said, I didn’t want to give up, I just thought it was hopeless. It's only hopeless if you think it's hopeless I said.

Max has also started playing golf. It's a great sport for him right now, and he's pretty good at it!

As good as things are going we still have a long way to go and a lot of challenges before us.

We have a big day again next Wednesday, Aug 18. That's Max's next MRI and spinal tap. This is part of the process. Every few months we have to check to make sure his treatments are being successful. Although we're confident that all will be well we can't help being a little worried and scared.

Please join us in prayers, meditations and loving thoughts that through God's love and healing these tests will come back clean and show that Max continues to be on his way to being cured! There is no doubt in our minds that the energy you all are sending through God for Max has had a huge impact on his recovery. Bless all of you, thank you, thank you!

Blessings, Love and Light!!

Max and Chelsea Coaches at Seahawks stadium in Seattle

Max wearing Scott Parker's jersey with Chelsea coaches in Seahawks stadium!

Max Update! July 6, 2004

July 6th

First off Max is doing well! He’s out of school for the summer and even though he was pretty tired, he participated in most of the end of year festivities, including field day, his class party and even an evening party that lasted from 5-10PM! We notice especially in the morning that he’s more animated, volunteers ideas and conversation a lot more often and sometimes he seems almost back to himself! His eyesight has improved to the point where he doesn’t need the eye patch anymore!

Over the last month Max has been through a lot but his spirits seem really great all things considered. It’s wonderful to be able to tell you that mostly he just wants to do fun things on his summer vacation, be with his family and friends. By the end of the day he’s usually really wiped out-walking up the stairs is a pretty big workout. But considering all he’s going through, just the fact that he’s able to do as many things as he does is pretty amazing.

At the beginning of June Max went in for his first round of maintenance chemo-therapy. For these treatments we check into the hospital on a Wednesday and stay until Saturday morning. Max has to stay hooked up to an I.V. pole on wheels which is connected to the port in his chest for three days- it makes moving around tough but he kind of got used to it after a while and amazingly never complained much about it. There’s a play room nearby where we play pool, some bikes he can ride around (with us chasing after him with the I.V. !), we watch movies, play games, read and try to make the best of it. It isn’t very fun though. You realize how great it is just to be able to sit in your own house, read a book, watch TV or go wherever you feel like. Seeing Max walking around pushing a cart with bags of drugs hanging from it for the first time was a really vivid reminder of the gravity of the situation. Coming off his six week break, we’d kind of gotten used to life without nurses, chemo, shots and blood counts. Life where what mattered was baseball games, play dates and math tests. Coming back was hard-we just wanted all this to go away.

We weren’t really sure what to expect from this stage-would Max be too tired to move and have to spend all day in bed? Would he get really sick and end up in the hospital? The treatment went fine though - Max didn’t even get sick and overall he’s been holding his own against quite an onslaught of chemo therapy. He actually has a lot more energy than he did during the first phase of treatment. He’s been able to continue physical therapies at the hospital and for the most part participate in activities he enjoys. So far this summer Max has been to the pool and played mini-golf a couple times, he’s doing art classes and is signed up for some other camps over the summer. We’ve been to the beach house a few times and Max even did some inner-tubing!

Things could still get a lot tougher but so far we have to feel really good about the way Max has reacted to treatments- and really about the way everything has gone.

The big thing we have to watch out for is an infection. Since Max’s immune system gets really depleted by the treatments, getting an infection of any kind can be really serious. It usually means you have to check into the hospital and may end up needing a blood transfusion. Because the treatment Max is getting is pretty aggressive, the doctors told us his white blood cell count will get knocked down to zero. To combat this and to help his system recover, we have to give Max a shot of G-CSF every day for about two weeks after treatment. It’s a new drug and it allows much more aggressive treatments then would otherwise be possible. It’s great unless you’re the kid getting a shot of it. At first this was completely horrific. But like everything else, Max has kind of gotten used to it. It’s still something he hates, but he manages to get through it.

Sometimes, with all the amazing things he does and progress he’s made, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that he’s just a little kid, and not some all-powerful superhero. Shots are terrifying, swallowing pills is excruciating and it’s hard to remember that words can never hurt you.

After School got out we finished collecting for the Miles 4 Max fundraiser. We got to do a formal check presentation at the hospital! Through the tremendous generosity of friends, family, and even people who’ve never actually met Max the event raised

$17,614.50! Absolutely phenomenal! Thank you, thank you, thank you to St. Anne’s school, all the kids who worked so hard and to the many very generous sponsors! The money was donated to the brain tumor research unit for funding of current research. Doctor Ellenbogen even came and was very excited about the donation. He said there are so many exciting findings going on in this area, and he already has a plan for how to use this money.

Many thanks to Giancarlo Martino, eighth grade student council representative, Pam Sturgeon, student council advisor and Pat Durand school principal for your tireless efforts in making Miles 4 Max a tremendous success! You are Superstars!

As well as Max is doing, we have to be realistic about his recovery. There are still so many things he has to re-learn, so much of his strength is gone – and so much of what was so easy is now not even possible for him. This is and will continue to be a very tough fight; one that very few will ever fully understand.

Basketball is even losing some of its attraction for Max. He’s still dribbling; in fact that crossover is looking pretty good! But he doesn’t have the strength he used to for shooting and more and more we’re having to coax him into playing, shooting and just having fun with many of the things that have always come so naturally. Last weekend he stood just below the hoop and hoisted up a shot. It fell short and he tried again-too long this time. The tears weld up in his eyes- he looked completely lost, alone and terrified. Kind of-like his best friend had just left him. I gave him a big, big hug… “It’s Ok Max, you’re doing great, it’s all going to come back” I didn’t know what else to say. He wanted to quit but I didn’t let him- he was actually doing really well. Eventually he made a shot. The ball fell through the net and onto the ground. Max just walked away.

Then there’s baseball. Hitting a baseball has become one of the most important things in Max’s life. It’s amazing what he is able to do. Check out the video on the website at the batting cage. Those are real balls, that’s a real bat and they’re really coming fast. I tried it and honestly I connected about one in five times. Max is using one eye! I’ve probably watched that little video fifty times.

On Saturday, July, 3, Max completed the second round of maintenance therapy. Once again this was a three night stay at the hospital and things went just fine. Max couldn’t wait to get out- On Saturday he woke up at 5AM –“come on Dad let’s get packed up-we gotta go!”

On Sunday Max pushed his brother’s stroller in the annual 4th of July neighborhood parade! He even won an award for hardest worker (and how!). It really made him feel good.

Max’s birthday is on Wednesday, July 7th. He’ll be nine! For his party on Thursday he’ll be taking some friends to do some mini-golfing at one of his favorite courses!

Thanks again to all of our dear, dear friends and family who continue to keep Max in your thoughts and prayers. It means so much, it does matter. Prayer is the medium of miracles. Bless all of you.

Blessings and Light!