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!