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!!!