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