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!