No News...

We haven't heard anything about the Cyber Knife yet today. I will let you all know as soon as I do.

If you get a chance, view the video to the right. I've wanted to put this together for a long time. I think it turned out OK. Let me know what you think.


Thanks for reading...

Thank you all !!!!

I would like to take this time to thank all of you for your outpouring of love and support. The letters and suggestions that you have written on Cody's behalf have me speechless. That is really saying something... Moon, Mary and Norine your letters have touched our hearts and we can't thank you enough. Once again we have had neighbors, family, friends, teachers and even strangers help with dinners, and with Justin and Daniela. We thank you all. My family and I don't know where this journey is going to take us but I do know one thing, we are very blessed to have such family and friends in our lives. I would again like to mention that Diane and I are very blessed that we work for such compassionate companies that have been so understanding and supportive through these years. Without them our world would definitely come crashing down. They allow us to have some sort of normalcy in our lives while dealing with this terrible situation.

Just to let you all know where we stand with the whole Cyber Knife issue right now. I know that so many of you have sent letters and emails to Senator Colgan. We also had a letter drafted and hand delivered to Mr. Colgan yesterday. Diane's cousin was able to hand deliver the letter on Saturday. Mr. Colgan told them that he meets with the Commissioner of Insurance on Monday. How lucky was that timing? It remains to be seen how this will all play out but it is our best shot.

On Thursday Cody’s liver enzymes were still climbing. A few are related to the chemo he had received and a few are still a mystery. The Doctors are becoming very concerned that the liver has not turned around by now. One of his clotting factors was also on the rise which had been normal until now. We will have new blood work drawn on Tuesday as well as another ultra sound on his liver.

They denied Cyber Knife....

I just received a phone call from Diane. The insurance company has denied the Cyber Knife procedure. Diane is having a letter drafted in hopes that we can get our Senator to sign it. If any of you know someone who may have some influence in this area please let us know. This is just insane.

Yesterday Diane had to carry Cody the whole time she was at the hospital. His left leg is really hurting him and he can put any weight on it. It is so hard to see him this way. It makes me want to cry. Through it all, he really doesn't complain. He just gets from point A to point B the best he can.

Thanks Mary,

Our Senator is James Colgan of Virginia. Here is a link to his page.

Back to our reality...

The Super Bowl was just that, Super. We had a great time and it was one of, if not the best Super Bowl I have ever seen. The kids had a great time. Diane had purchased some of those little streamer poppers that pop when you pull the string. I had a hard time getting them to save some for the end of the game. It's a little hard for me to post the pictures because Cody is so yellow. I guess I will just pick a couple good ones and post them anyway. We will find out today if his liver is better or worse. I would be surprised if it were better. He is just looking more yellow. It's starting to bother me a little that people are staring at him when we are out in public. I just feel so bad for him.

I took Cody in for radiation setup yesterday. He will start today and it should last 9 or 10 days. He had to get marks all over his legs and one right in the center of his upper chest. They use these as markers for the radiation. We are still having problems getting Cyber Knife approved by the insurance company. I wonder if one of the insurance executives would go through this if it was their loved ones that was in need of this procedure. I bet not!

I have a government security audit at work this week. It is always a stressful time. I've been talking to many of my associates and have been asked about Cody and how he is doing. It is becoming hard to talk about it. I know that people mean well but I have a hard time keeping it together when I'm talking about Cody.

I will post when I get any new information. Thank you for the prayers, well wishes and congrats on the Steelers win. My family and I appreciate the love and support.

Update:
Diane just called me and said that the insurance company approved the Cyber Knife procedure. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. She had been making calls and rattling some cages and it seems to have paid off.

ReUpdate:
I misquoted Diane. She apparently told me that they had just resubmitted the Cyber Knife claim but the person with the insurance company who spoke to the doctor thought that there was a good chance it would be approved.
Also she just told me that all of his liver numbers are higher. They suspect is caused by the chemo. Cody will probably need platelets and red blood soon. We are back in the chemo groove...

Here are some of the Super Bowl pictures I promised.


Justin and Daniela enjoying the game.


Mommy and Cody..


My man..


Cousin Chris with Justin and Cody...


Cody loves Chris... Chris and Cody have always been close.


Buddies..


Pretty Boy...

Welcome to Steeler Country !!!!!!

Go Steelers!!!!!!