"The Best Day of My Life"

I was not sure where to begin so I will start by thanking everyone that made this day possible and very memorable for Christopher. I apologize up front if I forget anyone, and also for not being able to personally name and acknowledge all the genuinely compassionate men and women at Fort Benning. I was not on the tour with Chris so the details on the pictures will come from Uncle Mike and Christopher will, in his own words recap his experience.

I heard the amazing run down of that day a few times as Chris very excitedly repeated his story to family and friends, but I think it will be best told coming from him.

So on with the accolades... For making it happen I want to first thank Brandi Cook, Director of Jacksonville's "Dream Come True" . Brandi has been instrumental in granting many wishes for Chris and really hit the ball out of the park with this one! She has been a wonderful source of encouragement for Christopher. Also on the home front, many thanks go to Mike Staley, AKA "Uncle Mike". Christopher asked his Uncle to go with him as he knew he appreciated the Armed Forces, coming from a military family dating back to the Civil War! (Plus this was deemed a "guy thing" so I reluctantly got the axe!) Mike not only took care of our stay while we were in Fort Benning but also made sure there were proper thanks given to those member of the Army Rangers that took the time to make Christopher's visit exceptional. You will see a photo of Chris that we took the night before and put in a frame that Mike had engraved with Christopher's name and "Army Strong". A well thought out and very well accepted gift. I am also thanking my brother in law in advance for commenting on some of the photos as I was not there and do not want to mis respresent anyone!

Next and very importantly are the amazing, kind and compassionate people at Fort Benning. I had no idea that they would go to such great lengths to make this day one that Christopher calls "The best day of his life". When I heard the run down of the days activities I was thrilled for Chris and grateful for all the effort that went into planning all of it. Most of all I was extremely moved by the sincere compassion and heartfelt presence I saw in the photos and videos. It was very clear that their service that day was for a child involved in a fight/battle for his life. As a mom, it was hard not to be there but seeing the expression on their faces as well as Christopher's intense re-telling of his experience I don't feel like I missed a thing. So my very heartfelt thanks to Elsie Sono, Public Affairs Officer; Major General Robert Brown, Fort Benning commanding general; Col. Ryan Kuhn, 197th Infantry Brigade commander; Sgt. Glenn Eller, an instructor and shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and Olympic Gold Medalist; USAMU platoon sergeant 1st Class Charles Coffey (who gave Christopher his very own President's Hundred Tab worn on his last deployment to Afghanistan; The Ranger Training Brigade; The 194th Army Brigade; the 197th Infantry Brigade and all the men and women at Fort Benning for sharing their themselves and their time with my son. Some of the things that Christopher did that day included flying in a Black Hawk helicopter,riding in a Stryker, seeing a Rangers in Action Demonstration, trap shooting with an olympic gold medalist, hands on with a combat simulator and shooting a M240! Whew...and much more but I will let him comment. I have not seen Christopher smile so hard and be in such great spirits in a very long time. So again, my thanks to all of you that were a part of a very special day in this young boy's life. Much Peace, Patty

The Latest Medical Scoop

This is Christopher in a fire truck at a St. Baldrick's Day in CA. St. Bladrick's is a volunteer driven charity committed to funding research for childhood cancers. Many shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer. For more info on this organization go to http://www.st.baldricks.org Thank you Donna, (Chris' stepmom) for taking Chris and the Ventura County Fire Dept for hooking him up!

Christopher and his great grandfather, Arch Bacon. A classic photo, classy duo!

Nana, aka Sheri, took Chris to his first theatrical experience at the Pantages in LA. A night to remember for both he and his Nana.

Ok now for the scoop.

Before Christopher left for CA he had a chest CT that revealed some suspicious areas, i.e. more lesions on his lungs. He had also decided to stop chemo after 4 rounds (even before the CT), and not continue with the originally planned 6. He was having a rough time with the side effects and was becoming pretty low spirited being in the hospital so much. Not to mention the fact that it appeared the cancer was continuing to spread even during treatment.

He took a much needed break to CA and as you can see from the pictures had a wonderful time visiting with his family and friends out there. He felt great, ate well and enjoyed the break from the usual routine. He managed to get a couple days of shooting in with Grandpa Bill and Grandpa Roy which he loves.

Days after he returned he had his follow up chest CT.

We met with his oncologist and learned that there had been no change to the areas in question. I am taking this as a good thing. Though it was only a month, there still could have been noticeable growth. He will have his full set of scans again in mid June. So we were very happy that there was no talk of surgery-whew! All in all a good report...finally.

Christopher has decided to go with the interferon treatments. Starting next week he will have a sub cutaneous shot once a week for about two years. The first 4 weeks his nurse will administer the shot in clinic. She will show Chris how it is done and after the first month he can do it himself at home. We were told that the kids either have a really bad flu like reaction or they are fine. There is no in between. Should Chris have an adverse effect he will discontinue the interferon and try some sort of alternative treatment. (Thank God!)

Christopher asked if his port could be removed as he made it quite clear that regardless of what any of the other tests reveal there will be no more chemo. So the port will be history in the next couple months.

So that is the latest medical scoop.

Stay tuned for a very exciting "alternative" treatment with my all time favorite mammal!

I contacted an organization called Ocean Guardian and they have been more than kind and willing to help and I am most grateful.

Now take a look at the next blog entry to see what Christopher describes as the best day of his life!

Keep the prayers coming...they are doing wonders!