THOMAS'S RESULTS

Thomas had his semi-annual checkup yesterday at Arkansas Children's Hospital. We had the results of the MRI and blood workup before we left, and all news was good news: no sign of anything out of the ordinary whatsoever. We expect additional results today from his CT scan, but we expect it will also be clear. We live in thanks for another six months cancer free, and our hopes are raised again that this is really, truly behind us forever.

One thing we did begin to address is some leg pain that Thomas has been having and that seems to be worsening---he almost refuses to run because of the pain, and at times even has difficult when just walking. Thomas's doctor as well as ourselves, after some research, believe the problem is related to his chemotherapy treatments. A side effect of one of the drugs that Thomas received, Vincristine, is a weakening of certain muscles in the lower legs, and apparently the pain and problem that Thomas is experiencing is a known issue. We will be starting Thomas on a prescribed regimen of physical therapy in order to help address it. His doctor seemed confident that the problem can be completely eliminated.

Thank you to everyone for your continued thoughts, prayers, and messages on behalf of Thomas and our family.

MEETING EBONY MILLER

Lawren Miller is an adorable two-year-old who was diagnosed with Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma last October. We know of Lawren and her family through this web site and through an email group that we belong to. It turns out that Ebony, Lawren's mom, works only a few blocks from Arkansas Children's Hospital, and after Thomas's tests were done yesterday, Ebony came over to the hospital. It was the first time that we have ever met face to face with another parent of a child with Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma, and it felt like there was an unspoken but very special bond between us. We all talked for about an hour, a sometimes funny and sometimes emotional meeting for all of us. Lawren is still in the midst of her treatments, so let's keep her and the entire Miller family in all our prayers.