Bridget Archives -

Logan: So Far, So Good

July 2022 Vacation: Jeff, Bridget holding Griffin, A.J. holding Logan, Kevin

Update at 3 months post-chemo

Logan’s three-month post-chemo blood test in mid-July confirmed remission. As I have written before, remission is as good as it gets. Early in July Logan swallowed his final antibiotic dose related to cancer treatment. So for now, no more meds, though monthly blood tests will continue, and our prayers are always that the leukemia stays away.

What this continued remission allowed was Logan and Amanda and Austin to join the family for a fun vacation in Austin. The results allowed Logan to swim in the pool and hang out with us all. Logan’s Uncle Kevin from Florida had never held Logan, and so this was a heart-warming milestone. The picture above shows our children and grandchildren during that vacation. Even though it was 106F and late in the day, all had big smiles including Griffin and Logan. It was hard to imagine the entire family being together like this while Logan’s leukemia was being treated amidst COVID. A vacation seemed so foreign during those months in the hospital.

What if…

We know that the story at this point could be much different. One evening earlier this summer I was helping Amanda hang curtain rods in their new home and she seemed quiet. I asked if she was OK, and Amanda shared that she had received an email from a parent she met in online cancer support groups. (The support that the ‘cancer kid’ parents supply to each other is awesome.) That parent had sent Amanda pictures of his little three-year-old daughter’s funeral. His daughter had the same leukemia type that Logan had, and her medical team was never able to get her into remission. How her diagnosis and treatment was different from Logan’s I do not know, but I can tell you this little girl’s story gave me pause and has me tearing up as I think of her.

Our trooper Logan during his hospital stay, March 2022

Play

What I saw during the family vacation was a super-sweet toddler finding his way among a kinda-large crowd of people, some unfamiliar. Donna and my four children and their significant others and the grandchildren were together. Watching Logan interact every day and play with his older cousin Griffin is what Donna and I were most anxious to see. Of course as has been previously noted, lots of precautions were in place during treatment to keep Logan safe. And those precautions kept the cousins apart during the chemo treatments. But this summer over the last couple of months, Logan and Griffin have had several play dates as parents and siblings A.J. and Bridget have been getting together over the summer. Prayers answered.

The above hospital picture of a forlorn-looking Logan was added mostly so we can all remember the impact that chemo treatment has on kids. Such a difference from the first picture, with Logan’s blonde hair and huge smile. Logan’s fight with leukemia has changed me. I will be a better family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker when I hear of a cancer diagnosis. I am embarrassed at how cavalierly I reacted to such news in the past, and that will change.

We cannot schedule a parade because of a three-month blood test. But what we can do is take the advice of a cliche and live each day that is given to us as if it were our last.

Logan, Ringing Out

Amanda, A.J. & Logan, ringing the bell in their “Logan and the Muggles Against Cancer” t-shirts

“Ring This Bell, Three Times Well, It’s Toll To Clearly Say; My Treatment is Done, This Course is Run, And I Am On My Way”

Ring Out

The video that Amanda posted on social media of Logan “ringing out” is joyous. The symbolic end of a journey and the beginning of another. It commemorates perseverance through a difficult time. That Logan is together with Amanda and A.J. at the ringing is so appropriate and necessary. Because they walked this leukemia treatment together, arm in arm, every day. And came out the other side still patient, still loving, still optimistic. The last line on the bell’s plaque “And I am on my way” tells the story. Now, we move forward.

I love the pageantry and ceremony of marking milestones. The hospital floor staff gathered and sang a song to the tune of the Oscar Meyer bologna song: “Our patients have the cutest S-M-I-L-E’s; our patients have the sweetest H-E-A-R-T ‘s, oh we love to see you every day, but now it’s time we get to saaaay; pack your bags, get out the door, you don’t get chemo anymore.”

It is fitting that the family was wearing their matching “Logan and the Muggles Against Cancer” t-shirts designed and organized by Aunt Bridget so many months ago. Those shirts symbolize the support that poured in from friends and family during this ordeal, and I am SO grateful for that! I experienced prayer by others for my family, and there is nothing as powerful as that. It continues to be emotional for me.

The Team

Each time I see that ring out video, I tear up. Cannot help it. It is the culmination of so much time, so much uncertainty, so much stress and so much pain. And the treatment was a true partnership between the family and the staff at Children’s Hospital. I met many of them. The nurses, nursing assistants, doctors, P.A.s, custodial staff, nutrition team, speech/occupational/physical therapy staff, front desk check-in staff. All of them so skilled, kind and helpful through an unimaginably difficult time. Of course there was conflict, questioning and debate. But through it all there was one constant: what is in Logan’s best interests?

As for Mom Amanda and Dad A.J., I could not be more in awe and proud. They are heroes of this story, too. Staying in the hospital for months and months. Carrying the stress of leukemia treatment. Carrying the stress of building a new home and not having a place of their own to recharge between hospital stays. Of course, Casey & Chris, and Kim & Mike, and Donna & I were happy – really honored – to host them and help in any way we could.

This Past Week

Logan and family has stayed with Donna and I this past week and it has been an exhausting joy for Donna and me. His development is on a steep upward climb as he learns so quickly these days. One of the many concerns when little ones are in long-term treatment is that their physical and mental development is interrupted. Logan seems to be making up for lost time as he learns new words and skills at a fast pace. He has, in my mind, transitioned back to “little boy” from “cancer patient.”

Eating & Sleeping

Logan is constantly eating. He knows a little bit of ASL, American Sign Language, and as he is learning verbal words we also see the ASL signs for “hungry” and “more” all the time. Logan’s blood was tested the day of his “ring out,” and his ANC was a shockingly-high 750. Such good news, because that meant that the antifungal med Voriconazole (vori) could be stopped. That drug was both necessary and infuriating during treatment, as it limited his nutrition intake and just made him feel unwell. All this to say that he is eating now! Much of Logan’s prior nutrition was being used to recover from the treatment, and now his little body can use it to grow and develop.

And he is sleeping better. Until the vori was stopped, Logan was consistently waking up about 2 hours after he went to sleep, and we suspect it was vori-related discomfort. The last couple of “vori-less” evenings that has not happened. We are hopeful that Logan can work his way to learning to sleep for the 11 hours or so he needs each night.

For now, Logan wants to be outside all the time. Care must continue to be taken, because though his ANC was 750, it normally is about 3,000. So there are lots of dirt-avoiding stroller walks, which he loves. Because he can see ducks and dogs and other kids. He is so interested in other kids, methinks, because he has not interacted with any these past 7 months. That will come in time, as his immune system becomes completely recharged. And Donna and I are anxious to be able to referee the interactions between Logan and his cousin Griffin!

Now, What?

This is maybe my last blog post on Logan’s treatment. Lord, I pray that is so. That would mean that Logan’s leukemia has remained in remission and there is no more story to tell, other than Logan’s own life story that he will write every day. Regular blood draws in the months and years to come will mark the time. And I am sure Amanda and A.J.’s sleep the night before each blood draw will be fitful – and hopeful – for good results

Donna and I are saying goodbye to Logan and his family for the time being as we will be “breaking quarantine.” Until their house is completed, they will be staying with Chris and Casey; house close is expected in early May. We will see them again soon, together, as an extended family. Logan’s aunts and uncles and cousin on his Dad’s side are longing for that.

The future is both uncertain and optimistic. None of us really knows what is in store for us from day to day and it is the same for Logan. For now, for Logan’s family, we pray for continued remission.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your love, and prayers and support, in all ways. The family made it through this ordeal through God’s grace, and because of your support. Both were and continue to be tangible.

Happy Easter.

Logan, Chemo No More

Logan via FaceTime, w/ Amanda in background, & A.J.’s donut-sugar pants + Big John

Chemo Complete

As of this afternoon, Saturday March 12, Logan received his last dose of chemo via 2 injections in his thigh. This is the second of two identical series of the Round 5 chemo protocol, one week apart. These last 2 shots followed the four loooong 3-hour infusions of chemo drugs over the previous 48 hours. We are praying for no more chemo ever, with “remission” all we hear from future blood draws.

While the chemo is complete, Round 5 is not. Now the wait begins for Logan’s blood counts to drop to zero. Then in the absence of any immune system, lethargy follows, and the need for red blood and platelets. (The need for blood donations for Logan and other cancer patients is constant.)

Just after Logan’s last dose of chemo today, both Amanda and AJ’s families joined a celebration Zoom call. This afternoon Casey and Chris delivered champagne and flutes to the hospital for the call. Zoom toasts were made. To the end of chemo. To teamwork. To Amanda and AJ and their dedication to Logan.

The end is in sight.

Better this time around

This 3-day protocol was a repeat of last week’s same regimen when Logan was so sick. He tolerated the chemo this week much, much better than last week. No nausea, no vomiting. And he was also able to tolerate tube feedings. Really necessary since Logan’s weight dropped over the last week. A.J. and Amanda shared that Logan has been hungry but nothing really tastes good to him, so he does not eat much. Tube feedings continue.

Maybe two reasons that Logan tolerated this week’s chemo as compared to last week: Either the now-prescribed IV tylenol to keep his fever down was an absolute necessity. Or he had an infection and/or virus that hit him at the wrong time last week and has since resolved. Logan was for sure diagnosed with C-Diff, a bacterial infection for which he was treated with antibiotics. There was also talk of rotavirus, and since it is a virus, antibiotics are of no help. Whatever the case may be, we are happy that Logan did not have to endure quite so much during this week’s treatment.

Griffin TV

The picture above shows what A.J. calls “Griffin TV.” Logan is mesmerized by his cousin Griffin during FaceTime calls. Logan stares intently at the screen while Griffin runs around, plays with toys, and babbles away. Griffin stares back. I am genuinely looking forward to the time when these two can be together and play together and get to know each other. That time will soon be here. Griffin happens to be at Mimi Donna’s and Big John’s house this weekend as parents Bridget and Connor are away, so our FaceTime calls are action-packed with the two grandsons.

Now we wait the long wait for Logan’s blood counts to drop to zero, and then for his little body’s bone marrow to recover and start making red and white blood cells. That is weeks away. Chemo is complete, but their hospital stay is not.

Logan – Update, Waiting Again

Big John with Logan, and Logan wondering what the hell Big John is doing

Update – A Tough Week

When coworkers and neighbors ask “How’s Logan doing?,” my recent reply has been “Great! He is waiting for his blood counts to recover.” And that is true. However, there is a reason that Logan remains in the hospital with Amanda and AJ by his side. He is being treated for leukemia and that is no joke. And while the concern and interest of everyone is so appreciated, I am uncertain whether people really want to know details.

At this point in Round 4 Chemo Logan has no immune system. His red blood and platelet counts are super low and he is supplemented with blood and platelet transfusions as needed. And we can tell when he needs blood when you just look at him and see his eyes. Are they big and bright? And is he lively and playful? If no, blood is needed.

As for platelets, it was super-obvious this week that Logan needed them when he was walking and bumped his mouth against the cooler. Just a little bump resulted in non-stop bleeding from his gums. (Without platelets, coagulation is difficult…) We FaceTimed while he was still bleeding, and Amanda and AJ and nurse were working to help him out. Logan’s red blood count noticeably dropped from that day to the next, and the blood was ordered.

After he receives those transfusions, he is a different little guy. Alert and energetic.

“As Needed”

Previous posts have discussed the need for blood and platelet donations. Nothing has changed – still needed. And while I wrote above that blood and platelets transfusions are ordered “as needed” and as blood counts demand, the staff is ordering them “judiciously” (in the words of a nurse) because of blood product supply concerns. Logan likely should have received a platelet transfusion before the bloodletting episode. So once again, if you can donate, please do so. There is a cancer patient (and their family) praying that you do.

The Picture

I have pictures of a weary-looking Logan with blood-caked lips but I thought maybe that was too much to share. (You are welcome.) But a week or so ago I took a pic of me and Logan with the cover of a book that Aunt Bridget made for Logan while in the hospital. The book has pictures of his parents and grandparents and aunts/uncles/cousins to supplement FaceTime calls. He loves it.

Of course, Logan’s cover picture on the book is pre-diagnosis. The story that the picture above in the blog tells is pretty clear. Cancer treatment sucks and has side effects which are evident.

Logan and family are looking forward to his blood counts recovering the next week or two so they can get a much-needed break from the hospital.

Logan Update & Griffin – Choosing

Logan on New Years Day FaceTime with Big John and Mimi

Update

Logan and Amanda and AJ are enjoying a wonderful & long New Year’s week break from the hospital. Discharged last Tuesday, the week is being spent at Amanda’s brother Chris’ and his wife Casey’s home. Round 3 of chemotherapy is complete, and round 4 begins Monday morning. Past the halfway mark on this cancer fighting journey, and the end is in sight! Casey and Chris are wonderful hosts and it is joyful for us to see the love that continues to surround Logan. Amanda’s parents Kim and Mike have been able to visit daily, making it a complete family fun time.

If you have seen any social media pics Logan is now, fully, walking. He was walking a bit – 10 steps or so – during his break between rounds 2 & 3, but now that he has been unleashed again from the 6 foot by 6 foot toddler-containing inflatable pool, Logan is clearly on a mission. Great to see!

Medical issues, of course, are a constant. Early during this week’s hospital break they received word that a blood test showed a too-high level of Logan’s antifungal. Back to the hospital they went, for an unscheduled blood test to validate the concern or deny it. Luckily the drug’s level dropped from the 5-times-higher-then-it-was-supposed-to-be to an acceptable level. The concern? This drug that is supposed to keep Logan from a fungal infection could harm his liver and/or kidneys if at too high a level. Remember this is serious business, and all drugs are poison at too high a level.

Amanda and AJ’s Home Build

Amanda and AJ’s home that is being built in Arlington is a parallel story to this cancer fight. They sold their previous home in Dallas quickly, and their new home is taking about a year to build. Before Logan’s diagnosis Kim and Mike were hosting the temporarily-homeless family in their Bedford home. Now every week AJ and Amanda receive house-build updates as walls go up, electrical is installed and windows enclose the structure. The completion of Logan’s cancer treatment may occur at just about the same time the home is ready. A really, really fresh start would be wonderful, post-chemotherapy in a new home.

Choosing

Griffin taking a glow-stick bath at Mimi & Big John’s home

Donna and I have not seen Logan in person for some time, as we made the decision to unquarantine for the Christmas holidays so we could celebrate with family and friends. I must tell you that this is harder than I thought it would be because we want to see both Logan and Griffin. We do not like choosing.

I know, know, there are many grandparents who because of distance or other reasons cannot see their grandchildren on a regular basis. But both these boys are here, in this town, minutes away. And whether we like it or not each time we choose to quarantine for Logan, Griffin is left out along other family and friends. And when we choose to unquarantine, Logan is left out. I find it agonizing, and yet I believe we are doing a pretty good job of it.

Balance

The Christmas season has been both joyful and unconventional. The Arboretum holiday lights were visited twice. Once with Amanda and AJ and Logan during their earlier break between rounds 2 & 3. And then later with Jeff, Alexis, Bridget, Connor and Griffin. The Dallas Zoo lights were also visited twice. 2021 was just not the year for large family holiday outings. And for us it was about more than the pandemic. Now, we all could not fit in a car together to see the zoo lights in one trip. But Donna and I could sure take grandsons together next year. (All the parents can go have a drink while Mimi and Big go to the zoo lights with the boys. Griffin and Logan have not been able to “be cousins” since treatment began.)

Amanda’s parents Kim and Mike are also balancing things as best they can. Kim helps her elderly parents a great deal, taking them to doctor’s appointments amongst other things. Over the Christmas holidays, Kim and Mike have been visiting with Logan and family. That meant they chose to not be with Kim’s parents. But now Kim and Mike need to unquarantine so that Kim can return to helping her parents.

Kim and Mike’s need to unquarantine prompted Donna and me to begin our quarantine last Tuesday. We both have COVID tests scheduled on Tuesday this week which will allow us to return to seeing Logan and Amanda and AJ. Choreography is needed so that we can all help – and most importantly keep Logan free from infection. I am grateful for Kim and Mike, and to Chris and Casey, for their wonderful support.

Please continue to keep Logan and his parents Amanda and AJ in your prayers as this journey continues. Happy New Year – we intend ours to be!

Logan – Round 3, Birthday, Mom & Dad

AJ, Logan and Amanda at our Arboretum outing

Back at the hospital for Chemo Round 3

Yesterday morning Amanda and AJ took Logan back into the hospital for his third round of chemo. Round 3 has Logan receiving his chemo twice a day (3am and 3pm) for 5 days. This compares to the 10 days and 8 days for the previous rounds. But – and this is significant – the chemo is about 10 times the strength of what Logan has previously endured. Logan’s little body is being absolutely hammered with poison that will save his life. We have no idea how he will react to this, and I ask for your prayers.

Before Logan received the first chemo dose at 3p yesterday, he was put under anesthesia for a bone marrow biopsy. Results from the biopsy are expected over the next several days, and what we want to hear is that Logan remains in remission. His feeding tube was also reinserted. Despite Logan’s champion eating, he did lose a bit of weight during the hospital holiday. So the feeding tube will provide the calories that he needs. Logan’s visit with us without a feeding tube allowed him the freedom to roam wherever he chose, which was wonderful to see. We also got to be on the front lines as he developed his walking skills. The record during the visit was an unaided 10 steps.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Today is Logan’s first birthday, and he will spend it at the hospital receiving chemotherapy. Writing that sentence welled up my eyes with tears. It is just so unfair that Logan and his fellow pediatric cancer patients are in such battles. And yet when I look at Logan, he has that wry smile, that little smirk that just melts my heart. No, he does not realize the battle that he is in, but he is enduring it with the help of the medical staff and his family.

Logan’s birthday was celebrated early at our home Monday. The theme was Winnie the Pooh. Pictures posted on social media show that theme in the beautiful and delicious cakes made by Aunt Casey, and the big red balloon and custom shirts by Aunt Bridget, and the Tigger, Piglet, Pooh and Eeyore stuffed animals. Quarantined grandparents Mike and Kim and me and Donna, as well as Aunt Casey and Uncle Chris attended. N95-masked guest appearances by Aunt Bridget and Uncle Jeff were a treat. As with most first birthday parties, Logan was mystified with the happenings. And yet it was great to celebrate.

Mom and Dad

This was the second visit by the little family between chemo sessions. The visits are both joyful and more work than you can imagine. After being a part of those 7 days and nights, I must tell you about the love and care and partnership of my son AJ and my daughter-in-law Amanda. They both care for Logan without question, without complaint, and without hesitation. They ask each other for help as needed, and the requests are completed with joy. Watching them work together to care for their son is a model I wish could be bottled and given to others struggling with such responsibilities. I think of caregivers who accept long-term care needs for family members for various reasons, and all of this is a labor of love. We saw it in Amanda and AJ every day and night.

Nights

During the day in addition to playing with Logan, we all focused on feeding and hydrating him. At night because his sleep has been so disrupted by the hospital care, it was a merry-go-round of parents and grandparents taking turns comforting him. That worked for several nights, until Logan started screaming bloody murder during the night. One night around 1:30a, I tried my best to comfort him, but no dice. Then Amanda came out, and she was able to immediately calm him down. Watching her love my grandson the way she did was magical. She handed him back to me to get some water for Logan and – screaming bloody murder. When Amanda took him back – calm. So that night it was Amanda’s job to rock him to sleep.

The next night Logan was awake and AJ was with him. I came out and asked if I could relieve AJ so he could sleep. AJ hopefully said, “We can try…” And so Logan came into my arms and – screaming bloody murder. Handed back to AJ – calm. We were onto something. As babies develop they apparently go through “leaps,” stages of development that are somewhat predictable. We believe that a leap was happening and impacting Logan’s reactions.

Even the next morning Logan was beside himself with me and Donna – until he fully woke up and realized who we were. Then he was his happy little smiling self. That Donna and I could not give Amanda and AJ a little relief those nights was disappointing. However the last night they were with us, Tuesday night, was different. Both Donna and I were able to take turns in the middle of the night and Logan allowed it. That was good for all of us as Amanda and AJ could sleep, and me and Donna could get one more night’s snuggle with Logan.

Amanda and AJ are just wonderful parents. I pray that they continue to have an unending supply of love and strength and patience to care for Logan as partners. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Logan – Cancer Treatment as “Normal”

What has been running through my mind is that Logan’s cancer treatment quickly became a normal thing in our life. It’s just there. And so the family works though it. Of course, the biggest difference from chemo round 1 and round 2 is that Logan was in remission after round 1. That my friends is prayers answered, and a great deal of uncertainty evaporated. But still, chemo is poison, and it is difficult for Logan’s little body. Here is an update:

Logan

About 10 days have passed since the round 2 chemo was completed. It takes several days for the chemicals to work their way out of Logan’s body. Then, his blood counts plummet to zero. Blood and platelet transfusions are needed to sustain him until his body and marrow recover and start to produce blood cells. That is what we are waiting for: recovery that will allow a break from the hospital before round 3.

The fluid retention that was a real thing during round 1 is much less of a problem this time. Logan’s antifungal meds are being tweaked to avoid the nausea that he experienced. Given that he is pretty active, Logan’s central line into his chest developed a hole and needed replacement. So, surgery. See what I mean about normal? “Oh, he needs general anesthesia to replace his central line.” And it just happens.

You may notice in the pic that Logan’s feeding tube is not in his nose. Yep, he pulled it out again. But maybe a blessing in disguise as Mom and Dad were hoping to not need the feeding tube. Logan had not been fed through it for 4 days and he has been eating normally. Logan was a champion eater prior to diagnoses, and now continues to be a champion eater. In fact, if you are eating something in his presence, he expects to eat it, too. This is a big difference from round 1 when his fluid retention made it difficult for him to swallow.

Mom and Dad

Amanda and AJ are incredibly dedicated to Logan and his care. They are his advocate with the medical teams. And Logan’s almost full-time hospital companion. What is different in round 2 versus round 1 is that Amanda and AJ are taking needed breaks from the hospital. During round 1 they could not bring themselves to leave him, and so for 40+ days they were at the hospital, together in the small room, doing their best to comfort Logan. Toward the end of round 1, they did takes some breaks with Amanda’s parents Kimberly and Mike, Amanda’s brother Chris and wife Casey, and me and Donna taking their place at different times. For round 2 this is happening more often, such as my visit shown in the picture above on Thursday evening. Chris and Casey have done overnight shifts which are incredibly generous of them, and allows Amanda and AJ to sleep in a regular bed at least for a night.

Family and Friends

To say that family and friends have been generous and kind and supportive is a huge understatement. When AJ’s sister Bridget launched the “Logan and Muggles Against Cancer” t-shirt fundraiser, it was more about doing something – anything – to support her brother and family. Well, that little fundraiser with modest goals ended up raising more than $15,000 for Amanda and AJ. $15,000!! These funds will be used to offset the medical expenses that are now arriving, and supplement the family’s health insurance. So, once again, thank you so much. If you bought a shirt, please take a pic and post it on social media and tag Amanda and AJ.

While Logan’s cancer treatment now seems like it is normal, it certainly is not. The resilience that I see from Logan and his Mom and Dad is a testament to their personal strength and the prayers and support from all who surround them. The journey will continue as round 2 concludes and moves through rounds 3, 4 and 5. Thank you for the support and prayers – they are real and tangible.

Logan – Chemo Round 2

A Halloween visit: Logan, Alexis, Uncle Jeff, Amanda & AJ

My grandson Logan has returned to Children’s Hospital in Dallas for his second round of chemotherapy. Today was his first full day back at the hospital after being admitted yesterday afternoon. Logan’s appointment yesterday morning included checking his blood to make sure that it had recovered enough to start the second round. It had as expected. The long journey continues, with multiple rounds of chemotherapy and multiple months. Yes, Logan’s remission after Round 1 is the best news possible. And now the chemo treatments go on as the medical protocol demands

Respite from the hospital

Logan’s, Amanda’s and AJ’s 5-day visit with me and Donna between chemo rounds 1 & 2 was both wonderful and exhausting for all. It was so good to see them and to do what we could to help. Logan was a joy with his exuberant giggling and free rein of the house.

And Logan’s care was a challenge with his feeding tube. You see, he’s just a baby. Logan neither understands nor really knows that he has a tube threaded through his nose and into his stomach. So inadvertently he can catch the tube while rubbing his nose or face and pull it out. He did it at the hospital, and managed to partially do so while visiting us. (Amanda and Donna pushed the tube back where it belonged.) That tactic of letting babies cry themselves to sleep? Nope, does not work for Logan. Any time he cried at night or waking up from a nap, an adult needed to be there to avoid a tube-pulling episode. Let’s just say sleep was disrupted. But sleep was disrupted no more than what Amanda and AJ experienced by themselves all those days at the hospital. They are awesome.

Visitors

Family visits were welcomed while Logan and Amanda and AJ were with me and Donna. Amanda’s parents Kimberly and Mike, and Amanda’s brother Chris and wife Casey visited inside our home. They have been able to quarantine and were helping at the hospital towards the end of the first round of chemo. Other family members such as our son Jeff and his girlfriend Alexis in the picture above sat and chatted through the front storm door. Our daughter Aunt Bridget did the same, as did Donna’s sister Becky. And Uncle Kevin in Florida was a regular FaceTime call. Everyone was happy to reconnect in whatever safe way was available.

The rhythm of daily chemo returns. I rocked Logan throughout his visit. Each time I thought of the challenge he is facing at such a young age, and his strength, and his joy. His little body is being poisoned again to save him. Your continued prayers are needed and requested.

Logan, Muggles & Crying

Family and friends are daily asking what they can do to help Logan and parents Amanda and AJ. Prayer, always, is appreciated. More tangible efforts are admittedly few. Some have provided food for them at the hospital or DoorDash gifts so Amanda and AJ can order as they wish – and we hope to organize food to a greater extent for future hospital stays. Of course, please donate blood and blood products – and register as a bone marrow donor – if you are able.

Muggles Against Cancer

And now there is “Muggles Against Cancer.” My daughter Bridget is a crafter and designed the above shirt for sale as a fundraiser. Logan’s family loves fantasy books and movies, so the theme is perfect. And there are myriad expenses that Amanda and AJ are seeing as a result Logan’s illness. When talking to Bridget last Friday evening as she was finalizing the shirt and post, she mentioned, “Well, maybe a thousand bucks can be raised for them. Wouldn’t that be great?” And I agreed.

Fast forward to Monday, today, a few short days later. 120 shirts have been sold and over $5,000 has been raised through both shirt sales and straight donations. Unbelievable. Thank you so much! These sorts of things are hard to predict, and it was just hoped to get enough ordered shirts to meet the production minimum. To get the campaign to this level was not expected. And it’s about more than money. It’s also about community, and support. So when the t-shirts are produced and delivered, we would love to see pictures posted on social media with you and yours modeling the shirts – and tag Amanda and AJ so they can feel the love. Know that Logan is doing well, smiling, and waiting for his blood counts to recover from the chemo.

Crying

So, John, what’s with all the crying? I know that I have mentioned how various aspects of Logan’s journey has caused me to cry. I can tell you that my recent tears are tears of joy as I see what others do for my family. On Saturday morning, I looked at this fundraiser and saw that more than $1,000 had been generated in about 12 hours. And I read some of the comments, and it caused me to cry. Why? Because of everyone’s generosity, their kind words, and their prayers and offers of help. It is just overwhelming to me how wonderful everyone is, and it causes me to consider whether I have supported others in years past to the extent that y’all are supporting my family now. I hope so, but know that I can and will do better.

If you wish, donations or shirt purchases are through Custom Ink. The campaign closes November 7.

Logan & Griffin; Really, Lord?

Both of my grandsons spent last night in the hospital.

If you are reading this blog, you know that Logan has been at Children’s for several weeks. Well, Griffin had an urgent ER visit last night after an allergic reaction to a cashew. When you receive a FaceTime call from your daughter that begins with “Don’t worry, Griff’s OK,” you know something is wrong. And then you notice the unmistakable look of an ER room. Thanks to Bridget and Connor’s quick and likely traffic-law-breaking drive to the hospital – and the use of the EPI pen – Griff is OK. Traumatic for all.

We knew that Griff was allergic to peanuts, but unaware of other nut allergies. So… now nuts of all kinds are off the menu. I asked Donna, “Do we have an EPI pen for Griff when he is with us?” Nurse Donna replied, “Yes, in the grey bag that is always with him.” Good to know. Thank you to this new group of medical caregivers for their work with Griffin.

Logan with “so big,” led by Mimi (upper right picture insert)

A rare double-picture blog post, Logan is doing OK. The most recent challenge has been nutrition with the feeding tube getting inadvertently getting yanked out via random grabs by Logan. Reinsertion is traumatic for all, and so last night socks were double-taped onto Logan’s hands to reduce the possibility of removal. The smiling picture of Logan hides the challenges of the last several days, but let’s take it, right? We are praying that Logan’s body heals itself as expected and white blood cells grow.

What is tough to take, Lord, is that my grandsons were in the hospital overnight at the same time. One is too many, two is intolerable. While my emotions are kinda under control, I still have moments when it all overwhelms me. Please, Lord, a break?