Make a wish update

Jaden will be re-admitted on June 4th. This will be a long stay, as the first induction was 22 days... this stay may also be as long. Thank you so much for your continued prayers, and devotion unto the Lord! :)

Our update is bitter-sweet... Jaden met with the "Make a Wish" lady on Saturday. The meeting went well, and Jaden made his wish. He wants to get some things to make the next 2 years we will spend on our home-ground (in quarantine) a little easier. Also, he wants to get some things for the Ronald McDonald House. He said, "They need some updates in the game room, and it would be nice to give some toys to the kids too!"

So, Jaden's wish is for a shopping spree at Walmart. Yep, Wally world! They will pick him up in a Limousine (Yet another wish he always wanted!), and take him to an early shopping spree.

One thing Jaden would like to get is an 18 X 4 foot pool... since we can't do our normal lake/YMCA summer this year. Jaden is so nutropinic that he can not go into any public places. His little bottom lip came out when I told him we would not be going to the YMCA as normal; a few times a week this summer. Sooooo, the pool was a real desire for him. It will be good for him to get exercise... and a little fresh air in "our own" pool. The Doctors said this would be fine, but not to let it become a community pool... or we will contaminate if for Jaden.

Jaden is excited about getting things for the Ronald McDonald house as well! We will go to make a pre-shopping spree trip, as we do not believe in being greedy... or over-indulgence. However; we also know that some of the things Jaden can purchase on this trip will make the next two years a little easier for him.

**A trip to somewhere is out of the question, as Jaden doesn't want to go anywhere in a wheelchair and mask. It isn't appealing to him, and he said he would just rather get some things to give to others, and some things for us here at the house... than go on a trip anytime soon.

Jaden just isn't up for a trip in the near future.... however, we promised Jaden that when he does feel better we will take a trip to Disney!!

Greg leaves in July for Afghanistan, we hope that some of the games and toys will distract Jaden from his fathers absence.

Note: Today it is storming here in Hoptown! Alaina; as you see above, brought all her toys downstairs to "save" them. How sweet!!! :)

May God bless you all richly, today and always!

love in Christ

Heath

May 22nd

We are all home, and we went this morning to the hospital to do a CBC. Jaden is feeling poorly... but he is still marching on! Praise God for all the grace he gives us!!

WE go back around the first of the month of June... for the 2nd consolidation. This will be a really hard "chemo" time for Jaden. Please pray for him... we will keep you updated.

Greg is going to deploy in July. We trust that God has the plan, and that he will guide us with his hands... where we should go.

NOTE: I (Heather) was in the garage (across from the ER) when Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife were at Vanderbilt... and their daughter was brought in. I didn't realize it was him... how terrible for that family!! It is one thing to plan for a child's terminal illness... but another to have one whisked away in just hours???:( I pray for this family... they were so distraught that day, it pierced my soul to hear the cries of her Mother!! My heart goes out to them now... and may God comfort them in their loss!! The girl was just 5...
In Christ
Greg and Heather

Fever 102.6

Jaden has a fever of 102.6, and we don't know why. He is on several diff chemo's right now. I believe 4 total, and with the other drugs they have him on also... he is having a rough time. Please, pray for Jaden!!

We are unsure of when we will get to come home again... maybe Monday-Wednesday?

One of our families at the Hospital, and Ronald McDonald house just lost their son today. He was 15, and knew the lord as his savior. He was waiting for a heart transplant, and got an infection in his line. He died from unrelated causes. This is so hard for the parents... to know that a yeast infection in his line caused his death.

Please, pray that they may find comfort in knowing that their son is with the Lord! Also, that they remain faithful unto God... this is such a hard thing to go through!! God is in control... we all have to stand firm in that knowledge!!!
(This is the family we got to do a bible study with in March!)

I (Heather) had a chance to hug, and comfort the Mom early today... and she is a strong, Godly woman! Praise the Lord!!

I told her how sorry I was, and gently reminded her that her son was joyful now that he was with the Lord. We both agreed about that! I asked her to celebrate her son's life... because; the time God gives us with our children is precious to us Mom's! She agreed, and is so grateful for the time she had with her son!! What a testimony this family is to us here!!

While we packed up her stuff to go home, she seemed so strong. Please pray for this family!!! I can't help but cry even now... how terrible it feels to even think of loosing your child. This is all just a little to real for me now.... and it is hard to deal with all of this here today! However; we will continue praise God even now, when our pain is much... and our strength is low. We praise God Almighty!!!

Love in Christ
Greg & Heather

Friends update!

UPDATE 1:
Janey's e-mail campaign could really make a difference. Responses I've gotten so far are that three already registered before and so far four (five including me) have registered because of the e-mail sent yesterday. Everybody that I've heard from sends their best wishes to Jaden. We are all pulling for him. Stay strong.

UPDATE 2:
All,
A good friend of mine son, Jaden, is fighting Leukemia. I am asking for you all to consider being a bone marrow donor. Below is an update as of yesterday from Heather, and below that is a letter from one of her friends also requesting that we consider being a donor. I understand that this is a big decision for one to make. I am just asking for you to consider it. The kit can be requested throught the bone marrow donor website. Basically, all you have to do is swab the inside of your mouth and send the swab in to see if you are a match.

Love to all,
Jennifer

Greg and the Pastor

We had a wonderful visit today with the Pastor and his wife Robyn!! We thank God for the blessings they bestow on our family!!

love in Christ

Greg & Heather

One of my "best friends" of over 30 years sent this out... it made me cry!

May 12, 2008 10:04:58 AMSubject: Consider this...
I admit it. Two months ago, joining the National Marrow Donor Program registry was the furthest thing from my mind. Did I know there where children out there needed bone marrow transplants? Yes. Did I know anyone personally? No. And there you have it, basic human reasoning. If it is not important to me or someone close to me, what does it matter?...

Then, my "adopted sister" Heather called me with news that changed our world. Jaden, her 10 year old son, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia- the "good" kind to have, if you are going to have Leukemia - so the doctors said. They started treatment, chemo and steroids, etc. and gave him a good prognosis. Then, they found out Jaden has the "Philadelphia Chromosome", which changes his whole treatment course and prognosis. He now needs a bone marrow transplant to get rid of the Philadelphia Chromosome which will not allow his body to stay in remission.

No one in their family was a match for Jaden. They registered Jaden on the National Marrow Donor Program registry and have to wait for someone who matches Jaden's marrow to register. So, here I am doing my part. I'm reaching out to my family, friends and more, hoping to pass the word on about the National Marrow Program registry. You can literally be the only key to saving a life. All you have to do to register is visit the website below, submit for a kit to be mailed to you, swab your cheek when it comes, and mail it back to the registry in a postage paid envelope. Registering is easier than giving blood, or even money. During 05/05/08-05/19/08- the first 10,000 kits are free. There is normally a fee associated with registering.

A couple of quick FYI's I didn't know. 1) Only about 1 in 200 people who register actually become donors. 2) You would be under general anesthitia during a marrow collection. It is not painful to harvest bone marrow. 3) Donors are not responsible for any medical expenses. I found this information on the website below.

I can't tell you how it just reaches in and tears at your heart to see a child so sick. Some of you have been through it and know. All you want to do is take it away and make them well again. There is someone out there who can take it away for Jaden. And it will only happen if that person registers. It could be anyone reading this email. Maybe you aren't "the one" for Jaden. Maybe you will be the one for another child. I'm sure that child and that child's family will be just as grateful as Jaden's family would be for your willingness to give them another chance at life.

http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/Join_Now_Special/TM/tm08_join_now.html

Will you please consider forwarding this email to anyone you think would be wiling to register?

Thank-you for your time,

Janey

NOTE: Tomorrow we go back to the Ronald McDonald house, and Wed. Jaden is admitted again for his 2nd consolidation. We went on base this morning to see Major Wolf, and get Jaden's blood drawn for lab. So far... so good. We will have results tonight. After he gets his spinal tap (Wed.), and his marrow pull... we will know his molecular level of the cancer. We will keep you updated... Keep praying!!!

Also; keep praying for Greg and his work situation. He is worried about his soldiers, pack, and command. He feels major guilt, and stress over not being with them! This is a hard time for him, and now they are moving him off to another unit. He feels put out to pasture "so to speak". I think he feels like 18 years of duty, and never missing a day... Army first 24-7!! Now he feels like none of it made any difference. We all know that isn't true... Greg is a wonderful NCO! For the first time in 18 years, his family is first. I know it is hard for him to shift his responsibilities in this way, but it isn't every day your kid has a terminal illness... who wouldn't do this? He is still all Army!! LOL! So, please pray that whoever is making the decisions... is doing so with God leading him/her! As always; please continue to pray for our men and ladies who are deployed!!!
Thanks!
Love in Christ
Heather

Home for now...

We made it home late Tuesday night... and Jaden is doing alot better so far. His WBC's have gone from 600 on the 6th, to 1200 today. :) We had an early apt. on base for the CBC, it went well as you can see... we are pleased with the results. Praise God!
(Remember last time we ended up going by ambulance back to Vanderbilt?)

We are getting geared up for the 13th; as we go back for Jaden's second consolidation. We hope for no more than one week stay. Last time was a little under a week, but we ended up back in less than 4 days for an additional week. So... Round and round we go!!

Please continue to pray for our little soldier!!

Speaking of soldiers... Greg is up in the air at this time. His Command Staff doesn't know what they want to do with him. Deploy? Do not deploy? Rear D? No Rear D? Move to another unit... or not? What to do??? All we know now is this:

Jaden has 15 months total heavy chemo time... and we are only approaching the third month. We have a long road ahead of us, and who knows what may happen. We plan for the worst... hope for the best, and pray all the more that God is glorified no matter what!!

Hope all is going well with everyone in the regular world... keep us updated! Don't forget to visit our other site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jadenwillhite

We love to hear from you guys, and miss everyone!!
May God bless each one of you today, and always!
Love in Christ
Greg & Heather
Free test kit at: www.marrow.org
May 5th-19th

Jaden wrote a song

Jaden stayed up until 2am writing a song... Grandpa Mike is going to help him put it to music. I just know Grandpa is the perfect person to help Jaden with this project!!

How sweet! It is good therapy for Jaden, and will help him come to terms with his Cancer.

We are staying a bit longer, here at Vanderbilt. We really know our way around here now, and are getting to witness to many people daily! Praise the Lord!

Jaden is getting very home-sick lately... and wants nothing more than to go home! He is feeling much better; however, his blood counts are so low they won't let us leave. Guess the "WBC" drug isn't working quite yet?

Please continue to pray for Jaden!!

Love in Christ

Heather

Back at the Hosptial

Hello... we went for the Doctors appointment this morning. Jaden seemed to go down hill fast! By mid-morning we were on our way back to Vanderbilt. They think he may be septic, and are checking for a bacteria problem in his intestines. Jaden got some Rosephine (Spelling?), and a few other meds to help him feel better. Probably the best thing for him was the IV... he needs the fluids!

Thank you again for your prayers, and we hope to get a chance to call and speak with so many friends and family in the next week. We sure miss you all!!!

Also, please pray for Jennifer's little boy Matthew... as he fell 20 feet out of a tree and spent some time here at Vanderbilt this week as well. OUCH!! We are praying for you Matt!! :)

In case anyone needs to know, we are in room 6413 this time... 6th floor again. LOL! They love us here...LOL! :)

Jaden is still our little trooper!! And also; a great big THANK YOU to our Young Eagle Clinic nurses, and Maj Wolf... they are a wonderful team!

Love in Christ
Greg & Heather