PLEASE GO TO THIS SITE... IT MAY SAVE THE LIFE OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE!

http://www.bonemarrow.org/

Alex isn't a bone marrow match... =( KEEP PRAYING!!!!!!

Just got news, Alex (Jaden's half sister, who is married & just found out she is preg) is NOT a match to Jaden for the bone marrow transplant. =( She can; however, donate her baby's cord to a bank for other children to use in stem cell or cord blood transplants. storing it herself will be costly, and donating it is free... and adds to the bank for possible usage for her family later on in the future. Please keep praying for a match out of the "POSSIBLE MATCHES" they found so far. Now we are down to 4 people... God bless~ Heath

This is Lauren teaching Jaden guitar... what a wonderful gift! Also, Jaden on the couch with his pup "ROXIE". Jaden sure loves her, and she is such a smart girl too. =) Please keep praying for Jaden, as the Doc would like his Bone Marrow Transplant to take place mid January. Praise God that he doesn't have to do the re-induction chemo right now... the maint chemo is hard enough. God is so good to us, and we all praise Him for allowing Jaden to be with us another year!! God bless ya'll this Christmas, and truly Jesus is the REASON FOR THE SEASON! Praise His Holy name~ Heath & kids xoxooo

Just before CHRISTmas 2011 with Jaden

Pictures we took when we went to Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville for a "Country Christmas"! =)~

What is a "Bone Marrow Transplantation"?

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a relatively new medical procedure being used to treat diseases once thought incurable. Since its first successful use in 1968, BMTs have been used to treat patients diagnosed with leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphomas such as Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, immune deficiency disorders and some solid tumors such as breast and ovarian cancer.
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found inside bones. The bone marrow in the breast bone, skull, hips, ribs and spine contains stem cells that produce the body's blood cells. These cells include white blood cells (leukocytes), which fight infection; red blood cells (erythrocytes), which carry oxygen to and remove waste products from organs and tissues; and platelets, which enable the blood to dot

In a bone marrow transplant, the patient's diseased bone marrow is destroyed and healthy marrow is infused into the patient's blood-stream. In a successful transplant, the new bone marrow migrates to the cavities of the large bones, engrafts and begins producing normal blood cells.

If bone marrow from a donor is used, the transplant is called an "allogeneic" BMT, or "syngeneic" BMT if the donor is an identical twin. In an allogeneic BMT, the new bone marrow infused into the patient must match the genetic makeup of the patient's own marrow as perfectly as possible. Special blood tests are conducted to determine whether or not the donor's bone marrow matches the patient's. If the donor's bone marrow is not a good genetic match, it will perceive the patient's body as foreign material to be attacked and destroyed. This condition is known as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and can be life-threatening. Alternatively, the patient's immune system may destroy the new bone marrow. This is called graft rejection.

There is a 35 percent chance that a patient will have a sibling whose bone marrow is a perfect match. If the patient has no matched sibling, a donor may be located in one of the international bone marrow donor registries, or a mis-matched or autologous transplant may be considered. SO FAR, NONE OF US ARE A MATCH TO JADEN. =(

A successful transplant requires the patient be healthy enough to undergo the rigors of the transplant procedure. Age, general physical condition, the patient's diagnosis and the stage of the disease are all considered by the physician when determining whether a person should undergo a transplant.

Prior to a bone marrow transplant, a battery of tests is carried out to ensure the patient is physically capable of undergoing a transplant. Tests of the patient's heart, lung, kidney and other vital organ functions are also used to develop a patient "baseline" against which post-transplant tests can be compared to determine if any body functions have been impaired. The pre-transplant tests are usually done on an outpatient basis.

A successful bone marrow transplant requires an expert medical team - doctors, nurses, and other support staff - who are experienced in bone marrow transplants, can promptly recognize problems and emerging side effects, and know how to react swiftly and properly if problems do arise. A good bone marrow transplant program will also recognize the importance of providing patients and their families with emotional and psychological support before, during and after the transplant, and will make personal and other support systems readily available to families for this purpose.

Regardless of whether the patient or a donor provides the bone marrow used in the transplant, the procedure used to collect the marrow - the bone marrow harvest - is the same. The bone marrow harvest takes place in a hospital operating room, usually under general anesthesia. It involves little risk and minimal discomfort.
While the patient is under anesthesia, a needle is inserted into the cavity of the rear hip bone or "iliac crest" where a large quantity of bone marrow is located. The bone marrow a thick, red liquid - is extracted with a needle and syringe. Several skin punctures on each hip and multiple bone punctures are usually required to extract the requisite amount of bone marrow. There are no surgical incisions or stitches involved - only skin punctures where the needle was inserted.

The amount of bone marrow harvested depends on the size of the patient and the concentration of bone marrow cells in the donor's blood. Usually one to two quarts of marrow and blood are harvested. While this may sound like a lot, it really only represents about 2% of a person's bone marrow, which the body replaces in four weeks.
When the anesthesia wears off, the donor may feel some discomfort at the harvest site. The pain will be similar to that associated with a hard fall on the ice and can usually be controlled with Tylenol. Donors who are not also the BMT patient are usually discharged after an overnight stay and can fully resume normal activities in a few days.
For autologous transplants, the harvested bone marrow will be frozen (cryopreserved) and stored at a temperature between -80 and -196 degrees centigrade until the day of transplant. It may first be "purged" to remove residual cancerous cells that can't be easily identified under the microscope (see page 30).

In allogeneic BMTs, the bone marrow may be treated to remove "T-cells" (T cell depletion) to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease (see page 94). It will then be transferred directly to the patient's room for infusion.
A patient admitted to the bone marrow transplant unit will first undergo several days of chemotherapy and/or radiation which destroys bone marrow and cancerous cells and makes room for the new bone marrow. This is called the conditioning or preparative regimen. The exact regimen of chemotherapy and/or radiation varies according to the disease being treated and the "protocol" or preferred treatment plan of the facility where the BMT is being performed.

Prior to conditioning, a small flexible tube called a catheter (sometimes called a "Hickman®" or central venous line) will be inserted into a large vein in the patient's chest just above the heart. This tube enables the medical staff to administer drugs and blood products to the patient painlessly, and to withdraw the hundreds of blood samples required during the course of treatment without inserting needles into the patient's arms or hands.

The dosage of chemotherapy and/or radiation given to patients during conditioning is much stronger than dosages administered to patients with the same disease who are not undergoing a BMT. Patients may become weak, irritable and nauseous. Most BMT centers administer anti-nausea medications to minimize discomfort.

A day or two following the chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment, the transplant will occur. The bone marrow is infused into the patient intravenously in much the same way that any blood product is given. The transplant is not a surgical procedure. It takes place in the patient's room, not an operating room.

Patients are checked frequently for signs of fever, chills, hives and chest pains while the bone marrow is being infused. When the transplant is completed, the days and weeks of waiting begin.

The two to four weeks immediately following transplant are the most critical. The high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation given to the patient during conditioning will have destroyed the patient's bone marrow, crippling the body's "immune" or defense system. As the patient waits for the transplanted bone marrow to migrate to the cavities of the large bones, set up housekeeping or "engraft," and begin producing normal blood cells, he or she will be very susceptible to infection and excessive bleeding. Multiple antibiotics and blood transfusions will be administered to the patient to help prevent and fight infection. Transfusions of platelets will be given to prevent bleeding. Allogeneic patients will receive additional medications to prevent and control graft-versus-host disease.
Extraordinary precautions will be taken to minimize the patient's exposure to viruses and bacteria. Visitors and hospital personnel will wash their hands with antiseptic soap and, in some cases, wear protective gowns, gloves and/or masks while in the patient's room. Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and cut flowers will be prohibited in the patient's room since they often carry fungi and bacteria that pose a risk of infection. When leaving the room, the patient may wear a mask, gown and gloves as a barrier against bacteria and virus, and as a reminder to others that he or she is susceptible to infection. Blood samples will be taken daily to determine whether or not engraftment has occurred and to monitor organ function. When the transplanted bone marrow finally engrafts and begins producing normal blood cells, the patient will gradually be taken off the antibiotics, and blood and platelet transfusions will generally no longer be required. once the bone marrow is producing a sufficient number of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, the patient will be discharged from the hospital, provided no other complications have developed. BMT patients typically spend four to eight weeks in the hospital.
In addition to the physical discomfort associated with the transplant experience there is emotional and psychological discomfort as well. Some patients find the emotional and psychological stress more problematic than the physical discomfort.

The psychological and emotional stress stems from several factors. First, patients undergoing transplants are already traumatized by the news that they have a life-threatening disease. While the transplant offers hope for their recovery, the prospect of undergoing a long, arduous medical procedure is still not pleasant and there's no guarantee of success.

Second, patients undergoing a transplant can feel quite isolated. The special precautions taken to guard against infection while the immune system is impaired can leave a patient feeling detached from the rest of the world and cut off from normal human contact. The patient is housed in a private room, sometimes with special air-filtering equipment to purify the air. The number of visitors is restricted and visitors are asked to wear gloves, masks and/or other protective clothing to inhibit the spread of bacteria and virus while visiting the patient. When the patient leaves the room, he or she may be required to wear a protective mask, gown and/or gloves as a barrier against infection. This feeling of isolation comes at the very time in a patient's life when familiar surroundings and close physical contact with family and friends are most needed.

'Helplessness" is also a common feeling among bone marrow transplant patients, which can breed further feelings of anger or resentment. For many, it's unnerving to be totally dependent on strangers for survival, no matter how competent they may be. The fact that most patients are unfamiliar with the medical jargon used to describe the transplant procedure compounds the feeling of helplessness. Some also find it embarrassing to be dependent on strangers for help with basic daily functions such as using the washroom.

The long weeks of waiting for the transplanted marrow to engraft, for blood counts to return to safe levels, and for side effects to disappear increase the emotional trauma. Recovery can be like a roller coaster ride: one day a patient may feel much better, only to awake the next day feeling as sick as ever.
After being discharged from the hospital, a patient continues recovery at home (or at lodging near the transplant center if the patient is from out of town) for two to four months. Patients usually cannot return to full-time work for up to six months after the transplant.
Though patients will be well enough to leave the hospital, their recovery will be far from over. For the first several weeks the patient may be too weak to do much more than sleep, sit up, and walk a bit around the house. Frequent visits to the hospital or associated clinic will be required to monitor the patient's progress, and to administer any medications and/or blood products needed. It can take six months or more from the day of transplant before a patient is ready to fully resume normal activities.

During this period, the patient's white blood cell counts are often too low to provide normal protection against the viruses and bacteria encountered in everyday life. Contact with the general public is therefore restricted. Crowded movie theaters, grocery stores, department stores, etc. are places recovering BMT patients avoid during their recuperation. Often patients will wear protective masks when venturing outside the home.
A patient will return to the hospital or clinic as an outpatient several times a week for monitoring, blood transfusions, and administration of other drugs as needed. Eventually, the patient becomes strong enough to resume a normal routine and to look forward to a productive, healthy life.

While bone marrow transplants do not provide 100 percent assurance that the disease will not recur, a transplant can increase the likelihood of a cure or at least prolong the period of disease-free survival for many patients

For most patients contemplating a bone marrow transplant, the alternative is near-certain death. Despite the fact that the transplant can be a trying experience, most find that the pleasure that comes from being alive and healthy after the transplant is well worth the effort.

WONDERFUL NEWS ABOUT BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT FOR JADEN!!!

The Doc said that Jaden has "a lower PH Chromosome level in his bone marrow than in his blood..." He went on to say, "There is not an explanation for this, and I have never seen this before!" I told him, "Well, you know our Jaden... always surprising us with doing the opposite of what is expected! LOL!" Also, God is bigger than this cancer... and with all the prayers that Jaden is getting... God is working here!!! He agreed! So, I have been talking with Doctors all day, and this is a real blessing... No chemo right now... just what he is already on with Maintenance chemo. Praying for no RELAPSE, as the Doc said, "Jaden is a TICKING-TIME-BOMB" and he won't respond well if he relapses fully now." =( GOOD NEWS is that We have 7 potential matches... and Alex is doing the swab test in the next 24 hours. Hopefully she is a match, and she will be able to supply his new bone marrow. She is a 1/2 sibling, and the best chance of a good transplant. None of us are a match. We did have potential matches last time, but none were compatable... so please pray that the add testing required for the potential matches will be a "REAL MATCH"!! PRAISE GOD!!!! Looks like we will be going straight to a bone marrow transplant mid Jan. Jaden will be in-hosp for 4 to 6 weeks, and then in the Transplant room at the Ronald McDonald house for 100+ days after... wow! As I said to a friend earlier, "Maybe, just maybe... if Jaden can pull through we can have a "normal" life again???? I pray that this is true for Jaden, he is so brave... and I am so proud of him!!!" THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT!!! KEEP PRAYING PLEASE????!!!~ Heath & kids xoxoox

Jaden is now reading this book... do you like it?

Jaden picked this up the other night at Wally-world, and asked if he could have this book. How could I say no... :(

A wonderful "MUSIC MAN" has passed, R.I.P. Tom Roady!

THANK YOU; TOM ROADY, FOR SUPPORTING THE F.O.E. #3423 DIABETES RESEARCH BENEFIT WITH JADEN BACK IN JUNE, 2009. MAY GOD LIFT YOU ON HIGH, AND MAY HE BLESS YOU RICHLY FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU GAVE HERE ON EARTH. YOU WILL BE MISSED... MAY YOUR EVER BE INTERTWINED IN HARMONY WITH OUR LORD IN HEAVEN! WITH MUCH LOVE~ Heather & the kids XOXOOXOXOX

UPDATE ON JADEN, PLEASE DONATE TODAY!!!!

Doc said, "Jaden is a TICKING TIME BOMB!" :( Jaden's Chromo levels are up, and the meds are not working. The new meds won't work either... so on Dec 7th he will go in for a spinal tap, spinal chemo, a bone marrow biopsies, they will put in a Hickman Port-a-cath for a bone marrow transplant & a re-induction Chemo treatment to start ASAP! He will then start testing on his organs, in order to see if he can go through a transplant. The Doc said he needs to have one by Feb./March at the latest... WE NEED A MATCH! PLEASE PRAY, AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DONATE BONE MARROW PLEASE GO TO WWW.BONEMARROW.ORG
Thank you & God bless!~ Heath, Jaden, & Alaina Rae' xooxoxooxox

Brown Mackie Bone Marrow Awareness Drive with Jaden

PLEASE HELP RAISE $$ FOR BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS TODAY!!!

To become a donor it just takes a small vial of blood or swab of cheek cells to be typed as a bone marrow/stem cell donor. There are many patients who are desperately waiting to find a donor match. You may be able to save someone’s life. There are donor registry sites throughout the country.

You must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in general good health. You should be committed to helping any patient. A simple blood test or cheek cell swab that is given through an authorized National Marrow Donor Program Donor Center or Recruitment Group is needed to obtain your HLA tissue type so it can be entered into the National Registry. You will have to complete a short health questionnaire and sign a form stating that you understand what it means to be listed in the Registry.

The cost for HLA tissue typing ranges from $45 to $96 depending on the Donor Center, the level of testing performed, and the laboratory that analyzes the test results. There may be funding available to offset this cost through the Donor Center. After the initial testing, all medical expenses are covered by the recipient or the recipient’s insurance. Please contact your local Donor Center for further information.

To find out more information and to become a donor:

DKMS Registry
1-866-340-3567
www.dkmsamericas.org

The National Marrow Donor Program
1-800-654-1247
www.marrow.org

The American Bone Marrow Donor Registry
1-800-745-2452
www.abmdr.org

The Gift of Life
1-800-9MARROW
www.giftoflife.org

The Icla da Silva Foundation, Inc.
Helping Children and Adults with Leukemia
(866) FDN-ICLA
www.icla.org


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Umbilical Cord Blood Banking

Every 15 minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a medical condition (over 35,000 people a year) such as leukemia, anemia’s, myelodysplastic disorders and other life-threatening diseases that require treatment with bone marrow/stem cell transplants. Nearly 70 percent of these patients must rely on an unrelated donor to offer them this precious gift of life. Unfortunately, many patients who are in need of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant cannot find a suitable donor - no relatives that match and no match among volunteer donors.

Fortunately, there is an alternative that has been researched and is now proving to be a good option for many of these patients—stem cells from a newborn’s placental and umbilical cord blood. A newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta contains stem cells that are the building blocks for mature blood and immune system cells. Umbilical cord blood is collected at the time of birth under controlled conditions, shipped to a blood bank where it is tested, typed and stored.

Two studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 351:2276-285 and an editorial by Miguel A. Sanz, M.D., Ph.D. in the same issue, concluded that cord blood should be considered as an acceptable source of stem cells in the absence of a matched bone marrow donor. For many gravely ill patients (who do not have an available donor who is a match), the immediate availability of typed cord blood units is a compelling reason for its use. And for ethnic minorities, who may have unique combinations of HLA types, the chances of finding a donor match with cord blood is greater than from the existing bone marrow donor pool.

If you have a family history of certain diseases you might choose to save your baby’s cord blood with a private bank. Alternatively, you can donate the cord blood to a public bank. The Bone Marrow Foundation encourages you to direct any questions you have concerning the use and storage of cord blood to your physician or other appropriate health care professional. The following are further resources for more information on public and private banking:



Public Banking
National Marrow Donor Program
1-800-654-1247
www.marrow.org

National Cord Blood Program
New York Blood Center
310 East 67th Street
New York, NY 10021
1-866- 767-NCBP (6227)
www.nationalcordbloodprogram.org

Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Banking
www.parentsguidecordblood.org

SOMETHING ABOUT A "SPECIAL NEEDS" CHILD...

Take the time to meet our children, and take the time to know us:

Lauren (McCune Albright Syndrome), Jaden (Autism, type 1 diabetes, & leukemia), Alaina (dyslexia), and Josh (Autism)… all these children are wonderful & a blessing to us "SPECIAL NEEDS" Families!

I am the parent of a “SPECIAL NEEDS” child. I was overwhelmed, confused, heart broken and struggling to unravel the complexities before me.

Please do not pass judgment of me without knowing why I did not attend homeschooler meetings, charity breakfasts, or community picnics. Please take a few minutes to understand why I did not take you up on your offer to have lunch, or grab a cup of coffee. I love to participate in “Mom’s out” functions, but often have no time for myself.

I was/am in survival mode to keep my family in tact, and to give my child the best quality of life possible.

I was/am presented with parental decisions that have torn me apart, and kept me up more nights than I can possibly remember!

I had/have spent most days of the week at therapy and doctors appointments… and most nights up researching treatments and medication options. My closest friends with special needs kids know just what I mean, as we are often online together at 3am. ;p

I was/am forced into isolation at times due to the stigma and misconceptions that are epidemic in our society. You would be surprised how many people move away from a child like ours in a pool, or at a public event. What a shame, some people will never know how wonderful & truly blessed they would be by knowing our special needs child… he is so very wonderful in God’s eyes!

I became proficient at prioritizing my life, and learning to let the little things go. I learned to look at others with compassion, instead of tabloid material. Best of all, I learned to turn a blind eye to the stares or ignorant comments!
I did the best I could… I helped my special needs child be the best that “he” could be!
I survived!

I am one of the lucky ones, my child has blossomed and has exceeded all our expectations. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

I have now become strong, I have become confident, and I have become a fierce advocate for parents of special needs children. The growth did not come without many painful & tearful nights, but it did come eventually.
So I ask you, please….

The next time you see a parent struggling with a raging child, a confused child, a child making odd movements or sounds, a child that seems to be in a world of their own… BE KIND, Give the parent a smile of recognition to show that you understand what they are going through. Ask if there is anything you can do to help, or offer for them to go ahead of you on line.

The next time you have a birthday party for your child remember that their child has a hard time with a lot of sensory issues (Loud noises) and social situations (groups of people). Please send their child that invitation, and know that more times than not they will not be able to attend… but appreciate being included. Understand that in order for their child to go to the party the parent may need to stay for a little while with that child, and please make them feel welcome. When they let you know that their child cannot make the party, consider inviting that child for a one on one play date at the park instead.

The next time you are grading homework papers please understand that their child struggles, some with learning disabilities others with the exhaustion of their disorders or the obsession with perfectionism. The Perfectionism is not necessarily to have the answers right but to have it “feel” right for them. They have spent hours doing what most can do in ten minutes. A paper returned with red circles and comments only hurts a child’s self esteem, and causes school anxiety.

Please understand that when they see the school come up on their caller ID their hearts sink, remember to tell them about all the gains their children are making as well as their deficits! Take a minute before you call, and know that they appreciate all you do for their child. Try to appreciate all they do as well… then make the call.

The next time you are in the teachers lounge, Starbucks, or Wal-mart… please do not discuss their child! Please do not make negative comments about their parenting, or their child’s behavior… it will get back to them. WORDS DO HURT!

The next time you pass the cafeteria and see their child sitting alone… please consider inviting that child to eat lunch in your classroom or be your helper that period. Consider working with a guidance counselor to set up a lunch buddy group in a different area.

The next time they are at the CSE meeting planning their chid’s IEP… know that they are educated, informed and confident knowing special education law. Know that they have found the courage to stand up to conformity and will explore every option to give their child the differentiated educated that will show their gifts and not just their disabilities. Understand that educating a child with special needs is one of the most difficult tasks a parent can face… for homeschool mom’s, and for children in traditional schools. Know that the last thing they want is an adversarial relationship… so please, show them the same respect they show you!

The next time you are creating an educational plan please take into consideration that their child may have specific interests or obsessions. Foster those interests, think outside the box… their parents do.

The next time you see that child in a wheelchair, unable to speak, or control their movements… don’t stare, don’t look away, say hello. Do not assume that because this child is nonverbal that they are not intelligent, or that they don’t understand the awkwardness that you feel. Take a moment out of your day to show kindness, support a parent enduring incredible pain… just give them a smile.

The next time your child comes home telling you how Johnny or Susie is so weird, take the time to TEACH about differences. Take the time to TALK about compassion, acceptance and special needs. Please remember that your child learns from you! Be a role model, mirror respect, and discourage gossip!

The next time you hear a comment about how “out of style these kids are”… educate about tactile sensitivities, and the fact that these kids cannot tolerate many textures. Imagine what it would feel like to have sandpaper in your stilettos, or tight elastic holding on your tie.

The next time you see an out of control child… do not assume it is bad parenting! Understand that many of these disorders have an organic basis, are biological, and are real illnesses. When you hear the word mental, terminal, rare disease illness, take out the “MENTAL, TERMINAL, & RARE DISEASE” and remember ”ILLNESS”!

Know that it is this generation that can stomp the stigma, and create a world of acceptance.

The next time other parents are talking about “Those Kids”… be our heroes, stand up for us!

The next time you see a special needs child, please know they are not just special in their needs… but in their brilliance as well.
In Christ~ Heath

Our true CHRISTmas miracle!

Jaden got really sick right before Thanksgiving, and it just got worse & worse. I told them right away that I thought it was his Port-a-cath line, because it had been in for almost 3 years this March. They said they thought it was viral. :( We kept taking him into the ER, 6B, & Hemock Clinic for IV antibiotics & IVIG... but it still got worse. Finally, Jaden's temp hit 104.9 and continued to rise. They admitted him again, and gave him the strongest antibiotics via IV possible. Nothing would help, and it seemed as if we were going to loose Jaden after all this fighting the cancer... due to a secondary infection. His immune system just wasn't strong enough to fight, and nothing was helping to keep the infection from returning. With all the infection, we couldn't give Jaden his daily oral chemo... which included his radioactive chemo for the PH Chromosome. We are praying that this didn't cause Jaden yet more issues with remission!!

Finally, we got them to take the line out! WE had every doc there from infection control, to Endocrine... and they all eventually agreed that it had to be the line. Thank God!!! So, in the end... they came in on Christmas Eve and said,"Mrs. Willhite, it looks like it was his line!" I was happy that this trial was finally coming to an end, but sad that our son had to almost die before they would listen to me!! Regardless, we praise God for his recovery!!! They put in a picc line and sent us home to finish his IV meds. He seems to be doing well now, and we are preparing for the next Chemo on the 19th. Please pray that Jaden will reach full remission soon, as this March will be 36 months of chemo for him. He is our little trooper, but we are all ready to start the healing process.
God bless & thank you!~ Heath
PS: Thank you Grammy DD, for all the help while we were in-hospital & home!
Love you! XOXOXOXOXO

Jaden & his medication for his Philadelphia Chromosome... Gleevec.

FYI: Dasatinib is used to treat certain types of leukemia (cancer that begins in the white blood cells) in people who can no longer benefit from other medications for leukemia including imatinib (Gleevec) or who cannot take these medications because of severe side effects. Dasatinib is in a class of medications called protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop the spread of cancer cells.

Jaden has become resistant to the Gleevec, and began the use of Dasatinib at the end of October, 2010. They had increased Jaden's dose of Gleevec 300mg over the max amount for Jaden's weight, but it didn't work. Please pray hard that this new "life-saving" drug will work... and make Jaden's PH Chromosome go away for good! We are all praying for 100% remission soon!!

God bless & thank you for your support, love, and prayers!~ Heather