MRI - Nov 16th

November 16th Update:

This morning Isaac has his MRI bright and early at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. We arrived at 6:40am with the procedure starting a little after 8. They recently had some sedation team changes so the process was a little different from what we've experienced in the past. They gave him some nasal medicine which was suppose to relax him and often makes patients very sleepy so that they are distracted for the IV part. Well no big surprise to nick and I but it didn't have the intended effect. He was his vibrant and strong-willed self for the IV part so then they decided to try a gas mask instead as he wasnt going to go out without a fight. Luckily they let me come back with him to try to keep him calm.  I tried to keep it together while he was fighting the gas mask. Gosh after 12 MRI's you'd think it would get better but no, I manage to cry at a number of them. This one just got me because I could hear him from underneath the mask crying and asking them to stop. Ughhh! But we got through it soon enough. 

After the MRI we met with his oncologist who said Isaac's tumor was stable! Preliminary report was good! Of course they need the radiologist to study / read the scans and offer the details but overall we are pleased!! So we go into Thanksgiving week very very thankful! 

We now have 1 year under our belts being off Chemo. Woo who!!

MRI - Nov 8th

November 8th Update:

MRI update: well it was a slightly frustrating day. About an hour after arriving at the hospital we were notified Isaac's MRI had been canceled!!! Evidently the backup generators weren't working and they couldn't do an MRI with anesthesia without them. Err... So we were discharged around 8am. Well we all were hungry so we headed to Panera for breakfast , then headed back to Des Moines and were back before noon. 

Trying to reschedule proved to be quite a challenge.  Originally I was told it was going to take a month and a half to get him in (insert angry mama bear). Let's just say I was less than thrilled about that ... Well long story short they were finally able to move things around enough to get us in next week, Thursday, the 16th (insert mama happy face now). 


Even though the day didn't go as planned on the bright side Isaac was a happy camper to not have to do the MRI today.

November 7th Update:

Well it's that time again. Isaac has his next MRI Wednesday, Nov 8th. I believe this will be his 12th!! (Geez 😮)...The procedure will be at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. We have to be there at 6:40 in the morning so we came up a day early and are staying overnight in Iowa City. Isaac's Mima (Nick's mom) also came up this evening and will be helping me with the kids tomorrow as Nick unfortunately won't be able to be there . He was already scheduled to be out of town in Atlanta. So I'm so thankful for Mima's extra help!! It would be extremely difficult to manage 2 kids alone while in the hospital.

We are hopeful that Isaac's tumor has remained stable with no cyst growth. 

These past 3 months Isaac has been doing great. He went on his Make A Wish Trip, turned 4 and started pre school. He is loving his "normal" life! 


As always will you join us in praying for our little Hawkeye!

Isaac's Make A Wish Trip

Isaac recently got back from his Make A Wish Trip. It was simply amazing! Isaac had such a good time. He got to meet Captain America at Universal Studios, also got to go to Disney World and he got to go to SeaWorld. He had the most amazing time we feel so blessed that we were able to experience this with Isaac. Make-a-Wish is an amazing organization and we feel very grateful for this positive experience.

Reveal Party: Make A Wish Trip

August 23rd Update:

Only 5 more days!!!! Isaac is then going on his Make A Wish trip to Disney World!!!  

Make A Wish, Iowa had a Reveal Party for him last week where we met up for some "Superman" ice cream and they presented him with "his wish" which was to meet Captain America (@Universal) and go to Disney World. They had big balloons and gave him a number of different superhero capes and masks that he can bring with him. He is a huge superhero fan so this was so fitting for him and his wish. He was so happy!!

Nick and I are so thankful for this amazing organization! How awesome is it that Isaac is being blessed with this amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity for absolutely FREE! Just unbelievable. We are so grateful to be able to share in this with Isaac. We've always thought of this trip and have tried to explain it to Isaac as a reward for all his hard work and bravery that he showed those 2 years of Chemo. I thank God that we are able to go on this trip while he is feeling well and healthy.  He is going to have the time of his life!! And mom and dad are in for some long days in Orlando because it's going to be hard to slow this boy down once he gets there! :-) Wish us luck!

These 2 lovely ladies presented Isaac with his Wish.

Superman ice cream for a super hero little boy!

Balloons!!

All decked out and ready to rumble!

MRI - Aug 4th

Aug 4th Update:


MRI initial report is positive... Isaac's tumor and cyst remain stable! Praise the Lord! 

The morning started on a good note, Isaac slept until 5 minutes till 8 (which is when we had to leave) so the whole not eating breakfast thing wasn't a huge deal. He did ask for food a few times later on but we managed to distract him easily enough. 

Isaac's Mima and Papa met us at the hospital which was a huge help. Isaac was instantly happy when we arrived as he hasn't seen them in a few weeks. Then we got great nurses today  as well which ALWAYS makes such a difference! Isaac wasn't a huge fan of the IV but with the help of child life and one of Isaacs favorite nurses from his Chemo days he got through it with only a few tears. 

He woke up from sedation happy. Then we headed up to his appointment with his oncologist. Unfortunately they were running way behind and we ended up having to wait an extra hour and a half to be seen.  But well worth the wait when his oncologist came in saying everything was stable! Next MRI will be in 3 months unless he shows any negative symptoms. 

So with a good scan this means that Isaac gets to go on his special Make A Wish trip to Disney in 3 weeks to meet Captain America!! And then in 4 weeks he gets to start Pre School for the first time. I can't begin to tell you how blessed this makes us feel! 

Just got home from Iowa City around 6pm and had some celebratory pizza delivered! Yum yum! Nothing beats pizza after a long day at the hospital! And bonus mom doesn't have to cook. :-)

Aug 3rd Update:

We are traveling back to Iowa City for another MRI at the University of Iowa just 6 short weeks after Isaac's last one. His MRI is on Friday the 4th and doesn't start till 11 (with a check in at 10 am). So we plan on leaving from DM in the morning and traveling the 2 hours in the morning. Normally we get the 7am slot and stay overnight in Iowa city the night before but not so lucky this go round. I kind of always dread these mornings because Isaac isn't allowed to eat and with this MRI being so much later we'll most likely be dealing with a fussy and very hungry little boy tomorrow. It's so hard to tell your child he can't eat when he says "Mommy, I'm hungry, can i have some food please?"  But we'll make me most of it.  Nick and I usually keep Isaac up a little later than normal the night before and give him some good old fashion midnight snacks. Let's hope that does the trick this time. Haha

We are praying for good scans tomorrow. As most of you know last scan was not very favorable thus forcing us to do this scan so much sooner than normal. Last time there was a large cyst that grew on top of his tumor. I'm praying that miraculously it just disappears and that the tumor remains stable. 

Last scan they talked about another possible brain surgery. Obviously we are hoping that is not what we'll be discussing again tomorrow. Please pray for peace tomorrow and for Nick and I to cast ALL our cares on Him. Help us to have strength to deal with whatever results may come. We know God is so good and we are trusting in His perfect plan for Isaac's life.

Will you also join us in praying for Isaac as he goes through another MRI. Last one was his first without his port so getting his IV started was pretty traumatic for him. Parents that have had their kids in there hospital know what I'm taking about. Gosh you'd do anything to have them be sticking needless in you instead of your helpless and scared child. It's so hard to keep your child calm when they are kicking and screaming and have a number of nurses holding them down. So here's to hoping this one goes better. 

In other news Isaac has been doing really well. He's had no negative symptoms. PTL

Caught a bug

July 25th Update:

Isaac has his first fever since we removed his port back in March. Although I hate to see him sick it was oddly refreshing knowing that we didn't have to rush to the emergency room. This was the first time in 2 years that I got to deal with my child's sickness "normally". We assume that he got a little bug from his week at Vacation Bible School.  He absolutely loved his time there and I'm so glad he got to go learn about God and interact with kids his own age. But since I stay home with him daily his little immune system just wasn't ready for all those germs. Lol

So he had it's fever Friday evening until Sunday morning. So we watched a whole lot of Netflix this weekend. Then Monday and Tuesday he has no fever but has been pretty boogery/snotty. But I'll take it. I'm so thankful that we've been given these "restful" few months and I'm praying that continue. 

Next MRI is next week. We continue to pray for stable results and that the pesky little cyst disappers completely.  How amazing would that be if we didn't have to worry about another possible surgery or further treatment. Praying Praying.

Next MRI Scheduled

July 9th Update:

Isaac has his next MRI scheduled for Friday, Aug 4th in Iowa City. This comes just 6 short weeks after his last one. He is doing well currently and is not showing any negative symptoms. However we do have a couple appointments this week for him. They wanted him to go see an eye doctor because of the positioning and placement of the cyst could cause double vision or similar problems. We don't think he has any problems currently but it's kind if hard to know what a 3 year old is seeing. Next, we are going back to Blanks Hospital in Des Moines to have a neurological exam done. This is half way between his last MRI and next one. 

We are still praying like crazy that his tumor remains stable and that the cyst shrinks. We serve a great and mighty God who can do miracles. #HeIsHealer #ToughAsNails