Isaac's big news

Oct 5th Update:

Isaac continues to do well. He is loving going to afternoon preschool, learning so much at Awanas on Wednesday nights, just finished up soccer and will be starting a little ninja class later in October. He is not experiencing any negative symptoms. His next MRI is scheduled for Dec 5th. This will be the longest weve ever gone between scans. 

On a different note, wanted to share that Isaac is going to be a BIG brother a second time! Isaac is really wanting a brother. He says he will still love a sissy but he'd love a brother even more. 😆 

MRI - July 20th

MRI Preliminary Results

Isaac's tumor is STABLE and the cyst appears to be almost GONE!! Boo Ya
Thanking God for this positive checkup! Doctors are extending the length between MRI's. Next one will be in Dec (5 months away). 

Overall Isaac did great! The sedation process was the best he's ever done. It was through a gas mask and Isaac "flew a jet plane". Haha  

Once again Mima and Papa accompanied us and took over Jemma duty which helped us a ton! 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Isaac! 

July 20th Update

Isaac is all set for his next MRI check up. It'll be Friday (20th) and it starts at 10:40. We'll be traveling to Iowa City in the early morning.
It's hard to believe it's already been 4 months since his last scan.  As always we would appreciate you praying for our little boy. 
Isaac is currently loving summer! He gets together with his friends often,  just had his last T Ball game tonight and for this past week has been enjoying having his mima here. 

#ToughAsNails #MRI14
#HereWeGoAgain

MRI - March 16th

March 16th Update:


Isaac's MRI today went great.  Preliminary reports suggested that his tumor is stable and the cystic portion actually shrunk slightly in size!! 

Isaac woke up in good spirits, and was a trooper during travel and while at the hospital.  He was surprised by his mima and papa after being checked in.  Of course he was happy to get to spend time with them.  

We were hoping for a very cooperative kiddo today.  We've been practicing the gas mask/sedation part at home. He even got to decorate his gas mask wth stickers which was a lot of fun for him.   We almost had it but when the sedation process started and the gas started flowing he was like "nope, I don't want this... I'm going back home now." Lol...So we did the old 3 person holding him down while keeping the gas mask on his face trick. Not necessarily enjoyable but it was probably the best sedation he's ever had so we are moving in the right direction.  

March 14th Update:

Isaac has his next MRI scheduled for this coming Friday (the 16th) in Iowa City.  The scan doesn't begin till 9:50 so we'll probably leave Des Moines that morning instead of staying the night the day before.  It'll be an early morning  with check in time at 8:20 + a 2 hour drive but hoping the kids will sleep in the car.  Here's to wishful thinking ;-)  

This will be the very first time we've stretched his MRI's to 4 months apart.  In the past we've always had them every 3 months (and in some cases even shorter periods). 

We are feeling pretty good about this scan but it's always a little nerve wrecking when it's MRI week.  We get so use to living a "normal"  life that sometimes we forget we have a child with a very serious medical issue that could change our lives' directions at any time.  It's such an enjoyment to be able to watch Isaac live life like other kids his age.  We are hoping and praying that he will continue to do just that.  

We'd appreciate your prayers that Isaac's tumor is stable and that the cyst (that gave us a scare a few months ago) goes away or stays at bay.  Isaac isn't showing any negative symptoms currently but as we've found out the hard way before sometimes things are growing internally without showing outward signs.  Praying that is not the care this time.  We are so thankful for you all that continue to show love and support to our favorite little guy.  

Isaac continues to do well.  His current favorite things are: 
1) Pre School
2) Racecars
3) Running really fast
4) Lightning McQueen and Jackson Storm (from Cars 3)
5) His sister, Jemma
6) and of course Mom and Dad

This picture was taken a few weeks ago when we visited the Botanical Center in Des Moines.  Isaac loved it!  

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!