Not the Last MRI :(

We met with the surgeon this morning. The neuro team reviewed the MRI and the area where the surgery was performed looks great. Unfortunately they did find a "spot" on his right 8th rib. The radiologist thought it was most likely a fibrous nodule and benign. Nevertheless it means another MRI in one year and to just be aware of it in the meantime. They don't think it will grow like the malformation did, but they will monitor it and see what it does. It's definitely not bad news but just not the news I was hoping for. I would have liked them to say "he's perfectly fine, we never need to see you again!". But at least it's not for another year. Dr. Guzman was in surgery when we got there so we initially met with one of his residents and he had us worried. He was the one who gave us the MRI results and said we would need to come back in 3 months for another MRI and bone scan?! Cory and I were shocked ... thinking "here we go again" but fortunately Dr. Guzman and his partner Dr. Edwards were back and came in with him to go over the details and what the plan of care would be. I was so relieved to see him walk through the door. He seemed very casual about the nodule and didn't think it was anything we needed to investigate further at this time. If he's OK with it..I'm OK with it. So, we just enjoy our healthy boy and let the good Lord continue his healing. I am sure that a year from now we will have that official "never come back" I was hoping for this time!

Matthew's Last MRI, we hope?!

We drove up to Palo Alto yesterday and Matthew had his MRI this morning. The anesthesia definitely affected him more this time. He took a LONG time to wake up and even longer to be steady on his feet. We finally left the hospital around 11:00am and just relaxed and slept a lot of the afternoon. We will meet with the neurosurgeon tomorrow morning to go over the results and any further care he needs. We are hopeful that this is the last trip we will have to make up to Stanford and will be putting this entire ordeal behind us!! I couldn't have imagined how well he would be doing at this point. There is no indication that there will be any problem with the MRI and he won't need any further tests, procedures, surgeons, or hospitals for a very long time!!! We continue to thank God each and every day for the healing he performed on Matthew. The last time we walked through those hospital doors we thought we would be leaving with a horrendous diagnosis and a long road ahead of us. To walk back in only 3 short months later with a healthy, active 2 year old was almost overwhelming. There are so many children here for their cancer treatments - it reminded us that could have been, should have been us. But the Lord had other plans....and for that we are immeasurably grateful and blessed. We will update the blog again tomorrow afternoon after the appointment but we don't anticipate there being anything but a clean bill of health to report. Thank you for the continued prayers and support...what would we do without our family and friends?!

"2,4,6,8 Who Do We Appreciate...Girly Gators"

Sami had her first soccer game today. We practiced a little outside last night and I was telling her "Ok Sami, tomorrow there are no butterflies, clovers or ladybugs!". Well, we get to the game and the girls are warming up...here comes Sami ,"Mommy I found a ladybug!!!". I should have known then it would be a long game :) Actually they all did really well for it being the first time any of them ever played an actual game. Yes, we scored a goal for the other team .... yes, there were a lot of girls holding hands and jumping around .... and there might have even been a few butterflies found. But, all in all, the girls all did fabulous and Sami had a great time. We're keeping our fingers crossed she continues to love it!! Here are some of the pics we took - this age is just too cute!!

Matthew Turns 2!

OK..so I am a little late posting but better late then never right?! On August 24th, Matthew turned 2. We had a small party with family and celebrated not only his birth but also his recovery and health! It was all train themed since Matthew's most favorite thing at the moment is Thomas the Train! It was so cute to see his reaction to his balloons and cupcakes when he woke up from his nap and saw them. He kept saying "My Happy, My Happy" all weekend! It is amazing the difference a year makes. A year ago he was barely walking, had just stopped nursing and couldn't really communicate. Now he is a full blown toddler terror and we are loving every minute! He is jumping, hopping, dancing and yelling his way through every waking moment of every day. We are exhausted but so enjoy seeing him grow and grow!