Progress....

We are now up on floor 7 in oncology.  These rooms are amazing.  Years ago when we stayed in the old rooms you would more than likely share with 2+ other patients/families.  In the new tower we get our own room complete with a 42" TV for Logan and a 30" TV for parent.  If it weren't for the IV poll you would confuse it for a room at the Hilton;).  The best part of being back on oncology floor is seeing some of our favorite nurses.  As I always said 6+ years ago they are like family.  

Logan is feeling much better.  He went through the entire night with no fever spikes and BP stayed consistent.  He/we are anxious to go home but I don't see that happening until at least tomorrow.  I am going to shower him in a bit then we will go on a walk to get some exercise and fresh air. 

 A HUGE THANK YOU goes to Jeff, Emma, & Polly Bennett and many of their friends and family who held a fundraising car wash yesterday in front of their house for Logan.  They raised nearly $2300.00!!!  Words cannot describe how thankful we are for the support.

#loganstrong

So another night in ICU.  Logan is actually showing progress but his blood pressure is right on the border line that tends to worry the oncology nurses.  It actually is better we stay in ICU another night because there seems to be less activity.  They nurses here are not concerned at all with his BP.

As I am updating he is eating noodles with butter.  This is after he asked me to go downstairs to Starbucks and get him a blueberry muffin or doughnut....I got him both.  He almost ate both:). 

So appetite is coming back, BP is becoming better stabilized (going up), and fever is going down.

Prey for a good night.

#loganstrong

Logan is slowly getting better....I got up here to the hospital about 9 this morning to give Kelly a much needed break.  Logan is still in ICU but plan is to move him back up to oncology floor this afternoon if blood pressure continues to stay stable.

He is still fighting a fever.  At last check it was just over 99.  This is definitely better than the 103+ that it was the other day.

Logan is in good spirits.  Just tired.  Hopefully when we move back upstairs I can take him for a much needed walk.

I returned the Nissan this morning back to Korum Nissan.  Once again thank you...between Myself, Logan, and little brother Peyton we loved being able to experience such an awesome car.

#loganstrong

Hospital stay...

Last night about 9:30 Logan spike a fever of about 103.  Protocol is anything over 101 we go to emergency room at Seattle Children's.  Mom and Logan arrived in ER about 10:30.  Throughout the night many doctors and nurses worked on stabilizing Logan which included fluids, blood transfusion, and other medications.  Logan and mom finally got a room on the oncology floor about 5 this morning.  Both are exhausted and tired.

Good news is Logan is feeling better.  I just checked in with Kelly and Logan ate a really good breakfast and has actually requested more bacon and a cinnamon roll.

Concerning news is fever still a little higher than it should be and blood pressure a little lower than it should be.

Plan currently is he will remain in patient until both are corrected...so more than likely the weekend.

For him to get a fever, blood transfusions,  & admitted is common after the chemo he has received.  During our first run at beating cancer we always planned on hospital visits a couple days after chemo.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers...

#loganstrong

Thank you Ms. Kavanaugh and Korum's Puyallup Nissan for letting us take Logan to appointments the next couple days in this 2016 370Z!!!  He loves his sports cars and when I came home with this car his grin was ear to ear!

Logan had a pretty good day today as he did not have to make the hour plus journey to Seattle.  He continues to struggle to eat but is trying really hard.  Aunt Traci brought him a Slurpee and pizza bites per his request and he actually did pretty good eating.  His leg continues to be a big issue as he cannot put any weight on it.  

One day at a time...tomorrow he just needs blood work locally to determine if his counts are down.  If counts are down he is susceptible to infection and high fevers.  This is common with chemo for count to drop.  

#loganstrong 

1.  Trip to Seattle to get hydrated. complete.

2.  Eat pasta for lunch (eat anything:)). complete.

3.  Have one of his best friends, Chloe, hang with him all day.  complete.

Today Logan was a little sick this morning but rebounded quickly once hydrated.  Currently Chloe and him are playing Xbox and just laughing.

#loganstrong

Logan and Mom are home.  She doctors think Logan possibly pulled a muscle since he has not been using his leg that much due to surgery/tumor.  They will be be starting him on therapy to exercise the leg via stretching and swimming activity.  Mom also reported that he is feeling much better and even ordered a double bacon breakfast sandwich from Starbucks!

#loganstrong

Sooooo....

The concern under Logan's rib is just muscle/bone as he has lost so much weight.  If he continues to lose weight they will be placing the feeding tube next week. 

On that note as Logan and mom were leaving the hospital Logan's left leg/hip gave out on him and he cannot put any weight on it.  They are back in clinic meeting with the team of doctors.

#loganstrong

Rough morning....

After a great day yesterday it all changed this morning....Logan felt awful.  He really struggled getting to the car to make the daily trip north to Seattle Children's Hospital.  After being sick we were able to get him some nausea medicine and thankfully he kept it down.  When I checked in with Kelly on their 1.5 hour commute he was sleeping.

Today they meet with Dr. Julie Park to discuss last weeks treatment as well as go over his daily check on blood work.   Yesterday Logan's blood work actually started looking better.  They have been monitoring things real close because they are concerned his kidney's and liver are working to hard and stressed.

Logan also has been concerned about his lower left rib area.  I tried to feel it yesterday and he was very protective of the area.  Not sure if it's cancer/tumor related.  Kelly is going to have Dr. Park examine today which I am sure will possibly lead to scans. 

Seeing Logan in so much pain this morning was heartbreaking.......helpless feeling.

#loganstrong

Community....

Yesterday our family experienced more love and support.  The car wash was an amazing success.  We were there most the day and Logan was even able to make an appearance after his treatment at the hospital.  Thank you for all the support from friends, family, strangers, & local businesses.  I heard over $3k was raised!  AMAZING!

We received lots of kind words/support and many hugs yesterday. 

Thank you!

#loganstrong

Taylor Swift Meet & Greet!

She loves the bracelet Peyton gave her...

#loganstrong

Full circle...

Tonight as I write this Logan is asleep and actually feeling pretty good.  Today was all about hydration.  Once they gave him fluids he felt/looked a lot better.

Tonight I reflect on life and "full circle".  Today with social media it amazes me how many of my high school friends have reached out to me.  I love it.  I currently coach the JV boys soccer team at Roger's High School in Puyallup (where I graduated in 1991).  I have had former players that we have coached reach out to me.  My HS coach has reached out to me.  People that I don't even know but have heard Logan's strength/story have reached out to me.  The support that I have received from my work colleagues/friends at Comcast is amazing.  Former employees from my previous job when we battled this the first time have reached out....OK this is getting a little long winded but Kelly & I are so grateful for the support.  I won't talk for Kelly but.....she has been overwhelmed with the support she/we have received.  She comments daily how she wants to respond to everyone.

So tonight, tomorrow, yesterday, forever we say thank you.  We will do this together.  

#LOGANSTRONG

Sickness....

The chemo is definitely taking it's toll on Logan.  He is very weak and sick.  We are trying to stay ahead of the nausea with the medications but they are in pill form and it's makes him sick to take them.  

So far he has not had a fever.  If one creeps up over 101 degrees we need to take him to Children's ER.  Food is another issue.  Obviously not feeling well he has also lost his appetite.  Kelly met with a nutritionist and they said if he loses more weight they will look at placing the NG tube through his nose and into his stomach.  The tube would go to a backpack with a liquid formula.

Today, Logan's Papa & Nana head back to New York.  It has been a blessing having them here.  Coming home to great meals (weight gain;)), beds made, laundry done, porch stained......  Thank you Larry & Bonnie for coming out.  It meant the world to us.  When Logan feels better we will plan a trip out there...hopefully to see Griffey get inducted into the baseball HOF!

Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.

CAR WASH!!! This Saturday, August 8th, from 9am-3pm come get your car washed. Rogers Girls/Boys Soccer, Basketball, and even a few of our friends from Puyallup High will be washing cars to raise money to support Logan's fight. The car wash will be at the Mattress Ranch on the corner of 128th & Meridian.

15 years ago today I was blessed to marry my best friend Kelly. We have been through more than most couples and have grown stronger and will continue to do so. When Logan beats this cancer for the second time we will take some time to celebrate our love. Love you Kelly!

Kelly just texted me this picture....he is such an amazing young man.  

#loganstrong

Day 1

Mom and Logan headed up to Seattle Children's at 6:15 this morning to start the first round of experimental treatment.  Unfortunately there was a miscommunication on the start time.  They will not have the chemo ready until 11 this morning.  Kelly had some choice words that I cannot repeat since this is a family friendly blog.

It's surreal that we are back up in the hospital starting treatment.  As I type this they are preparing a poison to put in my son's body.  Logan continues to amaze me with his mental strength.  I was talking to him yesterday about starting chemo again.  He asked why don't they just do the same treatment when I was 5?  I explained to him that his body has built up a wall against that treatment and most likely would not respond.  He shrugged his shoulder and went back to doing something on his phone.

#loganstrong

Thank you Jeff for taking Logan to the car show this morning!  

Logan is doing great...Family BBQ tonight.  Chemo got bumped back until Tuesday because the hospital did not have the medicine in stock.  So that means an extra day to relax and enjoy time with his Nana & Papa.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers...

Happy Friday Everyone....

Logan, Mom, & Nana are already on their way home from Seattle.  Logan needed a quick x-ray to check the air around the lungs and no news is good news.

Logan is doing fairly well.  The doctors said he would/should be on crutches for 2 weeks.  Of course we are just over 1 week out and he refuses to use them....amazingly tough!

His lower back is really hurting him   Not sure if it because of the way he is walking (limping) or if the cancer is causing this. 

Monday Logan starts his experimental chemo treatment.  Mom & Logan will be going to Seattle Children's Hospital almost daily for 9 weeks for about 7 hours a day.  He will be getting a chemo that requires they flush his kidneys 2 hours before & 2 hours after.  He will be getting the chemo 2 hours in between.  He will be losing his hair again in approximately week 2...Logan's response to this is hopefully when my hair grows back I won't have this callac.

Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Update.....

So the issue with the air around the lungs is possibly caused by the port they placed last Thursday in surgery.  They are hoping his body takes care of it.....so surgery avoided for now....  He is getting a baseline x-ray now and then will go back Friday for another one to see if the air is gone.

Video above was taken last night.  A co-worker and great friend of the family, Jeff , brought over his car because Logan loves sports cars.  Watch at very end of video the amazing smile....and yes that is his little brother in the passenger seat.

Nothing is going as planned.....

Kelly, Logan's Papa, & Logan headed up to Seattle Children's at 5:30 this morning for CT scan and meeting.  We thought it would be an easy/quick day up there but that is never the case.  Person that called to set-up meetings never told us he was not supposed to eat/drink so they delayed CT until 10.  They met with Dr. Julie Park and went over experimental treatment schedule.  Going to be spending a lot of time up there.  Basically starting this Monday 9 weeks of outpatient chemo treatment everyday for approximately 5 hours in clinic per day.  They expect Logan to lose his hair again week number 2.

CT took place at 10 and they are concerned about air around Logan's lungs.  Kelly is awaiting more information from doctors but he may need to go into surgery today or tomorrow to relieve this and find out what is causing it.  Insert bad word here.

Logan is currently in getting an EKG as I type this (electrocardiogram to test heart).

I will update everyone once we find out more....

Taylor Swift....

Thank you Comcast and VP Matt Fassnacht for getting us four tickets to Taylor Swift concert August 8th in Seattle.  They also come with backstage passes to meet Taylor!!!

This will be a great distraction for for the family....

Order of most excitement:

1. Kelly (screamed when I told her)

2. Peyton (knows almost every song)

3. Logan (very excited but is a teenage boy so will not admit it)

4. Me (stuck in the 80's)

I told Logan to send me a selfie at work and this is what I got:).  

Logan & Kelly head up to Seattle Children's Hospital tomorrow morning.  He will have a CT scan at 7:15 am then they meet with Dr. Julie Park to discuss that scan as well as next steps in treatment.  For those that don't know we live about one hour south of the hospital and traffic never is that good.  Kelly and Logan will be leaving the house around 5 am.  Kelly is usually up anyway so she is good with that.  

GENEROSITY....

Kelly & I are at a complete loss for words, THANK YOU!

Logan is having a great day....currently he is over at a friends house getting some good x-box time in.  His hip was feeling a little better this morning and he was able to lift his left leg slightly.  Last night he had a little fever of just under 100.  A little Advil and good nights rest cured that.

We are awaiting a call from Seattle Children's Hospital on what's next....initially when we met with his doctor last week she was going to call us give us our schedule once they had results back from the biopsy's they performed.  Kelly & I are planners but as anticipated our schedules right now will be determined by the amazing doctors at Seattle Children's and faith.

8 years ago today Logan was diagnosed with cancer at age 5...days later his little brother Peyton was born.  Ironically almost to the day Logan begins his fight again.  Having his baby brother around after surgeries or feeling sick was a blessing.  It always made Logan smile and feel better.  Now Peyton almost 8 years old is helping once again.  He has designated himself "crutch-man".  Whenever Logan needs his crutches Peyton is there to retrieve them.  

Brotherly love.....

Great day for Logan.... Nana and Papa are here from NY and he is getting spoiled with love.  His hip is giving him the most issues...very sore.  He did walk up the driveway and back with his crutches to exercise today.  Logan is amazing!

Inspiration...

Logan has inspired so many people.  His strength, his will, his fight, his love, his smile.  As I type this tears run down my cheek.  I am so proud of my son.  It is so hard to watch him suffer.  

We have a huge obstacle in front of us but I am confident we can beat this. 

The support our family has received has been overwhelming...in a great way.  Kelly and I want to reach out to everyone of you and say thank you....your kind words, prayers, pictures mean so much to our family.  Thank you.

Above is a great picture I took earlier this summer while on a camping trip with the boys.  Logan is an amazing big brother.  Peyton has been well distracted these past couple days playing with friends. About 2 hours ago I was working with Logan on getting up and walking.  Logan was really struggling with the pain.  I looked over at Peyton and he was staring just worried for his big brother.  Later Logan needed help getting up and Peyton ran over to help.  It was awesome.  

One day at a time....

Logan is in a lot of pain but otherwise in great spirits.  We are trying to control pain as much as possible to make him comfortable.  The area that hurts the most is where they placed the port.  As you can see by the above picture they made small incision and placed under his skin about 1 inch below.  Once the skin scars/heals around it it should feel better.  The purpose of the port is when they do need to give him medicine, draw blood in the future they will access that vs. sticking him with needled all the time.

He was up a lot last night as he can only really sleep on his back.  He has the 2 incisions on his hip bones where they did bone biopsy's as well as incision in his left hip where they actually went in and took some bone out to send to labs for testing.  I went and kissed his forehead before I left for work this morning and kneed him in this area...he let me know about it:(.

He is an amazing young man and a hero to many!

We are home!  What a long day.  Logan as expected did awesome and still has his arm;)!  This weekend will be spent just laying around and watching a lot of movies.  His Papa & Nana are coming from upstate NY on Saturday.  Logan is very excited to see them.

We learned today that we do have somewhat direction of what we will be doing next.  Kelly is going to take leave from her job.  Unfortunately I  have been at mine less than 12 months so I do not qualify for certain leave benefits.  However my co-workers/boss/friends have been amazing supporting us.

Thank you!

Jason, Kelly, Logan, & Peyton

Logan is in surgery as I type this.  He is doing amazing!  The kid is so strong.  He has been joking around this morning.  He was a little nervous when I said goodbye to him as he walked in the the OR room but laughed when I yelled "hope they don't cut off your arm!"  

We met with Dr. Julie Park this morning.  She is his Neuroblastoma doctor who has overseen his treatment from day 1.  We discussed different treatment options with her.  Logan was in the room and was included in all conversation.  We really liked how much she involved him in the decision making.

So what's next....it sounds like he will start some sort of chemo treatment the week of August 3rd...It will be an early 15 year anniversary celebration of our August 5th wedding anniversary;).  The early goal of all treatment is to knockdown/slowdown the progression of his cancer.  Once he responds to this then phase 2 is to rid him of cancer.

We are are being asked a lot where is his cancer.  It is basically all over....it's not something they can surgically remove.  The surgery today is to get a piece of his femur bone to send to a lab to see what chemo he needs.  They will also be doing a bone marrow biopsy on both hips and placing a port in his chest.  The purpose of the port is so when he gets medicine at a later date they do not need to constantly stick him with needles.  They just access the port.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers....the power of our friends & family has really helped us.  One day at a time!

Jason & Kelly

Late last night we got the news we did not want to hear.  Logan has relapsed.  This morning we are heading up to Seattle Children's hospital to meet with his doctor to discuss options.

We are heartbroken.

Above is a picture of the Logan's left hip area that is of concern.  You can see the inflammation and difference between the bone in the right hip.

Long Day for Logan & Mom

Kelly & Logan ventured north to Seattle about 11:30 am and did not get home until 6 pm.  They only had 2 appointments.  First appointment was at 2 pm and was a quick injection of some nuclear substance into Logan.  Yes it is literally a radioactive substance called a tracer and when they do the MIBG tomorrow it will light any Nueroblastoma cancer like a Christmas tree.  The nurse unfortunately was having trouble starting the IV and blood was going everywhere.  Logan was not to happy about that. The next appointment was supposed to be at 3:40 pm but doctor was finishing casting another child so did not get to them until about 4:30 pm.  

We found a little more about Thursday's surgery.  It actually will be an out patient surgery which we were VERY glad to hear.  The doctor described the area around his left hip and femur as not a mass but more of liquid in the bones.  So what she will be doing is drilling a hole into his bone to drain liquid as well as test marrow.  He will be on crutches for 2 weeks because bone will be weak and a fall could break it.  Logan is actually excited to be on crutches....thinks it's cool.

So tomorrow Logan, little brother Peyton, and I go up for a 2:30 pm MIBG scan hopefully that will show NO Nueroblastoma.

(picture above is them staying busy between appointments)

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Time to fire back up the Blog.....

First of all thank you to all of our family and friends for your support and kind words this past 10+ days.  We are thankful and overwhelmed with support.  We feel starting up the blog again will help keep everyone updated with Logan's symptoms.  

About 3 weeks ago Logan started limping.  He said his groin/hip hurt.  Kelly and I initially thought he had hurt it running and/or on a friends trampoline.  As a precaution Kelly took him to his local pediatrician and they did some blood work and agreed that he most likely had a groin pull and gave him some exercises to work on.  We also notified his survivor nurse at Seattle Children's Hospital. She asked if the local pediatrician ordered additional blood work to show any unusual triggers for tumors.  They had not.  I took Logan in to get more blood drawn.  The results would not be back for 10 days.  His survivor nurse also recommended an x-ray of his hip/knee.  We finally got what we thought was great news....the x-ray showed possible groin tear (most parents would not celebrate this news;)).  We enjoyed our weekend with family and friends.  On Monday his survivor nurse called me and said she had an additional doctor look at the x-ray and just to be safe wanted to do an MRI as well.  That Tuesday July 7th he had his MRI at 2 pm.  Just before 5 that night I received a call from his Neuroblastoma doctor, Julie Park, who I had not spoken with in many years.  My heart sank.  She said they were very concerned about a mass on Logan's hip area and wanted to schedule surgery to do a biopsy as well as more testing to see if he had possibly relapsed with Neuroblastoma.  We spoke with Logan that night and of course he was very concerned and had a bit of anxiety (as we all did).  He was supposed to leave the next day on a 7 day east coast trip to Boston, NY, and DC.  Kelly, Peyton, & I  were heading to Lake Chelan with friends.  After talking with Logan he decided not to go back east but to come to Lake Chelan with us (Kelly & I were so thankful).  

Lake Chelan was a great distraction...sort of.  While there we received more troubling news regarding his blood work regarding tumors.  It was unusually high.  

So that takes us to today/this upcoming week.  Logan will be up at Seattle Children s Hospital Tuesday/Wednesday for an MIBG test (this test will show if Neuroblastoma is present).  On Thursday he will undergo surgery to do a biopsy on the mass/tumor n his left hip area.

I will once again work on keeping everyone updated via this blog.

This is another chapter in Logan's fight.  He is an amazingly strong teenager and we have no doubt that he will once again prevail and come out even stronger in the end of all this.

Thank you all so much for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Please hug your kids tonight....

Jason, Kelly, Logan, & Peyton