Nov 30, 2010

Change of plans: no more Houston. The Drs don't think the proton therapy will provide greater advantages than the therapy they have in Seattle, so we're staying here. We had the ultimate decision, prayed about it, and feel that until we feel a definite "no" we are going to keep going forward and trust that Heavenly Father is in control. We are heading over the pass tonight or tomorrow to begin treatment.

Nov 24, 2010

We met with our treatment team today and everyone feels the best course of action is take a very aggressive approach to treatment. The plan is to start radiation treatment at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston as soon as possible. It's a little difficult to make plans as so many key people are off for the holidays, but t...hey hope we can get started mid next week. We'll find out for sure by Monday afternoon.

Mitchell will have daily radiation treatment for about six weeks. He will also be undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the same time. The chemo will continue after the radiation treatment but can be handled from Seattle, so we will return... then. It was a very frank and scary discussion, but Amy and I both feel peaceful about this being the right steps to take. We are happy to get started on treatment. We remain optimistic. MD Anderson is the best cancer center in the nation, and I think we'll feel better once the process gets under way. The path to recovery will be started. Thank you all for your prayers and concern. Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 22, 2010

We had a "Merry Little Christmas" tonight for FHE. We let the boys open their big presents after our lesson since we'll likely be celebrating away from home this year. We had baths, put on comfy PJs, Christmas music, and made hot chocolate. I'm so grateful for these moments.

Nov 20, 2010

Home for a few days and loving it. Time to put up Christmas decor so we can enjoy it before we leave. Mitch is trying hard to adjust, but needs LOTS of help. Can't say enough of how good it feels to be home, except now I have cleaning and laundry to catch up on.

Nov 18, 2010

This isn't the greatest pic, but all I had for today. Mitch is hooked on chocolate pudding since being at the hospital and eating his "doctor food." Tonight he licked the cup out.

What a wonderful day. We finally received the test results tonight. Who would have thought a week ago that hearing the words "your son has a... brain stem glioma" would not completely devastate us? Today we heard those words and we're okay. In fact we feel great--optimistic. This past week has shown us (yet again) that God is in control of everything. The pathology results took longer than usual, but looking back, I think we needed that time to mourn; regain perspective; and find the necessary strength, faith, and optimism to endure this trial. Heavenly Father mercifully gave us that time. Plus, he gave us some really great days to enjoy Mitchell's sweet and mature spirit. He is a chosen soul who, we believe, will conquer this trial. Chad and I both feel that way. I felt prompted to read D&C and happened to click on section 6. I read, "Be patient" and "Did I not speak peace to your mind; what greater witness can you have than from God? ...I have told you things which no man knoweth." Also all week I've had "...ye will receive a witness AFTER the trial of your faith" (from Ether). Doctors are blessed with knowledge, but only God knows everything. We feel abundant peace and hope. Thank you to all for the tremendous love and outpouring of prayers for us. WE FEEL THEM! We will likely pursue radiation therapy, because they believe this to be a high grade tumor. Brain stem gliomas are rare, and Mitchell's location is even more rare, so there are no statistics to compare. There is a chance we may go to Houston or Boston for treatment because they specialize in a newer radiation therapy that reduces long term side effects. We will know more next Wednesday when we meet with the radiation oncologist. Don't google this on the Internet (the info is old and so many diff factors play into it) and DON'T GIVE UP on our little man. He is tough as nails, and there are so many variables and unknowns. Again...ONLY GOD KNOWS. We will keep faith that he will come out on top ALWAYS.

Nov 17, 2010

Amy is writing in her journal and asked me to give an update. We didn't get much news today. Everyone is still waiting for more definitive results from pathology. We hope to hear more in the next day or two. It sounds like treatment wouldn't start until next week no matter the news, so if another biopsy is not needed w...e may possibly get to come home for a day or two this weekend. The doctors seem to be less inclined to hold open the door for less serious diagnoses, but this does not dampen our spirits. Mitchell continues to show that he is up to any challenge. With the Lord's help he can do anything. He took two walks up the hallway with some assistance. From morning to night he is a happy chatterbox rattling off jokes nonstop. He doesn't complain but spends most of his energy making sure everyone is happy. When the monitor alarms go off he will hold out his arm to hug me, pat me on the back and say don't worry about it daddy. He is always telling us to give each other kisses and asking to touch baby sister. He is constantly rubbing our hair and patting our hands to show his love. It's impossible not to believe this strong little spirit is going to come out on top. We were also blessed to have some special visitors today. A musical therapist came to the room to play songs. Mitchell loved it and really beat away on the little drum with his right hand. When asked if he had a request, Mitchell of course answered I am a Child of God. The man listened as we all sang. We appreciated his visit. I hope his dad has forgiven him for going to a crazy liberal college to get a masters in guitar songs for kids. We were also visited by some of Amy's young women who ventured the snowy mountain pass to spread some joy. We are truly touched by everyone's kindness and prayers. Lastly, we are very appreciative to the Ronald McDonald house for housing our family. Please toss your change in their donation box at your next visit to McD's. It's a wonderful operation. Our very best to all!

Nov 16, 2010

Yay for today!!! Mitchell looked so good today. He woke up chipper as usual, but surprised us by taking some steps (assisted). The physical therapists came by and said he will get back on track after his treatments because he is a tough playful kid; he looked much stronger than he has the last few days. We got to go to... the playroom for the first time since before the biopsy, and he was so excited. He got a bath tonight and even got to take his IV out. His Grandpa Barclay and Aunt Taunya arrived, so yay for more visitors. Also, preliminary pathology reports show they got something, so yay for no more biopsies! Chad felt strongly that we would see the hand of the Lord today, and we certainly did. It totally revived us too. Mitchell is such a happy boy, and that spreads all around him. I am so grateful he had a good day. Words will never be enough to thank you all for your investment in his cause. Just know it has completely affected us and clearly helps. Please pray for good news with the biopsy results tomorrow.
The tumor board meets to discuss our plan. Also, please remember all these other sweet angels who sit here struggling for life too. This experience has changed me.

Nov 15, 2010

Not sure what to say again today. Chad called me at 5 am to come over because Mitch's heart rate keeps going low and they were going to do a cat scan. The cat scan looked fine. They did an EKG, which also looked good. His blood pressure goes up when his heart rate goes down, which may indicate pressure in the head. He ...was awake most of the day, so I got to snuggle and be with him. He is truly the cutest, sweetest little guy. He always asks for hugs and says,"hi daddy/mommy" to us every few minutes. Love him. His brother came back today and he was so excited. He tells everyone at the hospital about his brother Jackson. He also had two aunts, an uncle, two more grandparents, and two cousins come to visit. That finally wore him out. We're still waiting on pathology, and I'm very anxious to get moving on treatment. I keep thinking of President Uchtdorf's talk on "The Infinite Power of Hope." Chad says he's going to believe Mitchell will be healed until he hears otherwise, and even then he says he doesn't believe the drs are always right. Heavenly Father may have a huge miracle up his sleeve waiting for us.

Nov 14, 2010

I'm not really sure what to say today. It was a hard day. Mitchell was cheery. Our nurse was teary-eyed several times because Mitchell is so sweet. I can't lie, I'm scared. His heart rate goes down in his sleep way more than it should. He can't stand on his own at all anymore or control his left side. I see he's getti...ng worse and I'm frightened. Chad is always there to reassure me that Mitchell will be fine. We know there's nothing we can control, that it's all in Heavenly Father's hands. I know Heavenly Father knows what's best. Our faith is strong, so if it is in alignment with the Lord's will, he will be healed. My hope is that the Lord will heal Mitchell; that this experience will serve to teach and strengthen all; that Mitchell will serve a mission and marry in the temple. Please heal my baby Heavenly Father; let him live to continue his light and example on this earth.

Nov 13, 2010 PM

Today was filled with many highs and some lows. Mitchell finally woke up at 9am. His nurse was touching him and said, "Sorry I have cold hands." He tried to get up and rubbed his hands together telling her, "You go like this to get them warm." Then he asked for "panpakes." When I didn't get them right away, he reminde...d me to "Go get my panpakes." That gave us a good laugh. He ate well and got excited to see his brother this morning. Jackson was a little nervous to see his brother so altered. We were released out of ICU by noon'ish. Mitchell looked pretty good until 3'ish when he started showing signs of pain. He's not a kid to complain, so when he was batting away help I knew he wasn't feeling well. Plus he kept scratching his stitches. They gave him some pain relief, which got him acting more himself again. He is still very much not himself though and sometimes thoughts of "what-if" and worst case scenarios flood my mind. Gratefully I married the most positive guy around who gives me great strength. Mitchell LOVES his daddy so he's been relying on him too. Our parents have sacrificed and taken great care of us. We feel so blessed. This is a humbling experience. It has made me realize how selfish I've been when others needed my prayers and strength and I only gave a small part of what I could. We will never be able to adequately thank all of you. How blessed we are and indebted to all of you who have fasted, prayed, and added our names to prayer rolls (even the Mormon Tabernacle Choirs'!). We read your comments,etc and they have deeply touched us. Thank you. Please continue to pray for excellent biopsy results! ;) With Love, The Hatfields

Nov 13, 2010 AM

Doing well post-op. He even kicked his foot away from the nurse. :) The surgeon didn't know if they got what they needed or not because they ended up on the edge of the tumor. We'll hopefully find out in the next couple days what we're dealing with. Of course we pray it will go away altogether, but if it has to be a tu...mor, we PRAY it's low-grade, which are more successfully treated. We feel good about our oncologist who specializes in gliomas. Most of all we THANK YOU for prayers and fasts. You can not know how much that means to us and how much peace it has afforded us. We sort of felt hugely relieved like it's over, but really this is just the beginning. Please keep praying with faith for our little angel. We have a lot of hope.

Nov 11, 2010

Please, PLEASE pray for a miracle! Our world desperately needs this little angel. Tell everyone you know to pray too, please! Miracles can happen. They think it's a brain stem glioma.