Connor Update

When it rains, it pours. Please lift up Connor's Dad and his family as Connor's grandfather, passed away today (Tuesday, 2/24). He had Alzheimers. He was suffering, so it is a blessing that he is not in pain anymore.

As for Connor, we're still in limbo, but we are making progress. After speaking with the doctors in Houston, they made me realize starting the treatment right now is a little tricky. If we start something right now, he would have to be off of the treatment for three weeks before he could start the protocol on a clinical trial. Also, the doctors were nervous about him starting treatment on Monday (yesterday) and having his blood counts bottom out while we are in Hawaii. We've reached a compromise, so to speak. If they can find a trial for Connor and have it ready to go on Thursday when he gets back, then we will hold off on any drugs until then. If they have nothing concrete planned, we will start treatment on Friday. Friday's treatment would be a combination of oral chemo and a drug that is IV fluid that he will receive once a week. Connor will be back in Dallas before his counts bottom out (usually 7-10 after the chemo starts).

The doctors are looking at 2 different trials right now. We also have the Chief Medical Officer at St. Jude's looking at Connor's medical records to see if he has anything new to offer there (Thanks, Denese). And finally, we have a Dr. Bloom in Chicago looking out for clinical trials and helping us get some of the promising drugs out there in trials that are closed or trials that Connor doesn't qualify for. Dr. Bloom works for an organization that funds clinical trials and helps people who find themselves shut out of trials for one reason or another. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD'S GUIDANCE -THAT WE WILL CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH FOR CONNOR, WHETHER IT BE THE CLINICAL TRIAL OR THIS OTHER TREATMENT THAT WE CAN START FRIDAY OR SOMETHING THAT DR. BLOOM FINDS.

"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17 I am praying this for us!

I guess Connor's dad and I have reached a point where we are "leaving it all out on the field" in our fight for Connor. No stone unturned, so to speak. We will diligently seek God's direction in Connor's treatment, diligently seek His face, do everything possible to help Connor in this fight .... and then lay it all at Jesus' feet. God knew the number of Connor's days before he was even born, whether that is 8 years old or 80.

(13)"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (16) All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139: 13 and 16

We will rest in the knowledge that God loves Connor more than we do and He has a special plan for him. We are still believing that God is going to save Connor. We will remain steadfast, as our friend Jack directed us to. We are praying God will use these new drugs that will be put in Connor's body like he used the Israelites when they were marching around Jericho. Like the walls of Jericho, this cancer will crumble. Thank you for your continued prayers.