Rally for Reiss!

Come watch the games, eat good food, and support Reiss and his family! 

What a wonderful community they live in! 

Hooray!

They did it! 

Amber and Reiss drove to Primary Children's 6 times in the last 12 days... and he got shots in the legs every time.  They are done! HOORAY!!! They won't have to do that again until September-ish.  

They checked Reiss's blood again today to make sure his ANC was coming back up.  It was at 200 on Monday, and must be at 750 to begin the next phase- next week.  Well, it has gotten even lower and was only at 20 today! :( So the good news is that he gets to skip a week, and won't start the next phase until June 5. This will allow him to get his counts up, and (hopefully) attend the softball fundraiser in Price next weekend. The bad news is that his ANC is very low which means that his immune system is compromised and he is more susceptible to viruses and infection. Please keep this in mind if you will be around the Timothy family. Hopefully his numbers will go up so they will be comfortable taking him to the softball fundraiser. :) 

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

"I have cancer in my body."

I am often amazed at how strong the human spirit is. How resilient we really are when pushed to our limits. Often times in life we wonder, "How will I ever survive this? How will we get by? How am I going to do this?" But time and time again we surprise ourselves with the innate ability and desire to push on. In the beginning it is just getting by. Breathing. Taking things minute by minute. Then, day by day, week by week and eventually year by year we make astounding progress.  This journey, these last few months, I have witnessed first hand the resilience of the human spirit. 

The fighting spirit that moves us to succeed. 

My mom, a cancer survivor, Reiss, Presley and their parents are an unwavering example of this strength.

Reiss has been a trooper. On Friday, he will have travelled to Primary Children's three times a week for the last two weeks. They live about four hours (round trip) from the hospital so you can imagine the toll that has taken on Amber, Reiss, and the whole family.  I talked to Amber today to get a feel for what its been like, and she is so positive. Knowing it has been exhausting and daunting I expected to hear her say exactly that. Instead she replied, "There isn't much to complain about.":)

 She's amazing I tell ya! 

The coolest kids at PCMC! 

Reiss and Presley got to play today, and ride their bikes together! They are SO stinkin cute! It kills me! 

I love this picture of my little warriors SO much! 

They were racing up and down the halls on their bikes. Loving every minute of it. All the nurses were loving these two! What's not to love, right?!  The bikes are such a good alternative to the stroller!

Some cute pictures from last weeks visits:

Playing with some toys, and a doting Aunt Vicki! 

Popsicle time!

Another favorite picture! What a handsome little dude!

I can't believe he still has his hair! 

Superheroes 

Last week, Presley was fighing a cough and rash, so they kept her in isolation. They "played" through the glass. Reiss and Presley have the most beautiful mothers! 

Cancer buddies

Concentrating SO hard!

A little art

Cute little sweetheart!

Next week he will start phase three!  

This phase will be hard, because he will be admitted to the hospital for 3-5 days when he receives chemo. They have to monitor him closely with this next chemo to make sure it doesn't damage his kidneys. By being in the hospital they can push IV fluids, monitor his blood and make sure he is tolerating everything ok.  These hospital stays will occur every 2 weeks for the duration of 8 weeks. Prayers for little Reiss, and the whole Timothy family, in the months to follow. 

A sad little conversation Amber just shared with me:

"Reiss just came limping in the kitchen and said... 'Mom, I can't walk.' and I said 'Why can't you walk buddy?'... and he said, 'Cause I have cancer in my body'!!!! Ohhhh that just broke my heart. So sad!" 

Words like "'Cancer', and, 'I can't walk'" just shouldn't be in a 3 year olds vocabulary! :( 

Thank you again for all the love, support, prayers and well wishes. 

Don't forget to pre-register for Reiss's fundraising dinner. Click here to register!

(New) "New Normal"

So many have asked about Reiss, and keep coming back for a new update on the blog. Sorry the posts have been slow. Honestly, there hasn't been much to report on.  Reiss is doing well, considering his condition, and the whole family has (kind of) settled into a new normal.  Things are changing up a bit in the next few weeks, so this week starts a new "new normal".  Remember when Reiss had an allergic reaction to the PEG chemo a few weeks ago? Well, this week he started the alternative chemo to the PEG. They have to travel to PCMC every Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week and next (until the 24th.) This chemo is in the form of a shot inserted into his leg. Poor little Buddy! His blood counts were also low on Monday, so tomorrow, he will also have to get a transfusion. It will be a long day for them.  :(

Amber, Kenny and the kids are just living their lives as normal as they can! So grateful for the good days that allows them to do that! Lots of time spent at Amiah and Tayger's activities. 

Fun times at soccer games!

Sweet boys having a little snack!

Best Brothers

They had two cousins get baptized on the same day! They had so much fun being with the family. 

This is ALL the Timothy cousins!

Aunt Vicki came and visited. They were able to take her to one of their favorite places close to their home. The Wedge. They had a great time! 

Stud

Reiss has the BEST home health nurse EVER!! She even comes outside to the playground to check Reiss's vitals. Thank you Melissa for all you do! 

Just taking a little break for vitals.... you know. The usual! :) 

Don't forget to register for the dinner for Reiss's fundraiser! Its going to be a wonderful event with amazing food!! You won't want to miss it! Click here to register!