11/03/2009
by Michael Wells We finally have received Brady’s diagnosis. Brady has leukemia this we already knew. However, what we now know is Brady has neither Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia nor Acute Myelogenous Leukemia he has own unique Leukemia which is supposedly a combination of several of the sub-types of both ALL and AML. The doctors are following the protocol for AML and will continue to do so depending upon the results of Brady most recent cycle of chemotherapy. We will know the results in the next 3 to 5 weeks. Until then, it’s a wait and see scenario. A few, “I never knew” facts about leukemia: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is one of the leading pediatric cancer hospitals in the world. They have performed 10 bone marrow transplants for children with AML between the ages of 1 month – 10 years old in 5 years. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, Washington arguably the pioneer in stem cell transplantation has performed 4 transplants for the same age group between January 2002 and December 2006. Needless to say, Brady’s unique leukemia will most likely require a bone marrow transplant and the minuscule numbers are scaring the hell out of us. So many people have asked us what they can do to help, so Sherrie and I have come up with a plan to help ease our anxiety and hopefully put a positive spin on a horrible situation. We are asking all of Brady’s family members, friends, and anyone who has been touched by our son to hug someone in honor of Brady. That’s right we want to start: “Hugs for Brady” Start today; in fact start right now! Give someone you love, someone you hate anyone who needs a hug a – Hugs for Brady and let us know how many hugs you’ve given in his honor. All we want to see are the numbers – it will really mean a lot to us and most importantly; Brady! Until next time, please keep Brady in your thoughts, prayers and hugs…“8 Years Later—Still No Cure for Pediatric Cancer” is a series of posts revisiting the journal kept by Sherrie and Michael Wells during the cancer diagnosis and treatment of their son, Brady Michael. Hopefully these entires will provide an understanding of the journey families face when dealing with these horrific diseases and of the important work the Hugs for Brady Foundation does.