01/26/2010
by Michael Wells Goodmorning to all of Brady’s friend’s & family, It is 11:30am and Brady just nodded off to sleep. He has been getting a constant morphine drip for generalized pain as well as tylenol throughout the night to keep his fevers under control (less than 103°). He was in pain this morning so he received an “extra” dose of morphine. He vomited at 4am but has managed to keep his breakfast of banana and yogurt down, so far. And, best of all, right now his temperature is under 100°. As always, we have been watching baby einstein videos all morning. i’m scared to turn them off even when he is asleep for fear he will wake right up! We have made some changes for the blood drive information posted on last friday’s journal entry so i wanted to make sure everyone was aware because it is so important! revisions from FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010: Blood Drives for Brady… Union, New Jersey: Michelle Martin, Michael’s friend and coworker, in coordination with the Blood Center of New Jersey and the Union Elks Club are hosting a blood drive for Brady on Sunday, February 7th from 8:30-2:30 at the Union Elks Lodge #1583, #281 Chestnut St. Union, NJ 07083, (908) 686-1583. The Elks will be serving a roast beef dinner to everyone that donates, wow! However, be sure to eat within 4 hours before donating and bring a photo I.D. Please make an appointment to donate at: [link removed] Enter your information and the sponsor code, 1583 “Click” Sunday, February 7, 2010 “Click” on an available appointment time “Click” confirm appointment The Elks are involved in a wide variety of programs, from scholarships to drug education to Veterans Services. Public service is an integral part of being an Elk. In keeping with this tradition, Elks participate in many programs to better their communities. Elks Care- Elks Share! www.elks.org/lodges/lodgenews.cfm?lodgenumber=1583 South Brunswick, New Jersey: Marc Rubenstein, our friend and owner of Jersey Physical Therapy, in coordination with the Community Blood Council of New Jersey and Jersey Physical Therapy are hosting a blood drive in support of Brady on Saturday, February 20th from 10-2 at Jersey Physical Therapy, #3228 Route 27, Kendall Park, NJ, 08824. Drinks and snacks will be provided! However, be sure to eat within 4 hours of donating and bring a photo I.D. Please call Carolyn ASAP at (732) 297-0032 to make an appointment to donate. Jersey Physical Therapy will make your physical therapy experience an enjoyable one. They provide the highest quality physical therapy and the best customer service in the industry. You can always expect to be treated with the personalized attention you deserve. They “Provide Relief while Restoring Function”. Each physical therapy program is individualized based on the patient and his/her diagnosis. www.jerseypt.com Other ways to donate blood AND platelets: https://www.aabb.org/Content/DonateBlood/WheretoDonate/BloodBankLocatorMap.htm If you want to donate your bone marrow: https://www.marrow.org/JOIN/JoinNow/joinnow.html If you want to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Marathon in honor of Brady: [link removed] A special thank you to everyone that has written in Brady’s journal. Since Brady can’t have visitors, we look forward to reading what you have to write. Please take a moment now to sign Brady’s guestbook. Hugs from Brady to you!Earlier today, I spoke with my sister Doreen because Sherrie told me Doreen was worried about her Irish twin brother. So, trying to be a good brother I phoned my sister at her home in Houston, Texas and I was told not only was she worried about me but so was my sister Kathleen as well as my mother. Thank God, she didn’t have the time to speak to all 8 of my brothers and sisters or I’d really be in hot water. It seems I didn’t write a journal entry one day and it worried my entire family. I am sorry for causing such unnecessary concern and I will try not to “miss” any future journal entries. So, on to the important “stuff” – Brady; he’s still battling high temperatures and nausea and it’s very evident to both Sherrie and me that without his pain meds he would be extremely uncomfortable. This is the crap that drives us crazy about this Acute Bilineal Leukemia or Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia or Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia or Acute Non-differentiated Leukemia or whatever whichever doctor is labeling “it” today. It’s driving me insane that what Brady has is an extremely rare type if not totally unique acute leukemia. He is an incredible child and it’s just wrong to be so young and to go through so much! I have been told my journal entries are rather emotional and without a doubt they are for I know no way to express my utter disdain for this hideous disease. Sherrie and I are becoming more anxious by the day as we get closer to Brady’s next bone biopsy. I have tried to avoid thinking about the “what ifs” and to stay focused on the only thing that matters; having Brady’s blast counts below 8%. We must get him to CHOP for his bone marrow transplant! There is NO other course and as we approach next week Sherrie and I will have a new definition for the word “stress.” To my Mom, all my sisters, brothers, children, extended family members, friends, and acquaintances please don’t focus one moment of concern on anyone other than Brady. He’s the one who needs all the support and positive energy and blessings he so rightly deserves. I cannot wait to write the final entry in this journal; “CURED.” Until next time; I will try to emote less and report more; please continue to keep Brady in your every thought, prayer and hug someone you love for him!!!
The Hugs for Brady Foundation will ALWAYS be in support of other foundations who allow people to donate blood, platelets, plasma, or register to become a bone marrow donor. However, we no longer ask supporters to donate financially to ‘The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’ as their focus on childhood cancers does not coincide with our foundation’s mission.
“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.