Day 64: School and Games

I have been doing good in the past nine days. I've watched T.V, rode my scooter, and worked on school with Mom. We are learning about fossils, landforms, natural resources, and different types of stories. I am writing a story about our Halloween Hayride from last year. I did my rough draft today and we will revise tomorrow.

Last week I got a surprise call in the middle of the day. It was Mrs. Towns, my third grade teacher. After I talked to her, she let me talk to everyone in the class. It was so cool and I was really surprised. Mrs. Towns even told me some of my work was hanging in the classroom because they wanted everyone to know I was part of the class. She also said I am doing great with my schoolwork and to keep up the good work.

I have been to the clinic 3 times since I got home. My numbers are good but a little lower than they had been. Dr. F says not to worry. I go back to clinic on Tuesday. Hopefully my numbers will be higher. On Monday at clinic I had to get some fluids because I wasn't drinking enough. Now I have to write down everything I drink to remind me to get enough. I promise to drink a lot each day.

I will try to write messages more often. Have a good night.

AJ

Day 54-56:home sweet home

I would like to thank everyone who greeted me at my house. I love the signs, donuts, balloons, and surprises you left for me. Thank you to Ms. Cristina and Ms. Jackie for setting up the big surprise for me. I was very happy to see all my friends. I have missed you all very much. It is nice to be back home and with my whole family. I spent the whole weekend with my brothers watching TV and playing games. I can't wait until I can play with my friends again. Here are some pictures of me coming home. Thank you to Mr. Balazsy who took the photos of me arriving home.

Day 54: Packing up and Heading Out

We have packed up everything and we are headed back to Madison. Mom and I are going to Grammy's house for the day since I can't be around people. Some new friends in TN are coming to help Daddy load the truck here, and some old friends from AL are meeting him to help unload. Mr. Randy is doing double duty and even got us the truck. I should be home late this afternoon. The first thing I am going to do is hug my brothers, and then I'm gonna ride my bike - even if it is raining!

It is a happy day!

AJ

Day 50 - The Big News

WE ARE GOING HOME THIS WEEKEND!!! I FEEL GREAT!!!!

I will get to ride my bike again! I will get to play with my brothers! I will get to sleep in my room again! I am so happy!

Mom and I went to the Parthenon today. It is gigantic. We didn't go inside because I still can't be around people, but it was nice from the outside. We also saw a huge locomotive and a figther plane. Plus we played some soccer. Here are some pictures:

Here is the hat of the day:

Thanks to Mrs. Dugaw for the solar-hat with the fan, and for the book of gross jokes - they totally rock!!!

AJ

Special note from Mom and Dad:

Transplant patients are at greatest risk for GVHD (Graft versus Host Disease) immediately after engraftment with the risk decreasing over time. Typically the first 100 days are used to monitor and control this. AJ has been extremely lucky and shown no signs of GVHD, and the doctors feel it is safe for us to move home now. This move will reunite the family, however, AJ remains immune-compromised and must continue isolation from everyone but immediate family. No visitors!!! (They literally made us promise no parties or gatherings to celebrate his homecoming.) They will continue to monitor his levels and his progress with twice a week visits to the clinic in Nashville in the weeks and months to come. At around day 100, AJ will undergo another biospy and his Hickman line will be removed. If all is proceeding as planned, the frequency of clinic visits will decrease but he will continue to be monitored for the next year. AJ's journey is not complete and unfortunately, there may be bumps in the road ahead, but we are so blessed with the way things have taken place thus far.

We want to thank everyone again for your love and support, and especially for your prayers. Many of you have expressed the desire to visit AJ. We appreciate this so much and cannot wait until the day comes when that will be possible, but for the moment please understand that we cannot accept visitors.

We love you all,

Cindy and Greg

Day 47: Robots and Cookies

Prior to going into the hospital Denice made AJ a little flip calendar with 100 days counted up. Each page is unique and it has been an awesome gift. Thank you, Aunt Denice.

AJ continued his studies with mom the past few days. AJ says his favorite subject is still math, but he is also liking social studies and science, especially the anatomy lessons they have been working on. AJ's clinic vist on Friday went well. Dr. Frangoul continues to be very happy with his progress. We are hoping to have some big news in the coming days. So keep checking!

Here are some hats from the week:

AJ in true form... a Monkey!

Doing school work in a Mickey hat.

On Sept 11, he wore an Airborne Ranger hat (thanks, Pat). With a great message for the day on the back...

Each evening this week, AJ and I worked on an erector set, finally resulting in a little motorized robot. It is pretty cool.

One more thank you... to Aunt Vanessa who spent last week in Madison giving Grammy a few days off.

Our Saturday ended with an evening picnic at a local park and homemade cookies by Mommy.

-Greg

Day 42: It's Great To Be A Miami Hurricane

A great night watching ball.

Day 42: Happy Labor Day

We are getting ready for the big game tonight. We've had a lot fun this weekend. AJ and I played some soccer yesterday and we also went for a jog with Mom. We spent our indoor time putting together an erector set. If we can ever figure it out it will be a little robot. Here is a picture of AJ and I at work on the robot.

Special thanks to the Urness and Thorsen families for preparing us a great meal for Saturday night. AJ has a special hat of the day for Labor Day. A nice patriotic one sent by the Ludwigs, when you pull the strings the hands clap and wave the flags. AJ's response, "Awesome."

GO CANES!

-Greg

Day 40:Roll.........Hokies!

Not too much new to share....AJ had another good appointment with the doctors. Numbers continue to fluctuate slightly, but they say that is to be expected and fluctuation would be the same in a "normal" healthy person checked as often as AJ is. His platelet count has hit an new high of 225,000 (we have one CBC from his file when he was 2 years old, where his platelets were 246,000, but as we now know they must have started to drop in that following year.)

Other than that nothing much is new. We are spending a lazy Saturday watching college football, patiently waiting for Miami to play Monday night. As for tonight's big match-up, we are a family divided....Cindy is rooting for VT (because I promised Anna I would, and she promised to root for Miami!).....AJ is rooting for Alabama....and Greg really wishes both could lose! Since no battle cry works for all three, we will stick with "GO CANES!!!"

We are a little disappointed but decided the little ones were best to stay away this weekend, with the agreement of doctors. Swine Flu is all around in Madison and even a couple of their friends have come down with it.

Here are some photos and hats from the past few days, starting with today's hat of the day.

Hat fun with Mom:

AJ loved the cookies Rhonda, Troy and Quinn sent:

Going for a jog decked out in John Deere:

Just being silly:

Hope you have a great weekend!

Day 38 - A quick note

Sorry it has been awhile since our last post. Greg has been in Madison, and I have had my hands full. AJ is continuing to be a superstar! Numbers are rising, or at least holding strong. He got a good report at Tuesday's appt, and we go back tomorrow. School is moving along. Daily I am surprised at just how smart that kid is! All in all, things are good! We will just keep praying for him to continue to get stronger everyday, and for the Swine Flu to get out of Madison before they let us come home!

Love to you, and kiss your little ones!

Cindy

PS - Now that Greg has returned we will resume hat of the day (I don't know how to post pics on the site.)