Thank you ENF

I haven't written this message yet because everytime I start I get emotional and have to stop. One of my most favorite things in life right now is the very special job I have. For those of you who don't know, I have the best job in the whole world as an classroom instructional assistant. I only worked about 3 hours a day and I got to see Aidan at his recess everyday if I wanted. You see two years ago I reentered the world of Special Education after a long break. Aidan's elementary and my facility share the same property so it was the best of both worlds. I have been working in the preschool class of Valery Fischer and it is soooo much fun! We laugh and play and even though the challenges are constant(lots of diapers) and ever changing(who gets the Thomas the Tank engine today) and we sing the same songs until we're blue, it's a blast.
The best part about it are the people I work with. Even though teacher Valery puts in a full day and has a large family, she has taken time to come to the hospital and our house several times. My counterpart and Valery's left (and right) hand, Sharon, has taken the same amount of time to accompany Valery and call me often to make sure we are ok. Togther they have supported me from the moment this happened. They have brought us gifts, love and lots of hugs and I will be forever grateful for the support they have given.
The rest of our school is just as special. RH DANA Staff, Instructional aides and IBI staff-Thank you Thank you for the giftcards and money. You are special angels (as I know how big our paychecks are) and your unselfish generosity at this time of the year touched us so. Teachers who contributed to the special air filter, a special thank you...The filter we are getting will help control air pollutants and bacteria since Aidan's immune system is completely compromised and he has asthma. You have reached out to us and we are grateful. Thank you.

I miss all of your smiling faces and hope to see you soon.

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Christmas at Home

Just wanted to let you all know we had a fantastic Christmas. It was extra, extra special for all of us this year because even though Aidan is facing cancer head on-he is doing it with the love and prayers of many, many wonderful people. We are so blessed to have so many unselfish givers this year and YOU have made Aidan one happy little boy.

Of course, we almost didn't get to be home Christmas night! We went in the 24th for a platelet transfusion and ended up staying until 9:30 that night. Aidan had an allergic reaction and Dr. Linzmeyer checked us right in. They ended up giving him a blood transfusion and we were freaked. In the hospital, time stands still so when they say you'll leave in a little while-we know know that could mean tomorrow! By the time we got home, we were exhausted from the stress of it all and quickly got Aidan to bed so Mom could get the rest of the wrapping done!!!

We opened presents with Nana and Papa(Susan and Paul) who brought a computer box full of beautiful gifts from Papa's department at Fluor Daniel SC, Uncle Paul Jr and Mojgan,Uncle Nick and Dad (Luis)who came back with a large suitcase of gifts from Vought Aerospace. Holy cow Aidan was beside himself with joy. Christmas morning made up for the chemo and sleepless nights and will carry us thru for the next couple of months worth of hospital stays!!!

A very special thanks to everyone at Fluor and Vought Aerospace for your big hearts and amazing generosity. We are overwhelmed with gratitude-thank you...

Home Sweet Home!

Hello All,

Today feels really good because we got to sleep in our own beds for the first time in 18 days. Aidan was released on a short pass so we could come home for Christmas. Since We got home on my 37th birthday-you can only imagine what a special day it was. Mom bought us Chronic Tacos (the worlds best dana point tacos) and Tito brought a 31 flavers ice cream cake-just like when I was little. Our dear friend Puja brought us some amazing presents from my preschool class at RhDana ENF and Dad says he has a suitcase full for Aidan from his job, Vought Aircraft Industries-we can feel your South Carolina warmth and love from across the USA!!!!

A special thank you to those angels whom we have never met but care so much. You are extra precious to us...

A home nurse came at 10 am this morning to take blood and help mom flush Aidan's catheder lines. For those of you who don't know-Aidan has a double lumen Hickman catheder directly in his Jugular. This has eased his pain tremendously because he never has to be stuck with needles or have another IV. He is now BIONIC.
Aidan's favorite thing about being home today is watching all his favorite tv shows we've been missing. He also played with all the toys given to him at the hospital!!! He is feeling good and very happy right now.

We may have to go back for a blood transfusion sometime this weekend and back to the hospital for round 2 on Dec 31...
Love you all.

Dr. Ruki's visit

Well, Aidan had a good visit from oncologist, Dr. Ruki today. Her hope is that we will be able to leave by Friday or Saturday for a week or so. Aidan's neutrophil(his healthy white blood cells) count was 20 yesterday and 30 today. He has to get up to 1000 to leave so everyone praying-the prayer for the week is for neutrophils. Apparently, once these little guys get going they can multiply pretty fast...fingers crossed. By Jan 2 we will be back here at the hospital for round 2 chemo so please keep the prayers coming. Aidan has an army of amazing people behind him and trust me we feel it and it's working.


Thank you to all the cards and gifts pouring into the hospital. The staff thinks they have a child celebrity in their midst and i think they do!!!

Aidan's funny quote for the day...

MOM: Aidan what would you like to say to everyone who is praying for you and sending you cards and gifts???

Aidan: Ummmm....Thank you?

MOM: Yes Aidan, anything else?

Aidan: Ummmm....God Bless America?

MOM: Thanks Aidan, real funny.

THANK YOUS

Just have to give some quick thank yous. To everyone who has called and especially prayed for Aidan we truly appreciate and NEED them. To those who have taken time out of their busy holiday schedules to visit and brought me and Aidan gifts, bless you.

First to my Mom. Nana stopped her life, jumped on a plane and deposited herself in the hospital chair next to her grandson. She is a balm to my soul having her here everyday, knowing that she will have Robustelli input about everything going on and making sure we eat good! Someone please get her some coconut shrimp and a filet mignon(she won't stop talking about it!!!)

Love to my dad, we miss you and can't wait for you to get here. Thank you for being such a good papa and worrying about us from so far away.

Uncle Nick-laughter is the best medicine

Brother Paul Jr and Mojgan-Weekly visits to the hospital, hugs and love to keep me going, I treasure every minute of hanging with you guys and Aidan LOVES his aunt Mojgan.

Audrey, Bridgett and Dana, (alphabetical order) my dearest friends. I haven't had to worry or cry nearly so much since you three are doing it all for me along with everything else in my life at this point. I love you so.

Valery and Sharon-thank you for lunch and funny stories about the kids-know you are very loved. ENF Staff-I miss you!! Thank you for all of your prayers for Aidan

Puja, Deep, Trishna and my little Maya-thank you for all your love and support

Uncle Butch-our daily talks brighten my day-you give me strength and hope.

To all Shaheens and Robustelli's-we love you (thank you for the coffee Uncle Johnny)

Finally-to DADDY Luis- we ARE going to make it through this. Your sacrifice of going back to work has been nearly unbearable but we are eternally grateful for your amazing strength and love. You are the world's greatest dad.

To Tito-my angel from heaven sent down to give all the love and support we ever needed. Thank you for improving your laundry skills the minute I wasn't watching!! I love you more than life itself.

If I have forgotten anyone it is because I am so moved I can't even think.

Monday December 17, 2007

Today is Monday and we woke up after a good night sleep to our favorite night nurse Jill. She has been such a great hospital support since she fell in love with Aidan at first sight!!

Since Wednesday Aidan has had horrendous purging of the bowels and his secum (lower part of colon) has been inflammed causing him terrible pain(side effects of chemo) The weekend gave us some relief as the bm's lessened and the pain subsided. Today is Monday and we are having a great day. We slept thru the night and are having coffee and donuts. Aidan can eat all the junk food he wants as long as it's individually wrapped so he's happy.

Our pediatricians work as a team here with Dr. Ruki the oncologist in charge and they are amazing!!! We feel so loved here. The nurses only have two patients each so we are spoiled!!

CHEMO is over!!!!yeah! Aidan finished his last treatment Saturday morning so know we WAIT. Not that we needed anymore torture but all we can do is wait and see how his body responds.

December 15, 2007

Hello Everyone,
This is Aimee now on blog. I first wanted to begin this by thanking EVERYONE for the unbelievable outpouring of love and prayers. It is truly humbling to be on the receiving end of so much love. There are few words to express my gratitude for my family and friends who have rallied around us. Thank you. Aidan knows exactly how much everyone loves him even though he is still at the baby stages of understanding what is happening to his body. I guess shock is an understatement for what we are going thru mentally and yet my heart is strong and my faith is true in knowing that whatever deck of cards Heavenly Father is going to deal us, I am accepting of it and will do my best to keep Aidan's spirit up and our family together and strong.

My mind is a jumble at this point and I have pretty much talked myself to death about the daily blow by blow but know that we are doing as good as can be expected at this point.

Tuesday, Dec 11th, 2007

Aidan seems to be taking the Chemo exceptionally well. So far, no vomiting and he still has all of his hair :-) On Saturday he received another unit of blood and had LOTS of vistors. Yeah!!!! If you read the comments, you will see what a fan club Aidan has. After Corey & Bryson talked to Aidan, we can see that he still has his great sense of humor.
So everybody wants to know what to do to help. First of all, Aidan can use donations of chocolate PediaSure and individually packaged chocolate pudding. Depending on when he gets out, we will know more of the family needs. Continue to leave messages & send pictures/letters.

Aidan will need as many bone marrow donors as possible to sign up. Finding a match can be a difficult process, so please sign up at www.marrow.org. The sign up process takes about 20 minutes and costs $52.00. They mail you a kit to swab your cheek within 2-3 weeks. It's really simple to do & the website has answers to all of your questions.

Friday Dec 7th 2007

These were taken yesterday. As you can see, Aidan is in very good spirits. Although the pic line is causing a lot of discomfort, he is smiling and laughing. He's even still joking around. I think he's really enjoying the visitors (especially his Dad....obviously), video games, presents and Mom feeding him. Aidan's always enjoyed lots of love & attention--and boy is he getting LOTS of it!!!!

Today we've completed 2 days of chemo and so far our little patient is doing pretty well with it! Tonight will be his third dose. The chemo treatment will last for 10 days. Wednesday morning he received AraC (Cytarabine) directly into his spine. That night they injected the same medication directly through the IV. He will continue to receive this medication each night for 10 days. He is also getting Daunorubicin through a 6 hour IV drip on days 1, 3 and 5. The third medication is called Etoposide which he is getting through a 4 hour IV drip for days 1 through5. He is also on a 24 hour anti nausea drip. The doctors are expecting to control his nausea with the meds, so if he feels sick they can up his dosage. Mom and Dad are also in pretty good spirits, although very tired. The chemo is causing Aidan to use the bathroom every 1 - 1 1/2 hrs around the clock. With this said, Dr. Ruki is very impressed with how well Aidan is doing.

The doctors have set VERY restricted visitation limits at this point. Since Aidan no longer has the ability to fight off infection, they've asked that no children come at all. Anybody with any kind of illness is also resricted. Even if you have been exposed to anything, but aren't sick please don't visit. They have also asked those who do visit, not to wear any perfume or aftershave. Sorry to be so strict, but we have to do what's in Aidan's best interest. Please send him pictures of you & your kids along with cards or letters. He has started a picture wall & would love to add to it. Be careful friends......Aidan might send some Wet Willy's to be delivered in his absence!!!

Wednesday, Dec 5th 2007

After a little sleep and food - we woke up to a 5AM spinal tap and pic line insertion. While Aidan was in surgery, the Dr. gave us an update on his prognosis. We were told that according to what the doctor is looking at right now Aidan is in the low risk category; which gives him a 50/50 chance of beating this. We will start a clinical trial chemotherapy today. With this - Aidan is on a restricted diet, limited visitation and is unable to accept flowers but would LOVE letters and pictures.

Aidan was very brave today. As he came out of the anesthesia, he slept for most of the day. The doctors have him on morphine to help the pain. So he is feeling good. The highlight of Aidan's day was Nana's arrival.
Dad is busy trying to get him all set up with X-BOX 360, so don't mind some minor modifications to the hospital T.V. Thanks Dad for my new movie library.

Just before Chemotherapy started, we received a priesthood blessing from two members of our church.
Aidan was given a beautiful blessing that brought so much comfort that he was asleep (sound asleep) by the time it was over.

Tuesday, Dec 4th 2007

This morning was the beginning of all the tests. Aidan first underwent anesthesia for his bone marrow extraction. This was a test the confirmed that he does have Leukemia. As hard as this process is - of course, Aidan's humor rose to the occasion. As he came out of the cloud he said things like: "Am I drunk or am I high?", "Mom, I haven't seen your face in such a long time........it's so nice", "Bridgett and Dana thanks for the comfort", "I'm feeling normal......I am normal.....". He was asking everyone for hugs. Then out of the blue he sat up and pulled a Jim Carey move. Family and Friends came through out the day (and brought WAY to much food). Thanks Uncle Butch for using your expertise to wade through all the information.

This evening we received the prognosis we had not wished for. Aidan has Acute Myeloid Leukemia. After discussing the prognosis and the action plan - thankfully Luch (DAD) arrived from South Carolina.