Hard To Make Lemonade Sometimes

[OCMerrill]

Difficult post to read however I really appreciate the details. Its data and without it, someone else might just be guessing.

Prayers for your son. Like said these youngsters are very resilient. I have also endured issues with my son when he was born so I know how your feeling.

Reach out if there is anything we can do to help you.

 

[Chevy5150]

Prayers to your family. Claytons got this. Be the ROCK you are and reach out anytime.

 

[bluebleeder]

Really appreciate everyone's support and kind words. Yesterday Clayton had his initial cast removed so the surgeon's could check on the transplanted muscle, nerves, tendons and skin. All seemed to be healing well so the put another cast on for 5 weeks. Oncology appointment next week to schedule chemo.

 

[hman442]

Wow, it's hard to even imagine what you & your family are going through. They all are very lucky that you're able to be "that rock". You have more power and influence than you can imagine. Keep doing what you're doing for your wife & daughters sake. Our thoughts are with you & your family, you'll get through this!

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Hoping for the best outcome for your son.

 

[badgas]

Prayers to you and your little one

 

[ridebig]

Wow, I truly believe you have this Dad!!! sending many prayers for you all!

 

[SBMech]

Kids are tough. Dad's need to be the Mountain that the whole family leans on when life shits on your parade...and it will occasionally...

Hang in there, keep doing your best, like many have said, reach out if you need someone to talk to, lots of your dysfunctional family is here, even if we can only cheer you on.

Prayers for your family!

 

[rrrr]

I send my prayers and energy to Clayton. Give him your love and hold him close. It's gonna be OK.

 

[4Waters]

We too are sorry your family is going through this, we believe God chooses certain people/families because of the strength they have to get through this, others would just crumble.

The words that RDP will give in this thread will definitely help, believe me I know. This place helped my family get through my daughter's very serious infection (Septic Arthritis) in her hip 5 years ago, she was really sick and the inmates encouraging words helped get us through it.

Stay strong and prayers to your family.

 

[rrrr]

I came back to read your posts again and check for updates, and also wanted to share the story of my family's experience in the hope it gives you strength. Just over two years ago, my nephew Liam suddenly began experiencing blinding headaches. He was 16 at the time, and an MRI showed he had a large tumor at the base of his brain. The doctors decided immediate surgery was necessary.

I was almost paralyzed by the uncertainty and fear. I didn't know what to say to my brother and sister-in-law to comfort them. The surgery took nine hours, and although Liam tolerated the surgery well, there was still the wait for biopsy results.

The news was fantastic. The tumor was benign, and the prognosis indicated a full recovery was in order and it was almost certain that the tumor would not return. In the next weeks, Liam healed quickly, and was sent home. He has fully recovered from a very frightening experience.

Liam is very intelligent and has always excelled in school. Last fall he began classes at Santa Clara University. He had intended to study biology, but through some self exploration and the guidance of a respected professor, Liam has decided to obtain his undergraduate degree in physics.

He will probably stay at SCU to receive that degree, and then transfer to Berkeley for graduate studies. I'm excited he has chosen this discipline. I had a keen interest in physics and nuclear engineering as a student, but I was too immature and unfocused to complete university studies. I hope he will discover the wonders of theoretical physics, and find a career that challenges him.

I'm relating this in hopes it will give you and your wife some comfort by learning Liam's story, and how the terror we all experienced gave way to a blessed outcome that still has unwritten chapters. With God's grace, those chapters about Clayton will be filled with happiness and a bright future.

I am praying that Clayton's story will have these blessings, and that he will become a happy boy whose healed body allows him to experience the wonders and joys of growing up in a family that love each other and above all cherish the gift of renewed health God has given their son and brother.

 

[bluebleeder]

I came back to read your posts again and check for updates, and also wanted to share the story of my family's experience in the hope it gives you strength. Just over two years ago, my nephew Liam suddenly began experiencing blinding headaches. He was 16 at the time, and an MRI showed he had a large tumor at the base of his brain. The doctors decided immediate surgery was necessary.

I was almost paralyzed by the uncertainty and fear. I didn't know what to say to my brother and sister-in-law to comfort them. The surgery took nine hours, and although Liam tolerated the surgery well, there was still the wait for biopsy results.

The news was fantastic. The tumor was benign, and the prognosis indicated a full recovery was in order and it was almost certain that the tumor would not return. In the next weeks, Liam healed quickly, and was sent home. He has fully recovered from a very frightening experience.

Liam is very intelligent and has always excelled in school. Last fall he began classes at Santa Clara University. He had intended to study biology, but through some self exploration and the guidance of a respected professor, Liam has decided to obtain his undergraduate degree in physics.

He will probably stay at SCU to receive that degree, and then transfer to Berkeley for graduate studies. I'm excited he has chosen this discipline. I had a keen interest in physics and nuclear engineering as a student, but I was too immature and unfocused to complete university studies. I hope he will discover the wonders of theoretical physics, and find a career that challenges him.

I'm relating this in hopes it will give you and your wife some comfort by learning Liam's story, and how the terror we all experienced gave way to a blessed outcome that still has unwritten chapters. With God's grace, those chapters about Clayton will be filled with happiness and a bright future.

I am praying that Clayton's story will have these blessings, and that he will become a happy boy whose healed body allows him to experience the wonders and joys of growing up in a family that love each other and above all cherish the gift of renewed health God has given their son and brother.

It's certainly hard to see the forest through the trees at times but stories like yours certainly help. Appreciate you sharing, sir.

 

[Baja 252]

Prayers for your son and the whole family.

 

[rsvrdogs]

God bless you and your family.

 

[rmarion]

Prayers shout out to little Clayton and family....

hopefully his middle finger works, so if anyone gives him shit, he knows how to answer them....

I believe he's gonna be that one in a million cases where his hand heals up a 110% and he becomes a Legend!!

 

[FROGMAN524]

My family is praying for yours. I haven’t been through anything like this with my sons, but I know how it would tear me up seeing them in pain like that. All the best.

 

[Roosky01]

Sending thoughts, prayers, and whatever else I can possibly send your way, Sir. I can only imagine what you are going through...

It's threads like these that kinda.bring it all back together and put things in a BIG in your face perspective...

 

[bluebleeder]

Captured a smile during an otherwise crappy day for Clayton. First chemo treatment and an overnight hospital stay.

 

[rrrr]

Nice to see that smile. It looks like the graft sites on his legs are healing nicely. I hope the chemo isn't too hard on him.

 

[WYRD]

How's the little guy doing?

 

[bluebleeder]

How's the little guy doing?

Appreciate you asking. It has been a roller coaster and Clayton has been taking it in stride (mom and dad not so much). Considering he has chemo every week, his immune system is shot. Having too older siblings (8 and 10), they bring home every type of germ and it is really difficult to control. He caught a couple viruses which wouldn't really affect most people and ended up spending some significant time in the hospital. Blood transfusions, platelet transfusions were needed to boost his immunity to help fight the viruses. This will most likely happen again as he still has 35ish more weekly chemo treatments. He has lost about 6 pounds which is a lot for a 2 year old but doctors are not concerned. Due to appetite issues he is clear to eat anything he wants (that's going to be hard to control after treatment is over but something we will just have to deal with). He is the talk of the hospital and infusion center and nurses literally fight over caring for him. We received confirmation that he does in fact have Li Fraumeni Syndrome from the geneticist. This diagnosis explains why he got cancer but also makes him highly susceptible to getting it again but likely in different forms (Leukemia, brain cancer, different sarcomas etc.). Now the whole family will be getting tested to see if anyone else is carrying the mutated gene. This was a tough pill to swallow to say the least. At this time we are just focusing on getting him through treatment. He finally got his cast/splint and dressings off and loves the freedom. A long way to go with therapy but a huge step forward. Here are some pics. One a couple moments after he got his cast/splint/dressings off and one on his second birthday which was on the 5th. Appreciate everyone's continued prayers and good thoughts.

 

[attitude]

Thank you for giving us an update, stay strong Clayton and family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[WYRD]

Love the smile on him. I can imagine how much of a toll it has taken on everyone in your family. Getting a diagnosis for us was a little bit of a relief. The emotional roller coaster as you say wears you down and makes you exhausted. Just remember to take time for your wife and other children too, your son needs to see happiness and joy in your faces too. remember this is all he's ever known so he's learning to deal with his own emotions from watching yours.

 

[jetboatperformance]

NOTHING I have endured hurt worse than when my Babies hurt ........ Both my Kids are adults now but the stories I could relate

 

[MissB]

poor little guy, hoping for the best..... he's so cute.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Look at that Boy!! Didn't catch the thread earlier but wow so moving! I will pray for your little man, you and momma as well!

 

[rrrr]

I'm so moved by seeing Clayton smiling and able to ambulate again. Seeing his smile makes it difficult to understand he still has an evil illness in his little body and there is a massive battle going on to eradicate it.

I pray that battle succeeds, and Clayton returns to his family to grow and experience life like all little boys should. I'm a little choked up right now, thinking of the challenges and pain he has faced, with more to come. Please, God, heal this sweet little boy.

 

[Paradox]

I can’t even imagine how tough this must be for you and your family. Our prayers are out to you guys.

 

[manxman]

Thanks for the update. The smiles are awesome to see. Those are the moments to think about when the tough times come.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Thinking about your family and hoping for good health for Clayton the warrior.

 

[WYRD]

Thinking about your family and hoping for good health for Clayton the warrior.

Woke up this morning and thought about Clayton's journey. Hope he is making improvements and mom/dad are doing well.

 

[Warlock1]

Morning prayers given

 

[HullofaTime]

Hope all is going well

 

[bluebleeder]

So for the good news of the day. Our little warrior was declared in remission two weeks ago against all odds. 2 major surgeries, 40 cycles of chemotherapy, combined 60+ days in the hospital in 364 days. Yesterday we had the privilege of watching him ring the bell with his Oncology/infusion team, inpatient nurses/doctors and a host of others who Clayton has made an impact on. He quite frankly is a miracle and the strongest, bravest human I know. He is scheduled for his catheter port removal next Tuesday and will need full body and brain scans regularly. Now it's time for him to be a kid.

 

[hallett21]

If that doesn’t bring a tear idk what will.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

 

[wzuber]

So for the good news of the day. Our little warrior was declared in remission two weeks ago against all odds. 2 major surgeries, 40 cycles of chemotherapy, combined 60+ days in the hospital in 364 days. Yesterday we had the privilege of watching him ring the bell with his Oncology/infusion team, inpatient nurses/doctors and a host of others who Clayton has made an impact on. He quite frankly is a miracle and the strongest, bravest human I know. He is scheduled for his catheter port removal next Tuesday and will need full body and brain scans regularly. Now it's time for him to be a kid. View attachment 1326029 View attachment 1326030

Congratulations, he's a true warrior and so is his family. I hope he can go out and have fun now to eternity....what a great smile he has.

 

[attitude]

That is awesome, congratulations!

I have tried to find this thread to get an updated but was never able to, thank you for providing this!

Awesome job Clayton and family!

 

[RichL]

Congratulations!

 

[rivermobster]

Wow ....

 

[shintoooo]

Great News!!

 

[SBMech]

Awesome News! Stoked for Clayton and your family!

 

[badgas]

Amazing news !

SO happy for you and your Family. Way to go Dad you are a Hero.

What a little warrior, Great job Clayton !

This is the good stuff right here. SO much to be grateful for.

 

[rickym20]

Congratulations to Clayton and Family!!

 

[Mandelon]

Pretty much a miracle kid. So happy for you.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Clayton is a miracle.. So happy to hear the news... Made my day

 

[n2otoofast4u]

HELL YEAH!!!

 

[92562]

Best news ever! So happy for your family!!!

 

[4Waters]

If that doesn’t bring a tear idk what will.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

X2

Awesome news, lemonade time

 

[FreeBird236]

Very good news, so happy to hear. Seems like he got a lot bigger, and handsome too.

 

[RVRKID]

Wow awesome news, so happy for Clayton and your family!