Blog moving

Cooper's blog is moving to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coopervocelka

I think it will allow easier notification of updates, more pictures!, and maybe as a source of hope to others.

Please visit and be sure to check the box to be notified.

ron

Another milestone

This past Sunday, December 6, St. Nicholas Day, was one year since Cooper's first MRI showing the tumor and our intial trip to CMH.


The past two months since the last post have been really good. Cooper has been to Houston twice. Once with Dad and his friend Russ to the Johnny Romano Skate Jam for Texas Make A Wish, and then the family all went down to his Uncle Paul and Aunt Kathy's for Thanksgiving and family reunion. Also the weekend before thanksgiving he went with the St Mary's Youth group to KC for the National Catholic Youth Conference. He and all the SMY kids had a blast.

He has been doing great in school and still skateboarding as often as he can. Going to a dance this weekend and looking forward to a fantastic Christmas.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. Please say prayers for Easton, Liam, Bethany, Mary, Nick, Jessica, Karson, Jillian and all children fighting tumors and cancer.

Wishing you all a blessed Advent.
RSC

Awesomeness

Tuesday, 10/6, we were back at CMH for Cooper's 3 month MRI scan and oncology follow-up.
ALL CLEAR! No sign of any recurrence of the tumor! YEA!

He doesn't have to go back until January for next scan and follow-up with oncologist and neurosurgeon.

Sherry and I will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary this Friday and could not have asked for a better gift!

Please say a prayer for a little girl named Michaela from our area who has luekemia and is now at CMH and will be there a while.

Love to all,
rsc

A Year Ago

A year ago this week on Labor Day is when Cooper's symptoms first started appearing. He spent the day vomiting and the evening in the ER. Little did we know 3 months later we would hear those words "there is something there" after an MRI and would be on our way to Children's Mercy in KC.

Thankfully, a year later, things are pretty much back to normal. The picture of Cooper & Sherry at the top is from vacation just a few weeks ago.

Cooper is a freshman at McAuley High School, skateboarding whenever he gets a chance, hanging out with friends and getting ready for his first homecoming dance this weekend.

A month from now we'll head back to KC for another MRI - and pray that all will be clear and things stay normal.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. In the U.S., over 12,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year, approximately 3,000 of them will not survive the disease. A diagnosis can turn the lives of a family upside down - days suddenly filled with alternating moments of courage, frustration, boredom, anxiety and pain.

The objective of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is to put a spotlight on the types of cancer that largely affect children, survivorship issues, and - importantly - to help raise funds for research groups working towards cures. You can find out more about childhood cancers at http://www.curesearch.org/

Also the diagnosis of invasive brain and nervous system cancers accounts for 17 percent of all pediatric cancers, second only to acute lymphocytic leukemia. About half of the diagnosed cases of brain tumors are malignant. You can find out more about childhood braint tumors at http://www.pbtfus.org/

Please keep all the children fighting cancers in your prayers. Also if you would please say a prayer for my co-worker Mark who underwent surgery for a brain tumor -astrocytoma - this week.

And finally, again, THANK YOU to all who have been so loving, supportive and generous this past year. We could NOT have done this without you.

God Bless,

RSC

Great Day

Monday July 6 was exactly 7 months since Cooper's first MRI when we heard the words "there is something there." Thankfully also on Monday he went to a pool party with his friends.

Tuesday we went to KC and Cooper had his MRI scan. We then went to the HemOnc Clinic and saw the oncologists.

The radiologist had not sent the report on the MRI yet but the oncologists said they thought everything looked good and were well pleased with his progress. Also they took him off the Depakote - the anti-seizure medicine - which was the only med he was taking YEA! (Do say a prayer that he has no seizures). As per the protocol, they scheduled his next MRI for 3 months from now in October.

Wednesday we went to see the neurosurgeon. He said he had seen the MRI and all look good. He too was pleased with Cooper's progress and said he did not need to see Cooper for 6 months!

Of course words cannot express how grateful we are. Thankful that we have a fine facility with amazing doctors and nurses to have cared for Cooper and for the even more amazing friends and family who continue to provide love and support.

We ask that you continue to pray not only for Cooper but also for Jillian, Karson, Bethany, Liam, Jay, Trace, Jaxon, and all the childhood victims of cancer. And please say a special prayer for a young lady named Jessica who has been fighting a VERY tough battle.

with much love,
RSC

Updates

If you would like for me to send you an email whenever the blog is updated - send me an email at rjvocelka@yahoo.com and please put update cooper for the subject line.

pax,
ron

summertime

Sorry it has been sooooo long. Things are going very well. Cooper's May 6 appointment was good-doctor said he could pretty much do what ever he wants. July 7 we go back to KC for MRI and visit with Oncologist and Neurosurgeon. Pray that the scan comes back clear.


Cooper was able to attend the last few weeks of school and all the fun activities. Eighth grade got out a week early on May 15. May 19 was graduation night (picture at right) and on his birthday May 20 a group from his class went to Silver Dollar City and then stopped in Springfield on the way home for dinner at Hooters!


He has been going skateboarding as often as he can get to the ramp park and has returned to taking guitar lessons.


The first week of June, I was on furlough and we made a trip to Texas to see family and had lots of fun. Went out on Jay's boat on Lake Travis, rode Jay's horse Cowboy, hit 6th St in Austin, went to San Antonio and SeaWorld. Then went to Houston and went to Astros game with Paul and Kathy and a day trip to Galveston.

Cooper is now taking a summer school class to help him catch up on some of the Algebra he missed.

Craig is coming to visit the 27th-29th. And then we'll see what else we can do this summer. It is going by fast.

Love to all
ron

All Done!

Cooper's last radiation treatment was today! He is home and will be back in school tomorrow.

He has an appointment with the neurosurgeon on May 6 to follow-up on the surgeries and check on his shunt. He is not scheduled for another appointment until July when he will see the oncologist and have an MRI.

We want to again thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers, support and generosity. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives.

With much love and gratitude,
rsc

3/4's Done!

Today was Cooper's 25th radiation treatment just 8 more to go!

The past 2 weeks he and I have gone to the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve, the National World War I Museum, the Johnson County Historical Museum and the Truman Library & Museum. We are museumed out.

There were finally a couple of nice days and we were able to go take a walk in the woods at the Overland Park Arboretum. We also went and checked out Cabela's. The nice part of the weather being cold and wet is that Cooper got lots of school work done.

Holy Thursday we went to Mass at St. Joseph in Shawnee KS. We met Staci Sharp there. The Sharp's live in KC area and are followers of the blog. Her husband Randy is one of Cardinal Scale's suppliers. Their little girl Jillian had Wilmes tumor - a kidney cancer and is also being treated at Children's Mercy.

Two Saturdays ago Cooper went and spent the afternoon at the Autumn Ramp Park skateboarding - he is getting back into the swing of it. Mom and dad left and just let him hang out. Last weekend a friend spent the night and they went to the carnival. He could only ride one ride but had a good time being normal. He also got to go hang out with some friends at the mall.

He is doing very well with no side effects from the radiation other than some tiredness and additional hair loss at the treatment sites on his scalp. The photo is from our walk in the woods this week.

A week and a half to go!

Love to all,

rsc

No News is Good News

It has been quiet the past few days and we like it that way. We had a nice weekend at home together, even though Sherry had to work Sunday.

Sherry and Cooper left this morning to return to KC for this week's radiation treatments and have already gotten today's done!

The picture was taken a couple of weeks ago at school the day they were taking class pictures.

Week One Done

Not much to tell other than Cooper has finished his first week of radiation therapy and is back home.

All seems to have gone well this week and he is doing fine.

Five down - 28 treatments to go!

Have a great weekend.

rsc

One down, 32 to go

Monday Cooper had his first radiation treatment. All went well. They had to take additonal scans so it took longer than it will from now on. He should be in and out within 30 minutes each day.

Also this week Dr. Guest, Cooper's oncologist is working at the Cancer Center - so that is comforting.

He found George Lopez seasons 1 & 2 on DVD. So now he will be able to maintain his addiction!

I started my Honey Do list I am working on while they are gone.

ron

A busy weekend!

Cooper finished a great normal week. Some of the kids at school got permission to have pizza brought in for lunch Friday, to make it special since Cooper made it through the week but won't be there for next six weeks.

Then Friday night Cooper was having James spend the night and the two of them were going to go over to Kenzie's for a bit since her brother has Rock Band II. Well Cooper's Angels had other plans. They and a bunch of others were all at Kenzie's to surprise him and hang out. The weather was great and they seemed to have a good time being outside till about 10:30. Thank you Lee and Julie for hosting.

Saturday was the first trip back to Autumn Ramp Park. Unfortunately it was a bit crowded. Cooper was able to skate, do some ollies but did have a little trouble getting into the swing of it, so he didn't stay very long.

We explained that is to be expected since he has been off so long and especially the lack of exercise has made his muscles weak - not to mention major surgery on his brain! I think he did well for first time out and will improve - it will just take time. Thanks Nick for coming out to support him and especially for the email afterward.

We then went and got his leg weights as the PT suggested for him to use to build that strenght back up. Also got him some hiking shoes so we can hit the trails now that spring is on the way.

Sunday we missed church to get ready for Cooper and Sherry to head to KC. They left about 1:30 and got settled at Hope Lodge that evening. They say it is very nice, Cooper's biggest complaint is no Nick @ Nite so no George Lopez! He is having withdrawals.

love to all,
rsc

Today's KC trip

Ron and Cooper went to KC today for CT scan and to see neurosurgeon .

All went well - the CT scan showed that shunt is working as there is no excess fluid in his brain.

Stitches were removed and Dr. said OK to skate with helmet and pads and to take it slow. Autumn Ramp Park this Saturday! Mom and Dad will be there to be sure he is wearing the pads and taking it easy. No rail grinding or flying off ledges!

Sherry and Cooper will then head up Monday to begin radiation treatments.

Please pray that all goes well with these treatments.

love to all,
rsc

Normal Days

Cooper had a friend spend the night Friday. On Sunday we went to Mass and then out to lunch. In the afternoon Cooper went to Youth Group and we then went to friends for dinner.

Cooper went back to school Monday and again on Tuesday and is doing really well. He was so happy to have a few normal days.

Tomorrow we go back to KC to have stitches removed and CT scan to check on the shunt.

He plans on being in school Thursday and Friday before having to go Monday to begin radiation treatments.

love,
rsc

Latest

The Cancer Center called and Cooper will begin radiation treatments Monday, March 9 and should be done with last treatment April 22.

Friday Sherry took Cooper up to school - a serendipitous visit because they just happened to be taking a class picture for the year book. So Cooper got to be in it! Sherry said all the kids and teachers were thrilled to see him. We hope to have him in school next week for a few days before having to "move to KC" for a month and a half for radiation.

with much love
rsc

Back Home Again

Well we are back after another trip to KC. All good this time.

Wednesday afternoon Cooper did 4 hours of cognitive tests to be used as a baseline for future reference after radiation treatments etc to check for decrease in cognitive ability.

Thursday morning we took him to the ophthalmologist. He has 20/20 vision but does have some permanent loss of peripheral vision on the left side.

We then went across town to the Kansas City Cancer Center in Overland Park to see the radiation oncologist. She explained the radiation treatments. He will receive 33 treatments of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. (here is a website with some info about IMRT http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=imrt ) Treatments will be at the KCCC in OP, M-F and will last about 6 1/2 weeks. Hopefully we will begin treatments by end of next week.

During treatment we will mostly likely stay at Hope Lodge in KC. It is kind of like a Ronald McDonald House but is only for cancer patients. Here is info about the one in KC http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/hopelodge/MO_KansasCity/kc_index.asp

Also next week we go back to see neurosurgeon to have stitches removed from surgery to insert shunt and a CT scan to check on the shunt.

Cooper has been feeling quite well and in very good spirits since the shunt was inserted and seems to be getting stronger each day.

with love,

rsc

Home Again!

We are home!

Cooper is doing great - a bit of pain in his abdomen where the incision is - but that is normal.

He will go next week to finally meet with radiologist oncologist about radiation treatments.

In two weeks he will go back to neurosurgeon to have stitches removed and a CAT scan to check on the shunt.

Another hurdle cleared and on track to kick cancer's butt.

Have a great weekend.

love to all,
rsc

post op

Cooper is back!

After two weeks of headaches, nausea and vomiting -Cooper is back to feeling like himself.

After being brought back to his room he has not been asleep, has not become nauseated, not taken any pain meds.

He has logged on to the computer, texted his friends, had a couple of visitors, eaten spaghettios, and drank Dr Pepper.

He said the incision sites are a little sore but that's all and is ready to go home.

He is such a champ.

with thankful hearts,
rsc

surgery update

Dr. just came in - surgery is done. He put in a shunt that will drain the fluid to his abodomen.

An incision in his stomach will be more to recover from than the head incision.

We do not know how long the shunt will have to be in. Dr said fluid was clear but they will send off to pathology to be sure cancerous cells aren't be drained off to other parts of his body.

This of course has delayed the treatment scehdule and will have to wait and see when we will be able to move on to radiation.

thank you for all your prayers,

with love,

rsc

surgery

They have taken Cooper to surgery to drain off the fluid and relieve the pressure. Dr. was not yet sure what type of shunt or drain he would use until he got in.

Will update as we can.

rsc

In the hospital

3:00 AM Thursday

Wednesday the Neurosurgeon called and left a message on the phone at home. Sherry called his office but they had left for the day, so she called our nurse practitioner. NP said the surgeon had reviewed the MRI was concerned about the pocket of fluid. The oncologist had said there was excess fluid and that she would consult with the surgeon.

Now two days after his last chemo dose he was still having headaches and throwing up. SO the past week and a half of headaches and vomiting were not from the chemo but from the pressure of the fluid in his brain.

Sherry called the Doctor on call and when I got back to KC we took him to the hospital and they admitted him.

Later today, Thursday, they will do another surgery to drain the excess fluid. Details of how and what they will do we do not know right now. According to the NP and Resident Neurologist this isn't uncommon after the type of surgery he had previously.

Will post more as we find out later this morning.

Prayers please.

ron

Power of Love = miracles

Today we were suppose to go to the clinic for a blood draw and then to meet with the radiologists about radiation treatments

But Cooper had been nauseated and vomiting all night and then they couldn't find a vein for the blood draw - not a good start.

They finally had special nurses come and get the needle in - he had to be stuck 4 times before they got it. He had a headache, was nauseated and exhausted from being up all night. They put him in a room where he could sleep and ran some IV fluids.

We met as scheduled with the oncologist who told us the results of yesterday's MRI.

NO TUMOR! that's right there is no sign of any tumor remaining! You did it! All your prayers and love worked a miracle.

He will still have to have radiation treatments because there may be remaining cancer cells, but we have gotten through a another hurdle. We meet with the radiologist about radiation treatments on Thursday this week.

Thanks to everyone for all the continued prayers, support and generosity. You all rock!

Love,
rsc

MRI

We are at Children's Mercy again waiting. Cooper is in having an MRI done of his head , neck and spine - it will take about 2 hours.

We hope that the chemo has shrunk the ramining tumor down to nearly nothing. Actually our prayer is that it destroyed all visible signs of the tumor.

This afternoon they will test his hearing again - since the chemo could have affected his hearing.

Chemo is over this week - Yea! Tomorrow we will meet with doctors, -radiologists and oncologists - to see what the next step will be.

Praying for miracles,

Love,
rsc

PICC line is out

The PICC line came out yesterday. Unfortunately Cooper was still feeling so nauseated and yucky all day through last night so there was little celebration. Hopefully the nausea will go away this weekend before we head to KC again on Sunday.


rsc

quick update

Cooper is till feeling a bit nauseated the past couple of days. Monday his counts were still low. So it is best he stay home still. The PICC line for some reason is not letting blood be drawn and so he has had to be stuck the last couple of times blood was drawn. Hopefully though the PICC line will come out this week.

Hoping all in JoMo got through the storms OK and that you stay safe , warm and dry this rainy day.

Love,
rsc

just waiting

Sorry for the even longer delay this time.

Chemo went well last week and counts have been good. Cooper & Sherry got out of the house last Thursday and he said he felt really good.

Then Friday he started feeling not so good and being nauseated and vomiting. This went on through Saturday night. Not sure if it was delayed reaction to chemo, a stomach virus or what.

He was feeling better Sunday, just tired and achy from being in bed too much.

This may put a delay in his returning to school tomorrow.

This will be a long week as we wait for next week and the end of chemo, the next MRI and consult with the radiologist.

Thanks to everyone for your continued prayers and support.

Love,
rsc

More Chemo

Tuesday morning did not look good for traveling to KC. Sherry called to tell them we would not make it, and I headed off to work. However 249 was fairly clear so I shot over to 71 and it looked OK. I called Sherry and told her to go ahead and get ready. In the mean time the clinic called back and said that they had mis-scheduled us. Our appointment was for 1, but the treatment would take more than 4 hours so we needed to come Wednesday morning.

So that turned out well, since it was slower going up 71 hwy, but the road was clear except for a few patches and most folks were driving in a sane manner. We got to KC and spent the night.

Wednesday morning we went to the clinic about 9:30 and they got him started about 10:00.
The rest of the day was a bit boring. Luckily though he had taken the anti-nausea medicine and they worked, he did not get sick at all from this treatment. They also started him on an oral Chemo drug he will take for 3 weeks.

We left KC about 4:30. He was feeling well enough that we stopped for Chinese on the way and arrived home about 7:30.

The home health nurse drew blood today and his counts were already falling, so we will stay in this weekend. Then back to KC for his last Chemo treatment at the clinic next tuesday.

Feb 16 we go back to KC for MRI, and consultation with the radiologist.

love to all
rsc

Cabin Fever

Sorry it has been a week since last post - but not much going on.

Last Thursday his cell count was low - the nurse practioner said he did not need a blood transfusion, but to keep him home and protect from possible infection. So he was confined to the house for the past week.

Monday, home health care drew blood again and his counts were way up. So last night we were able to get out of the house and go out to dinner. That helped relieve some of his cabin fever.

He has been working on some school work - but hasn't been overdoing it. :^)

We've been blessed in his not having any fevers or infection and not having to go back to the hospital.

His next chemo treatment is next Tuesday, it is outpatient at the clinic, so we will make a one day run to KC.

He has begun to think about Make-A-Wish ideas and as always is looking forward to being able to skate again.

Will post again next week, as life for us has a "new normal" and hopefully there won't be much to write about.

Blessings to all,
rsc

Chemo 3

Went to KC today for third chemo treatment.
White blood count is low, but that is to be expected. They will draw blood again Thursday (home health nurse will do it ) and if the count has not started to rise, he will have to have a blood transfusion.

Also the rash on his stomach spread and the doctors think it was a side effect of the antibiotic - so they have changed to a different type.

Otherwise all went well today. We were thankful for clear weather and dry roads.

Next appointment is in two weeks for another chemo treatment.

Tomorrow Ron will go pick-up some school work for him to start on - he seems ready. (We'll ease into it)

Thankful for the many blessings we still yet receive.

Love to all,
rsc

One Month

Today marks one month since Cooper's first surgery and one month for this blog.

We thank everyone for all the continued support, prayers, and generosity. We continued to be overwhelmed at how wonderful you folks are.

Today has been busy getting the holiday decorations put away and getting the house cleaned-up and back to ordinary. Cooper has been getting some good rest yesterday and today, and remains in good spirits. He has developed a rash on his stomach - maybe a reaction to some of the medication. Sherry called the nurse line at Children's Mercy and they said to give him some Benadryl and just watch it.

Other than that not much going on.

The home health nurse will draw blood for the lab tomorrow to see how his levels and counts are doing. Then on Tuesday we head back to KC for the third Chemo treatment. It will be done in the clinic and shouldn't involve staying overnight.

Have a good week.

Blessings to All,
rsc

Home again

We are now back home. Yea!

The oncologist came by before we left and said the preliminary tests from the spinal tap looked good.

Cooper is doing well, but we are all tired. There is no rest in hospitals!

The home healthcare company delivered the home meds right after we arrived home and I think the home health nurse starts coming tomorrow.

School is getting work together for Coop so he can get to work next week. He is SO EXCITED! NOT!

We go back to KC next Tuesday for another Chemo treatment- but do not have to stay overnight. Hopefully the weather will be as nice as today.

Thanks for all the prayers. Keep' em coming.

rsc

Chemo Day 2

Cooper has done well today, not much going on. Mom and Dad did have to learn to give him the shots he will need at home and how to flush the PICC line.

Cooper will have another chemo treatment this evening at 6 and we should be going home tomorrow morning.

We then have to come back for another treatment next Tuesday but should be able to go home the same day.

He doesn't have to come back then for a couple of weeks and we do the same thing again. So 5- or six weeks more in the Chemo cycle.Hopefully that will be it for the Chemo treatments.

He will then start radiation treatments. How much, how long radiation will be, we will not know until after Chemo is done and we see what effect it had.

That's about it from here.

Peace,
rsc

Chemo Day1

Cooper got up at 6 a.m. today and had a good breakfast of pancakes, bacon, juice and milk. Good thing because he wasn't to eat anything after 6:30.

We got to the clinic and he did another hearing test and he hears very well. I will remember that.

Then he had another CT scan of his head to see how his brain was recovering from the surgery.
We got the report back that all is looking good. The report had a lot of technical stuff but the doctor explained that there was no bleeding, no excess fluid, and the size of things looked good. Plus they gave us a copy of the report so I take that as a sign things are pretty good.

He then went to the Oncology Clinic where they did a Lumbar Punture to get some spinal fluid for testing. Also while there a PICC line was put into his arm. This is a central line that that will use to administer the Chemo drugs. There was a lot of anxiety on all of our parts during this but it all went very well. Cooper was relieved. I must say though - he did much better and is much tougher than me.

We are now in a room and the first round of Chemo is being adminstered. He is doing well and is in very good spirits, watching a skateboarding video.

Keep the prayers going - they are working!

with love
rsc

Happy New Year

Hoping all are having a happy and safe New Year Holiday

Cooper went Wednesday and had the last of the stitches and staples removed.
Dr. Greene said all looked good and from his end Cooper could start skateboarding again in about 4 weeks. Of course the other Doctors will have a say in that.

However Dr. Greene also said that even if chemo shrinks the tumor - he doesn't know that he will be able to go back in to resect more of it due to its location and how he would have to approach it. He said will have another look at MRI after Chemo.

We go back to KC on Monday to be there early Tuesday for Cooper's spinal tap and putting the pic line in. He is scheduled for first Chemo treatment Tuesday also.

Keep the prayers coming.

We pray all of you may have a new year filled with love, peace, and happiness.

rsc