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