Maestro
A maestro is a title reserved for someone who is a master of their art. It was justly used for retiring Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. When I received this photo moments ago the word just popped into my head. Parents of cancer kids make many difficult decisions perhaps none as important as where to treat and with whom. I think we got at least this one right.
According to Maris the disease has NOT, as visualized on the CT-scan, entered the central nervous system. It is a very small victory, but, helps our odds slightly.
The plan is to start the Topotecan Vincristine Doxirubican (TVD) now. Hopefully, in a few days Christi will feel some relief. In addition to disease in the frontal skull it appears that Christi has managed to get a pretty severe sinus infection. Antibiotics will also be started immediately.
Logistically Angela and I are working out our plan. Christi will be inpatient for a week (however as of right now the hospital is 100% full). We need to get poor Shari home to her family at some point and I will be heading out to philly as soon as we get this all figured out.
Shayne
posted by the Thomas team @ 2:09 PM
30 Comments:
I have been following Christi's website for a few years silently but figured if there was a time to tell you how many people were thinking and praying for you now is it. My thoughts, prayers and many tears are with you. Being a mother of 2 kids I just can't begin to imagine what you are going through. You are both a true inspiration to all parents! God bless you all!
Yes! That was some desperately needed good knews! Let's keep praying for these small (and hopefully BIG) miracles to take place!
I still keep living in hope that you will one day be able to bring Christi home, Cancer free! (might be wishful thinking, but a very nice scenario anyway!)
It is 21.38 where I live, but the candles for your sweet little girl will light up the evening...
Nathalie
Praise God for victories, big and small. Praise God for children whose wisdom seems beyond their years. Praise God for Hope, and for His promises..."Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you."
Praying for you.
Thank god for Dr. Maris.
I pray this round of chemo is not to hard on Christi, and will bring her some relief.
I pray Christi's spirit and determination to get well will out shine the lighted scan from this morning, and she will continue to shine in her own way, for years to come. In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless Christi
love susan
Thinking of you and hoping that the chemo and antibiotics bring Christi relief quickly. I'll be praying that all of your arrangements go smoothly. It saddens me to hear that the hospital is full...too many little ones who are sick:(
Dear Thomas Team...
Please know that our prayers and support are with you. I am so sorry for the pain and heartache this disease is causing Christi and your family, and yet commend your unselfishness and commitment to God. We are praying without ceasing for your sweet Christi...please contact us if there are any needs we can meet. God Bless you.
Mylissa Horrocks
www.habitatforhope.org
May the light of God surround you,
The love of God enfold you,
The power of God protect you, and
The presence of God watch over you.
lynette
Dear Thomas Family,
I, also have been following the blog silently. Your faith, strength and courage in the face of such overwhelming odds just solidifies for me the power of true faith and prayer.
The news you received today must have been very difficult to hear, but now within several hours there is some good news and new hope. Never lose hope. I see miracles happen every day. Know that you are in my prayers at all times.
Ahhhh yes, Easter, HOPE! of course....Thank you God for children who remind us that You never leave us, no matter what. And we will just keep praying for a complete miracle. Christi, I hope that tomorrow will be even better than today. Sending lots of love and hugs your way. love, sylvia
I was popping on this website all day at school watching for news. I, along with many other students and teachers were praying ALL day long.
A little glimmer of hope...Small victories we will take!
Thomas Team, you are amazing. There are no other words.
Continuing to pray without ceasing...
I keep all of you in my prayers. I wish there were something I could do but all I can offer is my heartfelt prayers and hope. God Bless
Still praying as hard as we can here in Kentucky! I've got some friends from a class of mine praying too, and the girls at that dance studio where I work are praying too!
Shayne, please let us know if there's anything special that Christi would like for her hospital stay... I'll be sending something for sure, but if she would like something specific; coloring books, books to read, anything at all... please don't hesitate to let us know!
We LOVE you Christi!
And we LOVE you Shayla!
A little glimmer of HOPE! Praise HIM!!! Thank you so much for the updates!!! I've been waiting on pins and needles all day. Sweet Christi, keep fighting girl-friend! You are so amazing!! I have never prayed so hard in my entire life. Lord heal Christi, hear my prayer!
I hope the next blog brings a little more hope.
:) Megan in NC
Sending my prayers and thoughts to all the Thomas team. . . .
I just checked Lunchforlife.org to see who won the holiday trip to disney, even though Christi wasn't the big winner I was glad to see that you did in fact make it to Florida. I was leaving Florida and you were coming (same day and aiport..I thought that was funny!).
I'd much rather be reading about your fun in the sun or skating trips..which I am sure you would rather blog about but I want you to know that my entire family is praying for Christi, the team,the maestro, and the treatment plans.
My prayers are with you all,
Love Erin
Thomas Team,
Although I am not as eloquent as others when writing, please know that my prayers and heartfelt wishes, will continue unabated until this beast is eliminated forever.
Every victory, no matter the size, is reason to celebrate.
All of you, especially Christi and Shayla, are a true inspiration.
May the Lord forever be your source of strength and guidance, and may your faith never waiver.
Blessings upon you all.
Greg Allender
Dear Thomas family,
Right now I am thanking God that it is a sinus infection in her face and not cancer. When I logged on before leaving for class and saw that awful scan, my heart hit the floor.
I know I don't know you, but if you need anything while in Philly, im about an hour away. Please email me if you need anything! blu3yedb3auty@netscape.net
Praying for you all.
I found this song on another child's site, and thought you've probably seen it, it reminded me so much of Christi that i have to post it for you.
It's called "The Streets of Heaven" and is sung by Sherri Austin.
Hello God, it's me again. 2:00 a.m., Room 304.
Visiting hours are over, time for our bedside tug of war.
This sleeping child between us may not make it through the night.
I'm fighting back the tears as she fights for her life.
Well, it must be kind of crowded,
On the streets of Heaven.
So tell me: what do you need her for?
Don't you know one day she'll be your little girl forever.
But right now I need her so much more.
She's much too young to be on her own:
Barely just turned seven.
So who will hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven?
Tell me God, do you remember the wishes that she made,
As she blew out the candles on her last birthday cake?
She wants to ride a pony when she'd big enough.
She wants to marry her Daddy when she's all grown up.
Well, it must be kind of crowded,
On the streets of Heaven.
So tell me: what do you need her for?
Don't you know one day she'll be your little girl forever.
But right now I need her so much more.
She's much too young to be on her own:
Barely just turned seven.
So who will hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven?
Lord, don't you know she's my angel
You got plenty of your own
And I know you hold a place for her
But she's already got a home
Well I don't know if you're listenin'
But praying is all that's left to do
So I ask you Lord have mercy, you lost a son once too
And it must be kind of crowded,
On the streets of Heaven.
So tell me: what do you need her for?
Don't you know one day she'll be your little girl forever.
But right now I need her so much more.
Lord, I know once you've made up your mind,
There's no use in beggin'.
So if you take her with you today, will you make sure she looks both ways,
And would you hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven.
The streets of Heaven.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. You will make the right decision for Christi, with the help of God, as you have been doing all along.
Dear Thomas Team:
Praise God...one small victory at a time. I have been asking everyone I know to pray for Christi and your family at this time. I strongly feel Christi's mission in life has not been fulfilled yet. She has touched more people and made a bigger difference in her 8 years then most people do in 50. We will praise God for his blessings and we will keep the prayer going. God Bless you all, and i am only an hour from Philly - if you need anything JenMc1076@aol.com.
In my thoughts and prayers always,
Jen McVoy
Keeping Christi in my prayers. I'm so sorry your beautiful sweet girl has to go thru this.
The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however, the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen, why is there suffering in the world?".
God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in peoples hearts". The little soul was confused. "What do you mean", he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences, and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.
The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this-it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer-to unlock this love-to create this miracle-for the good of all humanity.
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into this world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!
God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you.
God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced. In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed.
Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys-some regained lost faith-many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives were changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased."
Oh my sweet friends how my heart is with you across the miles. I'm praying ever so hard for your precious, gorgeous, sweet, loving, brilliant, courageous, I could go on and on but you get the idea, Christi.
I pray tonight that she'll have relief from her pain and that this chemo will work to give her relief and quickly.
May God bless Christi and Angela with a peaceful night's rest. Shayne and Shayla too.
Praying with all I've got.
I love you all.
All of my love and prayers are with you always,
Heather
Oh I'm glad to hear that there is some good news! I was in tears throught the night/day because I couldn't stop thinking about her and all those other children that are suffering through this.
Hopefully there will be more good news!
While I HATE that sweet Christi is having to go back on chemo, I fell relieved that something is being gone to try to rid her little body of this NASTY beast forever!
Hi guys,
I'm so glad that the wonderful doctor is continuing to believe that he can treat this cancer. I know so much of that is because of your unbelievable attitudes. We will keep praying here in San Diego. Can you give me the address and room number where Christi is staying. My daughter and I want to send her something. YOu can also e-mail me at jodiefrench@netscape.net with that information. Please let me know if there is anything you need. I would love to help. As I said before, my daughter lost her best friend last year to cancer. It was a long ugly battle and there is nothing absolutely nothing worse than watching your child suffer. Much love to you all. Keep fighting Jodie and Karlie
i'm srry for christi i hope she gets better soon
Dear Angela and Shayne,
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thinking practically, would you list stores and/or gift cards that we can purchase remotely to help you out financially with this? Even if it's a $10 McDonald's meal card, phone card, Walgreen's card... Whatever.
It's hard feeling so connected to you and your family (although never having met!) and not being able to do anything except leave notes of well wishing.
Much love and strength for the fight ahead,
Eliza in San Fran
(Angela, you've got my email address if you want to contact me for anything)
hoping and praying the TVD does it's job and brings Christi some relief and even more...
She is such a warrior, I can't help but feel that she will amaze us all again.
love to you
Ronit
Please please let me help with babysitting or anything you need when you decide your plan. I can be there in two hours, anytime. I love you guys.
Traci
Dear Thomas Team,
Most of Edina Minnesota is praying for Christi!! I am soooo excited you had a small bit of good news and that the chemo will help with her pain...and tunors!
We can't stop thinking about you! Thanks for the Blogging, it really keeps all of us in touch!
Prayers, Love and Hope from the Hollway's
Praise God for every small victory and miracle! I pray Christi had a good night sleep and wakes up ready for the fight. God bless you all Thomas Team.
Becky in Ohio
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