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Greenville, North Carolina, United States
Hello, My name is Tracey. I am a wife, sister, daughter, and mother of three. I have taken photos of my children and family members for years. My love for photography became a passion when I received my first 35mm SLR from my wonderful husband for my 1st Mothers Day. Nothing captures a moment in time like a photograph. It is my desire to capture images that reflect life's moments as you remember it.

Thomas

Thomas
Thomas is our first born son. He loves to swim, ride bikes, skate board, and body board. He loves to read and does well in school. He was named after my Dad. He is known as "The Ladies Man" at school. Chicks dig him!

Tyler

Tyler
Tyler is our "smiley" second child. He is very loving and sweet. His tries to use his smile to keep him out of trouble. He enjoys riding his bike, making sand castles, skate boarding, and sports. His smiling face will win your heart.

Tanner

Tanner
Tanner is our baby of the family. He loves to play with his big brothers and will try (and most of the time succeed) to do everything that his big brothers do! He has the funniest expressions. He is a good little fellow and a Mama's Boy.

Tracey & Frank

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Update - Thomas

The doctor is finding conflicting symptoms with the information that is coming back – so they are not entirely sure what is going on.

They took blood this afternoon and there was something in his blood chemistry that they were looking for – whatever it was (I can't remember something to to with his liver) came back with good results. The white blood count is not back yet. They were still testing when we left.

The doctor did a physical examination of Thomas and said that his lymph nodes in his groin area are entirely too big and that something is definitely not right. He said that the good sign is they were not "hard" but they are firm. He told us that if this comes back as cancer he believes it will be one of two types – Leukemia or Lymphoma. He says if it turns out to be Leukemia the success rate at beating it is between 95-96%. If it turns out to be Lymphoma and it is isolated to the groin area only the success rate at beating it is about 95%. Those numbers sound good - I know - but there is no "success rate good enough when you are a mommy.

The MRI from yesterday showed that none of the glands in his stomach are swollen – this is VERY GOOD NEWS. They did a chest X-ray to check for any mass around his lungs. We still don't know any results from that.

We have a consultation appointment next Wednesday and for surgery to get a biopsy. It is planned for the 21st. Because we can't get a biopsy done until next week he (doctor) chose to do a Fluid Aspiration of the glands in his groin. They were able to get some fluid and a small amount of tissue. It was very painful for Thomas and it makes you sick to your stomach to watch you child go through that kind of pain. They basically inserted a needle into his groin area and poked in and out to suck up fluid. I cry now as I write this. He was just looking at me with those big blues eyes screaming Mommy. It was awful. Frank and I stood there holding his hands and hovering over him to try to offer him comfort. I have never felt so helpless in my life.
The fluid that was drawn was “cloudy” which they (the two pathologist) said was a good sign because it can indicate that it is an infection and possibly not cancer. They have sent the tissue off for testing. If the results are show bad cells we will be admitted to the hospital immediately for bone marrow testing . If the results are good we will still go through with the biopsy to confirm there is no cancer next week.
The Oncologist has put Thomas on anit-biotics for the next 14 days in case it is a an infection. If the swelling goes down and all the test results come back with no sign of cancer, we may not have to do the biopsy surgery.

We are very, very scared. It is time to lean on God - I am trying to lean on him. But the Mommy in me just wants it fixed - NOW! Thomas is scared too but he doesn't fully understand what is going on. We have chosen not to tell Thomas too much until we know for sure what we are dealing with. There is no need to scare him more. I told him today that the doctors need to figure out why his 'knots' (that is what he calls them) are there. I told him there might me something in there that could make him sick and we need to make sure there isn't. That seemed to satisfy him for now. I told my other two boys that we had to take Thomas to a "fancy" doctor. They need to look at his knots.

THANK YOU so much for praying for my baby.

Please continue to keep our entire family in your prayers. When I get more results I will post ASAP.

God can heal my child no matter what it is. Please, please pray for healing.

Thanks to you All,

Tracey

15 Shout Outs:

Unknown said...

We will be praying for you all. I wish they could have given you more concrete answers. I don't understand why it's taking so long to get some of the blood work back. Carly's is back within an hour after being drawn. Again, we WILL be PRAYING.

JennyH said...

Scary!! I will be praying for him. Thanks for the update.

My name is Sarah said...

Ohhh such a rough day for everyone. Such a brave boy Thomas was. We will add him and all of you to our prayers.

He & Me + 3 said...

I know that you were crying typing that because I was crying reading it. I will be praying that they find nothing and that there is no sign of cancer found. Praying for your peace too.

Roben Jarrett said...

Tracey,
You just set your mind like flint, like steel, that your boy will be totally delivered! It is God's will that we prosper AND BE IN HEALTH, even as our soul prospers. Your soul does prosper because of your love for God. The epistle of Peter says we WERE HEALED by the stripes of Jesus Christ. It is already ours. You just go boldly before the throne of grace and claim what is rightfully yours and your sons.
Be strong and of a good courage and know that our God is big enough and great enough to heal Thomas and it is His desire. Claim it girl!!
I love you and I see Thomas running and playing ball and winking at the girls!
Roben Jarrett

Unknown said...

Hi Tracey,

This is Brittany Donaldson (from work) - We will be praying for Thomas and your family. I've added him to the prayer list at my church. Continue to lean on God to guide you through this very tough time.

Shasta said...

I am praying Tracey, and it sounds like the news you got had a lot of good in it, I'm praying for lots more good news, I pray that it's just an infection that will go away soon. I can't imagine what you are going through, but I sure am praying for you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Hope and pray to God to continue to give you and your family the strength to cope with this difficult time. We hope all comes out positive.

Please remember you and Frank are the pillars of the family and let your fears not be shown to the boys. This is the time to be strong and leave it to God for the best.

Please know that your family is in our prayers and we hope to hear the best from the doctors.

Pankaj and Heena.

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Poor Thomas (and family). I've been on the watching end while my kids are going through pain too and it's terrible. *hugs*

I wish you all the best in this journey. Be strong when you can and let go when you need to.

I hope it's just an infection and the antibiotics make the "knots" all better. *hugs*

4 Lettre Words said...

Tracey, we recently had a lymph node scare with Sam. It turned out to be an infection in the end...and all is well, now. I pray the same for sweet Thomas.

xoxo,
Dina

Mandy, Dustin and Thomas said...

Sending a storm of prayers Thomas' way!

Anonymous said...

Rob and Wendy are there even when you don't see us. Stay strong bend but don't break. Rob/Wendy

Anonymous said...

The Grinder Family is praying hard...we love you guys and know that God is in control. His will be done.

Dale, Bobbie-Jo, Ashley, and Devin

Courtney Harwood said...

Your family is in our prayers and will continue to be...stay strong as I know that you are!
Courtney, Clay, and Jackson Harwood

Unknown said...

The De Urquidi family is also praying and will continue to pray constantly for healing, knowing that God has a plan for you and your family and that everything that happens to those that love Him will be used for good. In God's love, Fernando and family