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Update as of 2/17/05
Two months since the last update, and as usual, we have much to report.  We had FANTASTIC news from Jake's eye surgery, great news from his last trip to Memphis, and we've had some fun opportunities working with KFKF (94.1) radio station in KC to raise funds for St. Jude.  Finally, see below for a chance to personally get involved supporting cancer research and St. Jude.  Also, we'll include prayer requests at the bottom.

Jake just celebrated his 9th birthday (2/12).  We are SO thankful for the improvement in Jake's condition, as compared to his 8th birthday (see February updates), in the midst of chemo last year.

Eye Surgery Report
Dec. 22, we went to see Dr. Trudi Grin (one of our favorite people - found Jake's tumor in the beginning) to follow up on Jake's October eye surgery.  Dr. Grin performed this surgery to correct the misalignment in Jake's eyes - a result of the tumor and the radiation therapy.  The goal was to re-align the eyes in hopes that Jake's brain would again recognize the input from his right eye (which it had been ignoring).  Dr. Grin also hoped to stop the deterioration in vision going on in Jake's right eye.  At our appointment, Dr. Grin said she was very surprised, that the vision in his right eye had actually improved.  At one point, she turned around and said, "This makes my day!"  Not only are his eyes again working together, but his vision is back to nearly normal levels in both eyes!

Memphis - Scans & Tests at St. Jude
Jan. 30 through Feb. 3, Steph and Jake returned to St. Jude for tests & scans.  This will continue every 3 months through April of 2006 - then we'll move to every 6 months.  The primary focus is to look for any signs of cancer recurrence, but the doctors are also looking for secondary cancers, and trying to monitor and manage other side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.  Jake had full brain and spine MRI's, a lumbar puncture, blood tests, audiology tests, endocrine testing, etc.  All of his scans and tests were negative for medulloblastoma recurrence!  His hearing loss (severe at high frequencies in his right ear) remained stable, and the doctors expect no further decline.  Based on the endocrine tests, we'll likely be starting growth hormone treatments after the April return to Memphis.  But all things considered, this was a fantastic report.  Here are some pic's:
 

                                                In front of St. Jude                                        He's become a professional at getting stuck, but he doesn't have to like it

Our Friends at KFKF 94.1
We got to know some of the great folks at KFKF 94.1 FM last year, when Jake and Mackie were on the air for some St. Jude fundraising events.  This year, we've been able to get to know more of them, and we're all trying to help in their efforts to support St. Jude.  This is the 10th year that KFKF is participating in the Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon.  Tuesday, Feb. 8, we joined all of the advance St. Jude Partners in Hope (KFKF listeners pledging $30/month to St. Jude) at a special concert featuring Jeff Bates, Chely Wright, and Big & Rich.  Jake and his sisters (Katie, Mackie & Libbie) all got the red carpet treatment from the KFKF team and the musicians.  Jake spoke on stage, and all got pics with Big & Rich & Chely Wright.  The artists had all donated their services and braved a snow storm to be there!  All of them were very cool to the kids.  Chely Wright, in particular, spent a lot of time talking to and encouraging us after the show.  If you live in Kansas City, be sure to tune in to KFKF Feb. 24-25 for the annual radiothon - our whole family will likely be on air at various times.  Also, Mackie, Jake, and Libbie's school is again raising funds for the radiothon - see below if you'd like to help.  Here are some pic's from the KFKF concert - for more, go to www.kfkf.com, and click on Photos, then 2005 Partners in Hope Concert.

    Katie, Mackie, Libbie, Chely, and Jake - sticking out their tongues at cancer!                        With Big & Rich and Dillon (another St. Jude patient)

Blue River Elementary raising funds for St. Jude
Blue River Elementary School (Jake, Mackie, and now Libbie's school) is again raising funds for St. Jude during the Country Cares radiothon.  Mackie and Jake are President and Vice-President of the student council at Blue River.  The council is raising funds through Feb. 23rd to donate to St. Jude.  Lisa Culbertson, student council coordinator (and Jake's teacher from last year) is collecting the donations.  Jake and Mackie will be presenting the school's donation to KFKF during the radiothon, on Feb. 25th.

If you'd like to help, send checks (payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital) to Blue River, attention Lisa Culbertson.  Here is contact information for the school:
Blue River Elementary School
5101 W. 163rd Terrace
Overland Park, KS
66085-9383
(913) 239-6000
 

Below are more stories from some of the stages in Jake's fight, along with links to further information on this cancer and treatments.

Disney Trip & 12/04 Updates -  Make-a-Wish Trip to Orlando & December updates

August Updates -  Summer updates & Jake's August trip to Memphis for scans & tests

Homecoming -  Jake & Steph came home 4/22 & Jake returned to school

No Mo' Chemo -  final chemo treatments & discharge!

March Updates -  updates from March

February Updates - updates from February

January Updates - updates from the month of January as we started chemotherapy

Living at the Target House - our apartment & life at the Target House

Chiefs game - Jake as honorary defensive coordinator and in the locker room

KU game - Jake as honorary coach and in the locker room

Living at the Ronald McDonald House - the Memphis RM house and Jake's friends

Walkin' in Memphis - some of the things Jake has done for fun while in Memphis

Jake's treatment at St. Jude- more on Jake's treatment protocol and the team at St. Jude

Jake's fight - initial diagnosis and treatment in KC

Prayer Requests & Next Steps - 2/17/05

Thank God for the fantastic progress we have to date!  Also, please pray for Jake's continued growth in strength, coordination, etc.  Our next trip to Memphis for scans will be in April.  Finally, please pray for successful fundraising efforts to continue the fight at St. Jude!

E-mail addresses:
                            Jake:    jflsports@yahoo.com
                            Steph:  slouis1013@yahoo.com
                            Todd:   tlouis@kc.rr.com