My friend Tonya made this for me isn't it the coolest! Thanks bunches Tonya!
Hereis a pic of my big bro Nic and I ... Mommy says it is one of her faves of us together!
This banner was made for me by the WONDERFUL ladies of Banners for Hope!
Playing with my brother ... Standing in my crib ... Running around and exploring anything and everything I can! ... Giggling at my Mommy and family when they are being silly ... Smiling ... and just being the cutest toddler ever!
Music
All kinds I LOVE music!!!
Movies
Disney Movies ... and Baby Einstein
Television
Right now I enjoy watching TV with my older brother Nic ... We watch the coolest stuff on Nickolodeon and The Disney Channel!
Books
My Mommy reads me the coolest books with lots of pictures!!!
Heroes
All the special lil kids like me who struggle everyday just to do the simple things alot of people take for granted.
All of my special Angel friends who are up in heaven with God.You were all brave up until the end. Te quiero mis amigos
Gavin came into this world 3 weeks early. He was born blue but all he required was a little oxygen and lots of love!
When he was about 2 weeks old we started to notice he was really fussy .. after taking him for a visit to his doctor she confirmed he had a touch of colic. So we took the actions to try to make him feel better (change his formula rock him all night etc)Instead of getting better he just seemed to get worse! He would stay up all night screaming and crying in pain. On another visit back to the doctor she couldn't find anything wrong with him other then colic .. he was growing good just clingy and gassy! It was on that doctor visit that we were also informed that Gavin's newborn screen came back abnormal ... and we went back to the hospital for another one.
While there instead of drawing labs from his foot the nurse drew them from his arm ... We had no idea that one moment was going to change our lives forever!
About a week after the lab draw we were due back at the doctor's for Gavin's one month well baby visit. As my mom was giving him a bath she noticed something horrible! On his right arm where the nurse had drawn blood from just a week prior was a pretty good size ball shaped mass! Our first thought was my 6 year old had picked up from the bassinet and hurt his arm but he didn't seem to be crying over it so that scared me. We got him ready and rushed him to the doctor and her first thought was it appeared to be broken !!! So we were sent over to the hospital for X rays , but with him being so little even our doctors Orthopedic surgeon could not figure them out. So it was advised that we go to Riley where their X Ray techs were better at dealing with such tiny patients.
After spending a night in the ER one of the Orthopedic Doctors thought it to be a collection of blood from the lab draw that had collected under the skin. This was on a Friday morning. He asked us to come back the following Wed. so he could check up on it with a follow up Monday morning to our regular family doc so she could measure it for him. He reassured me that he didn't think it was much to worry about and that it would more then likely go down over the weekend.
Well the weekend came and went and it in fact didn't go down but looked to be a little bigger! So on Monday morning we went to our doctor and she measured it ... it was 2x3 on Friday and by Monday it was 4x3!!! She updated the Ortho Doc and we were told to be there Wednesday. I just knew it was bad news!
On Wednesday we went to the Ortho doc and he looked it over again and indeed it had gotten bigger.Gavin was scheduled for a MRI the next day and a Biopsy for that Friday! He let us know ahead of time he thought he was dealing with a cancerous tumor but wouldn't know more till after these 2 test. Gavin went in for his MRI and did outstanding .... and then the next day was the big B day as I like to call it. Another day that will forever change our lives because on this day we were told our precious 1 month old son had Cancer!
We were told he had what is called Infantile Fibrosarcoma a very RARE cancer of the soft tissue that some infants are born with. It all made sense now all those nights my poor baby had spent crying and screaming it wasn't just colic that was hurting him but the cancer in his arm.
within 2 weeks and a couple more test Gavin had a central line surgery and within a day he started chemo. We were told early on that he may lose his arm at the elbow if the chemo didn't work. The tumor had already grown just a little bigger then a golf ball but on his little arm it looked HUGE!
Gavin had 4 rounds of chemo consisting of a big one with all 3 meds and then for 2 weeks just one med a week. This really was hard on him like any child but with a little newborn you could just imagine he was so weak and frail and while other babies his age were already over 10 lbs Gavin was barely making it to 8 lbs.
But after 4 rounds of chemo the tumor had shrunk remarkably!!! And we were now ready for surgery ! Gavin had his surgery to remove the tumor and we were optimistic that things went great! He even got to go home the next day!!! Sadly a week after his surgery on an appointment to the Ortho doc to remove his bandages we were dealt the devastating news that the cancer was not gone and it looked to be worse then what they imagined. Where as the tumor had shrunk and they were only expecting to find 10 percent if not less cancerous cells left there was over 70 percent! The cancer was still on the tissue surrounding his tiny lil bones. We were told then this time he may lose his arm. I prepared myself and kept saying I would rather it be his arm then the life of my beautiful baby boy.
A week later he was sent back into the OR for another surgery on his precious arm ... This time they were taking the tissue off the bone (he had already lost a large amount of muscle and tissue and nerves during the first surgery) a pathologist was on hand for this surgery and would determine the fate of my baby boy. After 2 hours of surgery we were told the surgery was a success and Gavin would be able to keep his arm!!!!
He has extensive damage to his right arm and is now going through OT once a week for 60 mins and PT 2xs a month for 60mins. He is behind in a lot of things but he is determined to do it all and not let his arm or anything stop him. And we are happy to announce that on JUNE 29th, 2006 Gavin was pronounced in Remission and CANCER FREE ... He is my hero and I am proud to call him my son!
We will still have to be at Riley quite a bit .. Gavin still has to see his cancer docs to make sure it NEVER comes back ! We were told for at least 5 years! But thanks to the Doctors and Nurses at Riley Gavin is a happy and joyful 6 month old.
We are greatful for all the love and support he has received at Riley. Words cannot express all of the feelings we have and never will but all I can say is thanks to Riley I have my little boy and there is nothing more precious then that!
Who I'd like to meet:
I'm Special ...
I am a special little boy sent down from up above ...
A beautiful lil man for my Mommy and Daddy to love ...
God made me perfect except for one little spot ...
A little bump to be found after I got a shot ...
I am my Mommy's lil Miracle ...
My Daddy's lil Superhero ...
When I am happy my big brown eyes shine ...
You would never guess I was so sick for quite a long time ...
I was sent down from God in the heavens above ...
To teach everyone about what it is to be loved ...
God whispered in my ear just before he let me go down to earth that day ...
Make your Mommy smile and let her know that everything is going to be ok ...
I have a scar on my arm that I show with pride ...
It is a reminder to never run from your fears and to never hide ...
I am special you see ...
I have super powers from chemotherapy ...
I may be really tiny and small ...
But I feel like I have already been through it all ...
So remember when your day is not filled with glee ...
That there are other special kids just like me ...
Those kids to were sent here special from God himself ...
To show us there is more to life then just greed and wealth ...
We all have a purpose in life the day we begin our own ...
As for me I am just beginning my adventures here at home ...
I am a very special little boy you know ...
Just watch me grow!!!
Dedicated to My lil Hero Gavin ...
Written by: Jodie Louthain
MyHotCommentsJUST STOPPING IN TO SAY HELLO, AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! PLEASE SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, AND CONTINUE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BRYNDEN, SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME, AND CHILD ABUSE...
Hey, Gavin Jon ♥ The Cancer Killer ♥ Thanks for being Tyler's friend. We really appreciate the support! Please help spread the word about tyler, and add his banner if you can for his upcoming surgery in Maryland.
If you want to chat with the family visit www.tylertucker.com as we can't respond to all myspace messages due to spam.
Gavin sweetie how have you been? Got plans for the summer going to Disney world? I hope things are going well with you. I am thinking about you everyday you are a good kid fighting what you fought. You are gonna be #1 on my toplist for ever *hugs* ♥ ya lil one.
Hi sweetie. I wanted to stop by and wish you a very happy mother's day. I hope you, Gavie, and Nic have a blast today. You all are always in my thoughts and prayers.
We love you all.
Sending lots of love, hugs, thanks, and prayers, Autumn, Caleb, Katelyn, Rachel, and Family.
P.S. Give the boys lots of love and hugs from all of us!
Just stopping by to say hello, and hope all is well your way...So nothing new with Brynden's Case...They have set yet another Pre-trial on June 22nd, and a Trial on July 14th...However I go in to talk with the States Attorney this week, so who knows how this will go...Anyways keep us in your thoughts and prayers always, and continue to pray that Brynden receives the justice he so rightfully deserves, and that the courts will not give up on him, and a jury will give a murderer exactly what he deserves...Well have an awesome day!!!
ALSO PLEASE SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, AND CONTINUE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BRYNDEN, SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME, AND CHILD ABUSE...
I do need to come out there and see you one day. You are only a days drive away! I didnt want to stop anymore coming home from Oregon though. That 4 day car ride was alot on mommy Do, I was cranky, swallen, and grumpy. Believe me, you would not of wanted to see me! LOL
One day though, I will make a trip out there to see you! Give your Mommy and Nick my love, I love you so much Dude!
Online Now!
