On Day +162 (February 24, 2007, Saturday)

Charley survived a really tough week with a brave spirit. He already took 4 low doses of the first chemo drug (VP-16). The outcome is encouraging: WBC dropped to 2,900 and blasts (peripheral blood) decreased to 26% on Saturday. Doctors hope and expect the efficacy can reach to Charley's spleen and liver gradually as what happens on his marrow. However, Charley had a bumping night and bizarre daytime. He complained of severe left side belly pain last night so he was given larger dose of morphine. Today he developed hallucinations and some disorientation since noon time. These made us quite anxious.

Through CAT scan's evaluation, Charley's head is fine. The CNS symptoms were caused by morphine. We are concerned about his spleen because the X-ray shows it compresses both his stomach and small intestine. Furthermore, Charley's body is developing an antibody to destroy transfused platelets. Frequent transfusions were dumped into the spleen instead of fulfilling its function. Doctors started to treat with several options. In fact, effective chemotherapy will be the bottom line of resolution for enlarged spleen.

We keep receiving many phone calls bringing compassion, comfort, encouragement and help to us. Grace Baptist Church organized a special prayer this morning from 10-12, Ron Cousineau, Hector Castro, Rick Frazier and others came to comfort us with prayer. Pastor John Taylor brought lovely gifts from Florida. Dr. Leung prayed with Charley over the phone from Vancouver. Thanks to you all.

Prayer Request:
1. Charley's liver function recovers to normal for the best protection to two more chemo drugs given next Tuesday.
2. Spleen gets healed sooner.
3. Antibody against transfused platelet can be controlled
4. Good Appetite.

On Day +160 (February 22, 2007, Thursday)

The early morning’s blood test continues to give us encouraged results: the WBC dropped to 9,500; blasts dropped from 67% to 63% and Bilirubin is 3.0 (Normal: 1.5).

Prayer Request:
1. Liver function gets normal.
2. Achieve “Complete remission” of chemotherapy without infections.
3. Immune defense gets stronger while the rejection drug is under quick dose reduction within two weeks.
4. The heavenly wisdom and blessings continues being upon the decision making of his treatment plan.
5. The "miracle healing" on his recurrent leukemia.
6. The physical and spiritual strength to Deborah and Nehemiah.

On Day +159 (February 21, 2007, Wednesday)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME.

Summary [from Feb. 17 to 20]: Charley did walk through the shadow of death over the weekend. His blast in peripheral blood jumped from 10 (last Friday) to 65% while the WBC was increasing from 9,000 to 27,000 on Tuesday. Furthermore, the liver function is damaged by leukemic attack so that the total Bilirubin increased quite high (5.0). A consequence, the selection of chemotherapy drugs becomes limited. Charley was given two different steroid drugs for three days. The outcome in slowing down the leukemic spread was disappointing. The first dose of chemotherapy (VP-16) was given on Monday evening.

We are all moved by his perseverance and strong will for life. Charley is brave - still keeps calm and never complains although suffering from intensive pain all over his body. The medical team wants to balance the treatment with a good quality of life so they let him take morphine as much as he asks. However, Charley never requested and thus, the doctor was forced to prescribe a constant morphine IV injection with low dose.

We have been told: “Charley touches many people’s hearts”. The most heart-broke phenomenon was that the clinician, attending doctor, social worker and nurses wept with us when they informed us the BMT failure or came to visit Charley. The bone marrow transplant ward gave Charley a warm welcome. The oncology medical doctors and bone marrow nurses formed a superb team. They keep us updated, listen to our concerns, address the questions to our satisfaction, encourage us hanging in with HOPE and always provide Charley any necessary care immediately.

Charley’s belly is enlarged as a balloon due to splenohepatomegalia. The splenomegalia compressed his stomach and makes him lose his appetite. The enlarged liver and spleen compressed his diaphram and make the lungs have fluid. Charley’s blood oxygen was as low as 70s and he has been on oxygen since day 1.

There are many, many people praying for Charley. Churches in Massachusetts, Florida and Michigan joined prayers since last Saturday. Some intercession network even reaches Rome. Drs. Leung (from Vancouver) and Ho (LA) visited us twice and had healing prayer. Teachers, chaplain, pastors, “old” friends and “new” friends came to the bed site while Charley was under “serious condition”. We also appreciated friends who have medical, BMT and cancer therapeutic background give the advice and support in time, including, Drs. Cheng, Yen and Liao.

Today’s progress:

The report from 12 pm is very encouraging: WBC dropped to 14,000, blasts only increased 2% and Bilirubin dropped to 3.3. The attending doctors smile with sort of relief. Our joy just cannot be expressed by words. Now, we have more courage and trust to walk with Charley until he reaches “complete remission”. With a trend of improving liver function, he may have a better chance to add two more chemo drugs at day 8 following the protocol.

Charley started feeling hungry last night. Today, he began to eat and drink! Hallelujas!

The oncology team made a decision to move Charley to pediatric hematology-oncology ward this evening in order to take care of him closely. The new room number is 622 (6 North) and room phone number: 617-355 3712.

On Day +154 (February 16, 2007, Friday)

This is not good news for all of us that Charley is relapsed from leukemia. Today, his doctor confirmed that his peripheral blood shows 10% blasts in differentiates so his bone marrow transplant is failed. This is a big shock to the medical team also. His leukemia recurrence was so rapid within a couple of weeks.

Charley was then admitted to Children's Hospital Boston at 5:30 PM. His room number is 607 (6 West) and room phone number: 617-355-3679.

Charley will have a bone marrow test and spinal fluid tap tomorrow in order to formulate a chemotherapy plan. The immediate goal is to achieve complete remission.

We greatly appreciated Pastor John's intercession over the phone on the way to Florida yesterday and this evening. Pastor Don came to Charley's room at the Jimmy Fund Clinic this morning right after knowing the crisis. Rick sent out the prayer request this afternoon. What a heavenly comfort to the parents.

Prayer Request:
1. Charley needs relief from a variety of leukemia symptoms over the weekend.
2. The heavenly wisdom and blessings be with the decision making of his treatment plan.
3. The "miraculous healing" on his recurrent leukemia.
4. The physical and spiritual strength to Deborah and Nehemiah so they are able to hold "HOPE and FAITH" firmly.