Friends and Family,
It has been a devastating week for the Maks Family.
Two days ago, Griffen, the oldest of the Maks Triplets visited his pediatrician because his hip was so painful he could not walk. His pediatrician must have suspected something from the blood tests and immediately sent them to Children's Memorial Hospital. Gretchen thought she was going there to see a Pediatric Orthopedist and that perhaps Griffen had a small fracture on his hip from falling. However, yesterday morning Jon and Gretchen found out that Griffen has Leukemia.
It has been a horrible 48 hours. Griffen cannot sleep and is in so much pain. At 4am this morning to ease his pain the doctors gave him morphine. There is surgery scheduled for this morning for doctor's to extract bone marrow from Griffen's hip bone. The doctor informed us that he will be in even more pain from this procedure. The bone marrow is necessary for testing the type of Leukemia. Chemotherapy is scheduled to begin tonight, once the tests have identified the type of Griffen's Luekemia.
There are three types of Children's Leukemia:(http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_childhood_leukemia_24.asp)
It has been a devastating week for the Maks Family.
Two days ago, Griffen, the oldest of the Maks Triplets visited his pediatrician because his hip was so painful he could not walk. His pediatrician must have suspected something from the blood tests and immediately sent them to Children's Memorial Hospital. Gretchen thought she was going there to see a Pediatric Orthopedist and that perhaps Griffen had a small fracture on his hip from falling. However, yesterday morning Jon and Gretchen found out that Griffen has Leukemia.
It has been a horrible 48 hours. Griffen cannot sleep and is in so much pain. At 4am this morning to ease his pain the doctors gave him morphine. There is surgery scheduled for this morning for doctor's to extract bone marrow from Griffen's hip bone. The doctor informed us that he will be in even more pain from this procedure. The bone marrow is necessary for testing the type of Leukemia. Chemotherapy is scheduled to begin tonight, once the tests have identified the type of Griffen's Luekemia.
There are three types of Children's Leukemia:(http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_childhood_leukemia_24.asp)
* Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL, also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia) accounts for about 3 out of 4 cases of childhood leukemia. This leukemia starts from the lymphoid cells in the bone marrow.
* Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, also called acute myeloid leukemia) accounts for most of the remaining cases. This leukemia starts from the cells that form white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), red blood cells, or platelets.
* Hybrid ( mixed lineage leukemias) are rare. The cells have features of both ALL and AML. They are generally treated like ALL and respond to treatment like ALL.
Many people are asking me how they can help. Can we cook for them? Can we help babysit the other kids? Do they need money? For now, Gretch and Jon are trying to assess the situation. Some Obvious emotions are worry, devastation, fear, and sadness. I think cards and flowers would be awesome. You can call Children's Memorial but please understand if they are not able to talk for too long since they are trying to ease Griffen from his discomfort.
I think the most important thing is to keep Griffen in our prayers.
It says in Exodus 15:26: "...for I am the Lord that healeth thee"
I will be giving a report as often as I can to keep friends and family informed.
Jenny, on behalf of my 2nd family...the Maks Family
* Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, also called acute myeloid leukemia) accounts for most of the remaining cases. This leukemia starts from the cells that form white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), red blood cells, or platelets.
* Hybrid ( mixed lineage leukemias) are rare. The cells have features of both ALL and AML. They are generally treated like ALL and respond to treatment like ALL.
Many people are asking me how they can help. Can we cook for them? Can we help babysit the other kids? Do they need money? For now, Gretch and Jon are trying to assess the situation. Some Obvious emotions are worry, devastation, fear, and sadness. I think cards and flowers would be awesome. You can call Children's Memorial but please understand if they are not able to talk for too long since they are trying to ease Griffen from his discomfort.
I think the most important thing is to keep Griffen in our prayers.
It says in Exodus 15:26: "...for I am the Lord that healeth thee"
I will be giving a report as often as I can to keep friends and family informed.
Jenny, on behalf of my 2nd family...the Maks Family
PS.
Putting this on the post since its not so obvious in the comment:
All I forgot to mention that these photos are compliments of Giselle Santos. Thanks Giselle for taking the pictures! In the hospital room, Giselle just snaps away for our photo diary of Griffy's victory over this cancer!
4 comments:
All I forgot to mention that these photos are compliments of Giselle Santos. Thanks Giselle for taking the pictures! In the hospital room, Giselle just snaps away for our photo diary of Griffy's victory over this cancer!
Griffie is in my whole family's thoughts and prayers. This child is so very special - we are all behind his full recovery. He has two wonderful, strong, & courageous parents with him for the journey.
There is a way to victory.
Berto Monastero & Family
To Jon and Gretchen...i don't think you guys remember me...but I'm a very good friend of Michelle and Monty Rizal...from California. We met 5 years ago at Michelle and Monty's wedding. I was one of the bridesmaid for their wedding. Michelle shared the news w/ us over here and my heart goes out to you both. My husband and I have 4 kids of our own. And i can only imagine what you both are going through. I just wanted to say my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will definitely include Griffen in my prayers for a quick and successful recovery. A friend from California,
~Ana Masinsin-Flores & Family~
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