5th Stage Starts Now

With cool temperatures underway, the flu also finds it's way into homes and lurks waiting for the right host. You can be for sure that Gretchen and Jon maintain strict hand washing techniques whenever entering the Maks' home and engaging with the Maks' children. At the beginning of this week (October 20, 2008) Griffin visited the Children's Memorial Hospital for a routine spinal tap and medication administration of chemotherapy. He had underwent the spinal tap procedure, but due to complications of possibly hitting a blood vessel the spinal tap was canceled. The spinal tap was rescheduled for next Monday and at that time chemo meds will be administered via the spinal fluid. Griffin returned home by Monday afternoon.

Griffin has been hanging in and around the house with his siblings. What else would a soon-to-be 3 year old be doing? Over the weekend, he helped his Papa Jon decorate the house with Halloween decorations and enjoyed the crisp autumn weather. Here are a couple images of Griffin and his siblings enjoying the autumn leaves.



Albeit, his rash remains since his admission into the hospital (a couple weeks ago), and his hair is disheveled in the front and thinning around the crown, his bright shining smile remains.


Griffin continues to follow the doctor's schedule and medication regimen. He has officially entered the 5th phase of his medication protocol, and is scheduled to visit the hospital once a month, for the next 3 years. At these scheduled visits, Griffin will undergo a spinal tap and chemotherapy administration. The doctors have told Gretchen that Griffin should not lose any more hair, and a much needed appointment at Kid Snips has been scheduled.



Listening to Gretchen's voice talk about the plan makes me feel a relief, kind of like, "Whew, Thank God, we have been able to get this far." And I do Thank God. My sister, Gretchen, has always had the penchant for creating a 'light goodness' to issues and factors and stories. But I can only imagine what lies behind those words, because if this were me and I wore my sister's shoes, I would want to scream my lungs out and exclaim,

"Why? Why my Griffin?"

There are no feasible answers that can allay my fear nor those of my sisters. But I continue to pray that God continues to give Gretchen and Jon the strength. Strength to get on with their daily lives in light of all of 'This.' I continue to pray that Griffin's body remains strong despite the fact that these medications that can eradicate the Leukemia may also destroy parts of his body. I continue to pray that Everest, Hudson, and Kailey will continue to thrive and know that Love surrounds all of them.

Please continue to send your positive energies for the Maks Family. Continue to pray for Griffin and his family.

Fever & Admission

Griffin's weekend was spent in the Children's Memorial Hospital after he developed a fever. Griffin's temperature started at 100.9 and began creeping up to 104.7. The high temperatures guaranteed a visit to the Emergency Room. Jon and Gretchen did not delay transporting Griffin. By the time Griffin was 101 he was en route to the hospital.

Griffin was seen in the emergency room and presented with fever and a generalized red rash on most of his body. He was in the ER for about 5-6 hours before being admitted into the isolation rooms of the oncology unit. On the floor, a number of doctors examined Griffin, and it was determined that he would need intravenous fluids and observation.

Jon and Gretchen remained at Griffin's bedside. Hudson, Kai, and Everest remained with MamaRita and Grandpoppy, and Grandma Aida. Griffin received 1 unit of a blood transfusion prior to leaving the hospital. Talking to Jon this morning he stated that Griffin slept through the night.

Please continue to pray for Griffin Maks and his family.

Update status post LP & Cytoxan

Gretchen called about 11:35 am on Thursday morning to report Griffin's LP (lumbar puncture) procedure was over. Griffin was able to get through the ordeal with no complications. His face was red all over from screaming and crying and he may have some broken facial capillaries.

Griffin had been at the Children's Memorial Day Hospital for the Cytoxan infusion. There was a tiny blip when Griffin's port-a-cath needle became disconnected while Intravenous fluids were infusing, but no harm was done. When all things were said and done the family got home about 8:00pm.

Talking to Jon last night he mentioned that Griffin enjoyed introducing all of his friends. Griffin had no reservations walking up to staff and/or patients. Griffin is a "little celebrity" over at Children's.



Griffin was up throughout the night with nausea and vomiting. A common side effect of the chemotherapy medications. Despite the administration of oral liquid Zofran (a medication for nausea and vomiting), Griffin continued to have waves of episodes and dry heaves.

Griffin's siblings are staying with grandparents and should return home by today.

Please continue to pray for Griffin and the family.

Have you been waiting?

Hi Folks! Yes, we are still here. A lot has been happening for Griffin and family. The Maks' are busy acclimating to their jam-packed schedule. Markings on the calendar indicate the start of school for Griffin and his siblings. There are also reminders for soccer practice and games, violin lessons, Tae Kwon Do practice, and hospital visits and procedures.

Since the last posting Griffin has had treatments that follow the planned schedule. Not to say that the events that have passed are not important to note here on the blog, but Gretchen and Jon are super busy.

Griffin has been attending classes at the local park district Monday through Wednesday for two hours each time. He enjoys the playtime with his siblings and playing with the tool set play area. He especially enjoys the different art projects, playdoh playtime, and floam.





Griffin has continued his involvement with all of his therapies. Gretchen stated,
"All the outside daily stimulation/ socialization helps keep a constant state of order." Griffin and his siblings are not only learning the valuable lessons of play, but also understanding the concept of rules and continuing an established routine.

The blog has not been updated for a long while and we Thank you for being extra patient. On Thursday, September 25, Griffin will be on his 29Th day of the Standard Delayed Intensification Phase. This is the 4th phase of Griffin's treatment.

Tomorrow Gretchen and Jon will be at the hospital for Griffin's procedure. The first part of day Griffin will have to undergo yet another lumbar puncture (LP) also called a spinal tap. This LP will be done without general anesthesia. Usually this procedure with the anesthesia takes about 2 hours, but Griffin has to undergo a new chemotherapy regimen. The medication that Griffin will have to receive is called Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). The infusion time for this medication is planned to take 6 to 8 hours.

In addition to this medication, Griffin will also be receiving a slew of other medications. They include:

Thiogiane (sp?)via the port-a-cath.

Cytarabine via intravenously and then continue daily at home as a deep muscle injection for 5 days.

Griffin may have to stay overnight at the hospital depending on the outcome of all the procedures.

On a side note, Griffin's hair is beginning to show signs of thinning. His hair may look disheveled and unruly covering his eyes, but Gretchen and Jon are nixing the idea of giving Griffin a trim or cut. They are keeping his hair until it starts to fall out.





Gretchen and Jon are very thankful for all the e-mails, cards, and phone calls. They are also thankful for the gifts of toys, books, photo albums, and food.

The Maks Family ask for continued prayers and positive energies.

Together as One and Hand-In-Hand

The summer days are dwindling down and the Labor Day Holiday is upon us. The August summer nights make for sleeping with the windows open a pleasant and comfortable environment. But in the Maks family household comfort is a thing of the past and I quote from Jon, "because Griffin had to vomit three times because of the chemo meds."

Thank you to all the loyal and supportive followers of the Griffin Maks blog for being patient and checking often for updates. Here is what has happened:

August 21, 2008

Griffin's neutrophil count was very low hitting numbers of 200, with normal limits above 1000. griffin visited the Children's Memorial hospital accompanied by his older brother (kuya Everest). Everest was up close and personal for the second time, and experienced the pain and hardship that his younger brother Griffin has to endure. This particular week was the last of the Third Phase. Griffin received his intramuscular ERWINA injection, and 6MP, and Methotrexate.

Following the chemotherapy protocol Griffin had a week off from all chemotherapy medications. Which brings us to August 28, 2008. This date is the first day of the Fourth Phase called Delayed Intensification. As Gretchen explains, "this is the brutal phase" From what the doctor describes this is the phase that Gretchen and Jon may have to anticipate blood product infusions, hospital stays due to fevers, and adverse reactions to new chemotherapy medications.

August 28, 2008
On this particular day, Griffin was accompanied by his uncle, Tito Ashlin. Ashlin also saw first hand the procedures that Griffin must receive in order win the battle against Leukemia. As Ashlin explains how he felt, he states, "Overwhelmed." Ashlin also observed the different families also in the waiting room who may not be there for the same reason as Griffin, but looked sick. Ashlin continues to describe the experience as, "Everything was all new." On the lighter side, Griffin felt proud to introduce his uncle to all of his hospital friends, doctors, nurses, staff, and some young patients.


Griffin received a lumbar spinal tap with methotrexate intrathecal injection. Vincristine and Doxarubicin infused into his por-a-cath. Griffin also started the dreaded Decadron. It's the "make-you-insanely-hungry-and-mean" drug.

Gretchen and Jon are preparing for the inevitable changes of Griffin's outward appearances. For example the Doxarubicin can cause hair loss, mouth sores, and long term heart damage. A romp through Evanston's Northwestern University Campus allowed for memorable images of the Maks family unit. Throughout this harrowing journey they travel the path laid out hand-in-hand.


Please continue to pray for Griffin and his family. Say hello and leave your comments for Jon and Gretchen, this keeps their spirits high.

Griffin and his Gal Pals

Griffin has been out and about with his personal entourage of not only one but two beauties watching over him and his siblings. Amy M. and Michele Joy M. were on hand literally to give Gretchen a hand with Griffin's daily appointments. The events involving the two lovelies spanned over a few days, but let us just say they are probably ragged tired.


No task was too big to handle for this dynamic duo. The girls offered extra hands, eyes, and extra hugs which in turn helped Gretchen and Jon immensely, and thus helped Griffin. I could list all the things that they did, but there is not enough room. Like it isn't hard enough to take care of a 6 year old (Happy Birthday Kuya Everest!) and 2 1/2 year old triplets, I can only imagine, I am sure that what these two gals did helped to get the job or jobs accomplished.
Thank You Michele Joy and Amy, you two rock! Get some rest!

WTMX Fundraiser for Children's Memorial

Hey everybody! We just wanted to plug the 9th Annual Radiothon for Children's Memorial Hospital! This is the hospital that Griffin attends weekly, and will be attending for the next 3 years. Proceeds go to buying crayons, play-doh, coloring books, et. al. in addition to medicine and staff.

More information here:

http://www.wtmx.com/home.php

or tune your radio to 101.9 and listen in!