No big changes to report and we are always happy for that.  Over the next few days Levi will have more tests including a full mri of his brain and spine.  This can be hard for little ones as they have to be sedated and placed on a breathing tube to get it done.  As he is on a research protocol, it will be after this that the next steps of his treatment are decided. Right now it is most likely that he will be starting on cycle #4 of chemo.  We are hoping that everything continues to look as expected or better than expected.  [...]

We are all still enjoying Levi being at home.  Owen has been extra creative finding ways to make him laugh and ways to include him even though he can’t move around like he could before.  Today, Owen declared that it was crazy sock day and we all took part, much to his delight.  Our conclusion was that Beth’s Space Invader sock won first prize but it’s hard to beat a classic.  Levi and Owen enjoyed playing soccer together, going for a walk, and watching a morning movie.[...]

Levi had his shunt adjusted after his appointment and luckily this seems to have helped for now.  That means more time playing at home!   He has been working hard and laughing a lot.  He still prefers to lay down and watch Blaze but in his defense, it has been rainy and gloomy and don’t we all just want to lay down and watch tv in that weather?  His other activities today included putting buttons together to make an umbrella, playing catch, and smiling at his crocodile when it goes “SNAP!”  Looking forward to more days like this![...]

Levi has been having fun at home.  He’s asked to go downstairs, for a ride in Daddy’s truck, loved seeing all of his grandparents and was enamored with the sky on his first stroller ride around the block.   Can you blame him?   He had only seen the boring ceiling in the hospital room for 3 months....the changes in scenery are such a luxury for him right now.  We’ve loved seeing him where he belongs, even if it is just for a short time.   [...]

Levi (and Owen) got the coolest surprise this morning to welcome him home.   The West Liberty Fire Department came to provide a hero’s welcome to our little man.  It was complete with an official formation and salute, fist bumps, and smiles all around.  Levi was happy to tell all that the fire truck was red and in addition to saying “Thank you” he also told the team “I love you”.  He definitely enjoyed their visit![...]

We might not have huge plans for this Labor Day weekend but it is still the best one in recent memory.  Levi is home!!!

It literally only took about 10 seconds after getting in the house before Owen and Levi were playing together like nothing at all had changed.  We are certain that the smiles and laughter will be the best medicine yet![...]

Levi has now been in the hospital for 83 days.  Whoa!   But today is a very significant day as it is the first day in all of that time that he was able to be disconnected from all of the breathing tubes, feeding tubes, iv’s, and central lines.   He had a two hour period completely unhooked with no wires!   Talk about a sense of freedom.[...]

Levi is continuing to work hard.  And nothing is more motivating to him than being able to kick a poor innocent stuffed animal - Ninja Kick!   [...]

Levi continues to be very tired, needing additional transfusions yesterday and today.   He continues to have fevers and even though there isn’t a specific source for the infection that they can identify, he is being treated with antibiotics as his cells to fight off infection are quite low as well.  We are hoping that it all starts to clear up as his blood counts recover in the next few days.  [...]

A little less activity for Levi for the last two days as he is feeling absolutely YUCKY!   Today he is having fevers again so they will look for a source of infection and hopefully get it under control soon.  Tummy aches and mouth sores and a whole bunch of stuff that chemo does to you all at once...  On days like this, the only thing to do is cuddle.  And luckily, Beth and Zack are always happy to throw a cuddle party.  [...]