Levi’s radiation treatment will start tomorrow at Mayo Clinic.  Before he starts, we were excited that he got to enjoy some time at home. And, he has surprised us over the past few days with starting to swallow again!  Of course, it all started with a happy meal which included some chicken nuggets and French fries.  As Levi says “Yummy, yummy in my tummy!”[...]

Levi’s experience at Mayo has been going well. For him, it is nice to have new things to look at and explore.  Although, he may miss the familiar fish tank and wagon ride routes he has become accustomed to at Iowa.  However, we are excited that we have an even bigger team to take care of him and help him through the next steps.  And, they agree with us that he certainly ranks at the very top for cuteness and general Awesomeness.  Just wait until they get to know him even better - it’s impossible not to fall in love with this little man!!!
His radiation is on track to start next week and he will also be staying busy with physical therapy and speech therapy with goals to keep improving his mobility and swallowing.[...]

We are starting the next steps with our Amazing Levi this week.  Levi will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic this week with the plan to start radiation therapy as soon as possible.  He has been feeling better over the last few days and did well on the trip north so we are thankful for that.  We’ll keep you posted as we continue on this journey.  [...]

Yes, we hate cancer, but we LOVE Levi.  The last week has been difficult.  Levi wasn’t acting like himself and yesterday had another seizure.  It’s the first one he’s had in many months so they did a full evaluation.  Unfortunately, the cancer has come back and we are now prepping to start radiation.  It’s maddening, heart-breaking, and every other “fill the blank” ing you can think of.  Despite this, Levi continues to amaze us as he has remained upbeat - singing songs and going for wagon rides between much needed naps.  [...]

Introducing the Blazemobile!  Beth and Zack have been hoping to get Levi more equipment to help him as he regains strength and mobility.  After much research, they were able to get this walker and decorated it as Blaze to make it a little more exciting for him.  Levi is still getting the hang of it as his legs still don’t always do what they used to...but he’s getting stronger every day!   Blazing speed ahead!!![...]

We have certainly enjoyed having Levi at home following the good news.   He has been recovering well from his surgery and it seems he is getting stronger every day.  He has resumed scooting all around the house and really enjoys when someone chases him.  It does tire him out so we’ve had lots of requests for snuggling over the past week which we are happy to accommodate.   His hair and eyelashes are starting to come back making Zack the one with the least hair in the family once again. All in all...great steps for him to take.  

This will be another full week for our little man.  Tomorrow he has follow up appointments with all of his cancer doctors and surgeons.   We are hoping that there aren’t any unexpected changes and we can continue with the plan of rest and recovery.  He will also continue with physical therapy which is a lot of hard work.[...]

We got some great news...Levi's biopsy came back and showed no active tumor cells!!!!  Way to go Amazing Levi.  This means we just continue to closely monitor him with MRIs and focus on healing.  [...]

Levi was released from having to lay flat late yesterday and has enjoyed his usual activities of wagon rides to see the fish, playing kick in his room and watching Blaze.  He has some mild discomfort, but only needing Tylenol to keep it controlled.  He is on track to go home later today if all proceeds as planned.  Great job Levi![...]

Our Amazing Levi did really well today and the surgeons did not face anything unexpected.  Woohoo!!!  They were able to get a good sample/biopsy and we should get the results back in a week or so.  For the next few days, they will keep Levi a little sleepy so that he doesn’t move around a lot as his incisions heal.  We’re hoping to have some very uneventful days until Levi gets to go home again.  

[...]

It’s been a great weekend so far with lots of playing and brotherly love.  We’re happy to have this time before Levi’s surgery on Monday.   It is scheduled for 11 am, although times tend to flex in the hospital.  Hoping and praying that the surgeons will be well rested and everything proceeds without complications.   We'll be enjoying another day at home tomorrow and then anxiously awaiting Levi’s return home once he recovers.  [...]