Head Shaving Party!

Finally, here is the slide show of last week's party! It was an amazing night and we appreciate all the support. Thanks so much!

Misc. Cancer Stuff

Yesterday afternoon, we received some great news - Tim's bone marrow test had come back NEGATIVE! Hooray! So, the cancer is just in Tim's left tibia! But he will continue to have numerous test and scans during his chemo treatments just to make sure!

I need to ask everyone out there a favor - if you happen to come over to visit or see Tim out somewhere, please just give him a fist instead of a handshake. We have to be so careful with the spread of "stuff" especially right after a chemo treatment. And please don't be offended if you do come over to see Tim that you are asked to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. We don't want Tim in the hospital any more than needed:) Thanks so much!

Yesterday, a basket full of goodies for Tim was delivered to the house. We were overwhelmed with what we found inside it and very, very grateful to all those in the ward who contributed in some way! We feel so blessed and loved by our great ward and know that you are all behind us and fighting with us. We love you all :) Thank you, thank you , thank you!!

Tim's Home!

Yep, you read right, Tim is home and getting back into the swing of things! And as you can see from Tim's smile, he is so happy to be in his "man cave" playing games with friends.So, Tuesday night was a rough one for Tim. He didn't sleep much due to the nurses coming in and taking his vitals, drawing blood and turning off the beeping machines. He threw up around 3:30 Wednesday morning. The nurses were still working on the right anti-nausea "cocktail" when he threw up. He now has the right "cocktail!" Wednesday, he slept for most of the day, not eating much and getting really upset with people in the room! Around 3 in the afternoon, he woke up, and was in a good mood. He ate two tacos and some jello for dinner, his first meal in about 30 hours! He was also much nicer to anyone in his room :) At midnight, Tim received another "poison." He slept through the night and the treatment! Cory did not though :( Today he was discharged around noon. His spirits were so high! He should be fairly normal for a week. Then his white blood cell count will go down, and he will be tired and weak. Some of the other side effects will not occur until he goes back in for chemo, around Feb. 8th. It really sucks that the only thing Cory and I can do for Tim is to poison him so that he can get rid of the cancer! Go figure :)

Chemo-Day 1

This morning was an early one! We had to be to PCMC at 8:30 for an ecocardiogram. We were a little late getting up there due to traffic and the snow storm that rolled in. After an hour in cardio, we went up to same day surgery for Tim's bone marrow aspiration. Sometimes Ewing's will spread to the bone marrow, so a sample of Tim's bone marrow was taken out and will be tested. We should have results later in the week. Then we went up to oncology where we spent the rest of the day. Tim had to drink and pee a lot in order to start the chemo. The reason why is to keep Tim hydrated during the treatments. It was a long afternoon of watching Tim drink and pee. He loved peeing in the plastic urinal though :) Finally, around 7:15pm, Tim started chemo. Two different drugs were administered while I was there. And another was given by the time I got home around 8pm. Cory is going to spend the nights with Tim while I go home. While Cory is at work during the day, I will be with Tim at the hospital. We should be able to bring Tim home late Thursday afternoon, we hope! He is being so brave through all of this, but he is scared and nervous. He is very curious and has watched every procedure possible!
This first picture was taken this morning while waiting to go into surgery. Tim's "port" had just been accessed and he was feeling a little dizzy. This is Tim in his room. I had just taped a glow bracelet onto his "port" so he could be "Iron Man!" Notice the light blue/purple circle under his shirt, over his heart. His lips are taped shut with some left over tape. Tim is becoming very familiar with his room and everything in it!
Because of the flu season, no one under the age of 14 is allowed to visit Tim at the hospital at this time. And the number of visitors is limited as well. So we ask that visits wait until we get home. Please call though as things will be touch and go for awhile. Again, THANK YOU to all of you for your continued support. We had about 80 people shave their heads Friday night! Cory and I are awed by your love and concern for Tim. Check all the hair at the end of the night :) Awesome!!
* The slide show of the Head Shaving Party may not happen until this weekend. *

Saturday's Phone Call

Saturday morning, we received a phone call from PCMC. On the other line, was Tim's oncologist, Dr. Wright! She informed us that even though a test for Ewing's Sarcoma had come back negative, all other forms of sarcoma had been ruled out, and that they are going to treat Tim for Ewing's. The test will be performed again though. So, Tim is going to PCMC early Tuesday morning. He will start with an EKG, then his PORT will be accessed. Early afternoon, he will go down to the OR to have some of his bone marrow removed. Sometimes, Ewing's will spread to the bone marrow. Then the chemo will start. He will be in the hospital for 3 days this time, then home until Feb 8th, when he will start the next round. Flowers from an FF. I wonder if she knew that YELLOW is the awareness color for Bone Cancer/Sarcoma? Beautiful-Thank you! Love ya :)
* Picture from the Head Shaving Party are coming! *

Thank You!!

* Click on the image above to zoom in! *

Party Changes

Hello Everyone,

Cory and Amanda wanted everyone to be aware that Tim's head-shaving party will now be held at the McCuiston building (6986 McCuiston Ave) which is an LDS church in Herriman. There has been an overwhelming response from people who want to show their support for Tim and the Wright family and they are grateful that they had to find a place large enough to accommodate everyone. Below you will find directions to the McCuistion building from the Wright's home. Hope to see you all there!

5981 Silver Saddle Way Herriman, UT 84096

	1. Head west on Silver Saddle Way towardMirabella Dr
		39 ft
	2. Turn right at Mirabella Dr
		0.2 mi
	3. Take the 3rd left onto Triple Crown Ln
		0.3 mi
	4. Continue onto W 13760 S
		0.1 mi
	5. Turn left at S 6400 W/Rose Canyon Rd
		0.1 mi
	6. Take the 1st right onto Rose Canyon Rd
		449 ft
	7. Take the 1st right onto Ralph H Way
		0.1 mi
	8. Turn left at Cora B Ln
		0.3 mi
	9. Turn right at Mary Leizan Ln
		0.3 mi
	10. Turn right at Erin Loop Rd
		171 ft
	11. Take the 1st left onto McCuiston Ave
		0.2 mi

6986 McCuiston Ave Herriman, UT 84096

Tim's Battle Wounds

The other night, I gave Tim a sponge bath. He basically cannot get the left side of his body wet. After, I took some pictures of his leg and the "port" to share. This first one is of his port. It is hard to see because it is under his skin. Basically, where the little red spot of blood is below the gauze is where the needle will be inserted for chemo treatments. Here is a picture of his leg. It is still orange from the cleaning solution that was put on it. It is a little hard to see the actual bump on his leg, but it is there, for now staying in one place! Good little mass of cancer :)

Tim's Party

My good friend Becky made this invitation up for me. It's perfect! Thanks so much.



BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Cory & Amanda Wright would like to invite you

to a head-shaving party in honor of their son, Tim.

Tim has recently been diagnosed with bone cancer.

So, to show our love and support for Tim and the

Wright family, we're all going to shave our heads!

Just kidding...well, sort of. Tim is getting his head shaved

and anyone else who would like to shave their head

is welcome to do so.

When: Friday, January 21, 2011

Time: 5:30 - 8:00 (Tim's shaving will happen at 6:30)

Where: The Wright's (5981 Silver Saddle Way)

Light refreshments will be served

Amanda would also like everyone to be aware that she has a blog that she will regularly update with information about Tim and how he is doing. She feels this is the best way for her to share their lives with us at this time. The address for that is: http://coryamandawright.blogspot.com

Bone Scan

Tim is home, safe and sound from another visit to PCMC. Today it was the bone scan. He had some lead put into his body via an IV. Then we sat for 2 hours while the lead was absorbed into his body. Then his entire body was scanned with a gamma camera. It was weird to see his body and to see all the growth that is to come! We also saw the cancer on his tibia. From what Cory and I could see, it looks like the cancer has not spread to any other parts of his body!! HOORAY
We won't get official results until Tues. or Wed. After spending 3 hours at the hospital, Cory and I let Tim choose where he wanted to go to lunch. Pretty soon, the only choices he will have is which Wii game he wants to play or what tv show he wants to watch. He chose Joe's Crab Shack! He loves the snow crab :)
This is Tim at the hospital this morning waiting for the scan. He is pretty much bored with waiting rooms. The game system wasn't working today :(
Here's Tim at lunch. He finished off his crab so fast!
We are looking to do a shaving party this Friday. More details will come as soon as we get things figured out. If anyone would like to shave their head, and does not live close by, please feel free to do it. We just ask that you send us a picture so we can put it up in Tim's room along with the cards he is getting :) Thx!

Our Life - Now!

Well, it's been awhile since the last post. The kids went back to school, I started playing volleyball again, Cory went back to work. Everything you'd expect with a New Year starting. However, things would change drastically for our family. So, sit back, grab a tissue and bear with the long story:

Our story begins last November. Cory, Tim and Tim's friend Luc went to a motorcycle race the first weekend of the month. The boys had a great time, and came home with lots of exciting race incidents to share. Tim told of how he had crashed once, but got right back on the bike and ended up finishing 2nd in his class! He ended up with a bruise on his left leg from the crash. No big deal, right? A week later, he was fine.

December comes around and Jr. Jazz starts up. Tim plays two games during the month and his team ends up winning. Tim scores his first points ever in a game during the first game. The first points of the game/season too! The team and season are looking good. But, Tim complains that his left leg hurts after a game or after a long day at school. So, he ices it and takes some ibuprofen for the swelling. During the holidays, he has about a two week break from basketball, and his leg is fine, again.

His first week back to school after the break, he came home a couple of times and complained that his leg was bothering him. Tim is starting to come home from school with a limp. Last Saturday, he had a basketball game. He gallops down the court and won't jump at all. He doesn't notice that he is doing this. Also, when he walks, his left foot is pointing out to compensate for the pain. Of course he doesn't realize that he is limping, he can't feel any pain. I decide it's time to take him in to be looked at.

So, last Tuesday, I take him to the new Urgent Care in Riverton. Why there? Because I wanted an x-ray of his leg, thinking he might have a stress fracture, and his primary doctor doesn't do in-office x-rays. So, a doctor looks him over and says he might have Osgood Schlatter Disease. Okay, what is that? It is associated with growing too fast and what not. Makes sense because I cannot keep Tim in pants lately. But, we still have an x-ray to make sure. Well, the x-ray is not looking like the disease at all. I even saw the x-ray, and it was funky! So, an MRI is order for Wednesday.

Okay, grab a tissue. Tim goes in for his MRI Wednesday morning. The tech says that it should take about 45 minutes. So, I sit in the waiting room for about an hour. Then my motherly instincts kick in and I question the receptionists about Tim. I am taken back to another waiting room and Tim comes out about 10 minutes later. The tech tells me that another doctor would like to speak with me back at the Urgent Care. So, Tim and I head down there. The doctor tells me that the tech noticed some things after a couple of images came up that looked like Osteogenic Sarcoma. What is that? BONE CANCER! I don't even know what I did next. I just knew I had to be strong for Tim. We are given names and phone numbers of doctors at Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC) and told that a call hadbeen made to set up an appointment to see a specialist. As Tim and I are walking out to the truck, I lose it and start to tear up. Tim notices this and says, "Mom, it's only bone cancer." Appointments are set up for Friday morning, Cory ends up coming home early from Denver, he and Tim go to a Jazz game and my Mom and I take the girls out to dinner.

Thursday, Tim went back to school. We told him to keep quiet about things until we found out more Friday. Both Cory and I both had a crappy day. We both cried as we thought about Tim's future and questioned "why him?"

Friday, Cory and I take Tim up to PCMC and leave the girls in my Mom's care for the day. First we meet with an Orthopedic Specialist. He gets to know Tim better and exactly what led us to him. He then confirms the tech's thoughts about bone cancer. He orders a CT scan of the lungs and some blood work. The CT scan comes back clear-the cancer is not in Tim's lungs. Next, we meet with an oncologist-cancer doctor-who talked to us about chemo treatments and what to expect next. We checked into same day surgery, then leave the hospital for a couple of hours. Cory and I took Tim to a fast track where he and Cory drove super fast go-carts. Then we went to a motorcycle shop and looked around for awhile. Anything but the hospital; we will be spending a lot of time there soon enough.
Around 4, we were back at PCMC. Tim was scheduled for a biopsy to see for sure if the bump just below Tim's left leg on the tibia, was indeed cancer. And also to find out what kind of bone cancer it is. Tim didn't go to surgery until 7pm. His doctor got caught in another surgery. So, while Tim was in surgery, Cory and I got acquainted with the sweetest couple from Highland. After about an hour, the doctor came out and gave us an update on Tim. YES, he does have cancer, but he not sure what kind yet. More tests have to be done so the right chemo treatment is given. Tim was in surgery for about hour or so to have a central line "port" put in his chest for the chemo treatments. Tim was very loopy coming out of the medicine. It was quite comical! He was also in pain. So after receiving some medicine, he fell back asleep for awhile. We finally left PCMC around 12, gettin home close to 1am.
Today Tim did well. He was up for most of day either watching tv or playing Wii games. He also helped us, a little, to move his room from the basement to a room next to mine and Cory's. That was a difficult change for me. Looking to next week: Monday, Tim goes in for a bone scan to see if the cancer has spread to other bones in his body. Lab work should be back by Tues or Wed. We might know by as early as Tues if the cancer is actually Osteosarcoma. If it is not, then we will not find out until Friday if the cancer is Ewing's sarcoma. Chemo treatments could start as early as next Friday. Tim will most likely have 3 months of treatments, surgery to remove the tumor, then another 5-7 months of chemo. He will have to stay 3-5 days at PCMC while receiving the treatments. He will then go home for about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks, then back up for more treatments. Totally length will be about a year.

So, what does the future hold for us? I really don't know. Tim is going to be really sick, we will be spending a lot of time in a vehicle and at PCMC, and we are going to be tired. But, we will meet awesome people with inspiring stories. Tim will change, but hopefully in a good way, lessons will be learned and our bond as a family will grow stronger. We are grateful to have caught this early and that Tim is young and healthy. We have great families, awesome friends and an amazing ward family that are here to help out:) We are going to fight hard, and we will win!!

I will try to keep the blog updated as things happen :)

2010 Highlights!

Here it is - finally! It's a little long, but there were 12 fun-filled months in 2010 :) Enjoy!!

New Year's and a Birthday!

2011 started out like any other New Year for us, cold! But we still managed to have some fun! Well, that is the kids and Cory did! I spent the day in bed trying to sleep off the nasty cold I had. Cory took the kids sledding at a nearby Middle School for awhile. Then after the kids warmed up in the hot tub, he took them to see a movie. I had enough energy later in the evening to cook Cory a birthday dinner and have a little party for him! In my mind, it was a crappy birthday for Cory! Hopefully I can make it up to him on another weekend :)
Here is Cory with the kids. He got a year membership to the new recreation center in town that is due to open sometime in March. Now he can workout til his heart is content, or I call him home :)
Tim and Cory lighting the candles on his cake. How pathetic is it that Cory had to light his own candles?
All the kids helped Cory blow out all the candles. We almost set off the fire alarm in the house :)
* Stay tuned - the next post will be the 2010 highlight - coming very soon! *

New Year's Eve

We had one heck of a party, let me tell you! I was on the couch all day with a nasty cold! The weather was freezing outside, but that didn't stop Cory from going snowmobiling with a buddy and the kids from running errands with my Mom so I could rest. I felt well enough to take some pictures of the kids and Cory doing the chocolate fountain after dinner. Yummy!!Lots to choose from to dip into the milk chocolate: marshmallows, nilla waffers, bananas, cinnamon bears, swedish fish, oreos!
The girls had a great time, getting chocolate everywhere. Speaking of everywhere, one of these two cuties stuck a piece of licorice in the fountain, spraying chocolate everywhere-on the floor, on the frig, on the cupboards! It was great. Kelli is soo tired, she is helping to keep her eyes awake :)
We let K&K stay up to 10pm to watch the ball drop in New Year as it was midnight there. I went to bed shortly after them with lots of cold medicine in me. Tim, Mak and Cory stayed up to midnight and rang in the New Year just the three of them. This is Mak laying on the floor in front of the tv watching a movie or something. I don't recall exactly what we watched.
The kids play a game called "Ninja" where they fight each other ninja style but you take turns moving and you can only take one step towards another person. It is quite comical and entertaining! I tried to upload a video, but it was taking too long, so a picture will just have to do!