Our Little Princey Fellow - Collin Cureageous

When Collin was born, his sister called him her "princey fellow." Collin was diagnosed with High Risk Metastatic Medulloblastoma (a brain tumor that had spread to his spine) on 4/22/10 at 16 months of age. He has had brain surgery, high dose chemo, an autologous stem-cell rescue, maintenance chemo, a phase II trial, more chemo, and radiation to his brain and spine. He has relapsed twice, but is fighting with such strength and courage, we have more recently dubbed him Collin Cureageous.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Saturday, October 16 - Day +3

Collin has had a fever on and off throughout last night and today. He is on the broad-spectrum antibiotics, and is getting Tylenol for the fevers. Despite the fevers, his day was better than I expected it to be. His mouth doesn't seem to be any worse, and he didn't seem to be uncomfortable or need Morphine today. He still has some diarrhea, but no vomiting. He ate a few bites of food for breakfast and dinner today, and had short periods of time when he wanted to sit up and play with toys. Overall he didn't seem any worse today than he did yesterday; I am surprised but grateful!

Today I met the mother of a beautiful little boy named Caiden, sixteen months old, who is undergoing his first round of chemo and having a rough time. Please keep him and his family in your prayers!

6 comments:

AlexxOctober 17, 2010 at 2:51 PM
So glad to hear Collin kept his food down!! We will pray for Caiden.
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SamOctober 17, 2010 at 8:57 PM
I'm so glad he is no worse, that is a blessing in itself. Thank you for your prayers.

God bless,
Caidens Mommy Sam
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DawnOctober 17, 2010 at 10:00 PM
Jenn, If I had to go thru what you've gone thru, YOU are the mom I'd want to meet in the hospital. You have researched and learned so much. You are an amazing advocate for Collin and all of these beautiful children. I know this is something you wish you didn't have to go thru but I am certain you will use it to help others. I've said it before and I'll say it again...you are an inspiration!
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Laura Leisner LenanderOctober 17, 2010 at 10:52 PM
I will add Caiden to my prayers. I also have a friend who has a friend with a little girl going through the same thing. She was just diagnosed. I passed along your blog address hoping she can draw some strength from you. You have been such an incredible inspiration for me as a mom with all you do and the dedication you have to your children.
I am praying Collin does well through this all.
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AnonymousOctober 18, 2010 at 2:49 PM
Ditto what Dawn said. I know God will use you to be such an encouragement to others going through the same battle! I'm glad Collin was better than you were expecting. We'll add Caiden to our prayers.
Tesha
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AnonymousOctober 18, 2010 at 9:49 PM
Jenn,
Thank you for the continuous updates. You have been in our prayers non-stop. I'm so glad to hear Collin is doing better than expected. (Still interested in food and playing a little). We will add Caiden to our prayers and thoughts. Happy 22nd month Collin!
Jody
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I am the proud mom of 2 wonderful kids, Neya (born in 2004) and Collin (born in 2008). When Collin was born, Neya loved princesses, and called her baby brother her "princey fellow." As a mom, my greatest fear in life is something happening to one of my children. My fear was realized when my sweet 16 month old son was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2010. I have watched him go through things no child should ever experience, and I am in awe of his strength. He is my hero.

I have learned that cancer is the #1 cause of disease-related death in children under the age of 20, killing more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every single day. 7 children die from cancer every single day. 1 out of every 5 children diagnosed with cancer will die. There are 5 children diagnosed with cancer for every one diagnosed with pediatric AIDS, yet only $20,000 is invested in cancer research for every $595,000 invested in pediatric AIDS research. Of the National Cancer Institute's budget of $4.6 billion, breast cancer received 12%, prostate cancer received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancer combined received less than 3%.

I started this blog as a way of keeping loved ones and friends updated on Collin. Now I also hope that his story will help raise awareness about Medulloblastoma and all childhood cancers. Awareness about childhood cancer needs to be increased so that it may some day receive the funding it deserves so that a cure can be found. Children deserve the chance to grow up and live their dreams; they shouldn't have to fight for the chance to live.

For more information on Medulloblastoma, view this document from the American Brain Tumor Association web site.