Everyone, I would like you to meet Daniel. I had the immense honor of meeting this little guy during NAS JRB's Air Show. With a lot of help from people in higher places than me, Daniel and his family were VIP guests to the Commanding Officer and the Blue Angels. Daniel got to meet, and talk with, the Blue Angels after their show on Friday. As he was handing out his cards (which he had readily available in his short pockets!), the BA's were having him sign them! He also got his picture taken with the crew and we got him a ride in one of the simulator planes....All I can say is this - this little guy and his entire family (if I'm not mistaken he has 8 other siblings, forgive me if I am wrong Daniel) are fighters. I wish I could do more, but the one thing I can do is get Daniel's story out. So, without further ado, Daniel's Story:
Background Story
Friday, January 16, 2009. Mine and my family's worlds got turned upside down.
Let's backtrack a little bit. For about a year now I have been complaining off and on of pain to both the right knee and left shoulder blade. Mom took me to see Dr. Stevenson to have my knee checked out. The doctor ran a blood test to rule out juvenile arthritis. The test results came back good in that it was not arthritis, that it had to be growing pains. Growing pains can affect a lot of body parts especially joints where things bend, and the doctor said to use Motrin for the pain.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009. Mom went to wake me up to get ready for school. I was aready up. My left shoulder was starting to hurt me again. Mom gave me some Motrin and told me to go back to bed. I was not going to school today. I hardly ever miss school. I LOVE school.
Thursday, January 15, 2009. I woke up and my left shoulder was still hurting. My mom gave me some more Motrin and told me to get ready for school, that i was just having growing pains -- I still needed to go to school. I was hurting and crying at school, so they called my mom to come get me. We stoped at my Grammy and Grampy's (my mom's parents) house to drop off some medicine for my GG (Grammy's mom). On the way back home mom took me to see Dr. Karno, Mom and Dad's friend the chiropractor to see if he could figure out how to help the pain. Dr. Karno showed me how to do exercises and stretches to work on helping my shoulder. (Thanks, Dr. Karno.) I was hurting so much I actually went to bed without dinner.
The next morning Januaary 16, 2009 Mom woke me up to go to school. I really wanted to go to school. I LOVE P.E., but Mom took one look at my face and knew I was hurting too bad. I went and took a nap by Mom. Around 2 o'clock pm I woke up. I was hurting really, really bad. Mom told me to do a stretch with my arm. I did for about 20 mins. It helped at first then it started hurting more. That's when Mom told me to go take a hot bath -- that maybe it would help the pain. I was taking off my shirt when my mom noticed my left shoulder blade was swollen four times the size it should be. My mom FREAKED out. She asked to see my shoulder. Then called Dad and told him to leave work and meet us at the ER. Dad could not leave work!!! So he said for Mom to keep him posted as to what was going on.
At the ER the doctors could not figure out what the problem with my shoulder was. They thought at first it was something called a seawing when your shoulder blade gets stuck in the back position, or that I might have dislocated my shoulder and did not know it. Then I got a IV and some blood work done. The doctors did, I think, about 22 xrays and 2 cat scans. The nurse came and sat with me while the ER doctor went to talk to my mom. Mom was taken to the other side of the ER and was told that I have cancer and that it has metastasized (means spread from the original site on my left shoulder blade to under my sternum and in both lungs) -- Stage 4 Cancer, and that we were being rushed to Children's Hospital in New Orleans to get further testing done. Mom says she then called my dad and was freaking out so much she told my dad I had cancer. He asked Mom what she had said and she just stated crying again. She could not talk, so the doctor took the phone and explained to my dad about the cancer. My mom called my Grampy and Grammy at home and told them. My Grampy came up to the ER to wait with me and my mom for my dad to arrive. Dad had just left work when Mom called to tell him about the cancer. It usually takes my dad 45 mins to get home; he got to the ER in 15 mins. NOT too smart there, Dad. Grampy told us he saw the stretcher in the hall. Grampy gave me and my mom a big kiss and left to go back home by Grammy and a very upset and worried GG. The anbulance had arrived and took Mom and me on my very first ambulance ride ever. I thought that it was very cool. Mom not so much. She was getting a little car sick.
It is about 10:30 pm. We just arrived at Children's Hospital New Orleans via ambulance. Granny Nina and Dad met us there. Some of the cancer doctors met us in the ER. Dr. Patel got me checked in and did my vitals while Dr. Razzaqui took Mom, Dad, and Granny Nina in another room to explain that I have stage 4 cancer which is not good. That means the cancer metastasized - spread from my left scapula (shoulder blade) to under my sterum and in both my lungs. Mom and Dad were told that I would have surgery - biopsi to find out what form of cancer it is. The doctors beleieve it is either Ewing Sarcoma or Rhabdo Sarcoma. Mom and Dad went to get a burger while Granny Nina got me settled in my room. Granny Nina got me to start today saying one thing everynight I am grateful for.
Luv Ya, Daniel
So, here is the star of my blog.... I am just now getting to know Daniel, but I know this already - he and I are going to be great friends. Below is Daniel's website on Caring Bridge. I've also inlcuded the 'how you can help' portion of Daniel's business card he hands out to everyone. Take a minute, go to this site and whether you just send an email or more.... I know he would appreciate it.
(From Daniel's card): IF YOUR ABLE TO HELP.
To donate blood or platelets call "The Blood Center" at 1-800-86BLOOD or log on to http://www.thebloodcenter.org/ to get locations and times.
Also, my family has set up a donation account for me at "Chase Bank". Donations can be made at any branch in my account. Routing #: 065400137 Account#: 2920096589.
All contributions are greatly appreciated; blood, platelets, financial assitance, prayers and most of all love.
I will be sure to include you in my nightly gratitude prayers.
Thanks to you all. Love, Daniel
Alright buddy, there ya go. I will keep everyone on my side posted on your progress, now all you have to do is keep fighting and get better.
Love ya buddy!
So, this is me with my co-conspirator Dan. This was our pimp ride for the air show (stylin' aren't we?). Between foot patrol, roving patrols, putting out fires, kicking out drunks and taming the crowds at the end of the day.... YEAH, we were exhausted by the end of the day. I don't think we got home before 10 pm the entire weekend (after being at work at 0500 each day). I do need to send a thank you to Dan, he was my absolute saving grace during this evolution. Dan, thank you and hope to work with you again very soon.
