Good News



Peyton recovering from MRI sedation



I am a little behind on posting the results of Peyton's latest round of testing.  We finally got the MRI scan results.  Peyton is still officially CANCER FREE!  We will be heading to Philly sometime in July so the doctors there can evaluate the remaining "dead tumor" in her eye.

We are still waitng for the results of the genetic testing, but given the timeline we should be seeing them anytime now.  When I know something, I will post the news.

Life continues to be busy as Preschool is winding down.  Peyton will be graduating.  Yes, I said graduating from Preschool on May 26th.  This month is packed full of fun activities for the kids as the prepare to embark on new chapter, Kindergarten. 

Peyton will also be playing T-ball this summer.  For those of you who know me well, pray of patience and understanding in this noncompetitive sports adventure.  Hopefully, I will NOT be one of those parents. 

Peyton will also be turning 5 this month.  I cannot believe how the time has flown by.  She is super excited for her party and especially excited to see her Aunt Tina and the boys who will be here for her birthday.

I cannot ever say this enough.  Thank you all for your prayers and support through this journey with Peyton.  I truly believe that each and every one of you held us up during the hardest moments in life so far. 

God Bless,

Angela

Peyton's Latest EUA

Peyton went under anesthesia today at Wesley Hospital in Wichita.  Dr. Varenhorst did his exam and all went fairly well.  The tumor and seeds all appear to be dead still.  However, her retina is STILL not re-attaching.  The doctors are pretty much saying that we need to understand that it is most likely not going to happen.  Dr. Varenhorst agrees that the patch procedure is not a great idea with Peyton.  With that being said, he is going to confer again with the doctors in Philadelphia, and they will come up with a plan. 

Peyton was a trooper once again, and has made so many friends at the hospital.  Mommy and Daddy surprised Peyton with an early Easter basket of goodies and a life-sized Dora balloon.  She was soooo excited.

A special thanks to Dr. Varenhorst who has been ever so helpful during this whole process.  Also, a special thanks to Pastor Jerred for spending some time with us this morning.

Now, we have an MRI on Monday and a trip to Philadelphia in two months.  Thanks to all for the continued prayers. 

The Adams Family

The News

Today started the long list of appointments Peyton will have in the month of April.  We met today with Dr. Whitfield, a pediatric opthamologist.  The basic point of this appointment was to have a baseline for her vision in the left eye.  Dr.  Whitfield's diagnosis was what we expected.  The left eye does recognize light.  He is doubtful on the motion. He is not recommending that patch her right eye in order to strenghten the left because she is legally blind in the left eye.  It was a little hard to hear "legally blind".  I think that is the first time that term has ever been used by a medical professional.  

The good news is that Dr. Whitfield thinks her eye is beautiful.  He said with all the treatments she has had on this eye the lens, viens, and structure are is great condition.  Basically, the main hurdle is getting the retina to reattach.  This is a waiting game and only time will tell.

Peyton will also have an Examination under anesthesia on April 19th with Dr. Varenhorst.  This appointment will determine if the fluid from the tumor is still dissipating and if the retina is continuing to attached. 

Dr. Rosen would also like to have another MRI performed sometime in April.  This is really just a precaution to make sure that this aweful disease is no where else.  We will continue with MRI's every 6 months. 

We will be going to Philly soemtime in June or July for routine follow up with Dr. Shields.  We are hoping that we can finally take time to enjoy Philly.

On a nonmedical note, Peyton is doing great.  She is loving school and on most days she is a typical almost 5 year old.  We are gearing up for the warmer months.  Peyton will be playing t-ball and hopefully taking swimming lessons.  Still trying to convince her about swimming. 

We have been truly blessed that Peyton has been able to remain so strong throughout all the doctors and treatments.  Her only question about this appointment today was "are they going to have to poke me today?".  I can't believe that only thing through all of this that gets her upset is the blood draws. 

Thank you all who have prayed and continue to pray for Peyton, Rich and me.  We would not have had the strenght without each and everyone of you.

In His Love,

Ang

Peyton's Commercial Debut

As promised, here is the promotional video Peyton was in for the Ronald McDonald House of Wichita.

Peyton's Ronald McDonald Commercial

Rolling right along

Thought we would post an update even though nothing too major has recently occurred.  Peyton will see the eye specialist in Wichita in another month or so for another eye exam under anesthesia.  Then, Peyton will meet with her new pediatric ophthalmologist in Wichita to get information on starting a new "patch procedure" that will help strengthen and align her left eye.  Peyton seems to be doing OK sight wise, other than her left eye wandering at times.  Trust me, this whole thing hasn't slowed her down a bit!

I am so proud of my little girl, as she is so strong.  She makes me cry every now and then, when she tells people she has a cancer tumor by her eye.  It is very difficult to hear a 4-year old say that!  She is so smart that she knows everything about everything that is going on.  We have had to be very selective in how we answer all of her questions.  Also, for those who have not heard, Peyton just shot a commercial with the Ronald McDonald House of Wichita.  Peyton and Angie were both in it, and it was said they did wonderful.  It is currently being edited, and we should have a copy next week.  We will share it when we can. 

We will post again after her next appt.  Thanks again to all of you that sincerely think and/or pray about us on a daily basis.  We would also like to send a gracious thank you to the city of Philadelphia.  The city of Philadelphia will forever be in our hearts! 

The Adams Family

Back to "Normal"

Well, we are pretty much back to "normal" now.  Peyton is back at school, and all her friends are very happy to see her again.  Our preschool family has been great and continue to support us in many ways.  Peyton is concentrating hard on catching up her art project for the art fair.  She is making something out of clay and Ms. Lila has taken some extra time to help Peyton catch up.  Peyton was very adimit about completing this project!

Peyton has broken her glasses two more times. but we were able to get them fixed both times.  This is probably the last major repair they can take, so today we ordered her a new pair.  We decided that we had better have a back-up pair!  She looks even more adorable in her new pair.  We will post pictures when available.

We are waiting on Peyton's eye specialist to receive the reports from Philly.  Once he receives these reports, then we can talk about which Ophthalmologist will be helping us start the Patch Procedure.  As I said in the previous post, this will be interesting.   Again, we will hopefully see no more doctors until the specialist in Wichita does his exam in two months.  Thank God, we need a break!

We are trying to plan a golf tournament fundraiser for sometime in the next month or two.  We have been so busy catching up around the house, that we haven't had much time for planning yet.  Keep your eyes open for the next fundraiser event!

We would like to send a huge thank you to all of you who support us!  You have all been so AWESOME.  We have had more help than we ever dreamed of and we are extremely gracious and proud of every one of you. 

This week, we  send a special thanks to Aunt Wease and Uncle Gene of Indiana, and to Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob of NEBRASKA!  (Peyton sends big hugs and kisses to you!)

With love,

The Adams Family

Peyton Got An A+

Well, it has been a long day.  The surgery center at Wills Eye Institute was running behind so we waited, waited, and waited some more.  However, it was well worth the wait as we were able to meet and talk with Logan and his family and we received wonderful news..  For those of you that don't know, Logan is a little boy from the same area in KS who also has Retinoblastoma.  It was nice to speak with a family that is going through the EXACT same thing.  They have been going through this a little longer, so they were able to offer some much needed advice.

Peyton's exam went pretty well. The doctor is still very happy with her progress and thinks there still may be a slight chance of partial sight at a later date.  Peyton's retina made a little progress as it moved maybe 1mm closer.  This is not great, but still progress.  The main thing is the tumor is still dead and there are NO new growths.  The doctor also stated that Peyton still has some fluid build up, but not near as much as the previous visits.  This may never completely go away, as the eye may not be able to pump all of it out (since there was so much.)  We are also now being referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist back home.  The head doctor in Philly wants to start an eye patch procedure that will help strengthen and align Peyton's left eye.  This is going to be VERY interesting to say the least.

Anyways, Dr. Shields gave Peyton an A+ on her effort today and has really seemed to form an emotional bond to Peyton.  The nurses also love Peyton and gave her all kinds of stuff today, including a scrub cap and a stuffed hungry little caterpillar.  The people of Philadelphia are simply AWESOME!

P.S.  We will see the eye specialist in Wichita in two months, and return to Philadelphia for another exam the first week of July.  It will be so nice to visit Philly in the summer-JERSEY SHORE HERE WE COME!

We love you all!

The Adams Family