Our Buddy Alex

Alex's 1st Chemo Treatment.
He helped to push the chemo in at his first treatment.
September 15, 2005

Alex gave it his all when he helped Rachelle
push the chemo in at his 2nd treatment.

Alex was a show off at his 3rd treatment. He was showing his
doctor and Grandma Mary how silly he can be.

Alex getting weighed and measured at his 2nd treatment.

Alex watching his blood sample
go to the lab in the "rocket tube".

Alex took a rest while waiting for his fourth treatment.

Alex "hung out" in his car
waiting for his lab results.

Emily came to Alex's sixth treatment
to see what it was all about.

Alex and Emily took a rest on the way
home from the Hospital. You can see
his new school bus in his hand.

Alex checked out the x-ray
table before he had to get on it.

Alex loves to color while we wait for the
doctor or his blood test results.

Dr. Richards checked Alex's throat on his 7th treatment.

Alex kept his hat on for the entire
clinic visit at his 8th treatment.

Alex played doctor with Emily on his 12th treatment
(and his 2nd Birthday)!

Alex had a home made cake on his birthday!
We had to light the candles and blow them out
twice for Alex (again...again...again).

Alex loved hitting the Pinata at his birthday party. He
was so surprised when candy and toys came out of it.
He belly laughed for a minute!

Alex and Mommy fall asleep waiting for the bone scan.

Alex was "out" for the night after a long night on
12/30/05 and day on 12/31/2005.

Treatment #14 - 1/06/2005
We have officially started treatments every three weeks.

Alex decided to sit all alone today for his
blood pressure and temperature check.
He was his own little "man".

Alex and all his "friends" (Larry the Lion, Doby the Doberman,
Peter the Puppy and Owl). They all sleep in his bed.
It's a party every night!

Alex after his x-rays on 2-17-06.
We waited to see if they all turned out OK.

Alex had his blood taken while
we waited for his CT scan.

Alex and Emily watched for the "rocket"
that sends Alex's blood to the lab.

Alex showed his mad face while he got his chemo treatment # 15.

Alex "asleep" waiting for his bone scan and CT scan to begin.

It has been so nice outside that Alex has been
able to enjoy one of his new toys.

Alex had his port accessed and treatment # 16 while "on the table".

A boy and his "rocket" tube launcher.
Again he waited for his blood samples
to be sent off to the lab.
March 31, 2006

We are happy to be done with the last scheduled chemo!
Though we still are not done with this part of the journey, we are
happy to have completed one step on the path! One very BIG step!

Alex's last scheduled treatment went as planned.
April 21, 2006

Emily in her dance costume.
She is so proud, as are we!

Tom helped hold Alex's head for the x-rays. It is the first time that
Alex did not scream and cry through the entire process.

Alex relaxed while we waited for the
radioactive injection to take hold in his
bones for his bone scan.

Tom and I stayed in the room with Alex during the CT scan.
We tried the process, without putting Alex under, for the first
time. He made it through like a champ!

Alex in recovery, just after he woke up! He finally got to eat his
gold fish. He asked for them the entire morning!

Alex is getting ready to be cleaned up and the
needle inserted for his blood count check-up.

Emily was able to come with for Alex's appointment.
She loves to be included in Alex's doctor visits.
This picture was taken in the tunnel on interstate 94 -
the kids LOVE to go thru the tunnel!

Alex at his doctor appointment on
Thursday, June 29, 2006.

Alex found a new friend at the clinic today! His name is Dragon!
Alex did a great job helping to access his port today!

Alex was a real trooper for his skeletal survey today!
He got a little restless, but overall he did a great
job for how long he had to be still and pose for each picture.
He was also a lttle silly with the props!

Port access in October 2006.
He got his favorite
Superman bandaid.

Fun at the PUMPKIN PATCH and carving our pumpkins for Halloween!
2006

Superman and Supergirl for Halloween 2006!
When Alex put on his costume, he was
disappointed that he could not actually fly!

Alex is showing off his port area,
with the numbing cream applied.

Alex rested on the bone scan table before the acutal scan.

Alex in the bone scan. He was able to keep his shirt on for
the scan today. I do not think that even I could sit still with
the machine so close to my face!

Alex and his cousin Jacob at the birthday party.
December 2006

Alex and Emily visited the Mall of America Santa. Alex thought Santa was acting silly. Santa kept saying "truck, truck, truck, truck, truck" over and over again.

Emily and her hair before and after she had over ten inches cut off for Locks of Love.

Alex during his LAST port access and while he was waiting for surgery.

Alex with mom and dad, just before he put
himself to sleep on the operating table.

Alex being silly after surgery and calling Grandma and Grandpa to let them know he was OK.

ALEX'S PORT

Here is a picture of Alex's actual port. The round
part with the metal is where the needles would enter
to despense medication. The long white part is
what was completely inside of Alex's vein.
This was placed on the upper right side of Alex's chest.

February 2007
And this was only the warm
compress to help show his veins...

February 2007
Cannot believe how grown up
he has become since we started...

Emily's Birthday! WOW - she is five years old already!!!

Alex during the CT scan and skeletal survey.
May 2007

Alex did much better this time during the IV process!!!

We left for our first camping trip of the year right after
getting the good news from Alex's doctor!!!!

November 2007
Rachelle, Alex and Dr. Richards.
Alex loves them and they mean the world to us!