John Completes Phase 1

Sorry for the delay since our last post -- things have been busy around here! This past weekend, we had a wonderful visit with Grandpa Jim, Uncle Geoff and John's cousins - Jake and Elliott, who were up for the Cal football game. It was a game time decision, but John did go. He got to enjoy the game from the press box with Aunt Jane. I wouldn't know what it's like to watch a game from that vantage point, but I hear it's great. We finished the day with a family BBQ and sleep over with the cousins. It was nice to have the house full of chaos and laughter.

On the medical front, John has now completed his first phase of treatment (Induction). This week we will be busy at Children's Hospital with three days of scans and xrays. This is the final step of the Induction phase and these tests will give us a better idea of the size of the mass and how John is responding so far.

On Monday, John starts the next phase of treatment (Consolidation). He will have to check back into the hospital for one night to undergo a new type of chemotherapy. John and I are already planning our hospital slumber party - jammies, dinner, movie & glow sticks.

We continue to be so inspired by the generosity of family, friends, neighbors and even complete strangers. I have begun the process of sending thank you notes; however, things at the hospital were pretty disorganized, so don't be surprised if you get a note thanking you for the wrong thing, get two notes, or don't get any note at all! I hope you all know how appreciative we are for EVERYTHING. You have made life so much easier for us and really brightened John's days.

I'll close with one final thank you to the Griffins and everyone who has joined them in Dribble for a Cure. They have already raised $11,701 (and counting) for Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, which makes them the top fundraiser for the event. Griffins, John is so lucky to have you for cousins and is amazed at how much you have accomplished. Good Luck on Sunday.....we'll all be rooting for Team John Ricksen!

Dribble for a Cure

I wanted to take a moment to let you know about a wonderful event my sister Jillian's family, the Griffin clan, are participating in. They will be playing in the UCLA- PCRF "DRIBBLE-FOR- A-CURE" in support of John on Sunday, November 1st at UCLA (John said he was OK with UCLA in this case).

This event raises money for PCRF (Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation). Since its establishment in 1982, PCRF has strived to improve the care, quality of life and survival rate of children with cancer.

Thanks to organizations like PCRF, we are winning the battle against pediatric cancer. Take a look:

• Since 1982, the dedicated volunteers of PCRF have raised over $22 million for pediatric cancer research
• 80% of all funds raised by PCRF goes directly to research
• Thanks in large part to research, the cancer death rate has dropped more dramatically for children than for any other age group
• The survival rate in certain pediatric cancers has increased from 50% to greater than 80% since 1985

If you would like to sponsor "Team Griffin" in honor of John, please visit the website below:

http://pcrf.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=320095&supId=273973008

(note: we have raised $3,000 more in checks not reflected on the website -- thank you to everyone who has contributed!)

Life Goes On....

It's amazing how in between doctors visits, lab draws, medications ...life goes on. The best part is that John is right there with us. He's been handling his treatments remarkably well. He hasn't missed a beat. Last weekend, he went to cheer on his soccer team, the Jack o Lanterns. I could tell it was hard for him to be on the sideline as they lost 0-1.

I've been busy trying to keep up with John's huge appetite (thanks, Prednisone). John gets extremely hungry and when it hits....it hits! I am trying hard to accommodate his every want - I love that he has such an appetite. Some of his favorites are CPK macaroni and cheese, cracked crab and a baked potato, Subway roast beef foot longs (sometimes two in a day), bread,bread,bead.... One morning I got up extra early to start his bacon, eggs and pancakes, and when John woke up, he asked for Special K. I'm still trying to figure him out.

The highlight of our week (not John's) was our visit to Stanford Children's Hospital for a second opinion. John couldn't understand why we'd have to go to Stanford to see a doctor. He went in full protest - dressed from head to toe in Cal gear. We had a great meeting with the doctors there and received confirmation that John's treatment was right on track. They assured us that they wouldn't be treating him any differently. They also spoke very highly of the team we're working with at Children's Hospital Oakland and were equally optimistic about his prognosis.

Mike was particularly relieved we wouldn't have to do treatment there as he noticed my face smashed against the window driving by Neiman Marcus in the Stanford Shopping Center.

A Tribute to Papa

It is with heavy hearts that we make this latest update. On Monday night, we lost one of John's biggest fans. Rupe Ricksen passed away peacefully with his family by his side. We will cherish this last visit John had with "Papa" and know that his amazing spirit remains with us.

We are constantly reminded of how much Rupe has influenced our lives and thank him for the gifts he has given our children. He taught them the importance of family, to lead by example, work hard and love what you do. They have his passion for sports and love for Cal. Through them his legacy will live on.

John Comes Home

We are so excited to report that Johnny has come home!

During our last couple days at the hospital, we spent a lot of time with the nurses and doctors fine tuning our training for John's home care. Meanwhile, Aunt Jillian and Caroline teamed up to put up all our Halloween decorations. Jill also helped us get organized with last minute grocery runs and some items from the Container store to help us organize all John's new things.

John was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday. We arrived to a big "Welcome Home!" banner designed by Jimmy's class. We spent that evening together with our family appreciating the fact that we were all under one roof.

We were back at Children's Hospital on Thursday morning for an x-ray and and all day Friday for John's third round of chemotherapy. John continues to amaze us with how well he's adjusted to his new life dealing with medications, hospital visits, etc. His biggest challenge was not being able to eat all morning while he waited for his spinal treatment.

The rest of us are trying to follow Johnny's lead and stay strong and positive. Being back together has been wonderful, but it does bring about some new challenges as we adjust to our daily routine at home. We continue to be so thankful to all of you for dropping off coffees and sandwiches, bringing dinners, helping with sports pickups and drop offs and supporting us in all the other immeasurable ways.

John Finds His Artistic Side

I have always known John as a boy who loves to be outside. Whether he's playing soccer, baseball, football or basketball, it doesn't matter.....as long as a ball is involved. His only feedback for the hospital was that they should have PE.

These past few weeks, I have learned that John also has a passion for art and music. One of his highlights was the hour he spent doing oragami with an amazing and talented volunteer. John made an adorable fish and panda bear. Thank you to Grandma Coleen who went off to the art store for oragami supplies.

I am amazed at the patience and focus of John as he explores this new passion. I am excited abut the opportunity to do more of this with John as we enter the world of home schooling. I have always wished there would be more time for my kids to take up an instrument - now we will have it. John wants to play the drums - I am hoping for piano.

The John Ricksen Fan Club

We are still at the hospital with John, and he continues to make great progress!

Since he's been here, John has been constantly surrounded by family. He gets daily visits from his cousins to play games - The "Stuart" Game, Crazy Eights and Go Fish being some of his favorites. You can hear the laughter down the hall when they are here. He's also had his Grandma and Grandpa up from Southern California. Grandma Judy brings him daily Jamba Juices while Grandpa Jim has been the perfect bed side companion. Sometimes, when John is resting, we'll return to the room to find Grandpa Jim asleep, too!

The highlight of John's weekend was when members of the Cal basketball team, Jerome Randle, Omondi Amoke, Bak Bak, and Mark Curi came by for a surprise visit on Friday afternoon. They are John's idols, and the smile on his face when he saw them was priceless. They brought a signed basketball from the entire team. The most special moment was when Jerome gave John his lucky game shorts. I was just relieved they were clean. In all seriousness, Jerome and the basketball team have been such a huge part of my boys' lives and Mike and I will forever be grateful for their kindness.

Saturday was game day - Cal vs USC. A signed football was delivered in the morning from the Cal team. Javid Best sent a Cal hat with a personalized note for John. Even Oski was thinking about John, as you can see from the picture above. John didn't let Cal's loss get him down - he remains a loyal fan. I'm not sure I can say the same about Grandpa Jim.

Sunday was Mike's and my twelve year anniversary. It took a team to make it happen, but Mike and I were actually able to go down the street for a nice dinner (thank you Jane, mom & dad and the John Ricksen family!). I could only laugh as Mike picked me up from the hospital dressed in flip flops, pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt with no make up. Seeing me, I'm not sure Mike fell in love all over again. But I knew the day I married him that he was going to be the most devoted husband and father, and he shows me daily that I was right. I'm so lucky to have him by my side.

John had another round of chemo on Friday and seems to be handling it like a champ. He still has an amazing appetite and has kept his wicked sense of humor. He is napping a bit more than usual, but that is to be expected. There has been a lot of talk about him going home this week. This is sooner than anticipated, but we are anxious to get him reunited with Jimmy and Caroline. We know there is still a lot to learn and many changes ahead of us. We are up to the challenge, thanks in a large part to your support!

Here Comes the Sun

Today has been a "good day" at the hospital. John was upbeat and kept those around him smiling. He had an x-ray of his chest, the results of which we'll receive tomorrow. He walked to the x-ray lab on his own doing his best imitation of a penguin.

The highlight of John's day was getting iTunes on his computer. He used his $25 iTunes gift card to download some new music. His current favorite is the Beatles, especially the songs "Help", "Come Together" and "Here Comes the Sun". He and his mom spent lots of time rocking out with their extra large head phones, courtesy of Uncle Geoff.

John also managed to whip his Grandma and Aunt Kelly in Sponge Bob memory game. No surprise there!

Our primary job over the last couple days has been to undergo training on how to administer John's medication and care for him when he comes home. I did my first blood draw today using his Broviac line. When I was done, John told me he was impressed.

Tomorrow John will undergo his next round of chemotherapy. We will continue to keep you updated on his progress...

* * * * *

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun

and I say it's all right

- The Beatles