Trent’s Trek

	GB Thanksgiving Feast-Mrs. Bates & Mom looking at his placemat...

We spoke with the radiologist on Wednesday - he told us to keep an eye on Trenton to see if any other problems show up. I think we finally realized that no one can tells us anything about what this tumor will do…the doctors cannot get in there to even look at it - so basically we just wait, watch, and react. This is the hardest part - we want to DO something - and because we cannot we feel out of control, Clint feels angry and I cry. We lift Trenton up to GOD and pray for healing!!!

	Thanksgiving Day - enjoying our dinner...

Thanksgiving for us was very relaxing this year - we spent the day at home with eachother. I cooked a turkey breast, and Clint helped with the potatos and stuffing. We sat down to a blessed meal - thanking GOD for all of HIS blessings!! Trenton and daddy took a needed 3 hour nap, while Ariana and I spent some time together. In the evening, we started to decorate for Christmas: put up the tree (Trent and Ariana helped with the ornaments), decorated the banisters with garland, and sang some happy Christmas songs. Trenton was feeling very good after his nap and both kids were so excited about decorating for the holidays!!

	11/25/05-Day of the circus...cousins at Grandma/pa's house

Yesterday, we went to the circus!! Trenton, Ariana, Jarett, Nicholas, and Aaron all piled in our van for the trip. Denise, James, Grandma Richards, and Grandpa Richards road in another car. It was the first time going to the circus for many of us…and some of us had been a long time ago. The show was GREAT!! All the kids had a good time and they enjoyed watching the clowns the most. Trenton ate very well and his energy level was high…he is doing so much better now than just a few days ago!! In fact, he is in the frontroom now playing his Hotwheels Playstation game…it has been a long time since he has played any games on PSII!!! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for him over the last few days!!

Donna

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Trenton saw his Opthamalogist (Dr. Greenwald) yesterday. The doctor said that Trenton’s right eye looks like it has turned in more since last month. After much thought, the doctor decided that using the prisms on his glasses would not be beneficial and that I could still patch Trent’s left eye for 1 hour each day to give the right a work out. Dr. Greenwald wants to see Trent again in February after his MRI…He said that at this point the prisms would not be beneficial due to the increase in the turn.

Trenton has not been playing his Playstation games like he used to…and other family members have also noticed that he has been having some vision irregularities (i.e. trying to step over objects on the floor-but misjudging and stepping on them anyway, or even just not seeing things that are right in front of him). There have also been some balance issues showing up…and he is weaker on his left side. He doesn’t have the arm strength he used to have. Lee, his Occupational Therapist, measured this on Monday and noticed that Trent’s grip is noticably weaker and that he has trouble holding it up when weight is used.

Clint and I will be seeing Dr. Connell (the radioligist) tomorrow to discuss if these things are happening because of the radiation treatments, chemo, or maybe swelling of the tumor, etc. Trent just finished his 4th round of chemo this past Sunday…he has been eating OK, but is tired and weaker than usual (he took a nap today with daddy…they both needed that one!!). He did just come off a week-end with his cousins - followed by a full day at U of C - so I kept him home from school today. Maybe the weakness could be attributed to this…we will have to keep watching him to see…

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It honestly feels like a punch in the gut….we are worried that these are just the first signs. Hopefully it is just a tired phase from the chemo. I have been taking deep breaths and praying all day today….I do not want to jump to any conclusions, but it is so hard. I keep saying to myself “it is too soon - I am not ready yet for this!!” and I feel like screaming “NO”! And I realize that none of us will be ready….I tell myself “enjoy the time”!!!

Please pray for Trenton today…and also pray for our close friend Robbie - his tumor has grown slightly and he will be looking into other options next week to try to stop the growth….I have spoke with his mom, Joyce, and she is so worried right now!!

PLEASE HOLD YOUR LOVED ONES SO CLOSE - MAKE GOOD MEMORIES - ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AND EACHOTHER!!!

GOD BLESS ALL!!!

Clint & Donna