I left Topeka at around 8:30 a.m. and made it to Memphis around 4:45 p.m. Janelle and Daegen flew out of Kansas City around 4:35 p.m. and arrived in Memphis around 5:56 p.m. I met them at the airport and we settled back in at the hotel.

Wednesday was pretty busy for all of us. Janelle and I are amazed at the organization of appointments and how quick we were going from one to the next. Janelle, Daegen and I all had to have blood drawn. Daegen had to be poked and was not too thrilled about that. He has gone some time without being poked. You should have heard Janelle crying and screaming when she had to be poked. Just kidding.

We had to visit the eye clinic for Daegen. Janelle and I had to visit the blood donor room. Whoever is going to donate for Daegen will have to do it over two days for five hours each day. The donation will take place on September 13th and 14th and Daegen will get the transplant on September 14th and September 15th. Janelle and I are still not sure yet who will be the donor. Janelle and I had to have x-ray’s done.

We rode the horse carriage and the trolley Wednesday night. Daegen got to bed and had to be up and at the hospital again by 8:30 a.m. Daegen had some x-ray’s done and a CT scan. He had a visit with the dentist and then we had to speak with a social worker. It might not seem like much, but we move from one appointment to the next. We also spoke with the Child Life person for the transplant unit.

I am again amazed at all the kids at St. Jude that have so many other problems besides cancer. Some are in leg braces, some have scars all over their heads, and some have patches over their eyes. It goes on and on. I feel blessed at this point that Daegen is battling one evil. I am sure that some of the kids were only battling one thing early on but with the high doses of chemotherapy and radiation many other side affects started to set in.

Daegen has met some kids here that he can associate with. Some his age, some with no hair, most of them with Hickman’s and the netting that holds the Hickman in place. Daegen met a friend named Garrett that we met the first time we were at St. Jude. He met a kid named Gregory and a kid named Kyle that loves Thomas the Train as much as Daegen does.

We are supposed to be placed in the Target House but there are 19 other families ahead of us on the list. There are also 19 families ahead of us on the list for the Ronald McDonald House. Both the Ronald McDonald House and the Target House are amazing. We were not able to tour a room due to them being occupied, but we did get to tour the facilities. Ronald McDonald is like a hotel and the Target House is like apartment buildings. Until a room opens up at either place, we will be staying at the Memphis Grizzlies House (a hotel on St. Jude property).

Daegen will be admitted to the hospital on Saturday, September 04th in the evening. He will undergo 9 days of chemotherapy and then get the transplant. Whoever is the donor will have to get GCSF shots five days in a row before the donation to help boost counts. We have been warned that the GCSF will cause bone pain and a few other minor side affects.

We have been in touch with Alexa each day. She sounds like she is really enjoying 3rd grade and her teacher, Mrs. Packard. Alexa is staying with a classmate, Bridget Cornwell and her family. I work with Bridget’s dad Ron. Janelle and I are blessed to have so many offers for Alexa while we are gone. Thank you Ron and Susan Cornwell and their children Amy, Bridget, Stephen and Shelby. You have been a big help during this time. Alexa will then be going with Ron and Tamie Hollar, another co-worker of mine and some good friends of ours. Their daughter Melissa and Alexa were born the same day. Melissa and Alexa have been close friends for all their lives. Tamie and Ron helped out tremendously with the Daegen Feyh Benefit Day on October 18, 2003. Alexa had an eye appointment today and her eyes were great. Thanks Papa Feyh for taking her on short notice.

If I am chosen as the donor, then Janelle will go home around the 30th of August and come back before I donate and the transplant. If Janelle is chosen as the donor, then we will have to fall to plan B which we don’t have one. I would then go home and come back before the transplant. Again I would like to thank the employee’s of the City of Topeka who donated time to me so I could be with Daegen in Memphis. I will always remember your kindness.

I am not sure if the new protocol is on the website yet. It is really impressive to read if you get a chance. Go to www.dmanhero.com and check it out. I asked if anyone at St. Jude has gone through this particular protocol yet. The person told Janelle and I that the study was originally planned for 25 participants and they are getting close to that number.
This study was just started in March of this year (so it is very new ) That means Daegen will be one of the first 25 children to receive this kind of transplant in the United States. Not all of the kids have AML.

I will try to keep updates at least once a week if possible. I want to thank everyone again for all their prayers and kind words. Your thoughts and offers to my family have lifted us up and continued to make us strong. Keep the prayers coming and add a few for all the kids at St. Jude and everywhere else who might not be getting many prayers. They all need it too.

Janelle, Daegen and I were leaving Joe’s Crab Shack when we were approached by a man claiming to be homeless. He was explaining that he had used up all his eligibility from the Salvation Army and was looking for leftovers or money to help out. Being a police offer and not trusting people I immediately told the guy we were not in a position to help out since our son was in the hospital and had cancer and that the leftovers were his for later in the night. Daegen had not eaten much for dinner and I wanted him to eat the leftovers later. I then began to think about all the people who have helped us, even total strangers. Janelle then reminded me of all the people who have helped us and urged me to do the right thing. I got out and tried to give the guy Daegen’s leftovers. He insisted that he not take the leftovers because they belonged to Daegen and he would need them. After some urging on my part, he finally took the leftovers. I saw a smile on his face and it made me feel good. I really don’t know if this guy was telling me the truth or not but it taught me a lesson in sharing and giving even when we are in need ourselves. The funny thing was I asked Daegen if we could give the guy the leftovers and he did not even hesitate when he said yes. I tell you I continue to learn from my hero. I am really embarrassed that I was being selfish with leftovers and refusing to help out immediately. I am glad I finally saw the way. I realize it was only a small gesture, but I hope I helped him out. God Bless you all and thank you. Don’t forget to sign the guestbook at www.dmanhero.com.

Lance and Janelle