Here is the latest on Daegen.  He had his Bone Marrow Aspiration last Tuesday.  He had his appointment on Tuesday, December 28, 2004.  The doctor told Janelle and I that Daegen was still in remission and that his bone marrow looks fine.  This is great news.  While Daegen will never really be CURED, this news is just what we have been praying for.  This means that the Feyh family will start 2005 at our own home in Rossville, KS.  We plan on going to Nashville, TN on Wednesday, December 29th and returning to Memphis on Friday, December 31st.  The 29th of December is Janelle and my 14th wedding anniversary.  We will all be celebrating as a family in Nashville while staying at the Opryland Resort.  When we get home on Friday we will pack everything up to go home then celebrate New Year’s Eve at our apartment.  I plan on leaving Memphis around 6:00 a.m. to drive home and Janelle, Alexa and Daegen will fly home around 2:30.  We will sleep in our own home as a family for the first time in over 4 months.  What a way to start off 2005.  



Daegen’s first appointment is on Friday, January 14, 2005.  He will fly to Memphis late on Thursday, January 13, 2005 and have his appointments on Friday then fly back home on Friday evening.  We will be on a two week schedule for about 2 months then maybe go to once a month.  



As crazy as this might sound, Janelle and I are sad we are leaving.  Over the past four months the staff at Target House has treated my family very kindly, with much love and friendship.  We have been given a chance to feel like we were at home even though it was not in Kansas.  Alexa had an opportunity to meet Ashley and really bond with her.    Daegen became close friends with Zachary.  We have met many families and talked many stories about all of our wonderful children.  Every parent here looks at their child as a hero.  I wish it didn’t take a life threatening illness for people to feel that way.  I wish more people would feel that way just because it is an amazing feeling to look down and see your children as your true heroes.  Thank you Karri Morgan and staff at Target House for all you do for the families of St. Jude.  We will be sure to visit when we can.  



Now an update on the past week.  Janelle and I were somewhat depressed that we would not have a white Christmas in the south.  We just knew Topeka would have a white Christmas.  Boy did mother nature fool us.  We had an ice storm that looked a lot like snow a few days before Christmas.   We ended up having a white Christmas in the south after all.  The funny thing though is that most of the people in Memphis forget how to drive during inclement weather.  It took Nana and Papa Feyh and Uncle Brett, Aunt Jen, and cousins Paige, Collin and Macey a long time to get to Memphis.  They all made it eventually but saw many cars, trucks and semi’s off the road and overturned.  Dad said it looked like a war zone.  



We bought two disc sleds and found a great place to sled with the kids.  We had so much fun and got a lot of good pictures.  One my second and last trip down the hill, I took the camcorder with me to film the ride.  I should have sat on some padding because as I made it to the bottom of the hill the sled went up and came back down really hard.  I hurt my tail bone pretty good.  It is still somewhat sore but I have managed.  Janelle banged her elbow on the road.  Alexa and Daegen made it through several collisions with other kids sledding without any injuries.  The next day we tried to go sledding again with Paige, Collin and Macey.  After one or two trips down the hill the sledding was put to a crashing halt by the wonderful Memphis Police Department.  The officer was correct in his message, but his delivery was way off.  I often hear from friends and family about how an officer treated them rudely.  My first reaction is, “Yeah right.”  Then I wait to hear the officer’s side of the story before I make judgment.  Now that I am on the other end of the officer with an attitude scenario, I realize some officers can be rude.  This officer, I believe he was a corporal, had a serious problem with authority and power.  He kept threatening to ruin one of the other fathers Christmas by arresting him on Christmas Eve.  He said this about 4-5 times.  Rather than help with a solution he just bullied all of us find another location.  I told the officer that this is why the Memphis Police Department has a bad reputation.  He replied that is some people’s opinion.  I told him that is a lot of people’s opinion.  I never did tell him I was an officer.  I know all Memphis officers aren't that way but it seems that the Memphis Police Department has their fair share of problems.  But Daegen had the last laugh.  Just like he is battling leukemia with his head held high, he and the rest of us found another hill to sled on that was just as fun or more fun.  I am thankful to work at the Topeka Police Department.  I can honestly say Topeka has a fine police department.
 

Christmas 2004 update:
At the Christmas Eve service Santa Claus called the priest and Daegen got to talk to Santa on the cell phone.  What a neat experience that was.  Even though we get to go home we feel guilty because all of the other families are so happy for us even
though they don't get to go home.  It is amazing the joy other families have for us even though they have to stay.
 

On Christmas day Janelle worked very hard preparing food for about 100 people even though there were only 17 people.  Tons of leftovers.  Food was awesome and the family being together was great.  In anticipation of going home soon, we sent a lot of stuff home with both sets of grandparents.  I hope I can fit all that is left in the car for my drive home.



I hope my next update will be from home.  Janelle and I really appreciate all your prayers that have helped us during this time.  We would ask that you continue to pray for Daegen as well as the other children at St. Jude.  God Bless all of you and see many of you soon again.



Lance