Saturday was party day. Demetra had a girly birthday party with her friends. They sang and danced to Selena Gomez, and also recorded a music video. (I even think that Theo participated at some point as well. Remember, we've seen him dance before!) And then we spent the evening at the PCA Dinner Dance. Theofanis also got to be in a magic act, where the magician made him "float." Way cool. Way fun.
We spent a lot of time with family and friends each and every day over the weekend. Theofanis played constantly. (Except on Sunday morning at church when he was in the altar.) We ate a lot of pizza, too. We ate pizza every day, now that I'm thinking about it. It's ok, though. Tonite we were able to get all the kids to eat some cauliflower. (It has cancer-fighting properties, so keep it stocked in your fridge!)
Also, Theo is extremely happy and excited that so many people are thinking about his upcoming hospital visits and that they've come up with great ideas on what he can do while he's there. The ideas also have come with very fantastic and very generous gifts. From books, photos, cards, games, pillows and pillow pets to 3D-DSI & games, baseball card collection, and an endless amount of candy and treats, we can't thank you enough for all these wonderful gifts that are sure to bring him some comfort as he's going through his treatment.
Last weekend, we took a family portrait (see above). Our last family picture was taken a year ago. It was time for a new one.
In our next blog posting, I'd like to tell you a little bit about Theofanis' two sisters, Demetra and Sophia. They are the best sisters ever!!!! They're on this journey with Theofanis, right there by his side.
THE SPOT
It's official. Dr. Susan Cohn from the University of Chicago is Theofanis' oncologist. With her, we will fight to cure him. With her, Theo will win!
After several very emotional days of coordinating the transfer of test reports and biopsy slides, we finally got all information on Theo's diagnosis to Dr. Cohn. She scheduled Theofanis' surgery for the bone marrow biopsy and the central line (port where he'll be getting his chemo, etc.) for this coming Friday. He will then be admitted to the hospital and chemo will begin. Kosta and I are meeting with Dr. Cohn on Thursday to review the treatment plan in detail and discuss whether we should participate in a clinical trial. We have a lot of questions on benefits vs. risks. We have a lot of big decisions to make. The goal isn't just to get rid of every single neuroblastoma cell, but the goal is that it never comes back!
WITH LOVE AND PRAYER, HE WILL WIN
I'm not sure if everyone truly knows how grateful Kosta and I are for all your prayers to cure Theofanis. No words are adequate. No expressions can convey how we truly appreciate your pleas to God and Christ and Mary and all the Saints. And, as we all pray for a miracle, we'd like to ask you to say thank you to God for us...for giving us a wonderful son and two wonderful daughters. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with our family. Oh, and a couple of prayers for the parents...please pray for us to make the right decisions for our son. Please pray for us to have strength to be able to keep it together.
I wanted to say hi and introduce myself to you. I am a friend of Gail Soriano's, whose daughter, Anya, plays on Theo's T-Ball team. She told me about Theo this morning. In January of 2007, our son Aidan Stotz, was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma too. We were treated at Children's Memorial. Ironically, the week before Aidan began treatment Dr. Cohn left Children's to go to Comer's. She was consulted on Aidan's treatment plan throughout. After 6 rounds of chemo, a successful resection, triple stem cell transplant, and abdominal radiation, Aidan has and continues to be CANCER-FREE. We will celebrate 4 years on June 4. I share this with you because there are MANY success stories out there. When we began, the stories and things we read were awful. Don't lose hope. Don't lose faith.
ReplyDeleteAidan is now finishing 3rd grade. He is almost 9, plays soccer, loves video games, has a wicked sense of humor, and loves to read.
If you would like to meet or chat, I am here. Please do not hesitate. It is a lonely road, but you don't have to walk it alone.
With Hope,
Carrie Stotz
847-344-9015
stotz23@hotmail.com
http://www.aidansjourney.com/ (this is Aidan's blog. It was once our lifeline. It tells the story far better than I.
What a beautiful family portrait! I can't wait to hear about the girls.
ReplyDeleteI think when anyone reads the blog and when they start hearing specifically about the medical issues and treatments, we all get worried.
THEN we read Carrie's comment above!!! God works in mysterious ways. Suddenly I felt so much better and hopeful after reading her comment. I think a message was being sent through Carrie and we are being given direction. Have faith, be optimistic, support each other.
Thank you Carrie for reaching out.
Our son Niko, in Kindergarten at PCA, talks about Theofanis a lot. He makes sure we pray for him every night, and brought his own money to light a candle for him at church on Sunday. May you and your family be lifted up by the many many prayers, especially of the children.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDiana makes Theo countless Get Well cards and she is already talking about visiting him. The kids and the whole school are rooting for him. I look forward to the day that I read on here that he is cured.
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys!
Rachel, Dan, Diana, & Dylan Maimonis
Carrie, you are a breath of fresh air, a true inspiration, as well as a witness to a miracle that took place with your son. May the same happen with Theofanis through the awesome power of prayer. God bless Aidan in all of his future endeavors and adventures!
ReplyDeleteIn the Orthodox Church, St. Stylianos is the patron saint for children:
http://www.orthodoxchristian.info/pages/st_stylianos.htm
and St. Nectarios is the patron saint for cancer:
http://www.sprint.net.au/~corners/Nov98/StNectarios.htm
Through the intercessions of St. Stylianos, St. Nectarios, the Virgin Mary and of all the saints, may God bring yet another miracle upon Theofanis and all of us.
Eleni and Kosta, as a family, we keep Theofanis and your family in all of our prayers, whether it be in the morning, in the car, at the kitchen table, at bedtime... Any time prayers are recited, the kids have naturally been including Theofanis and the Yianas Family in them without any cues. You stated that Demetra and Sophia are on this journey with Theofanis, right by his side... Well, so are we. Carrie stated so perfectly that you don't have to walk this road alone... You WILL NOT walk this road alone. We are all going to walk it with you, and so is God.
God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." He also says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;" Put all of your trust in God, Eleni and Kosta.
We love you,
Father Andrew, Presbytera Dimitra and Family
We keep you in our prayers Theofani, and it was great to have you in school this week! Love, your friends Elena and Niko! Eleni and Kosta, We do pray for you both also! May God watch over your entire family...We wish for a quick recovery and miracle for Theofani! And God will be by your side! Love, Deme, Dimitri and Family
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture of a courageous family! Next year this picture will be just as beautiful with one major difference, Theofanis will be cancer free! We continue to pray for all of you as you begin this tough journey ahead. Know that our family is here for you to lean on and hold your hands through it all. God bless!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tina Liapis and Family
To the Yianas Family,
ReplyDeleteOur community continues to pray for the health of our beloved Theofani. We must "Fight the Good Fight" together as family. You are not alone, and we will be there with you throughout this journey.
" My numerous hopes are placed in you, O Holy One, Mother of our God, guard me with care within your sheltered arms" - Prayer in the Paraklesis Service
Αγιοι Αναργυροι, πρεσβευσατε υπερ υμων.
With love,
Mr. George
With much love,
Mr. George
Theofanis, We know you will do great tomorrow. With your superhero powers and through the Grace of God, you will beat this!! Stay strong...for nothing is impossible with God.
ReplyDeleteEleni & Kosta, We will continue to pray for your son and your family as we have been nightly since we learned the news. I know tomorrow will be undoubtedly difficult, but know that although this is the beginning of a long journey, it is also the START to curing Theofani. I am sure all the doctor consults, tests, exams were overwhelming and the information difficult to process at first. I hope you find comfort knowing that you chose an amazing team of doctors at U of C and that your other "teams" of family, friends and an entire church community are behind you completely. May God answer all of our prayers and work unceasingly through the doctors' hands and cure Theofani. Good Luck tomorrow. I will be thinking of you!!
With love,
Tina Ross & family