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Journal entries from 09/07/04 -

10/05/04

Jackson is doing fine this week, but was not able to start his chemo. His counts are still fairly low and they are giving him a week off. He was pretty excited about that and even more excited that he doesn't have school on Thursday and Friday. The boys have been doing plenty of steelhead fishing and going with me deer scouting also. We are thinking that Jackson will finish this next round of chemo and then we will retest everything. We know that this day will be very important to us and are praying for the best. The fall weather is getting the boys ready for hunting season and we will try and do as much as we can with Jackson's up and down energy levels.

09/28/04

Jackson had a rough week last week, but didn't have to stay in the hospital. With an ear infection, cough and low counts, he didn't get to do much, but he is feeling much better now. He starts chemo again on Monday and then we will retest him after this round. We hope and pray for great results. Wyatt and Jackson are riding the bus together and even playing together on the playground sometimes. They have a good way of protecting each other and then arguing as soon as they get home. I got to go on a 4 day elk hunt and had the biggest bull I have ever seen at 12 feet, but couldn't get a good shot with my bow, maybe next year. We are all looking forward to a good healthy weekend coming up and plan to have a lot of fun before Jackson's next round. The pastor at our church said that he wants Jackson to shave his head Sunday at church and Jackson is ready to go.

09/20/04

Jackson had a great week and weekend. We went steelhead fishing Friday night and in the first two minutes he had one on and landed it. Then we started again and within three minutes he had another one on and then Wyatt instantly had one on. It was around 8:30 p.m. so it was very dark and the fish didn't cooperate very well and crossed each other and went on opposite sides of the boat from the person with the pole. We finally got them both in and Wyatt's was around 16 pounds and both of Jackson's were around 11 pounds. We had a great night and the boys are ready to go again. This is the week that Jackson's chemo will take it's toll on him. His counts will drop and most likely get a fever and be hospitalized. We are hoping not to with school going, but if we do we will try to do it in Lewiston. In mid-October Jackson will be tested again and that will be a big day for us. We are sure praying for good results.

09/13/04

Jackson had a great time last week. He got to go to school and go to the roundup. He also did a super job for the United Way at their kickoff. At the morning breakfast he got to sit with Lloyd Ketchum and Flint Rasmussen the two main rodeo clowns that he has liked for years. It was quite a treat and we will be posting pictures soon. He even had the royalty ask him if they could have their pictures taken with him and then he was on the news that night. Today he is starting his 5th round of chemo in Spokane. After the first day he will be in Lewiston, so he will only miss a part of his regular school day for the rest of the week. We are hoping for a better week next week than we had last time after his chemo when he missed the first week of school.

09/07/04

Jackson is going to his first day of school today and is ready to go. He was doing his homework this weekend and getting caught up on what he missed last week. This morning he was ready to go and Staci asked if he wanted to wear a hat and he said, "no thanks, I'm fine". We are so happy that he isn't very conscious about his hair loss. Last week Jackson didn't get to make school for one day and was not happy about that at all, but he got home Friday and was ready for the weekend. We had a great weekend and got to ride 4-wheelers at Waha and just get to be a family for three full days. This weekend is the rodeo and Jackson and Wyatt are ready to go. Jackson has been invited to help at the United Way kick-offs with the chamber and the rodeo members. He is even going to sit with his long-time hero Lloyd Ketchum for breakfast. We will let you know how it goes.