Journal History

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Friday, September 20, 2002 at 10:04 PM (CDT)

Today, Friday, September 20, 2002 at 3:00 p.m. Heaven gained an angel of tremendous strength, courage, dignity, wisdom and love. Our beloved John Russell joined god in the brightest light of Heaven. He had recently been given a native indian name--that of of Mighty Two-Feathers. When a warrior comes out of a battle he is given a feather--thus, two feathers. John Russell fought a battle of cancer and that of the treatments themselves. He won and conquered in so very many ways and has humbled so very many in his path with his words, actions and love of life.

Our hearts will ache forever and our spirits touched in ways that have changed us for always.

We want to thank you all for the tremendous support you have each given so lovingly to John Russell and to our family. We are eternally gratefull.

We will be traveling back to Iowa with John Russell to return to the farmland and cornfields he so loved. Plans are pending for a Tuesday service and we will update as they are confirmed.

John Russell was a gift from god and we are so honored to have shared 3 1/2 wonderful years with him. A foundation will be established in John Russell's memory. "The John Russell Healing House Foundation". More information to follow.

Our Love- Gary, Paula and Charlie

Monday, September 16, 2002 at 06:48 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

First of all a very special thanks to Aunt Mimi for helping aunt Val with the updates. You did a great job aunt Mimi and now it's back to Aunt Val. It's taken aunt Val a lot longer to get back into the swing of things with a full-time job. One of these days uncle Dan it's gonna cost you big for making poor aunt Val go back to work. The weather out here has been wonderful. I've been soaking up the sun to help my body feel better. I also love my new chiropractor he is a very very special man. I've also been drinking my juicy drinks and even asking mommy for extra.

I've been sleeping a lot so that all the good guys in my body can get lots and lots of rest to fight these ugly bugs that just don't seem to want to go away. I think Dr. Maris was pretty mad that a few of them still want to hang around. So I'm going to fight like crazy to show Dr. Maris that these bugs aren't as tough as they think they are.

I have a nurse that comes to my house everyday and checks my counts. If my counts are a little low then I have to head to the clinic for some of daddy's extra special platelets and some new red blood. We had to stay a really long time yesterday but, it was okay, I got a lot of rest and mommy took my special juice stuff with us.

Papa Porky had to go home and your right aunt Mimi that garage is sparkeling. Daddy really enjoyed have Papa here for a week. When grandma Patty tried to leave momy did just what aunt Val said, she grabbed grandma Patty's legs and wouldn't let her go so she is going to stay for another week. I sure like grandma Patty being here and so does mommy, daddy and Chi Chi. I heard through the grape vine that aunt Val was headed this way. I sure hope she decorates with those creepy crawly spiders and snakes and all those Halloween things. I think daddy hid the flying bat but thats okay aunt Val will find another one. I've been spending a lot of time in mommy's and daddy's arms and I love it. Sometimes but not very often I even let mommy hold Chi Chi's foot or hand but she has to hold us both at the same time. Chi Chi is getting pretty big, I have no idea how mommy will keep him off that football field, he is one tough cookie.

I've been watching some movies and reading some books and trying to heal. I'm fighting like crazy and I think I'm getting a little stronger everyday. So keep up those prayers and good things with happen. I count on you guys everyday to help me climb this mountain.

I love you.
John Russell

My friends links:

www.caringbridge.com/page/alexscott
www.caringbridge.com/fl/lina
www.caringbridge.com/page/toireasa
www.chemoangles.com
www.hugsandhope.com
www.projectlinus.org
www.smilequilts.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2002 at 10:52 PM (CDT)

Hello everyone--
Juice was the word for the week. Mommy & daddy have me taking juices-all kinds of them. These are pretty good tasting. I'm also trying magnet therapy. Mommy & daddy tape magnets all over my body. They tape them to my head, tummy, leg. They make me look pretty silly but I'll go along with it. For a while. I'm still sending the electric current through my body. Great Grandma Greiner was even reading up on it.

I've been jumping on my mini trampoline. I'm not as good as cousin Sammy Jo, but close. This week mommy & daddy help me jump. Sometimes they carry me and sometimes I carry them, if you know what I mean.

Gramma Patty came last Monday. I had to show her the healing house. She thinks it's pretty cool. I'm liking her around. She has a pretty calming voice. Maybe we can keep her. Mommy just grab those ankles and don't let go (that advice was straight from Aunt Val). Gramma Patty brought Chi Chi & I some moccasins from Northern Minnesota. Chi Chi and I have been playing pow wow, just like we were Indians. We've been trying to get a lot of sun to help me feel good and ridin' a lot of tractor. Mommy has me listening to classical music in when we're in our Meadow of Miracles. I take long naps these days & I've been playing a lot in the playhouse. Grandpa would be so proud of me--my watermelon is getting so big we can't call it a baby watermelon anymore. The birds sure like it that I'm home too. I've been busy keeping the feeders full.

Grandma Anita gave mommy a little farmer lawn statue. It has a John Deere farmboy holding a little John Deere tractor. I think it's mine. Maybe grandma Anita got a little mixed up. It sure reminds me of me. I'll just call it mine, don't tell mommy. It's sure cool. He (I) sit in the Meadow of Miracles. I took my juice by him last week.
I pray in the Meadow too. I'm reading books about God. Noah, Daniel & the Lion & how God took 6 days to create man & earth and the 7th day he rested. As we sit here in the meadow I get to see all the beautiful things He created. The trees, flowers, sun, sky, clouds and water. Mommy & daddy say me too!

I've been watching the Hydroax tree ax machine at the neighbors. They are trimming trees in a MAJOR way. I took my juice like the speed of lightening so I could blast out to see what the deal was.

I let daddy go to work last week. He told me it was important so I let him go. I sure missed you daddy when you were gone. You are the bestest daddy I could ever ask for, sorry I can't cut the string between us lately. Just want to keep you close at hand.

Friday I went in to clinic and needed a transfusion. Well, I got more than I bargained for. I ended up staying for a while. My temperature went up a bit. I ended up with a blood infection. I got to come home Late Monday night. Really late-but I'm home. I still feel really sleepy. Please pray that my counts go up.

I have a new friend. His name is Dr. Charlie. In fact it's Charles David like Chi Chi. Wow, that was sooo cool, just like little brother. He is a chiropractor helping me out on my journey. I've seen him quite a bit lately.

Pappa Porky got here on Sunday. Boy, the garage will be in tip top condition before he goes home, I just know it. I'll bet he will be working on the path too.

Keep the prayers coming, friends. I sure appreciate it. Pray for Mommy & Daddy for strength and guidance. Don't forget little brother Chi Chi.

Check for new pictures.

I Love You-- John Russell


Some web site links of my friends and special sites:

www.caringbridge.com/page/alexscott
www.caringbridge.com/fl/lina
www.caringbridge.com/page/toireasa
www.chemoangels.com
www.hugsandhope.com
www.projectlinus.org
www.smilequilts.com

Monday, September 02, 2002 at 08:25 AM (CDT)

Hi Guys---

I got home last Monday. I've gotten daddy's plates a few times. I've sure had a lot of broken plates lately. I went to clinic on Friday and Dr. Maris says I'm doing very well. Mommy, Daddy & Dr. Maris are looking at a lot of other options to keep fighting the bad guys.

When I got home there were surprises all over the house. Makinzi & Griffin had a few tricks up their sleeves. Nanna, Chi Chi and Shanny were outside waiting to welcome me home. It's good to be home-there's no place like home. Shanny left and went home on Wednesday. I'll miss you Shanny-thanks for all of our wonderful talks and walks.

When I got home there was work to do. The garden needed to be weeded and there were spider webs in the healing house. Chi Chi really knows how to spot 'em, he yells "PIDER" "PIDER" and he gets the fly swatter out. I have a nice sized watermelon, green peppers almost ready to pick and radishes in my garden. My flowers look great. Mommy says their beautiful. Daddy & grandpa made a log walking path. It's not finished so Poppa Porky will be very busy when he comes next week. I'm sure he'll get it done 'cuz no grass grows under his feet. Grandma Patty comes late tonight. I have to show her & Poppa my healing house. The birds sure did miss daddy & I. While I was in CHOP they didn't get fed. They are so happy now that daddy & I got all the feeders filled.

Chi Chi got into the childproof bottle of my feel good medicine and dumped it. Mommy had the bottle sitting on the island and he still got it. I've almost taught him everything he knows but not that one, no sir I am not taking credit for that one. We had to get more medicine Friday at clinic.

Cousin Annette sent me a very special pocket rosary and angel that belonged to Great Aunt Bea. Aunt Bea is one of my guardian Angels. I just know she is up there watching and protecting me. The angel and rosary stayed with me all through my radiation treatment. Thanks Aunt Bea, I know you are up there listening 'cuz Mommy talks to you a lot and asks you to round all those angels up. Thanks Annette, I'll keep it in a very speical place.

The only thing that we couldn't leave the hospital with were mommy's good Nike's, Daddy's Tommy flip flops & my blue little silkie. They were glowing so they had to go.

Mommy, Daddy & Nanna are talking about a puppy. Maybe a poodle, maybe a Beagle. Mommy had a poodle when she was a little girl but daddy thinks poodles are kinda wimpy. I hope I can talk these guys into a puppy!!

In the next week I will have my passport to travel over the big water if that's where our journey takes us. Please pray that the radiation continues to work guys. I need my counts to come up and pray for my immunity to return.

Thanks for all of your support, prayers and wonder cards and presents. I love opening each and every one of them. Don't forget mommy, daddy & Charlie in your prayers. Look for new pictures and I will put some web links at the bottom of my page for my friends Alex, Lina, & Toireasa.

I love you all--
John Russell

Friday, August 23, 2002 at 07:08 AM (CDT)

Hi Everyone!!
Tuesday was a crummy day. I was in the clinic waiting and all the sudden I turned around and guess who walked in??? My bestest buddy Shanny with bright smiles and sun shine. Then I had to smile & the day got much better.

I'm glowing. I am having a radiation treatment this week. Mommy & daddy glow a little too. I glow a lot and Wednesday this treatment took the bad guys to camp. Please pray the glowing guys are kicking the bad guys right on out of here. Daddy stays with me at night. He is behind a big shield. I can't get out of bed and mommy & daddy wear special clothes when they come in to see me. I have to be a big boy because they cannot be in the room for very long.

Shanny decorated big time!! The windows and all of the room are decorated in construction sites and farms. Daddy painted a big Green John Deere pulling a disc on the shield around the room. I've got the coolest room in the hospital. Thanks Shanny & daddy!!

Nurse practioner Pat, Dr. Maris and team from CHOP have done such a great job with my treatment. There are only 3 places in the nation to do this treatment. There are 100 special kids that have been through it and many with promising results. The MIBG arrived earlier to CHOP than any other has. It came from the University of Michigan. Mommy said there has been a lot of good omens that have happened recently. All I know is that I got moved up for the treatment and hopefully the bad guys are flying right out of here.

We have felt the special prayers this week that Pat Greiner and team have sent. She is my special leader. She's one of my special connections to God. Thanks everyone for the prayers, messages & thoughts, I know that you are all committed to in God's power to heal me.

Nanna Maria gave me a special pocket rosary that her mom had given to her. It's from a very special place and blessed in special ways. Thanks so much Nanna, I just love it. Nanny and Chi Chi went to the farm Wednesday. They brought home a watermelon and some beautiful flowers. Chi Chi has fun at the farm. He usually falls over in the rows while we're all picking stuff. Miss you Chi Chi & Nanna!

Mommy's birthday was Wednesday and when she got home she had a birthdaycake and present waiting. Makinzi & Griffin's mommy Michelle had left the few goodies. I miss you Griffin & Makinzi. Soon I be back in my Gator.

Shanny has been the research superstar. Daddy joined in this week too. Aunt Angie has brought us on to a new supplement that seems to be curing cancer. The new word for the week is "Wormwood". Thanks Aunt Angie-you are keeping daddy & Shanny networking to find out how much & when I need to take.

I'm resting comfortably in my bed. The injections have gone well and Dr. Maris is pleased. Maybe I'll even smile at him one of these days. Maybe.

Keep up the prayers, my friends. I love you all-----

John Russell

Monday, August 19, 2002 at 12:51 AM (CDT)

Hi Everyone.

Grandpa & grandma got here last Sunday and boy the suitcases were loaded with 4 wheeled friends. We took a drive to Stratton this week with them. The Amish were out cutting tobacco so we had to check it out. Daddy & grandpa went to talk with them and brought me back a few tobacco leaves. The'll probably try to make their own cigar with it when no one is watching.

We celebrated mommy's birthday tonight. We had cheesecake with fresh raspberries and there were lots of balloons. Happy Birthday mommy. I love you sooooo much & I'm sure glad you're my mommy.

I have a tree stump in my back yard that is painted all pretty. Mommy wrote on it too. It says "Meadow of Miracles." It's pretty neat and I hope grandma doesn't plant anything tall by it to cover it up.

Chi Chi & I have been having tractor races in the driveway. This is very serious stuff because trophies are at stake. I asked mommy why the trophies had horsies on them and she told me it's because I have so much horse power. No argument there.

I have been getting so many wonderful packages in the mail. I got this cool big green frog from mommies cousin Rick & family from North Carolina. Then another cousin, Rita, sent some 4 wheeled friends. Thanks guys--those special packages help me take my supplements and all the things mommy & daddy give me to get better.

I started something new this week. It's called a Royal Rife machine. Mommy told me it helped people fight the bad guys years ago. I hold a cylinder in each hand and mommy turns on an electrric current that runs through my body to get the bad guys. I let her know when she turns it up too high. Mommy & daddy are so proud I'm such a big boy.

I will be going to the hospital on Tuesday to start a new treatment called MIBG. My buddy Shanny comes on Tuesday just in time to get my room all ready for me. Her & mommy do such a neat job decorating my room for me. It makes the stay a little easier for me. Don't forget my 4 wheeled friends Mommy & Shanny. I can't wait to see Shanny!!

I need your help. I need you to pray for some owie relief. I also need you to pray that this new treatment fights the bad guys. Then we will be able to take a airplane trip over the big water to keep fighting these bad guys. Don't forget Daddy & mommy in your prayers too. I love you to the sky & back mommy & daddy.

Thanks for all the support, cards, packages.

I love you-- John Russell

Gary & Paula want everyone to know the amount of bravery, committment and deep seeded life that their 3-year-old son possesses. He is committed to healing and needs a tremendous amount of help from God and all of you. He prays to Padre Pio and St. John Newman to "help me heal and get rid of the bad bugs". Pleaes contiue to pray for John Russell, Gary, Paula and Charlie.

Saturday, August 10, 2002 at 10:20 AM (CDT)

Hi Everyone!!
It's been so nice here, we've been playing outside a lot. Aunt Mimi & Alex leave for Minnesota today. I'll sure miss them. Alex does Yoga with me and jumps on my little jumper trampoline. We've had all kinds of fun. I forgot to tell you the funniest thing ever. When we went to clinic on Monday, Aunt Mimi had the tummyache pail ready for any emergencies (for me). All the sudden Alex said she had a tummyache. Yea, can you believe it, she is the one to get sick. She doesn't even have to get any chemo and she gets sick. How crazy is that? Her mommy and my mommy were kinda giggling when she wasn't looking. They called it sympathy throwing up.

Mommy discovered a new store, just when I thought we had been in every store imaginable, we found a new one. It has a big red "K" on the front. Sorry Uncle Dan and Louann, it's not Target. I don't think mommy had ever been in one but I told her I "needed" a surprise so in we went into the local Kmart. Mommy told me not to tell but I busted her. I found the greatest tractor in there you could ever imagine. Not as good as grandpa's but they were pretty cool. Mommy said the Target is too far away, that's why we discovered the "K". I might have to frequent this store, there is a lot of 4 wheel friends in there.

Last night we had a luminary party. There were green, red, yellow, orange, purple and blue ones. They all had hearts and stars on them. Aunt Mimi & Alex lined the driveway and the cul-de-sak. They were so cool. Then we all gathered in the center of the luminaries and played "my" song. What A Wonderful World. Then we prayed. I just know God had to see us because the lights were all around us. We let the circle ones burn all night. I hope God was listening and watching us. It was something special the last night of Auntie & cousins visit.

I was helping daddy run the chainsaw today. We were cutting down some more vines. I told him to wait for bushwoman to come because her and grandpa are coming tomorrow. After the chainsawing, we had another waterballoon fight. Boy are they fun. Can you believe Nanna and Aunt Mimi have filled 250 water balloons in the last 8 days. Chi Chi still always has the last balloon.

I'm going to have a pretty exciting month with all of my special visitors. Keep on praying for me guys. I need your help to fight the bad guys. I'm taking my supplements so good, but I still need your help. My counts need to come up and pray for this chem to start working. Pray for mommy & daddy they need your strength and love too. My special Chi Chi too.

The cards and surprises are what help me take my supplements guys, thanks a million. Thanks for my 4 wheel friends, Campbells, I love them.

I love you all. John Russell

Tuesday, August 06, 2002 at 09:15 AM (CDT)

Hi Everyone.
I have a few visitors. Aunt Mimi and my cousin Alex got here on Saturday. I finally got to go to the airport and pick them up. I'd only been asking for a zillion years. When we left the airport we got to go eat at a restaurant. Boy what a treat that was. I don't know how a horse eats but I think I ate like one. I didn't whinney though. Sunday we went to the train yard. Thomas wasn't there but his friends were. We took a train ride and boy it was fun. We drank lemonade and watched all the great crops go by. Grandpa would have had fun. They even had a corn maze that we passed. Aunt Mimi thought it was pretty cool that we were in the Amish country. She even sat on the window taking pictures out of daddy's monster truck. We had a fun day.

Somebody sure has a lot of tricks up their sleeve. I got to have my first waterballoon fight. I keep asking for more. I think they are hiding the rest of the balloons from me. I'll find them and they will HAVE to fill the rest of them. Chi Chi sure has fun too. He always seems to have the last balloon. Then we had a squirt gun fight. Chi Chi sprays himself and boy does he laugh. I don't think he gets it that he should spray me and my cousin. Boy, have I got a lot to teach him. I showed Alex my healing house. She thinks it's pretty cool. She probably wants to turn it into a girly thing though. I have a Thomas track in the loft and all sorts of pictures of mommy, daddy and Chi Chi. NO Dollies. Daddy would never allow that. I think Alex was looking for some.

Daddy is in Minneapolis this week. I think when he gets back we will try to talk him into going to the beach. That sure sounds fun. I sure miss daddy, I hope he comes home soon.

This week I am taking oral chemotherapy. Whatever oral means?? I take it with my juice. No drives in to the clinic. I get to spend more time to play. Mommy said we may even go to Lilo & Stitch. I can't wait. We got to see Stuart Little 2 the other day. I like this movie thing. We just have to go when there is not may germs in the theatre. Mommy has to check it out first.

Aunt Mimi wants me to give out my secret. Well guys, I drive now. Just around the development. Mommy will do just about anything to get me to take my supplements. This is so fun, I even get to start the monster truck right up. We park, turn on the flashers and down go the supplements. We went out driving on Saturday night in the full monte, yep, I just got out of the tub and me & my Buzz Lightyear towel went for a ride. Good thing there are no cops in our development because mommy would have some serious explaining to do. Our drive last night Alex and I got to hang out the sunroof all the way home. This is sooooo fun.

Keep praying for my counts to come up, guys. Pray for this new chemo to fight all the bad guys. I hope you like my new pictures, Aunt Mimi made them kinda big. Aunt Val, you'd better take back over.

I love you, John Russell

Saturday, July 27, 2002 at 06:49 PM (CDT)

Hi Everyone!!

My counts are low, but didn't have to get any new plates yesterday. Please keep on a prayin' for my counts to soar like the eagles.

I am the new kid on the block on a new web site. It's called Hugs & Hope, find it at www.hugsandhope.com -I am the feature child for July and all my new special friends are sending me all kinds of cards and well wishes! Be sure to go see me. There are a lot of other special kids that need your prayers just like me. I feel like a movie star. My pal Shanny hooked me up. Thanks Shanny and when I make it big, you're my agent.

I've been playing on my playset and I love swinging. I could swing all day. My neighbors Carol & Tyler have been coming over to play and I'm having a blast. Then when we are done swinging I go to help mommy "dead head" the flowers. Now all you non-gardners this is what I do when mommy's flower tops are all dried and I cut off the top so a new one can come. Chi Chi helps too but he does the dead heading and live heading. He cuts them all. This doesn't make mommy very happy but he sure has fun. Chi Chi & I feed the birds too. Well, we help daddy fill the feeders and we love to watch all the pretty birds.

Chi Chi & I played out in the rain the other day. Yep, mommy let us. We took our frog umbrellas and we had the bestest time ever. I think it was some kind of reward or something because I've been taking my supplements soooo good. Mommy doesn't know that I know, but she is slipping some liver into my food. Her and Maria have this conspiracy going on. I call it nutrition trickery. I'll eat anything to get me up that mountain.

I have a new very special friend named Kelly. She is my Chemo Angel. She is from the Midwest just like Mommy & daddy. She sends me special cards and messages. Kelly, I told mommy she better get you a picture soon. I love all you mail. Speaking of friends, I have one at clinic. Her name is Jeanne. She takes good care of me. We use the walkie talkies. I say, "Jeanne, where are you"? and "Jeanne-no good stickers today", she said, "I'm on it John Russell!" Thanks Jeanne for making clinic so fun. When I was getting new plates last week, there was a BIG boy beside me, he looked like he could start driving big cars pretty soon. He told me I was tougher than him. Now that my line is out, I have to get an IV everytime I have chemo or need plates. No crying or complaining here. My daddy's a tough guy and so am I. Daddy wouldn't cry so I'm sure not going to.

PS: When the Red Cross comes to town guys, think of me and give blood. This helps me and all of my friends fighting the bad guys. But remember, don't cry 'cuz I don't.

OK the moment you've all been waiting for, my healing house picture. Aunt Mimi is crossing her fingers that it works, otherwise she will be checking with Aunt Val. If you don't see it, Aunt Mimi is crying.

Thanks for your special messages, prayers and angels my way.

I Love You.
John Russell

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 at 06:43 AM (CDT)

Hi Everyone!!
A few of my plates were broken so I got some new ones yesterday. I feel pretty good too. On the way home we stopped off and bought some sprouts. Mommys newest thing is avacado and wheat grass baths. When mommy told me about it I said "you can do it on Chi Chi". Gosh I know I like John Deere Tractors but I think mommy thinks I like green even in my tubby. I guess I can get used to it.

Today we are going to the veggie farm. This is where I saw the Ford tractor last time. I had to call grandpa as soon as I got home and tell him about it. I told him how dirty it was too. Grandpa's tractors always look so shiny. We get to pick our own strawberries & I have soooo much fun. Mommy & daddy like the fresh bread.

I have taken over the kitchen. I don't know if Maria & mommy like this or not. I can muster up a pretty good sandwich. I put sour creme and ketchup on it. Sometimes I even put turkey on it. I think I'm getting my appetite back.

Chi Chi is better now. I was pretty worried there for a few days. After his high high fevers he started breaking out in this red stuff all over his tummy and back and even his face. Aunt Mimi & Aunt Pepper knew what this stuff was and told mommy before the doctors had it figured out. He got Roseola. My cousins Alex & Kalya had it too. He's OK now and I'm glad I got my play buddy back.

Guess who learned what a time out was??? Yep, Chi Chi got his first one. He doesn't bite anymore but now he hits. He thinks I'm his punching bag. I don't know if I like this big brother stuff. Thanks mommy for protecting me & maybe you otta give him that snap that grandma taught you. It sure worked for the biting. It's kinda cool seeing him get the time outs & not me.

Mommy took 20 rolls of film in yesterday. She told me that she wants those playhouse pictures to show all my friends. Soooo, hopefully by the weekend I can show you what a cool healing playhouse I have.

I've been working in the garden. I sure like this farming stuff. I can't wait till grandpa Russ sees it. Grandpa & grandma will be coming out soon. They may ride Thomas the Train to get here. Well, it's not Thomas but it must be a new friend that I've never heard of because I don't have a Amtrack friend. Grandpa, can you bring me Amtrack, then we can play on the tracks when you come. I also have a few more visitors in August. I can't wait!!! We drove by the airport yesterday and I asked mommy if we could go pick up Aunt Mimi. She told me in 2 weeks!! My Aunt Mimi is coming and she is bringing my cousin Alex. Then my pal Shanny is coming too. I can't wait.

Until next time. Keep praying for my counts to climb the mountain with me. But they can climb higher. Pray for mommy & daddy's strength because I have the bestest mommy & daddy in the whole wide world and I love them to the sky & back.

I Love You, John Russell

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 07:08 AM (CDT)

Hello everyone!!
I tricked you all. Remember I told you I would have the week to play? Well today is chemo day #2. My counts were good enough to start a new batch. Mommy told me some of my plates were still cracked but the counts were good enough to start. I finish this batch on Friday.

Chi Chi has been sick. I think he's trying to get mommy & daddy to pay more attention to him. Maybe he wants to take an ambulance ride like I did. I think mommy said it was a virus. He needs to stay at the other end of the house from me. I can't get sick and I feel real bad for him. I keep asking mommy if he needs to go to the hospital and get a line put in. Get better Chi Chi!!

Mommy has been brushing my skin. She thinks I'm her old ponies Lotty & Midnight. Mommy I'm not a horse. I know you are trying to wake my skin up but it still is owie. Wake up skin so Mommy doesn't have to brush me anymore.

I worked daddy over the weekend for a chain saw and a leaf blower. When daddy & I have our leaf blowers on, Mommy calls us the ghost busters. I love all my equipment especially my weed wacker, I pull the string and it really works, just like daddy's. Daddy took me in for Chemo today. Yep, just me & daddy so I hope those nurses are on their toes.

I have been getting so much mail-this is really fun guys. Your prayers worked. My counts came right up. Keep praying though, they need to come up just a little more. My Auntie journal writers will hopefully get a photo in of my playhouse in these next two days. Keep checkin'!!

Thank you my friends & family for your prayers, cards and support.

I Love You!!

John Russell

Friday, July 12, 2002 at 07:30 AM (CDT)

Hi My Friends!!
I've got some good news--NO new bad guys. Dr Maris told mommy & daddy we need to be in the patient mode. The chemo is still working on the bad guys. Mommy & daddy don't like this patience thing, it's ok mommy & daddy-I'll help you be patient. Speaking of the other "patient", I have not bee a very good one. I'm really tired of seeing Dr. Maris. Don't take it personally Dr. Maris but I'm just not letting you examine me for a while. Sometimes I have to rebel and I picked you. Sorry big guy, maybe next week I will. These last few days I sure feel good. Every time mommy & daddy & Maria look at me I'm smilin' & happy. I think this is part of my healing.

I'm going to keep you all busy this week because we have a lot to pray for. Pray that my counts come up so that I can continue the chem to blast the bad guys. Mommy told me to pray for this one: pray that I eat more green veggies (I think she is trying to turn me into that big animal with 4 legs that says MOO!!) Chi Chi eats all that green stuff so maybe when mommy isn't looking I can slip Chi Chi all that green stuff. Please also pray that the Chemo continues to work. You guys are the bestest prayers every. I pray too you know. Before we have dinner everynight I pray the Prayer of Jabez. For you who don't know it, here it is:

Oh, that You would
bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would
be with me,
and that You would
keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain. 1Chronicles 4:10

When we stayed in the Ronald McDonald house last year, Grandma Greiner gave it to my mommy. Mommy has prayed it every day since, and she taught it to me. I also pray "Please God Heal Me". I just know he is listening to me and all my friends who are praying for me.

Next week is a play week mommy & daddy told me. No chemo
so play play play. Chi Chi had better give me some Gator time or I might need to call in Grandpa. Grandpa where are you? I think he's coming soon, grandma too.

Thanks for all your great cards and messages. I LOVE the mailman. Keep checking in. Until next time.

Love, John Russell

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 at 07:21 AM (CDT)

Hi Everyone!!
I forgot to tell everyone last time that I went to Boston. I made a new friend named Master Lee. He stuck me with these little pins. I heard mommy say something like acupuncture. This was to help with a little owie relief. Daddy flew in to assist with the whole deal. I think I was working the system (don't tell mommy & daddy) because we had a great time taking walks around the park and I even got to go to the zoo. Don't anyone forget Boston is the home of my daddy's very favorite baseball team so we had to check that out too. Chi Chi stayed home with Maria. Thank goodness I have Maria to watch over Chi Chi!! Thanks for holding down the fort Maria!! I sure was happy get home.

I have a big test tomorrow to get an idea how I'm doing since my long stay in the hospital a while back. If you've seen me lately you know I smell like one of my grandma's gardens. Mommy & daddy rub all these great smelling oils on my feet, back & legs, sometimes my head if I scream loud enough. You can smell me from a mile away. They are helping me heal.

I've been playing in my playhouse a lot lately. I've also been planting plants & boy Grandpa would be proud. Mommy tells me she is setting up an open house to let the my friends come & check out my great playhouse. Lemonade and some snacks are on the plans. I can't wait to show that baby off. I will be putting some pictures on my site of the great playhouse, so keep checking in guys.

I've been kinda sleepy lately taking some pretty long snoozes. But boy I want to get outside & run too. Speaking of outside-guess who learned to ride my GATOR??? Yep, you guessed it--CHI CHI!! I don't know if I'm OK with this or not. You see there is a puppy in the neighborhood and he kinda chases the Gator and it scares me a little bit, so Chi Chi gets on & it sure doesn't scare him. I think he has taken over my Gator! Help Grandpa!! The good thing about Chi Chi is that he hasn't bit me lately. All it took is mommys good "snap" (you know the one that my mommy learned from grandma) I'm sure Aunt Val, Aunt Mimi & Aunt Popper remember it too. Worked like a charm.

Well, keep checking in and Pray Pray Pray for the tests on Thursday. Maybe some more chemo for next week. I'll let you know. Thanks for all of the support, my friends!!

Love, John Russell

Sunday, July 07, 2002 at 02:24 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody!

Its been a long time. A lot of things have been going on in the past month. My mommy has been doing a lot of reading and talking on the phone and found a great Dr. who lives in Germany. His name is Dr. Milz my best buddy went out to Germany to get these great shots for me and I'm taking them now. By the way my best buddy is Shannon she went all the way to Germany to help me out she is awesome.

It seems to be helping I'm full of energy. I'm just finishing up with a round of chemo right now, and have two more cycles. After that Dr. Maris has another treatment we will do. Enough about my doctors and treatments I've got to tell you about BROTHER he learned a new thing its called biting. It just so happened my counts were down and he walked right over to me like he wanted attention or something and bite me. Well the attention he got was real bad he was in big trouble with my mom and dad. Since my counts were low I had way big bruises because he bite me again. I had to go and get a transfusion. I know you all are pretty mad at Charlie now so I tell you the truth I needed one anyway.

On the qay home mom took me to a tractor store and there was this great farm equipment that I told my mom I needed and guess what she said NO. I was quite ticked off at my mom so I told her to get the phone out I'm Calling Grandpa so I did. You guessed it he said buy it. Iknew that would work and it did. THanks Grandpa!!!

Before I forget thank you Grandma for walking in the relay for life for me. Aunt Pepper tells me you went around a track 4 times thats great she said that is a mile. Thanks for the lighted luminaries I had three. Thats great.

bye for now keep the angels and prayers coming. P.S. I love all the mail you guys have sent me. Talk to you soon thats a promise!!!

Friday, May 31, 2002 at 06:59 PM (CDT)

Hello everyone. My aunt Pepper just tracked down my Aunt Val at a ball game so she took matters into her own hands and learned how to do an update.

I just had a tough time in the hospital I spent 18 days it was a real long time. My grandma was suppose to go home in the middle of it but she stayed she knew I needed her so she stayed. I really didn't mean all those times I told you to go home. Thank you for staying and playing in my play house with me. I guess I had to stay in the hospital because of this thing called a fever. It kept coming and going and coming and going. It finally left which was good and Dr. Maris thought since I was there we would have a round of chemo. So we did.

I had a special friend come see me, yes it was Shanny. I love Shannon it was great she helped boost my spirits and I refused to share her with Clint while she was here he has to be quicker on the uptake to get past me! Shannon is awesome so is my buddy Clint so maybe I shared a little but I like Shannon to spend all her time with me!

I had another special friend come and see me too. His name is Barry from Sedona, AZ. My mommy rubs oils on me to help get the bugs. (it works!) Barry is the source of these oils he brought me this beautiful amethyst crystal that will help me heal. I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT. Barry was cool and he thinks I'm a very special boy who will be with my mom and dad a long time.


Aunt Pepper arrived just in time to decorate my playhouse it took her like 3 hours or something. She acted like that was a big deal or something, she was lucky I can spend 3 hours at a time in there. It has a Thomas the Train track on the loft a John Deere corner and a play kitchen. Hanging off the loft is a cool John Deere quilt that Aunt Shari made from my special prayer service at grandpa's farm. It's a special place my mommy and I call it the healing house. Thats neat I can play and heal at the same time. It also has a great garden and some cool landscaping thanks to mommy and Clint.


On Tuesday I got to bust out of the hospital I had some great days with my mommy, daddy and Charlie. I rode the John Deere tractor with my dad for hours. My mommy read to me played monster trucks and watched a movie with me it was great except aunt Pepper kept following me around and putting pieces of turkey into my mouth. My mom and dad thought it was cool and they even clapped so I guess it was alright. However I heard them say I need to eat more so help me out and send some prayers my way, because while I was in the hospital I did have a little chemo so my appetite is very weak. (and while you are praying send some to my mom and dad, the hospital stay is very hard on them). THANKS

Now to my BROTHER. He did the coolest thing while I was gone he learned how to say tractor and brother. Plus while Aunt Pepper was dictacting this update to all of you (It took an HOUR) he pushed the power button on our computer and lost all her work. Aunt Pepper Smiled and said she would redo it. It only took a good bottle of Daddys wine and auntie Kim's help with moral support to redo this.

Today I went into clinic I had two problems 1. my counts were low
2. my fever was back

So I had to go back to CHOPS My mommy is with me right now. Daddy is home with Charlie. I have a special request Aunt Pepper and I were playing a fun game in the play house the other day. The ups man and the mailman stopped the other day and there was no mail for me. I was a little mad so Pepper and I played a little game and we called up everybody we could think of and told them that I needed mail. I like it and I want it. Plus I need it because I'm going to be in the hospital 7 more days. I think you can find the address on my website Chops Hospital. Bye for now my Aunt Pepper is skipping proof reading this because she isn't going to risk CHi CHi man to turn the computer off again.

I love you all- John Russell

Wednesday, May 15, 2002 at 07:36 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm feeling better. I moved out of ICU and I down with my friends on the oncology ward. But I want to go home. I ask all the time. Grandpa made it her safely and brought a whole suitcase full of tractors. He most have bought every tractor in the state of Iowa unless, he got into grandma's private stash. Sssshhhhh, don't let grandma know. I'm still batteling my fever here and there. They tell me I had some pretty nasty bacteria in my blood. I still have to take antibiodics for 10 days. Mommys says I'm a little puffy from all the meds and that I have a lot of fluid to get rid of. Mommy picked me out a room here on 3E. You see, they gave me the closet room, Mommy hates that room. But, she negotiated a nice big room for me and daddy she told the nurse that daddy couldn't possible stay in that tiny closet, he is a big guy. Way to go mommy. Now let them know I'll be just fine and I want to go home. Keep those prayers coming and say an extra one for aunt Val because she is going to be late to work this morning and we don't want her to get fired.

I love you.

John Russell

Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 12:21 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

It's been a very busy month since we last talked. Uncle Dan finally got Aunt Val to go back to work and boy has she had a heck of a time adjusting to this new thing called work!

My playhouse arrived from my "Make a Wish" friends and it is the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever seen. I don't even mind sharing it with my little buddy Chi Chi. We have all sorts of flowers planted around it. I get to move the sprinkler around and Chi Chi gets to turn the water on. We are one great team. Daddy even comes and visits in my house. If he stays in the middle he can stand up real tall. Thanks so so much Make a wish.

My last check went pretty good. I believe the word used was, "stabilized". Mommy and Daddy looked okay with that word so I am too. I haven't had a chance to talk to aunt Val much and neither has my mommy. But my aunt Mimi and my Grandma Russ have been out to see me. In fact, Grandma is here right now. Grandpa had to plant his corn and beans so he couldn't make it but he says he'll be out this summer for a visit, I can't wait. Since I haven't had a chance to update with aunt Val lately I'm going to turn the reins over to her and she can tell you all what's going on. Oh yeah, one more thing Happy Mommy's day. Espically you mommy, you mean the whole great big world to me. I love you bunches and bunches and bunches.

I know you all know what a tough little guy our very special John Russell is. He's been given many title's this past year. And he has earned every single one of them. He's been doing great and just saw Dr. Maris on Thursday. Dr. Maris says he looks great, he looked healthy, his color was good and he was very happy with the way this were going. But John Russell spiked a fever Saturday moring. and got a very special ride to CHOPS in an ambulance. But it wasn't scary because mommy and daddy got to go with him.

He was admitted to CHOPS on Saturday. He has an infection and is in ICU. His mommy and daddy are with him tonight and Grandma is home with Chi Chi. He is fighting like crazy to overcome yet one more obstacle in his path and on his road to remission. I know everyone has been praying every night for this very special little man. He has asked many times for extra prayers and you have all answered. So now ALL of his aunts and uncles and cousins and grandma's and grandpa's are asking for all of your extra prayers to help heal John Russell, make his better so he can get home and play in that playhouse that he loves so much.

John Russell truly is one brave little soldier. I have heard many times that it takes an Army to raise a child. Well guys we are his Army and he needs us now more than ever. Please include Paula and Gary in your prayers. Pray to give themguidance and strength for this journey they are on.

I will be updating on Monday to let everyone know how John Russell fight is going.



I Love You,
John Russell

Friday, April 05, 2002 at 02:44 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

It's been a while and Aunt Val says she is very sorry. So on with things. I'm feeling much better. I finally convinced my mommy and daddy that this whole nose tube feeding thingy was not a good plan. I didn't need it nor did I want it. Although, I did have to promise mommy and daddy that I would eat all the supplements that they gave me from now on. I don't like all of them but it a whole bunch better than that nose thingy, I hated it. I want you all to know that when the prayer gathering began, thats when mommy and daddy decided it was time to pull the tube. You guys a great, thanks a million, zillion times. I hear that grandpa and grandma's place sure was full. What a wonderful thing that you have all done for us. I'm sure that the healing spirits will find me now. I understand that there were people there from Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Waterloo, Marshalltown, Charles City, and a whole bunch of people from Reinbeck. What wonderful family and friends I have. And I know all those people are going to go home a spread the news to even more people across the United States. We haven't got the video yet but I hear it was great. A special thanks to all who helped grandma and grandpa get all those chairs and then helped set them up. What wonderful support from the "New Life" chuch in Reinbeck and it's members. You have no idea what your support means to all of us. One of my mommy and daddy's friends has already planed a candle light prayer vigil for May 4th in Chicago. Anyone in the area that wants more information can email aunt Val and she will put you in touch with Tony and Jeanette.

Some more good news, Make a wish has been working on my playhouse. Boy is it going to be cool. It should be here is a couple of weeks, Chi Chi and I are very excited. Clint, the Kabota man came over and moved a little earth so the play house has a place to sit in the woods. He even let the Kabota spend the night at my house. When daddy was away at work, I talked Clint into letting me drive the Kabota and I dug a big hole in the back yard. Daddy wanted to know why is was so big, so I showed him. I took my big tractor out much to mommy's disapproval and I sat right down in my hole and I started using my backhoe. Once daddy saw how much fun I was having, everything was cool, he knows how much I love diggin in the dirt.

I've also been burning some energy jumping on my rebounder (it's a little trampoline). Mommy, Chi-Chi, and Maria jump sometimes too. Mommy says I have to drink a lot of water so I jump, and I drink, and I jump, and I drink. We giggle a lot too. I also started taking Karate. Ms. Katie, she is almost a blackbelt is my teacher. I have been learning lateral blocks, punches, kicks and the lingo that goes with karate. I have a belt with a red and blue stripe, (that means I'm getting better every time).

Mommy took me shopping for some flower seeds and told me to pick out some. I only found one that really interested me so I gave it to mommy and she tossed it in the cart. A little later she pulled it out to see what they were. The were called Shizanthus, they were really pretty and brightly colored. That's why mommy thought I picked them, but when she looked closer she discovered the real reason. The common name for Shizanthus is "Angel Wings". Mommy was very proud of her little King. We planted them as soon as we got home and they have already started to sprout. I also met a new friend and her name is Teresa, she was wearing a really cool scarf because she has no hair just like me. She's fighting the same kind of bugs that I am. She liked me as much as I liked her and she gave me some Daffodills to plant. I think I will go see her again.

Other than visiting my favorite tractor store I've been hanging out with Chi Chi. He's a pretty cool kid and he likes to follow me everywhere I go.

I have some more test coming up. The first week of Chemo stopped my new bugs from getting any stronger and we hope the 2nd week has started to shrink those bad guys. I have some more test in a couple of weeks to find out. I'll let you know then. Keep those healing prayers coming, We can do it, I know we can.

I love you,
John Russell

Monday, March 11, 2002 at 01:23 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody,

It's been a busy week. We got the test results back last week and Dr. Maris found some new bad guys that have been hiding out. That means that we have to go and hunt them down with some new kind of chemo. And that's exactly what we've been doing. I started another round of chemo on Monday and finished up on Friday. I only had a little tummy ache and am feeling pretty good. Now we have to wait a couple of weeks and then do some more test to see if the chemo got those bad guys and took them out. Mommy says my appetite is not real good yet so she wants everybody to pray that my appetite gets better. We've been spending a lot of time outside in the sunshine and fresh air. My counts are looking good and I haven't needed any extra boost from daddy this time.

My daddy bought me a new bike with training wheels. This drives mommy absolutely crazy. She almost crashed me the other day when I was flying down the driveway. She thought I was going to fast and she tried to grab me and almost crashed me. I had to send her to the garage and told her to keep her eyes closed. My neighbors, Mackenzie and Griffin have a Jeep Wrangler so Charlie and I have races with them. Charlie gets to use our Jeep and and I get the Gator. It is a whole bunch of fun.

Grandpa Russ was out for another visit. I feel kind of bad though, you see, grandma came with him last time and I was kind of bossing grandma around and she, "if your going to be mean to grandma, grandma is going to go home." So I said, "You go home to the farm in Iowa and leave grandpa here." I was only kiddin but grandma didn't come along this trip. I sure missed you grandma but you can come next time and thanks for sending grandpa out. Grandpa brought me the tractor of all tractors, it is one BIG GREEN MACHINE. I think that I have almost every one of grandpa's collector tractors, I'm sure glad my grandpa is a farmer. We also got to go to a movie when grandpa was here. We went and saw, "Return to Neverland." I took my hook arm and my Peter Pan hat that aunt Mimi made me and away to the theater we went. It was wonderful, I sat on grandpa's lap and didn't move an inch. I loved it, afterwards we went shopping and I got a big silver sword just like in the movie. It is so cool. Grandma thanks for sending that really cool "Toy Farmer" catalog. I found this super cool tractor, they call it, "BIG BUD", it's the biggest tractor they have ever made. It does most of its work in the wheat fields of Montanta. If you have any questions about it, my daddy and my grandpa know lots and lots. They even have a 1st edition replicate being released in June. Guess what, that baby is all mine. Mommy had them rush the video of "Big Bud" so that I can watch it do its thing. It must have about a zillion horse power, it is huge, it is one beautiful machine, I wish I could kick those tires right grandpa.

Charlie and I have taken up wrestling. It is kind of fun as long as you get to be on top. We have also been playing with our tractors a lot. I don't know why but my favorite tractor is always the one that Charlie is playing with and he always wants the one I'm playing with, I can't quite figure that one out. Mommy said that Make a wish has a big surprise coming soon. I can't wait, she says Charlie and I are going to have a blast playing with it. I'll let you know what it is soon guys.

Mommy got a little mad at me the other day. I have all these collector cards with John Deere tractors on them. Mommy put them all in a book so that I can look at them. The problem was, I didn't want to look at them, I wanted to touch them and hold them and study them. So I took them all out, they were everywhere. Mommy walked around the corner and said, "John Russell that took mommy a long time to put those cards in there." I looked up from my very large somewhat organized pile of green machines and I said, "don't put them in there". She just smiled.

My daddy needs some prayers for his back. He let me sleep with him and mommy the other night and I was a tossing and a turning and well, daddy had to toss and turn and he threw his back out. So I let him borrow my Osteopath and she is working on him get him back up to speed. He kind of walks funny right now. I'm sorry daddy.

Aunt Val called today and told mommy about a special prayer vigil at grandpa and grandma's farm. I guess it's going to be on Saturday, morning from 10-11 on March 30th.
Any body and everybody can come if you want. But, if you can't make it maybe you could just says some prayers for me during that time from where ever you are. She says that the angles have been leading the way for the light of Gods healing hand to find me. Hope you can make it but if not, could you devote that one hour to me on that day, I would really, really, apprectiate it.


I love you,
John Russell

Friday February 22, 2002 3:36 PM CST

Hello Everybody--

I've sure missed you guys. I had the bestest birthday party ever. The birthday theme was all about tractors, the green and yellow ones. Grandpa wasn't very happy about that but he still came to my party. I also had a friend named Sydney come and spend the weekend with us. Her mommy, Sharron is friends with my mommy and daddy. Sydney tried to help me learn all about sharing. I did not like that lesson at all. I did share most of my things with her and we had a really fun time. Mommy made a huge tractor cake from scratch. I know it's hard to believe but it is so so true. Aunt Mimi was coaching her on the phone the whole time. The wheels were chocolate and the rest was green and yellow. Mommy knew grandpa probably wouldn't eat a yellow and green tractor cake so she even made him his very own red tractor cake. She is so cool. I got lots and lots and lots of cards in the mail and I got some presents from the neighbors. Grandpa and Grandma brought me a big Case IH combine, not a harvester but a combine. Then, at the end of the party I got a Big Big Surprise, Daddy said, "it's got big wheels" and it did. It was hidding in the hallway under a big white sheet. I ripped that sheet right off and there it was, a GATOR!!!! I hopped right on and took off down the hall on my new Gator, it runs on a battery so we have to charge it up at night so it's ready to roll in the morning. Daddy helps me put the birdseed in the gator and we take it to the birdfeeders and fill 'em up almost everyday. I did let Sydney have one ride on my gator but the pedal tractor was off limits. Thanks for a super duper birthday party mommy and daddy.

Mommy and Chi Chi took a little trip back to Minnesota over Valentines day. Daddy and I had the run of the house. We had a blast. I have also started to take Tai Chi. Mitch, my teacher comes to the house, he is trying to help me get my immune system stronger plus, its a whole lot of fun. He is really cool. He plays the guitar and sings songs with me. Daddy thinks its crazy but he knows I like it a lot.

I'm sure your all wanting to know how I've been feeling and I feel absolutely wonderful. I had my tests about a month ago and well, there were just a few of those nasty cells that have been trying to hang around. Dr. Maris said we were going to keep an extra close eye on them and to come back in a month for more test. So we had that second batch of test on Wednesday. It seems that these particular cells haven't gotten the hint. I guess they have kind of regrouped and are looking for some more hiding places. I really do feel good and mommy says I look the best I ever have. I guess were all going to have to dig even deeper than we have already. I really appreciate all of your prayers and I'm wondering if you could ask all your friends, neighbors and all of their friends to start praying for me too. Prayer's heal and I sure could use about a million, trillion, billion, about now. We don't have a plan of action yet. Dr. Maris is going to check into some different things to see what would be the best way to catch these nasty, ugly bugs. Mommy and daddy are meeting with some antibody specialist in the big apple next week. Aunt Val will be putting in another update sometime next week. So check back with me then. We've also got some cool pictures to check out. Don't tell my dad about he Halloween picture or aunt Val will be in so much trouble.

I'll be waiting for all those prayer's. Let's go guys!!! Lets show those bugs the way out.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday January 24, 2002 9:04 AM CST

Hello everybody--

Well, I headed in for my testing yesterday. I don't have my central line in anymore so I had an IV. Nurse Jeanne and nurse Carolyn were my nurses and they were great. I didn't move an inch. I was a really big boy which earned me a trip to the John Deere store. I had my test and Dr. Maris said everything looked really good but were going to keep an eye on my leg. There seems to be a little gathering going on there. I guess these bugs just have not gotten the total message yet. We hope that they are packing there bags and are on their way out. Dr. Maris says were going to come back in a month and see if they got all their bags packed and have moved out. As always we'll keep you informed.

A note to all my friends in Minnesota. We had snow, twice. It was a blast. The first snow was about 2 inches and mommy started up the green machine and tied the sled on the back and pulled me all over the yard. It was a blast. We even made a snow man, he had a corn cob pipe which we borrowed from the squirrels, he had a button nose, his eyes were made of eye patches, we used mommy's black velvet hat and a blue scarf and his lips were made with red gummies. We even gave him some stick arms. Mommy says were sending pictures to aunt Val so you can all see my creation. We really are going to send pictures just as soon as mommy gets it done. The next snow was to deep for the Green machine so daddy had to pull us around the yard. Chi Chi fell asleep in the sled so he got moved to the wagon and had a little cat nap in the sun while daddy pulled me all over the yard. Chi Chi is growning realy fast, he doesn't even look like a baby anymore. He has a birthday coming up and he is going to be 1, he isn't zero anymore. Oh yeah, I have a birthday coming up too, it's this Saturday, the 26th. Grandma and Grandpa Russ are coming for a visit. Mommy has a great birthday party planned. Can anybody guess what the theme is this year. Here's a clue YELLOW AND GREEN. Did you guess? Yep, your right, its a JOHN DEERE TRACTOR party. Grandpa wasn't real happy about that but he'll still have fun. Daddy said there might be a present with "Big" wheels. I'm so excited. My mommy is even going to bake a tractor cake. Aunt Mimi I'm going to miss you a whole bunch this birthday. I'll let you know how the tractor cake turns out. Gotta love that mommy of mine.

The make-a-wish people were out with their builder to see about my playhouse. We're waiting to hear back.

Daddy has been chopping wood. We use the fireplace a bunch. Daddy loves chopping wood. He has a big chopping block and a great big axe. The woods are looking pretty good, I can't wait to get to the bottom of the hill.

Shannon got to come for 5 days. Shanny, thats my new name for her, and Maria did the tag-team nanny routine. We kept them pretty busy. Mommy and daddy got to get away for a while. I think they had a lot of fun. Your never going to believe what they were doing. They went go-cart racing, the serious kind. They had helmets and goggles and the cars were really, really, fast. Mommy asked me who was going to go faster, mommy or daddy? I said "mommmy" I think I was right. Mommy did crash and they had to shut the track down and fix the wall and then they had to use a crow bar to fix her car. I wonder if they had to use the crow bar to get daddy out of the car. I'm going to have to ask daddy about that. He's a pretty big guy and those cars are awful little. Clint came for a visit to. I showed him my new catapillar skid loader thing. He liked it a lot too. Shanny is coming back in a couple of months can't wait to see her again.

My mommy told me that Aunt Val got some snow too, they got 5 whole inches. It was enough to venture out into the snow with the sleds. I think they forgot how to sled because they have been in the south too long. At least, that is Maleri for got how to sled. You see, she was flying down the hill, turned the corner and her little sister Madison was standing right in the middle of the path. So Maleri, knowing if she crashed into her little sister, would get into great big trouble with Aunt Val, swerved to miss Madison and well, she encountered a tree. She laid there a little bit then started crying and told her dad she couldn't move. He picked her up and headed for the mom. The mom brought Maleri into the house and checked out the injury. The untrained eye found nothing but decided after an hour of moaning and groaning an emergency room visit was in order. If you haven't guessed by now, My big cousion Maleri broke her ankle. She has a great big cast on all the way up to her fanny and all the way down to her toes. Uncle Dan grounded the sleds and said no more sleding ever. Hope you feel better soon Maleri. Make sure you have all your little sisters wait on you hand a foot.

That's about it for now--I'll let you know how that cake turns out. Thanks for all your prayers. I love you all.

I love you.
John Russell

Hello to my Fans!!!

My mommy finally got aunt Val back on TARGET! She says she wishes all the boxes were opened and put away but there not. She decided to quit. And, she is never, ever, ever, ever, in a million, zillion, billion years moving again. Now on to the good stuff (it's good cause it's all about me.)

I finished up my radiation and said good bye to the glow guys who took such good care of me in radiation. They helped take care of mommy and daddy too. Mommy and daddy had lots and lots of questions for them, they let mommy and daddy know that everything would be okay and that I was in the best hands I could possibly be in. And of course I have been.

Now I have to take this medicine called Acutane. I take it for two weeks then I get a break for two weeks then I start over again. Mommy smashes it, blends it, chops it, and grinds it to try and hide it in my drinks. But I know when I'm taking it. Hey mommy, if you can find some way to take the taste of it away you wouldn't have to try so hard to hide it. You've been pretty sneaky and I don't want you to know, that I know, it's there, so I just drink it because I have no choice and it make you sooooooo happy. I also have to take these whole food supplements. I take Red in the morning and Green at night. These are actually pretty tasty. I don't want to know what's in them becase I'm pretty sure it's those foods that I just don't want to eat. These little pills help boost all the good guys in my body and fight all those bad guys. Mommy has a whole tribe of us on them. Mommy, Daddy, Maria, Do Do, Grandma Patty and a lot more people too. Our good guys and getting stronger and stronger, just ask mommy she know everything about them and can tell you about them and where to find them.

Oh yeah, I got rid of my line that has been attached every since I left Minnesota on a jet airplne. Finally, Dr. Maris took it out 2 weeks before Christmas. I felt like I was set free, now I can rough house with Charlie, which hasn't been much fun until now. Charlie has started walking and running. He chases me everywhere and when mommy isn't looking I sometimes push him down. I almost always get caught because Charlie starts crying like a baby. Mommy comes to the rescue and I get a time out!!! I even tried crying and blaming it on Charlie but it didn't work. I still got busted but this time I told mommy, "I put my self in time out." and then when I got in time out, I told mommy, "I have to go big boy potty." Worked like a charm, I was out of time out, and mommy was happy as could be that I went pee. (Big boy potty) And she even forgot that I was in time out.

The big red guy came for Christmas and boy did he have a big load. Daddy said he got stuck in the chimney and he had to help him get down. He ate all the cookies I left him. The reindeer, even the one with the red nose, ate all the corn I left in the garage. The best surpise was the Super Duper, yellow, skid steer catapiller that runs on a battery. I can drive it, I hopped right on and took off. I'm a professional construction man now. I knew sitting in those lots watching all that equipment would someday payoff and it has. I have been digging in mommy's flower beds and I even scooped some snow. One of these days, I'm going to make it to the bottom of our big hill. Where is my Bushwacking grandma when I need her. I'm ready now grandma, I've got your back, no need for the lawnmower man. Charlie got a really cool train that runs on a track and he can drive it. He lets me ride with him and we go round and round. He loves his train and I like it lots too.

I've had some special visitors over the holidays. Grandma and Grandpa Russ came and brought lots of Christmas presents. They came and helped me with my last few days of radiation. Grandpa was scared walking through the tunnel under the hospitals. We had to go through 5 security gates, it took about 20 minutes to get where we were going. Then Do Do came to see me and we sang songs and talked French and had a good time. Hi Do Do, I miss you. Then my buddy Shannon came and we had a lot of fun. She calls us her boys. We like her lots too. Hi Shannon, we miss you. Then Papa Porky and Gamma Patty came over the New Years Celebration. I got more Christmas presents, we played and had a good time. They got to see Chi Chi walk. He started at 10 months and he is everywhere. He opens the drawers and cupboards and goes up the stairs. Boy does mommy have her hands full with him.

Mommy wanted me to tell everyone that the Christmas card and letter are still coming. She had a pretty big list this year. She also said that if you didn't get one, that she might not have your address. So if you didn't get one and you want one, send aunt Val an e-mail (valfog@aol.com) with your address and she will make sure my mommy gets it. It was a pretty cool card.

While I was in getting my radiation my mommy met Rose Marie and Ken. Rose Marie works for my daddy, and Ken is her husband, he was there to see the same guys I was seeing. While Ken was in for his treatments Rose Marie was embrodering. One day, Ken asked her who she was making it for and she said, "I don't know, I'll know when I met him." Ken is a very special friend, he is a daddy and a grandpa which makes him an even more special guy. Mommy visited with Rose Marie and then we headed home. A couple of weeks later daddy came home with a surpise for me and we opened it up. It was the piece that Rose Marie had been working on. Rose Marie thru lots of love and time had finished and had picked me to give it to. It is the most beautiful angel with huge, wings. It brought tears to mommies eyes and we picked a very special place to hang it and it looks over us each and every day. Mommy still gets teary eyes when ever she looks at it. So with all of your help, I'm going to send my angels to Ken and Rose Marie so that they can feel the love that you have sent to me for the past year. Thank you Rose Marie, God Bless you and Ken and get ready for the angels they pack a pretty powerful punch.

I also want to ask for my angels to visit my friend Teresa. She has been down in Florida visiting Mickey Mouse. She should be home now so my angels can find her there. Keep fighting Teresa, I'm sending as many angels as I can. Your in our hearts and in our Prayers, we love you.

Thanks for all of your extra support with my very special friends, it means the world to me and my family. I have some test next Tuesday and Wednesday and were going to pray that the test find nothing and that my body keeps growing and growing and growing oh yeah you can also pray that I keep eating, which I have been doing and one last prayer. Pray that mommy finds some pills that taste good.

I Love You.

John Russell

Tuesday, November 27, 2001 at 09:06 PM (CST)

I'm back!

Not that I went anywhere but it's been along time since we've all chatted. Yes, my radiation has started and I'm almost done with it. Today was number 6 and I have 4 more to go. The first one was not much fun at all. I couldn't eat all day because my appointment was in the afternoon. I was not very happy but mommy got it all squared away and now we get up at 5:30 in the morning to leave for the hospital. This morning I was the first one up and I walked into mommy and daddy's room and told them to get up, it was time to go to the hospital. I have to go to CHOPS and pickup my buddies and then we head to HOPS where my buddies knock me out, good buddies huh. Then I have my radiation and I get to go back to recovery. I usually sleep for about 30 to 45 minutes then I wake up. Yesterday I woke up yelling, "I want to go to the Case IH store". and then sometimes I wake up yelling for Do Do and my grandpa. I sure wish he was here with me right now.

Turkey day was a lot of fun. My daddy cooked a great big bird but I didn't eat it. It wasn't my boars head brand and I could tell it wasn't the same. It was fun watching chef daddy. My favorite foods have been corn on the cob, peas, chicken, turnkey and ice cream. Oh and I have discovered cookies. My mommy has tried to hide these wonderful treats from me for 2 whole years but I've got a taste now, and boy do I love this suff they call sugar.

My mommy and daddy put the tree up all by themselves without one yelling match. Mommy told daddy before they started that if they were going to battle that mommy was going to hire someone to put up the tree. It worked, daddy did just what mommy told him to do and the tree looks fabulous. There is however one very large problem. There isn't one single present under the tree. I asked mommy where they were and she said we don't have any yet. I said, "Where is grandpa Russ, he has prizes." Grandpa I know you will come thru for me and I promise not to open them until Christmas, well, maybe not all of them. Sure wish you were here.

My mommy's friend Fran sent me and mommy some Yoga tapes. I had no idea what Yoga was but it is actually kind of cool. I have the Lion move, the puppy dog, and the sleeping baby move all down. I still have about 7 or 8 to practice on but we love it. Maria, Charlie me and mom all do it together and sometimes we do a lot of giggling. Thanks so much Fran, we're having a blast with it.

I'm sure you all know that Charlie is getting older and bigger. He is almost walking, mommy does not encourage this at all and neither do I. I have a terrible time trying to get away from him, he chases me. I tell mommy, "Chi Chi is chasing me." and she says, "No, he's not, he is playing with you." She is crazy! Chi Chi is chasing me, he chases me everywhere I go. He even thinks he can play with my toys. We have even had a couple of whapping fights. Whapping is kind of like hitting or pushing but those are bad things and we don't do bad things so we call it whapping. I sure wish he would go back to his cage (playpen) then I could keep my eye on him. I don't know what I'll do when he starts walking so I'm going to, kind of, push him down when he tries to walk, not hard but I've got to keep him on all fours or he will take over the house. Mommy already lets him get away with everything.

I'm haning in there guys and your prayers are felt each and everyday. Just have to let that radiation fry those bad cells and get rid of these little bugs for good. I will have some new pictures up by Thusday so check me out. Oh yeah, mommy got the Halloween pictures back of my daddy and they are very, very, funny. She was going to try and send them off to aunt Val so those will be coming too. Your gonna love them.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, November 07, 2001 at 11:53 AM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

I have had my mommy so busy that we just haven't had a lot of time for an update but we caught up with aunt Val and gave her lots of good stuff.

I went to clinic on Tuesday, good thing I did I was running a little low on the red blood and I had some cracked platelets. Daddy gave me some of the good ones, I should be perking up any minute now.

Okay I know you all want to know who went trick or treating. Pooh won out I was going to be Buzz but when I saw my daddy all dressed up in his pooh costume I had to be just like him. Mommy was Tigger and Chi Chi was pooh dressed like a pumpkin and he also got to be Mickey Mouse for a while. My daddy was really funny dressed in his pooh costume. We had some neighbors see him dressed as Pooh and they send some more neighbors over but daddy had already changed out of his costume. But don't worry mommy took lots of pictures and we are going to send them to aunt Val for my web page. She doesn't have them yet but she will and she'll let you know when she puts them in. Daddy said, "No your not putting those on" but mommy said, "yes we are". I got to go trick or treating to two houses with my daddy. Mommy was out running errands and daddy snuck me out without my mask. Mommy wasn't very happy but there was nothing she could do. I got to have a very special Halloween hunt in my back yard. There were ghosts and goblins and gooley things in the woods out back. I had to walk along the trail and at each light there were treats. I got candy, play doh, and a tractor. Then we went back inside and everytime the doorbell rang I ran as fast as I could to answer it. There were some real cool kids that came to the door. I told my mommy the next morning, "mommy, it was really fun to see the kids." She agreed and we gave each other a big hug.

My buddy Shannon was here to see all of her favorite boys. She even brought Clint over to see me. It was great to see him but he forgot his Kabota, I think it was to dark to drive it but maybe next time he can bring it. I knew Shannon was on her way and when the doorbell rang I was so excited I started running but my feet just stayed in place, I must have looked like a rabbit, I knew I was drinking to much of that carrot juice that mommy makes. Next year I won't need a costume I should be a full grown bunny by then.

We went on a little trip to the Case IH store on Sunday. I really wanted to go in to the gift shop but they were closed. So I sat on the tractors and pretended I was farming. Everyday I ask mommy to take me to the John Deere store sometimes I have to lay down on the floor and kick and scream before I get to go. Mommy says I already have all the tractors except for a few precision ones and that Santa can maybe take care of that for me. My grandpa Russ sent me another Magnum I think this was the last one of his collection thanks for sharing it with me Grandpa, I miss you and it would be nice if you would come for a visit. Grandma is in a little bit of trouble. She sent trick or treat baskets out for me and Charlie and Charlie got a little blue ford tractor. I want it and mommy won't give it to me. She says Charlie only has 3 tractors and those are his. When he is not lookin I'm going to take it and play with it.

My appetite has been pretty good. I eat ice cream everyday and I have corn on the cob about 3 or 4 days a week. Tuna, chicken, and turkey are still my favorites. Last but not least I have been drinking carrots and celery and blueberries, I hate my mom's juicer but I keep drinking the stuff she gives me, she has figured out this tantrum thing and I hate to see her scream. She looks kind of funny laying on the ground kicking her feet.

I have been playing lots and lots with my playdoh. I borrowed mommy's rolling pin and I use a tractor cookie cutter and I make lots of tractors and worms and creepy crawly snakes. It's been really nice during the days but at night it gets a little cold so I have mommy start up the fireplace almost everynight.

Maria has become my buddy. She is not just Chi Chi's nanny anymore she is mine too. She even gets hugs from me and I promise never to try and lock her in the cave again.

Now the medical update. I have my radiation plannin on Tuesday. This is when I get my tatoo's. Thats right, my mommy is letting me get 6 tatoos. She really doesn't have much say it the matter but I will have six little dots so the radiation doctors will know exactly where to aim when they point that big laser at me. First I have to go to CHOPS and meet with the doctors who will put me to sleep. They we take a journey over to HOPS. Thats the big people hospital right next to the little peoples hospital and thats where I meet my second team of doctors and where I have my radiation. I don't think it will take very long and then I head back to CHOPS and I get to go home.

I hope everybody had a happy happy Halloween. I know I sure did and I will get those pictures to aunt Val as long as my daddy doesn't find them first. My daddy loved being Pooh as much as I did. You Da Man Daddy, I love you bunches and bunches. Talk to you guys later. Keep praying for my leg and all the sick little people everywhere.

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, October 28, 2001 at 05:51 PM (CST)

Hello Everyone--

Sorry I haven't written for a while but my aunt Val has been on the road. I'm feeling pretty good, it's great to be home. I really, really, mean that.

I saw some old friends at clinic on Friday. Remember my friend Toiressa? She has a purple leg, not really a purple leg but she had a purple cast on her leg. She got a boo boo and has to wear a cast for a while. It sure was pretty. Don't tell anyone but she is my girlfriend and I made her a special picture and gave it to her. Then my buddy Bobby was there and I got to wave and say Hi to him. It was good to see you guys maybe we'll meet again next week.

I got another tractor. This one is called a John Deere Cat Tractor. Papa Porky and Grandma Patty sent it to me. It is really cool. Aunt Val kept trying to play with it she thought it was pretty cool. She let me run over her fingers a couple of times then she cried like a baby, it was pretty funny. Thanks a whole great big bunch Papa Porky and Gamma Patty. I love it.

My mommy has been having lots and lots of fun in the kitchen. I know a lot of you will find this extremely hard to belive but my mommy baked a loaf a bread all by herself. We are all still in shock. She did have a little help with the bread maker but boy did she have fun. She also got this really cool juicer. At least I thought it was pretty cool. I got to feed it carrots and apples, it was a lot of fun, but then I realized I had to drink the stuff. This was defidently not very cool. I did have a few drinks and I guess I'm probably going to have to get use to it because mommy doesn't seem to want to stop feeding the machine.

We've been getting ready for Halloween. Daddy is going to be Pooh, Mommy is going to be Tigger and Charlie is going to be Pooh dressed up as a pumpkin. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to be. I have narrowed it down to Pooh (like my daddy) or Buzz Lightyear. I don't get to trick or treat but I can stand at the window as see all the kids dressed up. I think that will be just fine with me. There might be some really scarry ghosts and goblins out trick or treating.

I've been teaching Charlie how to play tag. Sometimes I tag him a little to hard and he falls down but he just laughs and starts crawling as fast as he can to me. He can stand up all by himself for about 3 seconds before he wipes out. It's not much fun when he catches me cause he kind of sits on me until mommy can come rescue me. He acts like he wants to eat me for dinner. Good thing mommy is close at hand.

We had a meeting with Dr. Maris the other day and when we got to the parking garage and mommy was helping me out I looked up at her and said, "I sure love you, I sure love daddy". Mommy said, "I'm gonna call you a cutie patootie all day today." I said, 'No, you can call me a tractor man". Mommy just about fell over laughing at me. I didn't think it was funny. Tractor man is a whole lot better than cutie Patootie. Well, anyway, back to our meeting. I don't know how but some of those big bad ugly cells managed to survive. There's not very many of them but they are hinding out by my knee. So Dr. Maris says that were going to zap them with a little radiation. It should be starting really really soon. I let you know what day so you can send those angles to help guide the doctors to right place and zap those bad guys.

Thats about all for now guys. Catch ya later.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, October 16, 2001 at 09:14 PM (CDT)

Hello-

I'm HOME and very happy to be here. Thanks for all your help with the water, it worked. Now I just need a little help with my tummy. Aunt Val told me there was a little man in there doing flips and we want him to settle down and take a long long nap. So I guess you can pray for the little man jumping around in my tummy to get very very tired and real fast. I tried really hard when I got home to eat. First I tried some pasta. Then I tried a little turkey. Snap, crackle and pop were sitting on the table but I had very little interest. And the blue jello was out of the question. I held onto a cracker for about an hour but just couldn't do it.

When I got home I took a walk in my yard. My grandma was very very busy. There were ghost everywhere, grandma had them hanging in the trees. There were mask on the fence and there were pumpkins all over the place. Maria and Ping brought me a huge one. It weighs 180 pounds. Aunt Val said she rolled it all over the yard. I bet that was pretty funny. Then I came inside and checked the place over. Charile has grown up and he missed me a whole bunch. He was following me everywhere I went. He didn't like it much when I sat on mommy's lap. He yelled at mommy until I went and sat on daddy's lap. Then he had to go to the cage. It's not really a cage, it's his playpen but aunt Val has been calling it a cage. I kind of liked him in there. He couldn't follow me around and we could touch our hands together. Chi Chi can stand up and hold on to the side. His little eyes and nose peek over the top and he smiles and smiles and smiles. I felt a little bad that he was in there so I grabbed a few toys, five to be exact, and I tossed them over the edge. Don't worry, only a few hit him, he didn't even cry, he smiled at me and kind of growled a little bit. He sure is a sweetie.

Next I headed upstairs and in front of my door I found a big Oliver pedal tractor. It is really cool. Chi Chi tried touching it and I had to tell him to back off. Mommy said it was okay that I had to start sharing my things. This really kind of bumbed me out. But she is right, Chi Chi loves my tractors almost as much as I do. I knew my grandpa sent it to me, first I thought he might be at my house so I asked where he was and aunt Val told me he was picking beans and combining corn. No, that is not a misprint that is what she said. I said combine corn and she said yeah that's what I meant. She didn't even know what a skid loader was. But that's okay because I don't know the difference between a Ken doll or a Barbie doll. So were square with each other. I have a lot to teach her in the next few days. The only train she knows is Thomas and she really liked to play with him. She even thought she was a train the way she tooted and pushed Thomas around the track. Thanks Grandpa Russ I love it and I promise to share it next week.

Mommy got me a new video of Snow White so daddy and aunt Val helped me pick out names for everybody. Mommy got to be Dopey and aunt Val got to be Grumpy and aunt Mimi, sorry about this but aunt Val has a lot of pull and she said that you have to be the wicked witch. I gave her a funny look and I said aunt Mimi loves me. Aunt Val said yes she does but today, she is the wicked witch. So don't worry Mimi it's only for a day. We'll play a different movie tomorrow.

It's great to be home, I really missed this place. Remember to pray for the little man to go to sleep and pray that this last batch of chemo zapped every single one of those bad bad cells. I know it's a big request but we can do it guys.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, October 15, 2001 at 08:36 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm still at CHOPS. But my counts are coming up and I might be able to come home today or tomorrow. I spiked a little fever but my team of doctors and nurses got it under control right away. Now I'm trying to slowly get rid of my pain medication and they are slowly shuting down my Hal and Lipids so I can get my appetite back. They said when I drink on my own and can hydrate myself, I can go home. So, I've got to get with the program and drink a little water make everybody happy and I get to go home. I wish it were that easy. Pray for the water guys, I'll drink it if you can help me keep it in my tummy that would be great.

Aunt Val has been taking care of Charlie. She says he is most defidently all BOY. He has been getting into everything. Aunt Val had to put child locks on all the cupboards in the kitchen. She also told me that Chi Chi can run in his walker. I don't belive her, he could hardly walk in it when I was home last. I guess I'll see for myself.

Mommy brought me a couple of tractors from Grandpa Russ. One was a Magnum and the other one mommy wasn't sure of the details so I'm gonna have to give grandpa Russ a call, he will know all about it.

Well, mommy has aunt Val on a tight schedule and she has a few more things to get done before I get to come home. Hurry Aunt Val, I'll be there before you know it.

Thanks for all your support, don't stop now, keep me going guys. I know we can, I know we can, I know we can.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 10:47 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm talking again. Yesterday I was so mad at my mom I screamed and yelled for an hour. Every morning when she walks in I ask her, "did you bring me a surprise" and she says yes. So yesterday I asked her and she handed me the surprise and I said, "No, I already have one of those". Then I figured it out, my mommy was using recycled prizes. I got mad really mad and I wouldn't play with them. Aunt Val called and asked what was going on, and mommy told her the story and aunt Val told mommy to tell me that she would send 10 presents tomorrow. Tomorrow is here and I got my prizes, I had a much better morning. My mommy got in trouble from Dr. Bunin. She told mommy that there was to much stuff in my room so mommy has been reorganizing and cleaning but I told her the tractors and trucks must STAY, they were non-negotiable.

I got a little mail today and I opened them with my very own John Deere letter opener. I got some more thumbs up pictures. Mommy also told me that I'm suppose to be getting some more tractors in the mail. I think my grandpa's are having tractor wars. Papa Porky is send a John Deere and grandpa Russ is sending a Case IH. I also hear a rumor that grandpa Russ is send his very special collector pedal tractor to me. This will be a very big box. Grandpa had two of them but somebody came and took one. Shame on them, now I can't ride it when I go to visit grandpa.

Dr. Maris came in for a visit and said he had been out of town. I missed him, I knew something was up, he always comes in to check on me. But, he disappeared again, Dr. Maris where are you?

Aunt Val cut back on Chi Chi's food but she made my mommy pasta and it was really good except aunt Val thought she was cooking for her family of 6 instead of her and mommy and Maria. I guess they have been having a lot of pasta leftovers. It's okay aunt Val I love pasta too.

I got a little fever last night and I started on an antibiotic. My mouth sores seem to be a little better because I'm talking now and I had a shower today. Daddy shared some platelets last night with me and I feel like superman today.

I guess Chi Chi is up and wants dinner so aunt Val said I have to cut this one short. Pray for the Cancer to be gone and the mouth sores to disappear.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, October 09, 2001 at 08:33 AM (CDT)

Hello--

I sure wish I felt better and was home with my brother Charlie. We miss each other a lot. Aunt Val got here on Sunday and I got to see her for a little bit. She made some bales of hay and some apples for me with the playdough. I was not a real happy camper that day. My mouth sores have been bothering me and I just don't want to move my mouth to talk.

Sunday night was a bit bumpy. You know I've been eating through my IV's and I have Hal and Lipids. Some how, there was a mix up and I got a little to much Lipids, no, I got a lot of Lipids. As a result my daddy was up all night with me and he changed my pants 17 times. Daddy wasn't a happy camper and neither was I. Then Monday morning my mommy arrived. Daddy filled her in and we got to the bottom of the mess. Somebody goofed. My mommy was hot, after she visited with my team and let them know what was up I gave them a piece of my own mind and I told them to "Leave me alone". They got the picture then mommy and I had a chat and she reminded me that they are all helping me and sometimes mommy has to stir things up so they don't forget just how important I am. Way to go mommy, and from here on out, I got your back.

Yes, those mouth sores are very sore. I have been very quiet because it hurts to talk. I have been trying very hard to stay with my mouth care treatment, it's one of those non-negotiable things so I continue to chew on those pink sponges. And do my rinses. I don't like it but I do it.

Daddy shared some more of those super duper platelets with me on Saturday. I used them all up so daddy has to roll up his sleeve and have some more on standby.

Aunt Sheri almost got into trouble. She was taking care of Charlie and she taught him some new things. Number one new trick, he can now say Daddy. Mommy wasn't really happy but daddy was extremly happy he did a little dance and said "yes, I am first again". The number two thing Chi Chi learned was SSSSOOOOO BIG. My mommy told aunt Sheri that he better be working on mommy too. And sure enough Aunt Sheri started practicing mommy and Chi Chi finally said it. Mommy was getting ready to come and see me and she gave Chi Chi one more hug and he grabbed her and said, "moma". Mommy was very happy.

Mommy is a little worried about Aunt Val taking care of Chi Chi. I guess Chi Chi was really hungry yesterday cause he ate a lot of baby food and cereal. Aunt Val said he just kept eating so she kept feeding him. I'm sure he'll be okay. He might grow a lot but he'll be okay.

Okay guys, I need some prayers so that that my transplant cells start attaching and make me strong again. I could also use all of your prayers to help with these mouth sores, this request is one of those non negotiable things, hope you don't mind. Talk to you soon.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, October 04, 2001 at 10:57 PM (CDT)

Howdy guys--

I'm felling really really icky!!!!!!! Your prayers are doing great for my bottom but my mouth is not very happy. Those mouth sores found me and my tummy continues to rumble. I've been borrowing my daddy's platlets and had to get a little red blood the other day. This darn mountain all of the sudden snuck in an ice patch and I fell right on my fanny. So, I'm sitting here waiting for all those angels to lift me over the ice. My barn door is open and if the angels miss that, Clifford the big red dog can grab them or they can certainly slide down the great big rainbow on my window. I'm sure they will find me now.

I got to see my peek a boo buddy Jim Fisher. Jim brought Fred Nungesser by for a visit so I had a chat on the walkie talkie's with them. They came to get my daddy for dinner, I don't think daddy missed his dinner at the hospital to much that night. And I got to cuddle a little extra with my mommy.

My aunt Sheri came to play. We had a blast, we played with play-dough, one of my most favorite things to squish around. We made bales of hay and a whole farm to go with them. Then we did two crafts that aunt Mimi sent. First we made angels and then we painted and decorated a birdhouse. Aunt Pepper sent me some spooky cards and a bag of prayer coins. We hung the prayer coins on my bed thanks aunt Pepper and uncle Craig and Sammy and you too Kayla.

I have a couple of special notes to a couple of buddies. First of all I heard my mommy talking to Do Do. I think she is going to try and come out around Christmas. YEAH!!! Next note is for Shannon. WHEN ARE YOU COMING FOR A VISIT. CHARLIE AND I MISS YOU MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

Aunt Sheri has been taking really good care of my mommy. She has been snuggling with Charlie a lot. Chi Chi is a lover. Mommy says he misses me and I miss him a whole great big huge bunch. Chi Chi has learned to smootch. He grabs onto mommy when she gets home at night and he smootches her chin and hugs her as tight as he can. We'll be home soon Chi Chi, I promise but I don't want any of those smootches. I'll take all the hugs you can give but not those mushy smootches.

My partner aunt Val has been rather busy, she is getting ready to come out and see me for 2 whole weeks. She apologizes for the untimely updates but she is trying hard and will try much harder to get her fanny in gear.

You know what to do. God bless.

I love you.
John Russell

Saturday, September 29, 2001 at 07:00 AM (CDT)

Good Morning All--

Things are going pretty well. Mommy wants everybody to say some extra prayers for my bottom. She thinks if we start early, before it starts to get sore we can stay ahead of the owies. So go team go.

My room looks great. Daddy has been drawing some most excellent tractor pictures. Mommy says he missed his calling. I don't know what that means but he is a great tractor drawer. Speaking of tractors, my grandpa called and said he was send a tractor in the mail. I am so excited. I told all my doctors and my nurses and anybody who would listen that my grandpa was coming and bringing a tractor. Mommy says grandpa is just sending the tractor, he can't come with it because he is farming. We'll see about that.

This is a very special note and I want everybody to take notice. My mommy addmitted to aunt Val that she was wrong about something. It wouldn't be that big of a deal but daddy was the one who was in the right. Mommy had some sucking up to do so aunt Val helped a little. For all you people out there that know my mommy and how right she always is, now, know the rest of the story. Sorry mommy, aunt Val said the opportunity was just to good to pass up and she send lots of love your way.

My grandma has been decorating our house and our yard and our forest. I can not wait to see it. Mommy says it is awesome. There are ghost and witches and pumpkins everywhere. She even has some scary mask hanging out around the yard. My grandma has to go home and check on grandpa. But my aunt Sheri is coming to help out next. So pray for safe travel to and from Philly.

My platelets have been good and my blood is really red. I guess now is the time that things start to go a little haywire. So don't forget about me and pray extra extra hard this week. I need my good soldier cells to hunt down and destroy those bad cells. Lets pray for happy hunting and we'll show them whose running this little body. The KING is in charge.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, September 25, 2001 at 08:24 AM (CDT)

Hello--

Well, I'm all checked in and I started my Chemo last night. I forgot just how much I hate this!!!!!!! You see, my anti-nausea medicine that I have been using since day one to help my tummy feel better is not available right now because of our terrorist attack. I guess they are having a production problem. So, we had to try a new medicine last night and it didn't work. My tummy was jumping all night long. My chemo is a little different this time. I have 4 of the medicines on a drip non-stop for the next 4 days. Then I have a couple of more they give me each day. My platelet count wasn't real good when we started but good enough to start. I think I'm going to borrow some from my daddy tomorrow.

On a brighter note, mommy and grandma made my room beautiful. I have John Deere tractor Christmas lights hanging and I have lighted pumpkin. Mommy is painting my window today. I get a barn and some halloween things and maybe a tractor or two along with a great big yellow sun. aunt Mimi came through again with a great big goodie box. I have a craft a day to do with mommy.

Okay guys you know what to do. Pray, pray, pray. I really need those prayer chains ratttled. This is going to be a tough battle, mommy says the toughtest one yet. I am going to need lots and lots and lots of prayers to help me fight. Mommy says I need prayers for patience, to be safe, and to calm down. I guess I've been bouncing off the walls and the bed and the floor and everything else that touches me. A special note to my daddy, I will try and be calmer tonight daddy, I know it was a bumpy night thanks a million trillion for being there with me. Remember, your my bestest buddy.

Rally those angels and send them east. Tell them to look for the barn door, I'll leave it open. I can do this guys but only with all of your support.

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, September 23, 2001 at 12:32 PM (CDT)

Hello--

Tomorrow will be here before we know it. Grandma is flying in today to come and help with Charlie and help my mommy. I know there is a lot of praying going on these days so keep it up team. My mommy sent a special poem to Aunt Val that a very special friend gave me. I wanted to share it with all of you.

"I Think I can...I Think I Can"
By-Aye Kay

We've all heard the story
of the little train
He worked so hard
And went through the pain.

His goal was to conquer
His goal was to win
But in true relief
We see another spin.

All he did
Was what he could
He found in himself
What no other would.

I say to you again
The truth is inside
Do I plan to win
Or do I run and hide?

Do I look for excuses
Do I prepare myself
Do I stick to the game plan
Or do I indulge in self?

The task is enormous
The victory is sweet
The pain is an issue
But bitter is defeat.

I tell you once more
The reason I play
This is for my team
The price I'm willing to pay.

Just like the small train
The result will be good
When I feel deep inside
That I've done all I could.

You have to look inside
To be the one
That everyone
Depends on.

Don't wait for another
To take the brunt
Cause people that win
Are always in front.

So to finish this off
The little train could find
What we all know exist
Very deep in our mind.

The store is done
The moral sharp as a pin
What we need to do
Is go out there and WIN!


God Bless all of you. We'll be chating again soon. Gotta let you know how that first day goes. Hugs, kisses, peace, love and prayers to all of you.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, September 18, 2001 at 08:30 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

A lot has been happening since we last talked. Mommy told me about the terrorist and it made me very sad. I'm not sure what that word means but I think they must be really, really, bad guys, kind of like the bugs I have in my body. While Dr. Maris is hunting for my bugs, the soldiers will find the bad guys and bring them to justice. Godspeed to all, your in our hearts and prayers.

Grandpa and Grandma had to go home a couple of weeks ago and it's a good thing they did. I guess they had a big storm at their house. It was something called a tornado. Don't panic, the tractor's and the combine are fine, grandpa told me so himself. The tornado gobbled up a lot of trees and it ate a roof off of grandpa's Morton and one of the ben's lost his top. Grandpa had a clean up party and is trying to get the farm back in shape.

Mommy and Daddy took me to the Case IH dealer on Sunday. I got to ride on the Kabota, the combine, and the tractors. I was kind of bummed because the Case IH store wasn't open but daddy and I had lots of fun driving, sure wish we had a key and could have driven around the lot.

Mommy and Daddy met with Dr. Maris and the three of them decided that we need to do another Stemcell Transplant. Dr. Maris says we need to make sure we get every last one of these bad bugs and we wipe them out, once and for all. So we are going in again on September 24th. Mommy already has my support staff all lined up. First Grandma (Bushwoman) is coming to stay with us. Then my Aunt Sheri is coming for a week. And last but not least, is aunt Val. I sure hope the doctors and nurses are ready for her. Aunt Val is, well, don't get me wrong I like her lots and lots and lots, but, she, is a rule breaker. Make no if's and's or but's about it. She is a lot like my grandpa. Nevertheless, I know we're gonna have a blast. 10-4 big buddy, roger that, over and out.

Mommy says if you have any more thumbs up pictures to keep them coming. I have a big photo album of them and I show everybody who all my friends are. I even have some celebrities thumbs up from my peek-a-boo buddy Jim Fisher. Go Jim Go.

I have to go to Clinic on Tuesdays and Friday's. I had to get a little red blood the other day and I didn't react, the blood liked me and I liked it.

I have been giving my playset a real workout. I found out that my monster trucks can race down my slide and do flips and keep right on going just like the do on TV. If I could get Chi Chi to sit still, I would do some jumps and flips over him. Charlie can now crawl forward and backward and he can sit up all by himself. Charlie is a big boy. He is going to take care of me, kind of like a body guard. He will follow me everywhere I go. He loves me so much. Sometimes I think he is trying to eat me but I think its his way of giving me kisses, I just wish they weren't so wet. I love you to Chi Chi.

Mommy and Daddy are always trying to get me to go on walks. I don't like walks. However, I love rides in the strider. It's kind of like a stoller but it only has 3 wheels and it can go fast. Daddy pushes it and then lets go and races me down the hill. Mommy does NOT like this game but daddy and I love it. I look back at daddy and I say, "Daddy I want to RACE"! Mommy says, "NO" and daddy takes off running and lets me go and the race is on, I always manage to win by a wheel or two. It's okay mommy, it's boy stuff, its what we do.

My next update will be on the 24th when I check into the hospital for stemcell transplant. Check in on me then and remember to pray for our country and our leaders because we all know the power of prayer. Peace out.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, September 06, 2001 at 08:23 AM (CDT)

I'm Back--

I've been a very busy boy. I have been showing Maria around and getting her use to the place. She is my new nanny. I call her Maweea. I keep trying to tell her that I am the real boss but for some reason, she still thinks my mommy is in charge. I've been testing the water a little and mommy keeps sticking up for Maria, I think I am going to have to give in and follow the directions. I am sorry I tried to lock you in the cave Maria, I promise to not do it again.

I broke a couple more platelets the other day and borrowed a few more from the BIG GUY, my best buddy, daddy. Mommy was chasing me telling me to stop running I might fall and get hurt. Why do mommies and daddies say that, everytime they say that, us kids always fall and get hurt. And thats exactly what happened I wiped out on the sidewalk and skinned my knees up. Mommy was a little worried and Dr. Maris told my mommy that is was wonderful, he was proud of me and that it was a good thing that I had enough energy to run around and fall down and skin my knees up. He told her that is what 2 year olds are suppose to do. He made mommy feel better but I bet I still don't get to run on the drive way anymore.

I really like being home. I have so many things to do. I have to give mommy and daddy daily and nightly rides on my John Deere lawn mower. I'm waiting at the door for my daddy when he gets home. Sometimes I let him change his clothes and sometimes he has to drive around in his tie.

I have a very big meeting on Sunday. The "Make a Wish" people are coming to visit me. I have been telling mommy that I want a Case IH tractor, not a little toy one, I want the realy thing. But mommy told me NO WAY! we didn't have room for it. So I have downsized a bit and am in the hunt for a 4 wheel drive, hydrolic lift box, Gator. It's kind of like a real fancy mountain climbing, rock hauling, golf cart. It is beautiful.

I got to go to the "construction site" with mommy again after clinic. We stayed for a couple of hours. I have to kind of stay away from extra germs for a while. So mommy is finding all sorts of things we can do. I have to wear one of those mask when I go out now. Mommy says it is non-negotiable, I hate that word. Mommy says I don't have to wear it very often because we are staying home with our own germs and that my visitors have to wear a mask when they come. I am cool with that.

It was a sad day on Saturday. My bestest buddies had to go home. Grandma a.k.a. Bushwoman and gampa a.k.a. bushman had to go home. Gampa says the corn was calling him and of course, grandma, she is the farming foreman, had to take him home. She said he had a lot of work to do. I miss you two and thanks for working so hard in my backyard. Aunt Val says a Tee-Pee would look really cool back there. I can see the pond now and maybe, one of these days my mommy will let me climb down that HILL. I asked Aunt Val on the phone If I could push her down the hill with a rope tied around her foot and then pull her back up with my loader tractor. She giggled and said, "if thats what you really want to do, then we'll do it."

My mommy says thanks to everybody for all the cards and notes and making her 30th birthday so special. She also wanted me to remind everybody what a special daddy I have. Thanks for working so hard and taking such great care of us daddy. You DA MAN DADDY. We love you bunches and bunches and bunches.

Okay I have a special request. My friend Kristie Leigh is going through her second stem cell transplant right now and I want everybody to say lots of extra prayers for her. My mommy talked to her mommy, Kim, and she said Kristie is doing great. Go get em Kristie, show them who the boss is. We are thinking of you often and I've got my friends helping you too.

Now I know you have all been praying for my bottom, so I have a bottom update for you. My mommy, and I quote, said, "I have the best looking bottom in town, and it is in great shape." I hope that is the end of my bottom stories. I never did get those mouth sores I was supppose to most defidently get. Thanks for you help guys.

I am still climbing that mountain. I have a ways to go, but the sun is shining. Everytime I break out of the hospital and we come driving up out of the parking ramp I look at my mommy and daddy and say, "the sun is shining". So mommy has started collecting these really cool prism things to hang in my window for my next stem cell transplant. They make some really pretty rainbows on the walls. and if any of you still have some thumbs up pictures send them onto CHOPS, they know where I live and they promised to send my mail on to me.

Take Care and God Bless all of you.

I love you.
John Russell

Saturday, August 25, 2001 at 04:59 PM (CDT)

Hello Guys--

Yes, I busted out. One day earlier than I was suppose to. I got to go home at 7:00 Thursday night. Yippie. Mommy postponed her birthday party until I got home. My daddy had a few tricks up his sleeve. Remember the story about Shannon giving the Sunshine CD to Clint? It was a big big lie. Shannon sent it to a lady and had a video made. Shannon felt really bad for having to lie to mommy and grandpa didn't help matters any, he knew what was going on and he told mommy it was Shannon fault. Then, grandpa tried to get her into more trouble when he told mommy Shannon gave it to Clint and aunt Val had to write about it so mommy wouldn't know what was going on. Anyway, my daddy had a video made of mommy and all her boys and her sisters and her special friends and it had special music in it, even the sunshine song. Mommy cried a lot and daddy smiled a lot and gave mommy lots and lots and lots of hugs. The biggest surprise and this is a big one mommy got on Friday. Mommy and I took a long nap and we had just woke up when mommy heard the door open so we came down to see who it was. Daddy had come home early. Mommy was happy and we decided to head downstairs and play in the playroom. Are you ready for this. Daddy carried me down and I walked around the corner and my mouth feel open, I couldn't shut it. Then my mommy came around the corner and her mouth feel open and she started crying like a baby again. My daddy had a very special surprise in the basement. Do you guys want to know what it was? or have you already guessed. My daddy is pretty sneaky. He had a very, very, busy day. Aunt Val, Aunt Mimi, Aunt Pepper, Uncle Craig and my brand new little niece Kayla were all standing there. My mommy was frozen she couldn't move but she sure could cry. But it was okay, it was a happy cry. I thought for sure my grandpa would let the cat out of the bag but he was a good boy all day, he didn't let that secret slip out. So we have been very busy for the last couple of days. And don't be hard on Aunt Val, she has been busy chasing me. I had a lot of things to show her. I made some cookies with aunt Mimi and Aunt Pepper. Aunt Val has been locked in mommy's office for a couple of hours and daddy and uncle Craig went golfing. Grandma has been running errands. We are having another party for mommy tonight, we are having a cake. It's not Thomas but it looks pretty good. I hope they let me eat all the frosting. Mommy said this is the best birthday she has ever had.

I'm feeling pretty good and have been playing outside. I also have a new nanny, her name is Marie. Everybody loves her, even Chi Chi. Mommy says she is a gift from heaven. My bottom is much better and no mouth sores. I still have to take some medicine's but it is great to be home with all my toys and my mommy and daddy. The first thing I did was give Chi Chi a hug and told him I missed him.

I might have some new pictures on if you want to check. Sometimes the pictures are a little stubborn and don't like to come up. But daddy made aunt Val put some new ones on so check me out. aunt Val says we have to cut this update short. Everybody is yelling at her to get out of the office, it is visiting time. So I better let you go. Thanks for all that you do.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, August 20, 2001 at 08:26 AM (CDT)

Good Morning Everybody--

I feel very perky today. I just got off the phone with aunt Val. I sang "Baa Baa Black Sheep", "Sunshine on My Shoulders", and mine and daddy's favorite, "Little Boy Blue". I told her my most favorite thing was a Kabota lawnmower with a loader so I can dig dirt and move rocks and sticks and logs. I even told aunt Val a story and here goes:

"Once upon a time there was a little boy and a daddy. The daddy was running fast the little boy was walking. They went tractor driving and digging with the loader. Daddy lifted it up and dumped it into a white dump truck."

That was my story and aunt Val was really impressed. She asked if she could have a ride in the loader of my tractor, I laughed and told her she was so silly. I remember when Grandpa and I gave her a ride in the loader and the loader ate her, she was trapped and grandpa was laughing. I was kind of worried about her and then she jumped out and scared me right out of my undies. She had turned into a monster and said she was going to eat grandpa. So grandpa took her to the roof of the garage and she jumped out of the loader and ran around on top of the garage. Grandpa finally let her down once she wasn't a monster anymore. I don't think I should let her ride in my loader, maybe in the wagon with Chi Chi or maybe just by herself. We'll see.

Grandma and Chi Chi came for a visit yesterday. Chi Chi was pretty good, I was happy to see him as long as he stayed away from all of my goodies. Grandma made up a game it was the "mower game" We all took turns mowing my room it was a lot of fun. Grandma was mowing up a storm and got a little bit out of control she was getting out of her area so I had to tell her, "No, your in my area grandma." "She said oh my gosh your right, I am sorry" I think grandma is still a better mower than my grandpa. He was blowing the grass the wrong way most of the time. I tried to tell him I had flowers planted right where he was mowing. Grandma said he always does that to her too.

Mommy and daddy took another long walk downtown for dinner with Chi Chi. I had to stay in my room but grandma and grandpa entertained me. Mommy sure was tired when she got back. Mommy wore high heels and they gave her bad blisters. Daddy had to take his walking pace down a bit but he said that he couldn't carry her. Come on daddy, your a big strong guy. I know because I borrowed some more platelets and Oh baby, I am feeling fine. I jumped all the way up to a 90 which is right where my daddy's golf game is going to be if he doesn't get out of this little bed SOON!! Mommy says she feels bad for daddy having to sleep here on the cot, her back is still hurting and she only had to sleep in it one night.

My buddy Shannon had to go home to Minnesota but says she will be back in 3 weeks to see all of her guys. I miss her already. I think she misses watching the Kabota man with me, that was one of her favorite things to do. Oh and Shannon, grandpa busted you about the CD, my mommy knows that you gave it to Clint to borrow, that grandpa had to tell her, he just couldn't let you off the hook. Aunt Val will take him into camp next time she see's him. I hope grandpa can run fast, he might have a chance if he can get into the cornfield before she finds him.

I got a new tape from Do Do. She is still in that little black box. She also sent me some T-Shirts, one says "No naps for this DOZER" and it has a bull dozer on it. I really liked it. Thanks Do Do, I miss you.

I also had my breakfast with Aunt Val today. Grandpa found a way to get me to eat. He put a great big spoonful of Rice Crispies in his mouth and then he opened it, this was kind of gross and I always get in troube for it, but his mouth came alive it went, snap, crackle, and pop. It was so cool that I had to try it and it worked. I didn't even get in trouble from mommy for chewing with my mouth wide open because mommy was doing it too. I like snap, crackle and pop and aunt Val could hear them right over the phone.

Last but not least, my bottom is getting BETTER!!!!! Yeah! and NO mouth sores YEAH!!! Well mommy and I are building bridges and tunnels for my tractors today. I'm feeling pretty good and my tractors are ready for a work out.

My mommy has a birthday tomorrow but she is going to wait and have her party when I get home. I wonder if Aunt Mimi could fed-ex me a Thomas the Train birthday cake for mommy. She would really love it and I promise I would share it with her. Please aunt Mimi send my mommy and me a cake.

Thanks for all that you guys are doing, love you, love you, love you.

Bye Bye
John Russell

Thursday, August 16, 2001 at 09:25 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Those angels are finding me, my doctors say that I am doing way above average through this whole process. Was there any doubt with all of the support I have, no way. You guys are wonderful. If I could just get my bottom feeling a little better I would be much, much, happier. My doctors have hooked me up with this little button and when my bottom gets so sore I want to scream I hit the button and BAM the pain goes away, I feel a little goofy and I take a long nap but, no more owies for awhile. Sometimes when I'm getting grumpy, mommy and grandpa ask me if I want to push the button. I say, "I don't want that button, NO". I try and tough it out, I don't want to miss anything that is going on, especially one of mommy and grandpa's great debates. By the way mommy is up about a million to one. Grandpa, you better shape up, the pen is mighter than the sword. I'm not sure what that means but aunt Val said grandpa would know and then she laughed a lot.

Remember how my daddy let me borrow those great platelets? well, they were good as gold, they did such a great job for me that the doctors decided to share them with a few other kids. My daddy, the HERO, was able to share with 3 more kids. I must step aside for the day and let daddy be the KING of Platlets. Way to go daddy, you the man!!!!

Grandma is up to her old tricks again. I think she is setting traps out back in the woods to catch the lawn mower man. Yes, she has fallen right back into the role of BUSH WOMAN. Your not going to believe this one, she was swinging from the vines of a tree like Tarzan and if I know my grandma she was probably making a war cry as she did it. I wonder if she has made daddy, grandpa and Chi Chi a loin cloth yet?

Daddy is ready to go home and sleep in his own bed. He hasn't been home since my first day here. Mommy comes every morning and she dresses me and daddy. Daddy has been on his best behavior because mommy picks out his clothes, he has no choice, she dresses him from head to toe. Aunt Val told mommy to pick him up a really cool hot pink polyester suit, aunt Val says she knows wehre to get one real cheap. Sorry daddy but I think you would look really pretty in a hot pink suit.

I've been passing the time licking dumb dumb suckers, I'm trying to find one that taste great. I've been through about 5 bags and I am still licking. My "pit crew" which is what Dr. Maris calls my grandpa and my mommy, can strip my bed, give me a bath, dress me and tuck me in faster than fast.

My daddy brought me something very very special today. Remember that Case IH implement dealer I go and visit? Of course you do, well, they sent 3 posters to my daddy one is a Case IH poster and the other two are of Kabotas. So I have them hanging in my room I will be having some sweet sweet dreams tonight. Thanks guys, just what I needed. Don't worry I didn't cover up any of your thumbs up pictures, keep em coming I love getting that mail.

Aunt Val had another goof up. I know it's hard to belive but it has happened. My tractor bank I was telling you about came from my friends the Reab's. You remember her, she is the one that aunt Val chased around the park on the 4th of July. She is in trouble again because she was on vacation right by aunt Val's house and she didn't call. Shame on you Ms. Shelly. Your back on the list again and well, I just want to wish you some luck. Thanks for the bank, it's pretty cool and it gets a little fuller everyday.

Send me a prayer, a kiss, and a hug. Cause thats what I'm sending to all of you.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, August 14, 2001 at 05:21 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

The barn door is open, I am receiving angels but would like just a few million more. I told you about daddy sharing his platelets with me and boy did he have some good platelets. My count was down to 18 not good, to low. But my daddy, shared his with me and my count shot up to an 73, not a great day on the golf course but a great day of platelets. I knew he was a big guy thanks daddy.

Grandpa just got off the phone with aunt Val, she is in trouble. She tried to tell grandpa that she had done an update but it just took longer to get to the east coast than everywhere else. He didn't buy it, not too much grass grows under grandpas feet. He told her he knew how this internet thing worked and to get the update in now. So here she is with my story for the day.

I had to have some red blood today. This was not much fun. I had another reaction to it but my mommy knew right away that the blood didn't like my blood and she got the nurses rolling just as fast as she could. I had to take some kind of steroid medicine but I'm okay now, its just one of those things that can sometimes happens.

Well the big debate of combine versus harvester has been settled. Grandpa of course set my mommy straight. There is, according to my grandpa, a big, huge, gigantic, difference between a Case International Combine and a Havester and here goes. The Big Red Case International is called a combine because it can handle the larger grains such as corn and beans because It has bigger roders. And of course, the greene John Deere calls itself a harvestor because harvestors are more fitted for the smaller grains like oats and wheats. Aunt Val says she is probably headed for farmer jail and she wants everyone to know that these are the interpretations of one particular farmer who has a lot of RED tractors. Now was that politically correct or what.

My mommy and daddy got away for lunch while grandpa played with me and grandma was home with Chi Chi. They walked 22 blocks downtown and had lunch that means that my mommy had to walk 44 blocks because my daddy has the farmer walk down. I wonder if daddy had to give mommy a piggy back ride? Grandpa and I played with a precision Alice Chalmers tractor when mommy was gone and we also put together a race track on my bed and raced cars it was a pretty fun day. Grandma brought me some really cool toys. See if you can guess what they are. Over and out big buddy, 10-4, negatatory. Thats right, I got some really cool walkie talkies and now when I have visitors at the door and they can't come in cause I'm in isolation we can talk back and forth.

I got a special package from a farmer friend in Reinbeck. Reed Dinsdale sent me a John Deere bank and a note that told me to have grandpa fill it up. Reed loves tractors as much as I do, he even refinished one all by himself, thanks Reed, It is really cool. Grandpa has already started fillin it up.

I'm trying to stay ahead of those mouth sores. Daddy lines up 4 glasses in a row. First glass water, second glass tooth paste, third glass mouthwash, and 4th glass water. I'm a pro I dip this little pink sponge thing in each glass and I swab out my mouth lots and lots all day long. They won't like my nice clean fresh smelling mouth.

Aunt Pepper sent me a candy bouquet. I gave a piece to Dr. Maris and one to my nurse and I, kept the rest to myself. I didn't eat them all but I licked some of them and and touched all of them. Mommy told me they were for all the nurses and doctors. No they weren't I saw my own name on the card, they were for me. Thanks aunt Pepper mommy is in trouble now, I know what candy taste like and I liked it a lot.

Grandpa and mommy have been picking up and moving stuff all day long. Grandpa is trying to organize things better. He likes things right beside him when I want them. Mommy had things placed in areas and grouped quite well together. It was an interesting day. When mommy wasn't looking at grandpa he stuck his tongue out at her and when grandpa wasn't looking at mommy she rolled her eyes. They were very, very, funny and they both decided that they were at least 50% right most of the day. Not exactly but Its my story and I'm sticking to it.

As you can tell, I'm in pretty good spirits and things are going to start turning around and my body is going to start jumping and jiving and I'm going to hit the road for home soon. I know I can I know I can I know I can. With all of your prayers and wonderful thoughts

I love you.
John Russell

Friday, August 10, 2001 at 10:41 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Well, my chemo is all done. I did a pretty good job. The nurses thought I was a great kid. I loved taking those showers. My physical therapist Alison came by to play kickball with me. Daddy brought me this really neat ball from the Wells Fargo picnic, I hope mommy lets me kick it around the house when we get home. Probably not but it's okay, I have a pretty big backyard.

I've got a couple of stories on my mommy for you. Daddy and I called her one night to see what was going on and she asked me if I wanted her to bring me anything tomorrow. I told her, "I want a harvester combine" She said okay I'll bring it. I was so excited I couldn't wait for her to get there the next day. She arrived and came walking in proud as a peacock and she said, "I have a surprise for you" I said, "a harvester combine" mommy said, "yep" and she opened up the bag. I said, "NO, not the Case IH combine, I wanted the harvestor combine, it is GREEN". I know its green because I saw it on a video. The green one is called a "havester" combine. The other one is called Case IH combine. Big, huge difference. My mommy keeps trying to tell me they are the same thing but that's not what the video told me. I am going to clear this up with my grandpa when he gets here this weekend. He will set my mommy straight.

I had my counts checked and I was a little low on the red stuff so they had to top my tanks off with a little red blood. My daddy went to clinic and got his platlets checked and he has the same ones as I do only his must be stronger than mine because mine are still breaking but daddies don't even have a chip so he is going to share some of his big strong ones with me.

Dr. Maris came in for a visit and he asked for the "brown whisker mask" thats his very own special mask when he is in my room. Dr. Melanie came in to play for a little while and I have had lots of nurses stop by and wave to me from the window. Nurse Ginny who daddy calls the drill sergeant busted my mommy. Mommy learned that there is to be no eating in my room, it is one of those non negotiable things. I can eat but not mommy and daddy, they have to leave the room. I have been eating some new kinds of food's not much taste to them since they go right into my central line but they are called HAL and LIPIDS and are keeping me strong so I can fight, fight, fight.

Now for those angels. Send them please. It was a little bumpy yesterday and I wasn't a happy camper this morning either. I have some burns from all the medicines on my tummy and my back and it itches like crazy. My bottom is about the same, still sore and still red. Mommy and Shannon painted a big barn on my window and I am going to leave the barn door open tonight so the angels can find their way to me. You send them, I'll be watching and waiting.

Keep those "thumbs ups" coming, it is really neat to see how many special friends I have out there. So everybody put your hands across your chest and give yourself a great big squeeze from me to you.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, August 06, 2001 at 04:19 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I have had 18 shower in the last 4 days. I LOVE showers, I had no idea how much I missed them. I haven't had a shower since March and boy did it feel good to finally have one.

I've been doing pretty good but today was a little tough. I'm still fighting like crazy and I only have 3 more days of chemo left. Then it will be time for my transplant boost. My mommy says my counts are dropping but it's okay, that's what is suppose to happen. I ate a little Mac and Cheese yesterday and today I had a couple of Jui Jui fruit chews. I had my mommy all to myself today, Chi Chi had to stay home with Shannon and Grandma Patty.

Remember my buddy James who cleaned my room on 3E? He comes to see me everyday. I also get visits from Jackie, she is the front desk girl she comes and checks on me about 5 times a day. She must really really like me. and then my buddy Shannon and her buddy Clint came for a visit on Saturday.

I've been checking the mail for my thumb's up pictures. Where are they? I still need them. I did get some but I know there are more of you out there. I've been passing the time with my mini tractors. I also have my big one from the Wells Fargo guys, mommy lets me take it out once a day and I talk to it and I get to play just a little bit with it. It is so pretty, then we put it back in the box.

My aunt Mimi is so silly she sent me a craft for everyday I am here. As you all know, my mommy is not a realy crafty person. But boy does she have fun helping me. Day one we painted a wooden tractor red and black. Grandpa would love it. Today we made a visor. It had a tractor made of glitter and me and grandpa were driving it. There was a blue sky, the sun was shining and there was lots and lots of corn behind the tractor. My aunt Mimi also made some really cool masks for all my visitors, the doctors and the nurses. She glued a fuzzy nose and pipecleaner whiskers on them. They look like kitty cats. Dr. Maris loves his and the nurses think they are really, really, cool. Way to go aunt Mimi, they were a big, big, hit.

Now is when the icky stuff starts happening. I heard something about mouth sores and I didn't like what I heard. So everybody pray, pray, pray for no mouth sores. I also need some extra prayers to help keep my bottom dry, if you know what I mean. If you could make mention of those two things I would certainly appreciate it.

I Love You.
John Russell

Saturday, August 04, 2001 at 11:12 AM (CDT)

Hi Guys--

I know its been awhile since i've talked to you. Sorry Sorry Sorry. You see, aunt Val has become a sister helper, she had to help aunt Pepper and Sammy go to the Junior Olympics. A whole week at Virginia Beach, it sure must have been tough. Way to go Sammy Jo, she came home with 2 medals from tramp and tumblining. I hope that explains why I've been quiet.

Now aunt Val as a retraction to make it was a big big OOOOPPPPSSSS. My buddy Tyler and his mommy, Carol have no idea who this Tom guy is that I said was his daddy. Tyler's daddy is Mark and aunt Val is so so sorry. I think Tom must have been the lawnmower man that grandma was playing cowboy's and indians with.

I have been having an incredible week of fun fun fun. I've been playing like crazy. You know I got this really cool Case IH pedal tractor from my grandpa Russ, I can finally reach the pedals on it all by myself. We took a drive to the country and on the way we went by the Case IH dealer I got so excited my daddy had to stop. I rode the combines again and a couple of tractors. Then my daddy decided to test drive a tractor with its very own loader. Oh my gosh, I got to help him. We were smiling from ear to ear then it was time to go. We got off the tractor and my mommy said, "NO". Daddy and I were not very happy with our head hung low we headed for the toy store. When I got in there I saw my Case IH pedal tractor BUT....it had a loader on it, one that really worked, you could raise it up and dump it and scoop up as much dirt as you wanted. Dad and I had mommy right where we wanted her. You see, she had just vetoed the tractor loader we test drove. She asked the Case IH man if it you could buy the loader seperate, he said "yes" and she asked, "do you have one here?" he said "yes" then mommy said, "we'll take it". Oh yah, way to go mommy. So I have been very very busy digging dirt with my Case IH loader. Now, I'm just like my new buddy Clint, he is the "Kabota Man". When I get home maybe we can race each other with our tractors.

Shannon and I have been working on our smart skills. I can sing all of my ABC's, I can count to 10 in english and 5 in spanish and I can say Meahmo, John Russell, that means my name is John Russell. My crew working in the yard taught me that, thanks guys. And I've love to sing, I 've been singing, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle , Twinkle, Rock a Bye, Sunshine on my Shoulders, and last but not least Baa Baa Black Sheep.

Now for the Medical stuff. I checked into CHOPS on Thursday. All of my doctors said I look good, my counts are good and I'm ready to roll. I started my Chemo on Friday and I have it for 7 days then I get a day off and then they are going to give me those stem cells that they have been freezing. Not all of them only about 10 million or so. The shortest my stay will be is 21 days. If all goes well, I get to come home the day after my mommy's birthday.

I have gotten some thumb's up pictures. My peek-a boo- buddy Jim Fisher had delived a whole envelope full of pictures to my daddy. There were a whole bunch of thumbs up just for me. John Vines also sent some pictures to my house with those thumbs in the air and then The Reab family from Iowa sent some right to my house with a bunch of goodies. Keep em coming guys I love them.

Well that's where were at and aunt Val is home again and will have a new update tomorrow. One more thing. Shannon is thinking about heading back to school soon so I want you guys to pray that Shannon will move out here and go to school here so she doesn't have to leave and I'm only asking because good things happen when all of you pray.

Take care and I'll be seeing each of you everyday for the next 21 days.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, July 25, 2001 at 12:18 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Missed you guys--I've been feeling really strong the last couple of days and have been very, very, busy playing. My mommy and daddy have a whole bunch of workers here at my house. We have landscapers and we have some cool guys here putting in a sprinkler system. They have an awesome machine it's a trencher. I love watching them. Mommy says I'm beginning to act a lot like my aunt Val does in the mornings. I don't think that is a good thing. Aunt Val always says she has horns in the morning and to stay away for about 15 minutes. I don't think I've grown any horns but I can be kind of grumpy. Its a good thing having my own crew in the backyard, when I wake up mommy says, "the guys are here" and I say, "Where" mommy says, "right out side your room." I say, "mommy come to my room right now" and then we look out the window and I see Clint. He runs the machine and I wave and yell, "Hi Clint". He waves back.

I had my kitty scan, it went much, much, better. They were ready for us this time. When we arrived the technician came out and said, "okay if you can do this like a big boy (that means no sedation) then you can have a sucker. I looked at her and said, "I want red" and laid down on the table she strapped me in and into the big circle I went. I watched a littl bit of Thomas with daddy and then I caught some Zee's. It was a very, very, good day. Mommy was so happy she was smiling all day long and talking 100 miles an hour. Now I get to go to the rock quarry and see the huge, gigantic earth moving trucks. I can't wait.

My buddy Tyler who lives next door brought me something very special. He brought over a Tonka crane that I can sit on and move the earth. I put it in my sadbox and I love it. Then, he brought me over a big dump truck. He's older then I am and one of these days we are going to hold hands and run through the backyard together. Mommy and I made Carol and Bob, that's Tylers mommy and daddy, and Tyler a stepping stone for there garden. It was a lot of fun.

Okay guys I have a special friend who left me a message and I wanted to share it with you so here goes. first you need to visit this web site. www.brettbodine.com and check out his thumb's up pictures. He is a Nascar driver and my friends at Wells Fargo Financial are sponsor's for Mr. Bodine and he was kind enough to put a thumbs up picture just for me on his web site, I don't know how long it will be there so take a peek. In fact there are a whole bunch of thumb's up on his web site. So check it out guys. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I got to see my friend Kirstie's mommy. Kirstie is a little girl that is the same age as me and she has the same kind of bug as me. She just went through her transplant and she is doing very well. Her mommy said she might get to go home real soon. I sure hope so. Godspeed to you Kirstie, show those bugs who's boss.

I love you.
John Russell.

Sunday, July 22, 2001 at 11:01 AM (CDT)

Hello Guys--

Things are going pretty good out here. I'm sure you all want to know who the kitty cat scan went. Well, my daddy and I decided that it was not a good day for a test and well, we both decided to exercise our lungs a bit. My nurse would have been very proud of me and my daddy. Daddy won the contest, he sure can get loud, even louder than my mommy. After we blew out of the testing area me and my daddy took a car ride, he needed some special hugs from me and I need some from him, it was a great car ride, thanks daddy and thanks for putting off the test for a while.

My buddy Shannon and I were on the computer and she found a CASE IH web site. They had a video that we down loaded and we watched it all night long. I think Shannon was a little sad when it was bed time. She would have watched it all night if mommy had let us. Shannon also found a CASE IH Implement dealer. This is a very, very, big deal. You see, I can't play with very many kids, as a matter of fact mommy, daddy, Chi Chi, and Shannon are the only kids I get to play with right now. They have the same germs as I do so its okay if we trade our germs. But this means that I don't get to go to the park. This is a bummer, except for the fact that Shannon and mommy always let me have my way, I am the king. Anyway, we planned a trip to the implement dealer for the next day. I woke up and met mommy in the hallway and said, "lets go downstairs right now mommy" I was almost jumping out of my skin, we had a mission for the day and had to get a move on. I was so excited about our play trip, the car seemed like it was hardly moving when finally, I saw it, it was a field of RED. Big Beautiful Red Tractors and combines everywhere. We were there, we had arrived. Oh Boy! it was beautiful. Mommy was armed with her video camera and Shannon had baby Charlie strapped on and away we went. Mommy climbed those combines like a pro with me and she let me drive every single one of them. I kicked those tires and I patted those tractors, I was in love, my grandpa would have been so proud of me. I kicked and patted just like he showed me. Then, the big guy, he was the owner of the implement, he came out to see what was going on. My mommy had a nice visit with him and told him my grandpa was a farmer and he had lots and lots of red tractors and that I missed those tractors and my grandpa too and that this was the closest thing to grandpa's farm that we could find. Mr. Implement man told me I could stay as long as I wanted and I could come back anytime I wanted. We stayed for 3 hours. I just kept walking around my eyes were huge and I looked at mommy and said, "OOOOHHHHHH, BIG One Mommy." I will be back, I have got to show this place to my daddy, he will love it. Oh yeah, they had a gift shop too and well, mommy found a couple of things that I liked a whole, whole, bunch. Great big GIANT hug and KISS for you MOMMY!!!!

I have also come up with a new name for Chi Chi. He doesn't exactly crawl or walk but boy can he get from room to room. He is rather round and he rolls and rolls and rolls. I was having a talk with my mommy and I told her, "Chi Chi is porky". Mommy said, "thats not very nice, what if people said John Russell was a porker?" I answered, "John Russell porky, Mommy Porky, Daddy Porky too." Mommy laughed and she said daddy was more porky than mommy. Had to be quick on my toes there, I almost got in trouble for calling names. But papa Porky would have been proud of me. I heard a little bird say that papa Porky and gamma Patty were coming for a visit. I have a lot of stuff to show them, I can't wait to see them again. I bet papa Porky will agree with me about Chi Chi too.

Have you guys been taking those pictures with the thumbs up. I sure hope so. I can't wait to meet some of you and show you all off to my staff of nurses and doctors up here on 3E. Snap and Flash, i'll be seeing you soon.

I Love you.
John Russell

P.S. My make-up kitty scan it tomorrow. Let you know on Monday or Tuesday how things go. You can get CHOPS address at the bottom of my web page or by sending an e-mail to aunt Val, and you can do that at the bottom of my page also. Bye Bye.

Monday, July 16, 2001 at 03:24 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Me again, I went to clinic on Friday and my counts were a little low but no transfusions. They gave me a couple more days to see if my counts would have a little rally and come around on their own. Sure enough at clinic today my counts were better, they are still climbing and I feel pretty good. No extra juice for me, I'm running on my own.

It was kind of a quiet weekend. Shannon went home to Minnesota to see her family. So it was Mommy, Daddy, Chi Chi and me. Mommy said we were solo for the weekend. My neighbors Gentry and Cole moved away and we have some new neigbors, they have a girl and a boy. Grandpa will have to make the rounds when he comes back to visit.

I thought my daddy had lost his marbles, I looked out the window and he was on the Big Green Machine and he had his wagon hooked up and you are never going to guess what was in his wagon. He had Cole and Gentry's swing set in the wagon. Mommy and I and Chi Chi had to go and help. Mommy drove the big Green Machine with Chi Chi on one leg and me on the other. Daddy had to walk beside the wagon and hold on tight to my swing set. It is so cool. It has a big fort and a slide and a couple of swings. Man o Man am I gonna have some fun.

I forgot to tell you about "my guys" working in the back yard. I have my very own crew here working on the landscaping. They brought in this big thing that eats the dirt and then spits it out. I think it says KUBOTA on the side of it, mommy called it a backhoe thingy. It doesn't matter, it is super neat, I hope my daddy keeps it when they leave. They are going to put some special pea gravel down under my new swingset so my big dump trucks are going to be getting a work out now.

Mommy and I played games while Shannon was gone. I had a lot of fun, I looked at mommy and said, "mommy your my friend", "Daddy too". Mommy said I know I'm your friend who else are your friends? Here is who made the list: Genty, Cole, Tyler, Mommy, daddy, Shannon, Doo Doo, Aunt Val, Aunt Mimi, Aunt Popper, grandma and grandpa. This list changes every once in a while but for today this was the list. I usually share a new Chi Chi trick with you but today, I have one of my very own for you. I can ride my big John Deere pedal tractor all by myself. I ride to one end of the deck then I do a back-up farmers turn, just like grandpa showed me and I pedal to the other end of the deck. I am a big boy but aunt Mimi can still push me around when she comes to visit, I can't pedal that fast yet.

I have to have a Kitty Cat scan tomorrow so after clinic today mommy took me down to meet the people and see the machine. I got to meet Greta she is the technician that tells the machine what to do. She showed me how it all works and how the table moves in and out and she told me I have to lay very, very, still again. She said if I laid very still she would give me some stickers. I said, "tractor stickers"? she said how about some nice animal stickers. I told her, "NO, tractor stickers". Mommy saved Greta and said I could have Tractor stickers and a surprise if I laid very, very still. The verdict is still out, I might have a little sedation for this one. It was a very big machine and it made noise. I will try.

I got mommy on one of her very own BIG words. When she gives me my medicine, like a million times a day, and I don't want it, She gets that 'I don't want to hear it' look on her face and she says "It is not negotiable, John Russell you have to take your medicine". I take it, not because I want to, not because It's non-negotiable but because I NEED to. So, the story goes on. I wanted to do something and my mommy started to say no but before she could say no I said, "mommy not negotiable". I sure showed her, she said, "okay, you little stinker, non negotiable" and I got to do what I wanted.

I'm sure you all know about my upcoming transplant. I know I can do it but having to stay in one room for the entire 4 weeks is going to suck (I know its not a good word but the word fits). My mommy came up with a great, great plan, see what you think of it. I would like all of you to take a picture with your families or by yourself giving me a thumbs up. Then I will put them up on my walls in my room so I can show my nurses and my doctors all my special friends who are helping me to climb my mountain, aka my "Support Team". I thought it was a pretty great idea and you can start sending them to me at CHOPS on August 2nd. I wonder who will be the first thumbs up on my wall? I will let you know as soon as I know. Here is CHOPS Address where you can send your pictures but not until August 2nd.

CHOPS
C/O Oncology 3E
John Russell Lorenz
34th Street adn Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399

One more thing before I sign off. I have some special buddies out there who seem to love music just as much me, mommy, daddy and Chi Chi do. From your hearts to our ears thank you so so much. And from Our hearts to your ears, WE LOVE YOU.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, July 12, 2001 at 06:00 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody-

Aunt Val is home and we can expect more regular updates. She says softball is almost over and she has nothing but time on her hands.

Well, last time we chatted I asked for prayers and angels. Once again, you guys did an outstanding job. On Monday my counts took a turn for the good and I started feeling better. My mommy had a chat with Dr. Maris and told him, "I can no longer be held accoutable for his actions." I was a little rowdy and I wanted out. After mommy said that Dr. Maris set me free. Way to go mommy.

Its been an interesting couple of days. I went into nuclear medicine today for some special test. I wonder if I will glow tonight when mommy turns off the lights or maybe when I open my mouth to talk a giant ray of light will shoot out of my mouth. I don't know. But, I didn't have to have any sedation for this test. The manager of the department told my mommy that I didn't need to be sedated, I could take the test just like the big kids did. She was a very smart lady. It took a long time and I had to lay very still but I did it. Mommy and daddy were by my side the whole time. I even snuck in a little nap.

I also had to get my hearing checked. They put me in the room where they test the baby's. I am not a baby and I don't play baby games. That was my attitude with no if's and's or but's about it. I got kicked out of the baby testing area and moved to the "big" kid testing area. The Kings rules on. The hearing test came back good and the heart test came back good. My stem cell treatment has been TENTATIVELY set for August 2nd, mommys says that its hospital time and that means, don't know for sure.

I had a couple of visitors when I was waiting for all my test. Dr. Melanie, she was my very resident doctor here at CHOPS. Mommy and I were talking about her yesterday and mommy was getting ready to call her and she walked right through the door mommy and I giggled and Dr. Melanine helped me put together some puzzles and we had a great visit. Then Dr. Maris came in for a visit and he sat down on my bed with me and we put puzzles together. He's getting faster but I still beat him. He's my buddy, I like Dr. Maris.

My buddy Doo Doo had to go back home. But boy did I show her the rounds when she was here. I showed her how I get my transfusions, I showed her the Clinic, I showed her the emergency room and the hospital where I stay. Even though I didn't feel real good when she was here we had fun. We danced and we sang songs and we practiced my French. I told her some of my very precious secrets. She was very sad to go too. I will miss her much.

Aunt Val said to tell everybody she is just fine and thank you for the extra prayers you sent. Her test came back good and sugery went off with out a hitch. And Aunt Mimi, she knows what you said about smoking cigarettes and if I were you I would be looking out. Aunt Val said her lungs were clean and they were going to stay that way. Although she did tell the doctor she was going to go smoke a big cigar when she got her news.

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, July 08, 2001 at 07:54 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Aunt Val finally found a computer, she has been on vacation all week and her friends Curt and Julie were kind enough to share their computer so here goes.

I know I told you how good things were going but I hit a bump. My counts this week have not been very good. First I needed some red blood, I think I lost some when my buddy Doo Doo came to visit. I blushed a whole bunch mommy said, she said my cheeks were pretty red. I don't know if thats what happened or not. I have been having a lot of fun with Doo Doo. I grabbed her hand and told her, "I want to show you my tractors". She loved them almost as much as I do.

The next bump I hit was big enough to brake some platelets. I got some fresh ones on Friday but I just haven't been feeling up to par yet. Then the I hit the big bump, I spiked a fever and had to go to the hospital where they decided I had to stay. Big Bumber. I checked in Sunday evening and I'm still here. They are running some blood work to try and find the germs that are making me hot and frumpy. This was not a good week at all.

I found out that my BIG treatment is coming up very, very soon. As of right now it is scheduled to begin on July 17th. My mommy and daddy are pretty up tight right now but they will be okay. I hold them really, really tight.

I know I ask you all the time to say those special prayers and send the angels and I know you don't need reminded but hey, I really need them right now more than ever before. So round them up and send them east, I'll be waiting.

Aunt Val might not be back on for a couple of days. She is headed up to Mayo to visit her doctors and she won't have a computer for a couple more days. She did tell me that she caught up with that friend of my mommy's that has been picking at her and boy does she have a story for next time. Take care everybody and send me an angel.

I love you,
John Russell

Thursday, June 28, 2001 at 03:26 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody--

I'm outta there. My rock star nurse Jen kicked me to the curb bright and early this morning. I am headed home to play with my own toys. I told my mommy I wanted to go home and play with my blue truck. That's where were headed. Daddy and I mowed all the hallways on 3E last night, we had fun. Ms. Bitty was here and gone in a flash. My tummy didn't bother me once and that made everybody happy.

I heard Shannon talking on the phone with somebody and she told them, "He got up on the wrong side of bed this morning, he is crabby." I looked up at Shannon and said, "I'm not crabby". Shannon giggled and said, "not you honey, Chi Chi is crabby" and he sure was. I just had to make sure Shannon knew it was him and not me. We've been hunting for a doctor for Shannon everytime we go to the hospital. Here's the problem, she always has Chi Chi, everybody thinks Chi Chi is hers and they think my mommy is Shannon's sister. Mommy liked that a whole lot. So aunt Mimi, we need some stickers that say "NOT THE MAMA" or something like that.

I'm going to miss going to the farm for the 4th of July but I do get to be at home, maybe mommy and daddy will get me some great fireworks. I will probably only get those sissy sparkler things, what I really want are those big boom things with lots of color. I guess the sparklers will do for this year but next year were going for the big guys.

I'm not sure what my next plan of attack is to get these nasty bugs. I will let you know soon. My aunt Val is just about done coaching Maleri, Makinzi, and Madison's softball teams and then she is all mine once again. My daddy said he might even let her come out and see me. Right now were counting down the days until Doo Doo comes. Keep a prayin guys, I'm feeling very lucky to have such a great support team that stretches all around the world.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 03:23 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm in the process of meeting Ms. Bitty. I guess I'm going to spend the next day or so with her. I've been feeling pretty good, Shannon said I was 100% John Russell yesterday. That means I was the "King" and bossing everybody around. It's to nice to be here at CHOPS but I did get to see my buddy Bobby, it was great to see him he looked great too.

Remember that retractible fancy, dancy,name badge that grandpa had everybody trying to get me? These are really, really, hard to come by. Dr. Maris didn't even have one. Well, nurse Jen has a special helper with her one day and her name is Keri. Keri just happened to have one of those very special name tags, she got it in orientation, you guessed it, she gave it to me. I was so happy and excited and I was bouncing off the bed. I did feel sorry for Dr. Maris so I gave him my red one that I got from the gift shop so now we both have one. I practice pulling and letting that thing go all day. I love it. Thanks so much Keri.

Chi Chi has learned some new tricks, one is pretty cool the other is not so cool. Number one, he has started to roll over. Mommy and Shannon call him a rolley polley. His next trick is not funny at all. When my mommy starts to play with me or hold me Chi Chi starts to scream, I don't mean a little scream I mean a huge, ugly, ear piercing scream. It scared my mommy the first couple of times but then I started doing it right back. When mommy went to check on Chi Chi, I let those my lungs get a little exercise just like nurse Linda told me too, she would have been proud. Mommy finally figured it out. She scolded us both and told Chi Chi he was a stinker. Then she gave us each a great big hug and we giggled.

Oh yes, as you have all read from aunt Mimi, Aunt Popper finally hatched. Thanks for all those Pink thoughts guys, it worked. Sammy has a new little sister. Kayla Kristine. Aunt Val was trying to keep you in suspense, on the edge of your seats, so to speak but that fat head aunt Mimi spoiled it and told you guys already. Aunt Mimi you know aunt Val said that and it wasn't me. She says your suppose to quit giving into those readers that are busting on aunt Val. She knows who they are and she is taking names. Shannon told aunt Val that my buddy Kim wanted some new updates. Aunt Val says nice try, that was pretty sneaky, working the nanny to get to aunt Val. Sorry Kim, you got busted, busting on aunt Val. Aunt Val is going to be keeping her eye on my buddy Kim.

Guess Who's coming to Philly. My buddy Doo Doo. She gets to come over the 4th of July and stay for 5 whole days. I'm so happy, so happy, so happy. I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait. We are going to have a whole lot of fun.

Well guys I hope Ms. Bitty knows who she's messing with. My plan is to rally all those good cells in my body and hitty Ms. Bitty in the Headdie, I'm going for the TKO on Ms. Bitty. Thanks for the prayers and the angels.

I Love You.
John Russell

Thursday, June 21, 2001 at 01:41 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody-

I'm free, I made it, I'm on my way home right this minute. The angels found me and carried me right out the door.

I had a great morning. My mommy brought me in some chicken nuggets for breakfast. I chowed 3 whole nuggets down and headed for the hallway. I had a little unfinished business with nurse Linda. I was stomping down the hallway when I spotted her, it was a head to head confrontation. She was laughing and me, I think she was on her way to wake me up. I beat her to the punch. I met her halfway and I showed her I could walk just fine. My mommy told her I had 3 chicken nuggets and she said, "your otta here". She kicked me right out of CHOPS. This was a very good thing, I had my lungs ready to rumble. Yesterday was just a warm up for what I had prepared for today. I almost ran and gave her a big, big, hug. Thanks for getting me worked up nurse Linda, and thanks for kicking me out. See ya again next time.

I did get to mow the hallways at chops before I left. I mowed and mowed and mowed some more. It wasn't quite as fun mowing the hallways as it was the grass but there was still a bubble trail. It was okay, I needed grandpa there to help, he makes everything more fun.

Mommy has been trying to find a doctor friend for my buddy Shannon. She almost found one but Shannon is on the hunt for a tall man. So mommy and daddy keep hunting. We've still got a little time left before Shannon tries to go home. I got a package from my buddy Doo Doo, she sent another tape. Oh yeah, by the way, the doctor my mommy found for Shannon could talk Doo Doo talk, (French) we had a little chat, it made me miss my Doo Doo, its okay, she will come soon.

Mommy and Shannon and Chi Chi had to be at CHOPS really early this morning. Daddy had something important and he had to be to work early. So were going home to play Sleeping Beauty.

Thanks for send the angels and keep them flying because I get to meet Ms. Bitty on Tuesday, she is the sister to Ms. Bash. Ms. Bitty will be with me on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will have to spend the night at Chops. Ms. Bitty and I will be having a very short visit and then I get to come home again. My tummy looks good and my infection is getting better. Keep up the good work guys. Hey Aunt Mimi, I need more John Russell stickers, these nurses go crazy over them and I need them by Tuesday aunt Val says put a rush on them babies.

Aunt Val has a special note for my mommy's friend Shelly. Aunt Val had a chance to read through the guesbook entries and this is bad for you. She found one that caught her eye. Somebody (you Ms. Shelly) was bashing on aunt Val to get moving on those updates. Hello, Do you not know my aunt Val? Nobody, I mean nobody gets to pick on aunt Val not even my grandpa. I heard aunt Val say, she's going to be Reinbeck over the 4th and she knows where you live, and she will hunt you down. I wouldn't worry to much cause Aunt Val was laughing lots and lots when she said it.

One more note, aunt Pepper still hasn't popped. It must be a stubborn little girl, we boys arrive early and you little girls take your sweet, sweet, time. Besides that Chi Chi is more than enough compition right now. Think pink everybody.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, June 20, 2001 at 08:49 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Well, I'm still at CHOPS. My mommy finally got me into my very own room. Dr. Vanalmen, he's the Big Gonzo, Top Surgeon and a very special friend of mine. He comes in every morning at 6:00 and wakes my daddy up and checks on me. He finally took out that icky nose tube. That made me happy.

We made it to our new room and now Chi Chi can have is walker in the room. Chi Chi needs a little exercise and not be held sooooo much, okay mommy.

I miss my grandpa and my grandma. I know what grandma felt like to be in isolation. I have some kind of infection and they kicked me out of the playroom at the hospital. I am not happy at all. I don't know how you did it grandma, nobody to play with all that time you were locked up.

Got a good story for you. My nurse told me this morning that I had to walk for her during her shift today. I kind of gave her one of those looks like, "yeah, whatever, I have to take a walk." My mommy smiled at me she knew what I was thinking. Okay, the day goes on, no walk. Now, were into the afternoon and it is time to play Sleeping Beauty (thats what aunt Val calls nap time). I was in the middle of my nap and my nurse decided it was time for my walk. And then, she did it, she made a very, very large mistake. She woke me up, this is not a wise thing to do. I was furious, mad, angry, annoyed, and any other words you can think of to fit the moment. Then she tells me its time for a walk. Oh yeah, like I'm going to cooperate now. She stood me in the middle of the hallway and I let her have it. I screamed at the top of my lungs for as long as I could and then I screamed more and more and more. Even though I was out of bed and on my feet, I was not budging, not moving, not teetering, I was planted. Then she says okay, screaming is good, it will clean out those lungs. Okay then, if she wants screaming I'll give her screaming. So I really let her have it and I screamed even louder. My mommy was looking concerned but she knew it was my turn to talk and she let me have the floor, and took over. Then, it ws over, so I was carried back to bed to finish my nap. Mommy said I performed my tantrum almost as good as my daddy does. (aunt Val did not make me say that, mommy did but don't anybody tell daddy.)

Other than that little episode things have been going well. They are going to change my medication and get rid of this infection and then I can go home. I don't even want to play in their silly old playroom. I'm going home to play in mine. I'm feeling a little better but still not up to par. Maybe you guys could rally those angels and let them know I'm at CHOPS and not at home, that way, the angels can find me faster and I can start healing faster.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, June 18, 2001 at 12:58 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody--

Not much happening here. I'm trying not to move a muscle, or speak a word. If I do, oh baby does my tummy get sore. I finally got that epideral thing out of my back and now I'm waiting for my nose tube to be gone. I really hate that thing. I finally let grandpa get me out of bed on Saturday and I sat in my car. No way was grandpa going to take me up and down the hallways. I was just fine to sit. I have a roomie who is very noisy and doesn't let my daddy sleep. I'm glad my roomies keeping him up and not me. So if he's a little grouchy at work you know why.

Happy daddys day to everybody. I got my daddy some new threads, he's looking fine mommy says. I also made him some pictures frames with some very special pictures in them, daddy is going to take them to his office. I also made him a stepping stone of his own. He liked mommies so much and now he has one of his very own. Chi Chi (Charlie) I don't like to say Charlie so I call him Chi Chi. Mommy started doing it to. Anyway, Chi Chi needed some help painting, so I did all the painting for him too.

Things seem to be going okay. It is just a slow process mommy says. Oh yeah and smiley face that I got from my last surgery is smiling even bigger now. Shannon snuck home for the weekend and she gets back today. Maybe I will go for a walk with her today. I miss her, I'm glad she is on her way back. I miss Doo Doo too. Daddy and mommy said she could come for a visit this summer, I can't wait.

I'll let you know when they finally spring me from this joint. I guess I have to eat a little and drink a little before I can go. I have to make sure my body is awake and working before I can go.

Talk to you later.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 10:51 PM (CDT)

Hi Guys--

I'm really groggy and resting peacefully. My doctors did a very good job. I finally made it into my room about 8:00 tonight. My mommy came into the recovery room to wait for me to wake up. I woke up for a little bit and saw her and asked for some water. The nurse said NO so I closed my eyes and went back to Monster truck driving.

Remember how I told you the doctors went hunting to see if Mr. Nasty had any friends? Well they found a friend hiding in my left adrenial gland, they think he was the leader of all the bad guys. Well, the doctors led him right out the door and I hope into a great big garbage can. The doctors told mommy and daddy that I was not going to be real happy for the next day or so. I think the word was uncomfortable but I was pretty tired, I might have goofed the word up, I know that my tummy is sore and I don't want to move a muscle.

Everything went well, the doctors are pleased and are hopeful that Mr. Nasty and his friend aren't going to be bugging me much longer. I think my stay here will be about 4 or 5 days, you know the routine, eat, drink and flush the system. Then I can go home. My next round of chemo should start in about 10 days. Don't hold me to that but I think so.

I had a pretty good day riding around in those monster trucks. Thanks to all of you for spending your day thinking of me and wishing me and my mommy and my daddy and all of my family well. We appreciate it more than even aunt Val can say. Oh yeah and thanks to Aunt Sheri and cousin Sara for the great "John Russell Support Team Kits" I passed them out to everybody who helped me today. They were really neat, the nurses thought they were pretty cool too.

So the mountain climb goes on. One of these days we will reach the top and slide right down the backside. You guy's keep pushing and I'll keep pulling and together we can do it, I KNOW WE CAN.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 04:46 PM (CDT)

Hi Guys--

I'm still sleeping. The doctors started a little later than they planned. Maybe the were recuperating from the 76ers loss to the LAKERS. But any way they are getting down to business as I speak.

First they had to take out my old lines and put in new ones. Next they ventured down to check out my right adrenial gland and it looked pretty good. Then they detoured over to my liver where Mr. Nasty man has been camping out. Then they chopped him right out of there. and poof he was gone. As we speak they are checking out my other adrenial gland and seeing if Mr. Nasty had a friend camped out there. If they find his friend they are going to snuff him out too.

Mommy wanted me to let you know How much fun I had last night. I was full of energy. Granma and I played, "were following the leader, the leader, the leader, were following the leader where ever he may go." We were playing upstairs in the hallway. We were driving my daddy CRAZY, he was yelling and screaming like a mad man. Grandma and I laughed and laughed they we figured out he was yelling at the basketball players on TV, I don't think his team won. I mowed the carpet with my favorite mower, it makes a whole lot of noise I got it from my friend Kelly next door. I also spent some time playing with this really cool cash register machine, The Moore family from Reinbeck sent me. I have my very own credit card and I know how to use that baby. Mom is very proud and dad is not very happy about it. Grandpa just couldn't stand that plastic money so he added to my register and gave me a bunch of silver stuff, I told him he could keep the ones that are kind of orange, I like the silver ones best, almost as much as the paper green stuff. The Moore's also sent a Veggie Tale video and a talking vegetable. It is really cool. That's kind of how the night went.

Mommy also wanted to let everybody know that daddy got to take me to the Operating Room. The doctors said no, but no is not a word my mommy allows anybody to use around me. So mommy won and I picked daddy to take me. Charlie needed mommy and I needed daddy to carry me all the way there. He looked really really funny, they made him put on a white jump suit with a chef hat and a white mask. He looked like a giant marshmellow. I gave him a really long look and just like that I was out. I also took with me my blue blanket aunt Mimi made, my prayer bunny and a medal from popper and Sammy and Uncle Craig and a special cross from Donna Mae and a lot of love from all of you.

My next update will be late tonight if your up it should be around 11:00. Aunt Val has to go to the ball park again.

Keep the faith love to all

John Russell

Thursday, June 14, 2001 at 12:57 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody--

Well, I'm in deep sleep right now. Things got started around noon today. I got to visit with aunt Val on the phone. She asked me what I was going to dream about and of course I told her monster trucks, monster trucks, monster trucks. I was very happy this morning and ready to roll.

Mommy and Daddy were kind of quiet but that gave me a chance to make a lot more noise. Shannon was hunting a nurse down to see if we could put Thomas in the VCR. I had a great day yesterday even though I had to take pictures with my brother. I did not like sharing the lime light so after he fell off the chair and started crying I was numero uno once again. I had my very own private shoot. Then, the cry baby quit crying and he had is very own shoot. Oh well, I still got to go first. My mommy got the camera out again this morning and I got to hold baby Charlie on the couch and we had some great pictures taken. We both behaved just like little men are suppose to. Mommy was very, very proud of her boys.

Well thats all for now. I'm cruising over some great big dirt piles right now driving Big Foot or one of his pals. Keep those angels flying and those prayers coming. See ya soon.

I love you
John Russell

Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 02:32 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Aunt Val made it home safe and then disappeared. She said it takes her a week to catch up on all the laundry and she finished just in time. My counts are good to go. Surgery should start sometime around noon tomorrow (Thursday). As soon as my mommy calls and updates aunt Val she will leave messages on my web page. I sure am glad I had an extra week to recooperate.

Grandma has retired from the bush. She found some posion Oak and by the looks of her, I think she must have been rolling around playing cowboy's and indians again, she was covered from head to toe. So that means that grandpa put her in isolation or solitary confinment, which ever you choose. The funny thing is, Grandpa found some poison Oak too. He tried, of course, to blame it on grandma but she was in her room, maybe grandpa snuck in to tell her a bedtime story, he is really, really good at that, even if the big bad wolf usually scares everybody to death.

We went to church and prayed for food and for monster trucks and for Thomas and we also prayed for Aunt Val, (she sent a really cool package and I liked it a lot). By the way, I have found a safe place to, lets say, be bad. You don't even get in trouble, you get to leave and play games. And even though your dad is mad, he doesn't yell and I don't have a time out. It started innocently, I kind of gave my dad the business and he kind of took me out in the hallway and tried to have one of those serious talks with me about sitting still and being a good boy. I tried to listen but it was just too much fun playing tag in the hallway. He tried a couple of times to go back in to church but every time he tried to sit down I yelled as loud as I could, "NO". Then he would take me back out in the hallway and we would play a couple of games. My church is beautiful, There are angels way up in the sky and I like to watch them during church.

Daddy and grandpa have been playing lumber jack. They are cutting down all the old trees that have stopped growning and well, they look kind of ugly. While daddy and grandpa have been busy in the yard, my mommy has totally lost it. She stopped at a garage sale and found some of that great plastic stuff (Its the stuff she said she would never ever buy) and she bought it for me. Now I have my very own work bench in the garage beside my daddy's work bench. I have pliers, screws, nuts, bolts, I've got the works. Now I can work on my Monster truck when I need to.

You guys are never ever gonna belive who I got to go see. Thomas the Train was in Philly. He was absolutely beautiful. I got to go on a ride with him, it was wonderful. It made my day, we are going to try and see him again before he leaves so I have to hurry up and get better after this surgery.

You guys are doing such a great job of helping me fight this nasty stuff. Now the doctors are going to get real tough with him and knock his socks off. Pray everything goes well and they find the bad guy and destroy him. You can also say some extra prayers for my mommy and my daddy, i'm sure they will be climbing the walls during my little nap tomorrow. That's all I'm doing mommy, I'm taking a nap and probably dreaming about monster trucks or maybe Thomas. I love you mommy, I love you daddy, and I love you Charlie.

Take Care and Stay Strong Guys, I need you now.

I love you.
John Russell

check out my picture update.

Tuesday, June 05, 2001 at 10:13 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody!

My report won't be as good this time my Aunt Popper aka Aunt Pepper is pinch hiting for my Aunt Val. Thanks for all your prayers but the platelets are a little cracked so no surgery Thursday but I get a little extra time to play this weekend. Will try again next week.

In the mean time I've been feeling a ok. My mommie thinks I'm the best mower in the world I put my daddy's John Deere to shame I mowed for an hour and a half today I have two mowers that I rotate the first one is really cool it blows bubbles and the second one makes popping noises. When I was all done I was sweating. Then I went in the house and my grandma was cleaning so I helped her I like to clean. I'm a little like my uncle Craig he likes to clean too.

After my busy day we went into Chester thats what my granpa calls our town that we live in, to eat. It was wonderful we sat outside and I could identify all the cars. A ups truck went by then a bmw and a mercedes and then a fire truck. I knew them all everyone at the table was very impressed. I really know my equipment!

By the way my Aunt Val will be back on Friday. Thanks Aunt Pepper but Aunt Val is the queen!

I Love you
John Russell

Saturday, June 02, 2001 at 02:53 PM (CDT)

I'm Back--

Cat scan went very well. Dr. Maris is very pleased with the results and the substantial reduction of the tumor. I have no idea what that means all I know is that they didn't find a cat. So, even though they gave me a rough time, I would like to thank Mr. Blast, Mr. Boomer, and Ms. Bash for a job well done. I don't like you guys and gal much but I appreciate everything you have done so far.

My mountain climbing expedition is now 1/3 of the way complete. We still have a lot of climbing and I hope the steps are getting bigger or I'm getting quicker. I can't wait to be KING of the hill.

Daddy and grandma (bush woman) continue to work out their rage on the rocks in the back yard. When every grandma starts climbing the walls her and daddy head to the back yard. Daddy with his tractor and grandma with the pitchfork. I sure hope they don't have any political discussion out back, it might get kind of messy, if you know what I mean, and if you don't know what I mean DON"T ASK, please.

I got to go for a ride on a big, black, steam engine. We rode first class, it was beautiful, I love those trains. After the train ride we went to the gift shop. Oh my gosh, it was an "exclusively Thomas" gift shop. I don't know what that means either but the only thing they had in the gift shop was "Thomas". He was everywhere, mommy went a little crazy before daddy got her under control, but not before she found a catalog. Go mommy Go. Ooops, daddy if you read that just forget that part. Daddy, I love you and Thomas too. Big hug and a Big Kiss to my daddy.

Now back to some clinical do dah. Dr. Maris was right, I had to get some red blood. This time the red blood packed a little punch. I had a reaction, I started caughing, and my eyes were all puffy then I got some hives. I think that the cool guy who gave the blood had a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast, cause that's what happens to me when I eat peanuts. But it was okay cause my mommy, she is sooooooo smart, knew what was going on and she got the nurse super sonic fast, and they gave me some medicine and everything was okay once again.

Now, as for surgery, I need a little help from all of my friends out there. I've got a new mission for you. Prayers for my counts to go up. If they don't go up, I can't have my surgery. If they get together and rally I have my surgery scheduled for Thursday the 7th, first thing in the morning. Send lots of prayers and angels my way.

Aunt Val has asked for a couple of days off. She's got a lot of nerve huh. She does have a pretty good excuse. She has her cat scans on Monday. Now,I know there is NO cat in aunt Val, Maybe a tiger or a lion but there is defidently no cat. (Grandma, Grandpa and my daddy said that) I hope they know they are in a lot of trouble when she gets back. I will have to wait until Wednesday to update you guys. But hey, keep those prayers going no broken platelets and lots of good red blood. Talk to you soon.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, May 28, 2001 at 09:40 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Sorry you had to wait such a long, long time for an update. It is NOT my Aunt Val's fault. It is all my daddy's fault. Everytime my mommy tried to call aunt Val, my daddy had her busy doing something else, and then, when she finally got through to aunt Val my daddy tried to get her to hang up. He didn't know it was aunt Val on the line and when he found out it was her and she wanted to talk to him he ran and hid. The big baby. He wouldn't talk to aunt Val on the phone. So she said she was going to tell everybody it was his fault for the delayed updates. So did everybody get that, no bashing on aunt Val, it was daddy's fault. He promises to do much much better. Thanks for taking it easy on my daddy aunt Val.

Okay, here is the scoop. I go in for my cat scan tomorrow. I had no idea the doctors were looking for a cat. My grandma has a whole bunch of cats if that's what they want. Dr. Maris thought I might need a little red blood tomorrow too, we'll have to wait and see, I feel really good right now. They did take an X-ray of my lines and one has sprung a leak, no big deal, we just won't use that line until they fix it. I will have an update Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and let you know how the testing went. Enough of the medical malarky, on to the fun stuff.

Grandpa is here. Boy did I miss him. He hitched a ride to the airport from Aunt Bea and Uncle Dale, thanks a million for getting him on the right plane. I asked my mommy about a million billion trillion times, "when is daddy getting grandpa?" I think mommy wished she hadn't told me grandpa was coming. We were in our meeting with Dr. Maris when grandpa arrived. I smiled really big and played shy again. Then I grabbed grandpa and I haven't let go yet. I had a lot of new things to show him. We have been playing catch up, I showed him some of my new puppets but he was more interested in my new tractors. He also brought a very special tractor from Bea and Dale, it's a farmer, tractor and a wagon, I guess there grandchildren use to play with it and they think I am special enough to have it, thanks a lot guys, I really like it.

My mommy got in trouble. I came down for breakfast and I walked around the corner and there I saw it. My buddy, Shannon was holding Charlie. This was not alright with me. I marched over to my mommy, she thought I was coming to give her a big hug, but I stopped, put my hands on my hips and said, "Mommy, You hold him". She said, "Oh, okay". Then I took Shannon by the hand and away we went to the toy room. I had to set a few new ground rules for mommy. I think were on target now, right mommy.

Grandma continues to be the bush woman. Mommy said she is like a caged animal trying to escape daily. She went outback to her favorite cowboy and indian hill and started moving the earth. She looked like a gopher, all we could see was her backside and lots and lots of dirt flying, it's okay to laugh, Shannon and I laughed a lot, mommy and grandma laughed a lot when Shannon told them the story. Shannon and I watched out the window while grandma was a working away. The next morning I ran down the hallway looked out the window and said, "Is grandma down there." then I turned around and grandma was coming down the hallway laughing at me. She has been very busy, she is a weed wacking, dirt digging, pole staining, bush woman and thats a fact Jack. She keeps me very happy and mommy is going to have some beautiful flower beds.

Pray for my cat scan to go well and my surgery to be scheduled. Pray for that nasty old tumor to have shrunk to the size of a pea. Take care everybody.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, May 22, 2001 at 11:33 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

We have touchdown, Shannon arrived on Saturday. I got to go to the airport with daddy and get her. I was a little shy but I've made up for lost time. I have showed Shannon her room, my very special lawn mower and my new toy room. I haven't showed her to the neighborhood kids yet, I'm not ready to share her with anybody.

Ms. Bash behaved herself on Friday, it was another good day. Now, I'm waiting to hit that low point and then bounce back to my old self again.

Mommy let me open my package from Doo Doo. I got another puppet, this one was a butterfly. My mommy sang the song, "Bonnie the Beautiful Butterfly", but we changed it to "Doo Doo the Beautiful Butterfly". Thank you Doo Doo, I loved her, it made my chemo session fly right on by.

My grandma has a new name, we are calling her the Bush woman. She has been working in the forest out back, she is probably hunting for the lawn mower man I told her about. She's been wacking weeds and digging up rocks to build a stone wall in the backyard. Maybe she will build me a castle with all the rocks. Daddy has been her assistant he is the tool man. He has been helping grandma first with the mower then he came with a chainsaw and then a crowbar and a spade to get at those rocks, they sure had fun.

Aunt Mimi, my carrots and my popcorn have sprouted. I have been doing a very good job watering them. I can't wait to eat them.

Big Big news, grandpa finally heard me. The crops are in and he's making plans to come and see me. He should be here this FRIDAY. Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa.

I haven't heard any more about my surgery but as soon as I do I will let you all know. Pray for my counts to rally and my bounce back to be fast. Thanks guys.

I love you.
John Russell

Friday, May 18, 2001 at 08:31 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I know I told you I was in control of Ms. Bash and things were going great. Then I got home and Ms. Bash reared her wicked ugly head and boy did my tummy do flip flops. Mommy called the doctor and they double dosed my meds and once again I showed Ms. Bash who the KING was. Boy did I need your prayers. I thought Ms. Bash was only going to be around for 2 days but mommy told me and aunt Val it was a 3 day meeting so today is the last day. After the tummy flip flops I fell asleep for a long, long, time. When I woke up I ate two huge bowls of turkey. Day two went very well, no tummy flips or flops. I told the nurse, "I want this off", I thought I was done. She told me soon, I could leave, then I heard those alarms and I know that means meds are empty. I once again looked at the nurse and said, "I'm outta here, to my house".

It was a very special day yesterday. My grandma's birthday. We had presents and a cake with yellow and blue frosting on it. I have finally found that sweet tooth and boy did I eat the frosting, in fact, I ate half of the cake. Mommy had to put candles on the cake for grandma to blow out. Wow, there were a lot of candles. Mommy said she put every candle she could find on the cake. Happy birthday grandma, I love you.

I have a baby Charlie story. You all know that I can't be perfect all the time, right. Good, cause I'm not. Sometimes I like to grab Charlie's feet and drag him around the room. Not fast, slow he kind of acts like he likes it, I know this because he is not crying, he's not laughing either, but he is defidently not crying. This is one of those things that make my mommy kind of mad. Charlie doesn't seem to mind it but boy does my mommy. When she catch's me I say, "I stinker mommy, I go to time-out". Of course, mommy says, "yes, your a stinker and yes, you go to time-out." This time-out thing isn't so bad, I can tell mommy feels bad and well, if you ask to go to time out yourself you don't feel bad at all, it's your own idea. I just pretend I am the KING taking a rest in my chair. Sorry Charlie I will be nicer from now on.

Grandma got out her goodie bag again and found some train books, she read to me while I was having my Chemo yesterday. She also told me some really cool story about grandpa. My grandma makes up the best stories, I wish I could share them with all of you. This one was cool, my grandpa flooded 60 acres of good black corn ground to make a pond. He wanted to take me fishing on his new boat. Don't worry, this was a pretend story guys, my grandpa like driving tractors more than driving boats. It was a real cool story though. Grandma also found a little Case IH tractor and a planter. I have been planting on mommy's head down her leg then up grandma's leg and through her hair. I have planted a lot of corn in the last two days.

I got my first home made video. It was called, "There goes a tractor" and my grandpa was the star along with cousin Sammy Jo. Grandpa Russ was driving his tractor and planting corn. I also got to see Dottie and skippy grandma and grandpa's dogs. Then I saw Midnight and Lotty, the horses. It was like I was right there helping grandpa drive that big RED tractor. Sammy thanks for leaving that flower and a wish in the birdhouse for the fairy to find, I know she will find it and your wish will come true.

I got a package in the mail from my buddy DOO DOO. Mommy wouldn't let me open it until we go to the clinic today for chemo. I can't wait. Doo Doo was there yesterday with me, I was listening to her cassette tape, when she was all done talking and singing I gave the little black box that she is in hugs and kisses, I wish I could see her, mommy says this summer Doo Doo will come for a visit.

This is the last day with Ms. Bash. Now I have to wait for my counts to elevate and next on the agenda is surgery. I will keep you up to date and let you know when. I can do this guys, your prayers have led the way. Keep up the fantastic work, I love you all.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, May 16, 2001 at 09:34 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I was so happy to see my grandma Greiner. We got to wait at the airport gate for her, she was the last one off of the plane. I kept yelling, "Where is my grandma Greiner". Nobody knew, then finally she made it off of the plane. I squealed and giggled when I saw her and I almost jumped out of my daddys big arms. He put me down and I ran to grandma and gave her a great big hug. I wish my grandpa Russ could have come, but he has to plant corn and beans. He will be here soon. I miss him lots and lots. I told grandma and my mommy, "I miss my grandpa Russ, I love grandpa Russ." Grandma says if grandpa knew how much I talked about him, he would drop everything and be here. Hey Grandpa, I MISS YOU GET YOUR FANNY OUT HERE NOW.

My mommy and daddy and grandma took me fishing. We walked down grandma's favorite hill which was really fun but then, we had to walk back up the hill. Charlie the big baby got to ride in the stroller. Mommy wouldn't let grandma push the stroller up the hill, she rememered how grandma got the wheel barrow up the hill and she was a little worried that grandma might try the same thing with the stroller.

Grandma brought me some very special gifts. Grandpa sent one for me too. My grandpa has this cool gold eagle necklace I like to play with it. Now, I have one of my very own. It is cool. I have been running grandma all over the place. I was showing her how to water my corn and beans. Then I wanted to dump out the dirt and show her how I planted them, grandma said, "No." I did not like that, then, mommy said, "No", Then I got mad, I kind of growled at them, I tried to scare them into letting me dump the dirt. Then grandma told me to fill my dump truck up with dirt, good idea, I was happy again and my corn and beans are safe for one more day. I need aunt Mimi back. My mommys won't let me bring my collector tractors out in the dirt pile, could you call and have a chat with her?

Hey aunt Popper, I got my box of goodies. Aunt Popper was having a contest with my daddy to see who could find me "Big Foot", he is a monster truck, I love Big Foot. Well, aunt Popper won, I got my box of trucks today. I have Micro and Macro "Big Foot" Monster Trucks. Hurry back Popper so I can show you how they work. Big hug and a big Kiss your way.

Today is Wednesday so I'm sure your all wondering about my Chemo. Once again, you all did a wonderful job with your prayers. Yes, I met Ms. Bash this morning. My counts were good to go. I took a little nap, 4 hours worth while I was getting my chemo. I woke up just before we were done. I looked at my mommy and wanted to leave but mommy said we had to wait for all the medicine then we could go. So I waited and then the alarms went off telling us we were all done. The nurse came in I looked her in the eye and said, "I'm outta here!" She smiled and sent me a packing. So far the smash is on Ms. Bash. One more day and then she is outta here.

Oh yes, some more big, big, news. My buddy Shannon gets here on Saturday. I can't wait, we have been getting her room ready which means lots of shopping all we have left is a shower curtain. I promise it will be here before you get in Shannon. I also get to pick out one of my very special stuffed animals to put on Shannon's bed. I can't tell you which one, it is a surprise.

I got a package in the mail and my mommy told me it was from "Farmer Bob" and Yvonne. I smiled as big as I could and said, "where is the 'John Deere' tractor"? my mommy started laughing, and then in the last box we opened there was a picture of me in a tractor picture frame, we put it in my special room with all of my tractor things, I love it, it is really cool, I knew there would be a tractor "Farmer Bob". Thank you so much.

I'll let you know how bad we smash Ms. Bash again tomorrow. Keep the angels in flight. Aunt Val says to check my pictures I might have some new ones.

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, May 13, 2001 at 01:18 PM (CDT)

Hello--

Like I said before, aunt Mimi keeps things hopping. She has been getting my mommy stocked up on crafts. We now have a John Russell craft room. I got my first puppet from Bree Viens, it is really cool, it's a puppy dog made from a sock and he has a microphone. Aunt Mimi had a John Russell party for me. She baked me another Thomas the Train cake. My friends thought it was the coolest thing ever. Cole said his mommy can do a lot of neat stuff but she can't make a cake like aunt Mimi. I ate a lot of yellow frosting right off the cake, my friends laughed at me. Then we had a puppet show. Aunt Mimi has been sewing every night since she got here. She made a Peter Sam puppet just for me. She also brought eye patches for all my friends, we played captain hook. Thanks aunt Mimi.

Aunt Mimi has also been drawing on the drive way. We have a long lane and she wrote my name all the way down the driveway. Remember how I told you aunt Mimi was a singer? Well, she was a singing away as she was writing with the chalk. One of my neighbors came up and told her, she didn't care what anybody said, she though aunt Mimi was a great singer. Aunt Mimi wasn't sure what was going on. Then my mommy told her about Aunt Popper's singing. Aunt Mimi laughed really hard, she even snorted she laughed so hard. Poor aunt Popper. She hasn't popped yet but she is getting closer and closer. I miss you and your special singing aunt Popper. Hi Sammy Jo, I miss you too. I don't miss you uncle Craig (that was aunt Val again) I miss you uncle Craig.

To all you mommy's out there HAPPY MOMMY DAY, a very special day for a very, very, special person. I picked my mommy a yellow flower and gave it to her. Aunt Mimi laughed she said it was a weed. It didn't matter, my mommy loved it and gave me a big squeeze and a hug. I was getting a little to bossy the other day at aunt Mimi. I told her to let go of my tricycle, I could do it myself. Aunt Mimi said no, she had to help me so I wouldn't crash, I started yelling and aunt Mimi didn't want a scene in the front yard so she let me go. Boy was I wrong, I crashed a burned, I almost got aunt Mimi in trouble but I told my mommy it was my fault. I thought maybe I might have broken a few platelets on my wipe out but my counts were pretty good. I did need a little red blood at clnic on Friday. It was a great time to nap. It took about 2 1/2 hours. My mommy, baby Charlie, aunt Mimi and me, snug as bugs in a little rug.

Aunt Mimi brought this really cool T-shirt. You can color on it and then when you wash it, it comes clean and you can color on it again. You'll never guess whats on it. It's my gampa Russ' farm. Aunt Mimi says I have to color the tractors RED and not green, only the grass and trees get to be green. I wore it to the clinic and told all my nurses that it was my gampa's farm. They all smiled, they thought it was pretty cool too.

Okay, our next prayer mission is this. If I can keep my platelet count high, I can meet Ms. Bash, my next Chemo on an outpatient basis. This is great. Ms. Bash is only 2 days long. If I keep the platelets up I will meet Ms. Bash on Wednesday. Otherwise I have to wait until Friday to meet her and then I have to be an inpatient over the weekend. This would be bad. Now, I have big plans to help my daddy mow the yard this weekend. My grandma Russ is going to be here sometime today and my Aunt Mimi has to go home to Lubby and Lexie and Uncle Chris today. So you can all see that I am going to need to be home this weekend. Pray for Platelet count to stay high.

To all my special friends, give your mommy's an extra special hug and kiss today. Take care.

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, May 10, 2001 at 11:08 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Time is just a flying with Aunt Mimi here. She told me she took a plane, train, and an automobile to get here. Wow, she must really love me. Aunt Mimi is a little crazy. She has gotten into so much trouble since she got here. First, she took all of my tractors even the collector ones that I'm not suppose to touch and we lined them babies up, then we scattered them all over the house. My mommy says aunt Mimi still has two little ones to find. Aunt Mimi stuck her tongue out at my mommy when she wasn't looking, it was really funny. Next aunt Mimi washed my big dump truck. It was covered with dirt and sand and kind of gross. She took the hose to it. She killed it, we had to take the batteries out and let it dry, she said she was sorry so it's okay. My mommy was going to put her in time out but we ran outside to fast for mommy. Charlie caught aunt Mimi off guard, she is use to changing little girl diapers but Charlie let her know who was boss, she is really careful now when she changes diapers no more showers for aunt Mimi.

I told aunt Mimi yesterday that, "I want to pick corn." She told me that gampa Russ was planting corn right now and that he would pick the corn later, first it had to grow. So I told her, "I need to plant corn." Aunt Mimi sent her assistant, mommy, to the store to buy corn to plant. My mommy came home with popcorn, carrots and pumpkins. I have been farming up a storm. We had to plant in flower pots until my daddy gets the landscaping for the garden done.

Aunt Mimi told me, "farmer gampa Russ is planting corn". I told her, "I miss gampa Russ, I miss gampa Russ".

Oh yeah, my aunt Mimi was on the Good Morning Show, Tuesday. She was that goofy lady holding a sign but, she was on TV so I guess that makes her a movie star. Boy is that going to go to her head, aunt Val that was not very nice, I don't even have to tell aunt Mimi you made me say that she knows all to well.

Aunt Mimi has been giving me rides on all my toys she makes this really cool tractor sound and she spits all over the place when she makes it, she is really cool and she pushes me so fast we almost fly. Mommy closes her eyes when we go real fast.

I've been feeling pretty good, I'm eating my turkey and tukey and more turkey. My mommy keeps trying to get some veggie's in there but hasn't worked yet, maybe tomorrow. Aunt Mimi is baking cookies today so I might sneak a couple of those, aunt Mimi is a real good cooker. Papa Porky would love her cookies.

Mom says next Wednesday I have to start a new batch of Chemo, this one is only 3 days long. One of the drugs is a sister drug to one of the drugs I met through Mr. Blast, he was the guy we really, really, did not like and if it were okay to hate, we would really hate him. Since this is Mr. Blast's sister I have decided to call her Ms. Bash. Our mission is to smash Ms. Bash. Get your angels ready to RUMBLE and send them to Philly I'll be watching for them.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, May 07, 2001 at 07:11 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm back. Aunt Val has been at the softball diamond with all of my cousins. My mommy was talking to her last night and then my daddy had a talk with her. He was getting ready to bust on aunt Val but then he remembered just who he was talking to. He was going to give her one of those do better talks and really chew her out but he just couldn't. He simply said, "people are very disappointed when there's no new update". Then he giggled I think aunt Val was laughing at him too.

I have been feeling pretty good. Popper who use to be pepper has changed her name. I decided she looked a little bit like a balloon and I kept waiting for her to pop so I changed her name to popper. She didn't care as long as I ate. Popper was like a walking refridgerator, she carries turkey and pasta everywhere she goes. We did a lot of craft things together and played puppets. I heard aunt Popper tell uncle Craig that I was "bossy". That wasn't very nice aunt Popper, I had to take the bull by the horns, I was being assertive, just like my mommy. I was showing you the ropes. I do miss you and am so happy you had a save trip home. See you again real soon.

Aunt Mimi you will love this next bit of information. Remember how my mommy said she would never, never, never, ever have a backyard full of big plastic toys. She was kidding. I got a big tug boat sandbox and I get to keep it right on my mommy's deck out back. She loves it, her and daddy have almost as much fun in it as I do.

I had my clinic on Friday and I had a few broken platelets and I needed a little extra boost. Dr. Maris was a little worried about my weight. I have to eat a little bit more of the fatty stuff. I heard him mention something about a feeding tube if I didn't gain some weight pretty soon. That's why aunt popper became a walking refridgerator. I have been eating a lot of food the last couple of days so I hope I'm gaining a few pounds here and there. I also heard him say something about a surgery in June, so that's what will be coming up pretty soon. I have to have another meeting with Chemo and then surgery and then I move on to the stem cell replacement. This is the tricky one. I have to be in isolation for about a month. I'm not sure but I think it will happen in July or August. My mommy is working on things to entertain me already. She thought maybe some home made videos of my friends and family would be really neat and of course, if you see any concrete crushers, or big earth movers, or a combine or tractor of anything of that nature, tape it and send it to me. I think my mommy is a little tired of "Dave" and the things that go.

Daddy got all of my mommy's garden things put up. We have bluebirds and red birds, that made my mommy's heart happy she said, It made me happy too. Daddy and I drove the big green machine and I practiced farming so gampa Russ next year, I'm there big fella, I guarantee it. Miss you and can't wait to see you. Get those corns and beans in the ground. It's okay if it's wet, they need a little water to grow.

Aunt Val promises more updates this week. She is mad at uncle Dan and she said she doesn't need to talk to him for a while so she'll have plenty of time to update everybody. Maybe everybody should say an extra prayer for uncle Dan. I know how aunt Val can get. She is pretty stubborn.

I love you.
John Russell

Shannon--my mommy and daddy went on a shopping spree and your room looks GREAT! I can't wait to see you and my mommy and daddy are very excited too.

Wednesday, May 02, 2001 at 10:17 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I think aunt Val has been looking for my appetite cause I've been looking for her. Aunt Pepper helped me find it. She made me chicken nuggets for breakfast. I made it home on Monday so I could have cake and ice cream because Pepper turned the big 30. I had to get a little extra dose of platlets, before I could go home. I think aunt Pepper broke some when she squeezed me. Then we busted out. We had to stop and pick up daddy so he could drive the monster car (suburban) home. My mommy doesn't like to drive things that are soooo big. My daddy loves to, he is the bestest bus drive I know. Then we finally got home. I showed aunt Pepper around, she keeps getting lost. I keep looking for her in the laundry room, I think she is sneaking in some power naps. I wear her out. I have to be really good or she starts that singing up. I know when I hear her start singing, I'm in trouble. I sit down and be the best little boy there is, she thinks the music is calming me. I sit down because my ears are killing me, and the sonner she thinks its working the sooner she quits. Aunt Mimi, could you teach aunt Pepper to sing? I'm just kiddin aunt Pepper, I love it when you sing, aunt Val put those words down, she took over again, she says to remind you that the pen is mighter than the sword and not to mess with her.

Mr. Boomer has made me a little tired but my anti-nausea medicine makes me hyper so I have some ups and downs through out the day. I have been eating Salmon and chicken nuggests not at the same time but they are both my favorites. So my appetite is making a come back once again, thanks for your prayers.

Aunt Pepper says I don't have enough puppets so if any of you little, big, cousins or my friends want to make me some I would love them. I have a puppet stand any my aunt pepper is having a lot of fun with it. She says that paper sacks make the best puppets, so have some fun and I'll let you know what puppets I get.

As soon as my mommy sends aunt Val some new pictures, aunt Val will put them on the web site. Until tomorrow.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, May 02, 2001 at 10:17 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I think aunt Val has been looking for my appetite cause I've been looking for her. Aunt Pepper helped me find it. She made me chicken nuggets for breakfast. I made it home on Monday so I could have cake and ice cream because Pepper turned the big 30. I had to get a little extra dose of platlets, before I could go home. I think aunt Pepper broke some when she squeezed me. Then we busted out. We had to stop and pick up daddy so he could drive the monster car (suburban) home. My mommy doesn't like to drive things that are soooo big. My daddy loves to, he is the bestest bus drive I know. Then we finally got home. I showed aunt Pepper around, she keeps getting lost. I keep looking for her in the laundry room, I think she is sneaking in some power naps. I wear her out. I have to be really good or she starts that singing up. I know when I hear her start singing, I'm in trouble. I sit down and be the best little boy there is, she thinks the music is calming me. I sit down because my ears are killing me, and the sonner she thinks its working the sooner she quits. Aunt Mimi, could you teach aunt Pepper to sing? I'm just kiddin aunt Pepper, I love it when you sing, aunt Val put those words down, she took over again, she says to remind you that the pen is mighter than the sword and not to mess with her.

Mr. Boomer has made me a little tired but my anti-nausea medicine makes me hyper so I have some ups and downs through out the day. I have been eating Salmon and chicken nuggests not at the same time but they are both my favorites. So my appetite is making a come back once again, thanks for your prayers.

Aunt Pepper says I don't have enough puppets so if any of you little, big, cousins or my friends want to make me some I would love them. I have a puppet stand any my aunt pepper is having a lot of fun with it. She says that paper sacks make the best puppets, so have some fun and I'll let you know what puppets I get.

As soon as my mommy sends aunt Val some new pictures, aunt Val will put them on the web site. Until tomorrow.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, May 02, 2001 at 10:17 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I think aunt Val has been looking for my appetite cause I've been looking for her. Aunt Pepper helped me find it. She made me chicken nuggets for breakfast. I made it home on Monday so I could have cake and ice cream because Pepper turned the big 30. I had to get a little extra dose of platlets, before I could go home. I think aunt Pepper broke some when she squeezed me. Then we busted out. We had to stop and pick up daddy so he could drive the monster car (suburban) home. My mommy doesn't like to drive things that are soooo big. My daddy loves to, he is the bestest bus drive I know. Then we finally got home. I showed aunt Pepper around, she keeps getting lost. I keep looking for her in the laundry room, I think she is sneaking in some power naps. I wear her out. I have to be really good or she starts that singing up. I know when I hear her start singing, I'm in trouble. I sit down and be the best little boy there is, she thinks the music is calming me. I sit down because my ears are killing me, and the sonner she thinks its working the sooner she quits. Aunt Mimi, could you teach aunt Pepper to sing? I'm just kiddin aunt Pepper, I love it when you sing, aunt Val put those words down, she took over again, she says to remind you that the pen is mighter than the sword and not to mess with her.

Mr. Boomer has made me a little tired but my anti-nausea medicine makes me hyper so I have some ups and downs through out the day. I have been eating Salmon and chicken nuggests not at the same time but they are both my favorites. So my appetite is making a come back once again, thanks for your prayers.

Aunt Pepper says I don't have enough puppets so if any of you little, big, cousins or my friends want to make me some I would love them. I have a puppet stand any my aunt pepper is having a lot of fun with it. She says that paper sacks make the best puppets, so have some fun and I'll let you know what puppets I get.

As soon as my mommy sends aunt Val some new pictures, aunt Val will put them on the web site. Until tomorrow.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, April 30, 2001 at 10:21 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Mr. Boomer came back and stole my appetite. Boomer finally showed his ugly side. It's okay, he has to get a little tough, he is rounding up those bad guys so I get better. Aunt Pepper says I can't go home until I eat and drink something. She better becareful and remember I am the King and I do the bossing.

Aunt Pepper got to stay with me while mommy and daddy went out for lunch. Boy did we have fun. We watched 3 movies, aunt Pepper drew pictures of tractors, combine, barn, chicken, duck and finally after telling her a million times she finally drew gampa in the tractor. Then she sang me songs, aunt Pepper isn't as good a singer as aunt Mimi but I didn't laugh, I asked politely for her to read to me and she understood why. Then we played some peek-a-boo. I kept telling her, "I want to run" but there was no way aunt Pepper could catch me or keep up with me so I didn't get to run. She had fun trying to keep all of my lines straight. Mommy and daddy call it my spider web. They busted me out again to see the concrete crusher. Thanks guys, that made my day.

My daddy is feeling better, his cold is almost out of here. I'm just waiting around, I'm going to try and eat something today and drink a little then I'll try and bust on out of here.

Hey grampa did you hear how my harvest went? They harvested 40 million cells. I told you my doctor was good, you should talk to him about farming when you come to see me. Was your harvest that good last year? I bet it was, your the bestest farmer in the whole wide world. I miss you and gamma, see you soon.

Aunt Pepper says we need prayers for my appetite, It's lost and I need it back before I can leave the hospital. So help me find it guys, I know we can!

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, April 29, 2001 at 12:01 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Let's just say I took the Boom right out of Boomer. He wasn't so bad at all. Mommy and Daddy met with Dr. Maris on Monday and he said things are going great. He was very happy with my progress. I told him I had a lot of help from all of my friends. He said what ever were doing things are going well and to keep up the great work.

I had to say good bye to my gamma Patty, Papa Porky will be very happy to get gamma home I'm sure. Gamma was kind of sad so I stood up on my bed and gave gamma Patty a hug and a kiss and told her, "I love you." That made her feel lots better.

Remember I told you I had some special friends coming for a visit. They made it, Maurice Green and Marion Jones came into MY ROOM and gave me a Nike hat that they signed and I gave them some of my special prayer cards that aunt Mimi made and some special stickers that say John Russell. They were so cool. They wrote in my hospital journal and visited with me for a while. I even had my Nike tennis shoes on, Maurice said he liked my Nike's. It was pretty neat.

I had another very special visitor on Saturday, my aunt Pepper is here. I can't wait till she plays the KING game with me but we have to wait till daddy goes to work, he thinks it's kind of girly. Okay guys, my mommy and my daddy and my auntie Pepper were really bad yesterday. I was downstairs getting my Chemo and I spotted a concrete crusher. I had to get a closer view. Only problem, I couldn't leave the hospital while I was getting Chemo. My daddy looked at my mommy and aunt Pepper and the next thing I knew, we were outside. They busted me out, it was beautiful, it was mashing the cement and smashing it and it was noisy and dusty it was great! I felt like construction man Dave. It was a pretty nice day too, the sun was shining and I was feeling good. I was not happy when we had to go in, I had a little bit a fit. Daddy said we had to get back before they caught us. We were going to go show aunt Pepper the library but it was closed. My Gampa Russ would have been proud of my Daddy. Gampa Russ is the leader of the "Rule Breakers", next is aunt Val and now my daddy is climbing the ladder. Go daddy go.

Aunt Pepper arrived here safely and Gamma Patty made in home to Papa safely. I let aunt Pepper lay with me in bed for a while then I realized her tummy was big like my mommy's was and then I remembered that baby Charlie arrived. I had to kick aunt Pepper out of bed to watch Charlie and mommy got to crawl into bed with me. Aunt Pepper, I don't need another baby brother right now, Charlie is more than enough. Sammy your goign to be a big Sister. If you need any tips, call me I can help. I have started a list of this you can do and things you must never ever do again. I will share it with you. I will give mommy a hug for you.

I got a new DVD from my gamma Russ, gamma loves Tarzan I can't wait to watch it with her, my gamma can make great gorilla sounds. My gamma has been learning how to drive the Red Case IH. Oh gamma I wish I could help you. Gampa is the best teacher in the whole wide world. As long as you don't hit the barn like aunt Mimi everything will be okay. That really makes gampa mad when you hit the barn. I know you would like me to be there in that cardboard box just like my mommy was, but there is no way my mommy is going to let me this year. Next year, I will help you drive that big red tractor, gampa won't care if the rows are crooked as long as there is lots and lots of corn and beans.

My daddy is feeling much better, he's gotten a little more sleep the last couple of nights. Thanks for you help guys. I hope and mommy hopes that we can bust out of here on Monday. Today is already day 5 and big bad Boomer is history. One more hill to climb then clear sailing until I met the next batch. Pray for me real hard, I should hit my low in the next 7 to 10 days then it's smiles again. I will be real busy the next couple of days, I have to get that aunt Pepper in shape. Papa Porky aunt Pepper is defidently at her playing weight. Sorry aunt Pepper it was aunt Val taking over again and yes, she knows she is also at her playing weight so you can't get even with her.

Okay everybody cross your hands across your chest and squeeze really really hard, that was a big hug from me to you for all of your prayers. They mean the world to us.



I love you.
John Russell

Friday, April 27, 2001 at 11:02 AM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I have had a great last two days. I've been doing so good and having a good time seeing all of my old friends that I haven't had a chance to talk to you. Time to update you, sorry about the delay. I have been keeping mommy busy with the cars and the monster truck races. I started a new drug called Decatron. It is a anti nausea drug and it helps me stop wheezing. But on the other hand I have more than enough energy to burn and mommy's burning it with me. My mommy thinks she walked 5 miles yesterday. Daddy stayed at the hospital with me and on our first night we shared a room with Brandon who is 18 months old. Nobody got much sleep it was kind of noisy. My daddy needs some extra prayers tonight. He has a cold just like mommy did and if he doesn't get some sleep the people at work are not going to like him very much. So pray for daddy to have a dry nose and a good nights sleep. Mommy had a talk with the charge nurse and negotiated us a private room and I have my own computer, I don't know how to work it but daddy and mommy are having fun talking to people on it.

Your not going to believe this story. You all remember my nanny in Minnesota? My mommy brought me this tiny little box like thing and she pushed a button on it. It started talking, it was Do Do. My eyes got so big, she was counting and singing and reading stories to me. I don't know how my mommy did it but she put Do Do in that tiny little box so that Do Do can be with me when ever I want. It is so cool, don't worry Do Do mommy will let you out soon, she puts daddy in the closet sometimes but he always gets out. Thanks so much for the nursery rhymes. I miss you.

I met Mr. Boomer on Wednesday. He seemed pretty nice and was okay to play with on the first day. Things went really well. I did have a wheezing episode so I had to have two nebulizer treatments then everything was fine and I went on with my second meeting with Mr. Boomer. Meeting two also went well. I'm not saying I like Mr. Boomer but he's been pretty good to me so far. I think it is all of those prayers and angels coming my way.

A little more information on the stem cell round up. The number they were shooting for was anywhere between 2 and 4 million, thats a lot of cells to round up. You will all be happy to know that they captured 40 million cells. They captured enough for both of my stem cell transplants and I have a nice little stash just in case I need it later.

I have been eating better. I met with snap crackle and pop this morning for breakfast and I invited them back for lunch and then they returned for dinner. I enjoyed a little jello and a piece of white bread too. Gourmet dining at it's finest. my nutritionist, Diane says I'm doing very well and maintaining nicely. I have to take some vitamins too mommy and daddy have to smash them up and add them to orange juice and then I suck it out of a plastic syringe. The only reason I take it is because mommy and daddy have to take it too, just like me. Mommy's friend Dr. Beth says water is very important so I have a lot of water too.

Mommy and Gamma were a little late this morning. They had a very, very, good excuse. The Penn realays are going on today right beside the hospital. The traffic was terrible. Mommy said she had to drive aggressive, that means she was out of control I hope she didn't scare gamma Patty. Mommy said that there was a man from Massachusets who didn't like her very much, mommy says he was having a bad day. It's okay mister, I do too sometimes but, tomorrow is a new day. Mommy says we have some very special visitors coming to 3E today, Has anybody heard of Michal, Maurice and Marion? It's a good thing I have my nike shoes here at CHOPS. I can't wait to meet them.

I saw Eddy today he is going to bust out today or tomorrow. He wants to get home and ride his ATV 4-wheeler. Maybe he can hide me in a little box like DoDo, I would love to ride a 4 wheeler. Lots of people are going to miss him, he is cool. I gave Eddy a lollipop, I took two from Jackie at the front desk, Jackie is really nice.

My good friend James came in today, remember, he is the real cool guy who cleans my room. I stuck 5 stickers on him. James said to tell my gampa Russ Hi, I think he misses the candy gampa gave him. I told him gampa would be back in a couple of weeks.

My mommy just sent my Aunt Val a message, actually she has been bugging aunt Val the whole time she has been trying to write my update and Aunt Val is getting mad. I am sorry Aunt Val I will try and keep her busy so you can finish. My mommy told her I was eating handful's of brocolli, I ate mine and I am starting on gamma Patty's I kind of like this stuff.

Remember prayers for daddy nose and for him to get some sleep and for me, you guys know, knock the socks off of Mr. Boomer.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, April 24, 2001 at 11:33 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody,

What a busy last two days. Monday was a good day. I went in for my "freezing". I'm glad it was a warm sunny day in Philly. Mary Jane and Dana hooked me up to the machine. It was kind of like a vaccuum cleaner, it borrowed my blood then gave it back to me. The good news--I had gobs and gobs and gobs of the good guys!!!! I owe it to all of the gobs, and gobs, and gobs of prayers. You all did it again.

It only took 3 hours and Dr. Kim and Dr. Grupp said my white cells looked very healthy and the procedure went well. Mommy and Daddy were very happy. I got a little bored with the whole thing and fell asleep. I had a good nap. On Tuesday the round up went even better. I have enough white cells to help me when I need it and I also have an extra supply just in case I need them too. Dr. Grupp is holding them in the corral for save keeping until I need them. I knew the round up would be a great one. I told you these bugs should have never, ever, ever, messed with me and my friends.

After my "Freeze" on Monday daddy took me to the grocery store. You are never going to believe this, my dad found monster trucks at the grocery store. I got two, it was funny, I just flashed my baby blues at my daddy and told him, "those are cool". Next thing I knew, they were mine. My daddy is a bigger push over than my mommy can you believe it. I don't think daddy will give mommy anymore trouble about shopping for me. Sky's the limit mommy, go mommy go.

Gamma Patty checked in on Papa Porky to make sure he was eating okay. She found him at Uncle Steve's house. Uncle Steve was watching over or you can call it Papa sitting until gamma gets home. Gamma will be there soon Papa don't worry, we took really good care of her.

Remember the story about copying what mommy and daddy say? Well, I learned a new lesson on this subject. I was telling mommy some of my new words I learned. Did you know there are some bad words just like there are some bad bugs out and about in the big beautiful world. I didn't know that. I just thought it was a word. I can't tell you what it was I promised my mommy never to say it again. I can't remember where I heard it but I will never say it again.

Tuesday's "freeze" was a breeze. Gamma Patty and mommy and Charlie went with me. Daddy told me I was a Super Star and I did such a good job on Monday that he knew mommy and gamma and Charlie could handle it on Tuesday. He was right of course, my daddy is never wrong. He knows everything. He was at the office working so he can buy me some more monster trucks.

When we got home today I played with Gentry and Cole. Daddy was gone so mommy let us dump our sand in a pile on the driveway. Daddy would have thrown a fit but boy did we have fun. We filled our buckets and played really really hard. By the time we were done the sand was gone. Evidence destroyed, now daddy won't even know.

Well tomorrow I meet Mr. Boomer, I know I will not like him but I will accept him and deal with him for the next 5 days then he's out of here baby. Get those pray chains a clanking and those angels flying. It's time to tango Mr. Boomer and we are ready for you.

I'll be talking to you tomorrow and let you know how day one with Boom Boom went.

I Love You.
John Russell

P.S. Check out my pictures I have two new ones.

Saturday, April 21, 2001 at 08:00 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm back again, I have been feeling pretty good. I had to start my shots again I get them twice a day. I have to have them before they can freeze my blood, I guess the medicines kind of gets my blood moving cause I sure am hyper. I kept daddy up a couple nights, he didn't like it much. I did let him sleep last night. Mommy and I had a talk about 4:30 this a.m. I told my mommy, "Daddy has blue eyes". Mommy said, "Yes, he has big beautiful blue eyes." I said, "he sleeps with me." Mommy said, "yes, daddy loves you very much and he sleeps with you at the hospital." I said, "I love Daddy, I love Mommy I love Charlie". Then I fell asleep. It was a good night.

Monday is the big day for freezing as long as we don't have another melt down. I went to the clinic and my counts were great! I didn't have to have any extra platlets. I didn't break any this time, I have been real careful. Then, if all goes well on the freezing I have my next batch of Chemo starting on Wednesday. The first one we called "Blast" so this one is going to bec called, "Boomer" This one is going to be 5 days long but it is not suppose to be as nasty as, "Mr. Blast" was so I know I can do it with all of your prayers, love and support. Go Team Go!

Today was an exciting day. It was the day we cleaned the garage. It has been driving my daddy CRAZY. It was a trying day. Mommy and Daddy were practicing throwing things. This would have been okay if they were throwing balls and playing catch. That wasn't the case. Daddy needs Uncle Jared to come and build some more cabinets for all of mommy's pretty things and all of daddy's lawn care things. Mommy put daddy in time out, and daddy put mommy in the corner, Mommy wouldn't go in time-out. That's when the KING stepped in and made a ruling. It was time for them to, "Give Love" until they were giggling at me and smiling at each other. Then daddy felt really strong and he put mommy's
bench out in the yard. They are very heavy, the monster lawn mower helped daddy move everything and it didn't even get stuck once. Mommy got 4 bunnies and 1 duck out in the flowers. Daddy felt much calmer with his garage clean and mommy finally let him out of time out. We also had some new neighbors visit. They are called Ginny's. They are very noisy and they like my back yard. We let them play because they eat all the ticks in our grass. Mommy and I like watching them, they are a funny looking bird.

Mommy and I found a man to play cowboys and indians with grandma Russ when she comes back to see me. We call him the, "Lawn mower Man." He is very fast with his mower and he has lots and lots of gadgets. When he has his weed eater out he runs with it. I sure hope your in shape Grandma Russ.

We went for a drive today and found 2 ice cream shops really close. I don't know how Papa Porky missed this one. It is so close to our house, he must have been looking the other way. I will show him when he comes back. I have come to like ice cream. My mommy let me have 4 ice cream cones the other day and now that she knows I like it, I get them any time I want. Boy my mommy is nice.

Since I have been feeling a little better I've been testing the waters with Baby Charlie. I found a new way to get lots of attention really, really fast. I poke Baby Charlie when he is sleeping and I wake him up. This makes mommy not happy, daddy not happy more than mommy, grandma really, really not happy and Charlie he gets so mad that he screams for about 5 minutes. I was just checking on him to make sure he was okay, gosh guys, chill out. Then, I lost my head for a second and I did it again, I hit Charlie. No, it wasn't the medicine this time, I just hit him, no reason, just testing the water and the water got hot when mommy caught me. She gave me a time out. The only thing good about it was that Gampa Russ wasn't there to laugh at me and stick his tongue out when mommy wasn't looking. He will never know what happened and now it's out of my system. Mommy and I had a long talk and I won't hit him anymore, I can tap him on the leg but I can't hit him. I am very sorry Baby Charlie, I love you.

My friend Bob, he's the construction man who made my playroom, he stopped by to give my mommy some books and to show me something very special. I thought he drove over his tractor I raced mommy and gramma Patty to the door. I didn't see a tractor. I saw a MONSTER, MONSTER, MONSTER, MOTORCYCLE. Bob even had a special name for it, its name was HARLEY DAVIDSON. I looked at it and my eyes almost popped out. I grabbed my gramma Patty, just in case she was a little scared of it. Then Bob honked the horn. That did it, gamma Patty grabbed me and wouldn't let go of me she was so scared. Gamma Patty was ready to go on a ride to show me how brave she was but I told her it was okay, she could stay there with me and I would hold her hand. Maybe next time my friend Bob comes I will touch the wheel's.

I got a great, great, great, great, package in the mail today. It was from the Moving crew. You all remember Doug and Dan and the best moving crew in the country and don't forget their "Big Truck". Well, they sent me a bouquet of Thomas the Train cookies. Oh my gosh, they were the most beautiful cookies I have ever seen. They were so beautiful I was scared to touch them. Finally my mommy talked me into it, I carried my cookie the whole day. Then I took one over to show Genty and Cole they were as shocked as I was. An edible Thomas. They were so impressed that I asked mommy if I could share with them she said yes. I gave one to Gentry and he yelled, "Mom, look at this", It was pretty cool. Thanks to all you guys at Lint, United Van Lines in Des Moines, Iowa. If anybody is moving these are the guys you need. They are the "Best of the Best". My mommy keeps telling me that she has 8 rolls of film and one of them has a picture of me in the "Big Truck" I will try and get her to get the film developed before Christmas. I sure miss you guys and that truck of yours.

Sorry I was so long tonight but so much is going on and I have to keep you up to date. Pray that there are no melt downs and that the freezing goes well so that Chemo can start on Wednesday. Talk to you tomorrow guys.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at 09:22 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Today was a so so day. I was a little irritable as mommy puts it. In my own words, I was grouchy. I ate ice cream for lunch and peas for dinner. Maybe not the best choices but hey, I'm eating. My mouth sores disappeared just as fast as they came. No more owies. Gamma Patty almost got an owie today. She was carring the vaporizer down the stairs and well, she dropped it. If Papa were here we'd say he tripped you gamma. I think you just wanted to wash the floor, it needed a cleaning anyway.

The moving men were here again today. They finished, and my daddy's garage is kind of messy but my playroom is awesome. Daddy has been working very hard and we play really hard when he comes home from work. We have races in the basement with the cars.

Baby Charlie got a new toy today. It is really one of my old toys but it's new to him. It is a jumpy seat. He is getting so big, his toes already touch the ground. I had to show him how everything worked. He smiled a lot today. My bestest friend in the whole wide world (the mailman) brought me another package today. The Schuster's, (Hi Christian, I miss you) my neighbors back in Minnesota sent Charlie and I Gap T-Shirts and we each got a pair of sunglasses. Boy does Charlie look cool now. Speaking of Minnesota, I woke up this morning and there was this white stuff everywhere. Then I remembered it was called SNOW. What is going on with mother nature? I guess she knew my mommy was missing Minnesota and all her friends there. Mother Nature was just trying to make her feel at home. I sure hope my mommy remember's how darn cold it was in Minnesota and to start needing some warm sunny weather. Thanks to Jim Fisher and the Wells Fargo Financial guys, they sent me a big basket of cookies and a stufffed puppy dog. Don't worry Papa Porky I will save you a cookie and send it home with Gamma Patty so you don't have to eat a wrinkled potato. Then the mailman gave me a package from my mommy's friends from Kinzer in Chicago. I have been having a lot of fun with it. I just might teach myself to read by the end of the year or at least know my ABC's. Thanks for all the goodies.

My mommy tells me how much love and how much thought goes into every package I get and how special each and everyone of them are. She tells me who sent it and she reads me all the cards and notes that I get. I love hearing from all of you and my mommy and daddy are so lucky to have so many many many great and good friends like all of you. So tonight I am giving you all a great big HUG and a squeeze. You have all made me feel so special and loved and I know you really, really, like me. I feel like a KING.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, April 17, 2001 at 10:31 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I know I've told you this before but I must tell you again. You guys and your prayers are so strong, I woke up and ate and ate and ate. I ate mounds of peas and anything I could get my hands on. I was so happy and full of energy. I played so hard today in my playroom that I wore my gamma Patty and mommy out. We had lots of visitors today. We had some unpackers come and finish up the boxes today, I wanted to play with them but mommy said no, they had to work and they couldn't play with me. I was a little sad. My daddy will be happy, the pool table man came and put it all together. It looks great, now daddy has his playroom too. I think my red tractors would look great up on that green felt farm land. Daddy says this is not a good idea. I will wait for my gampa to come back, he will tell my daddy it is okay. By the way gampa I thought you went home to plant corn and beans. You have been all over the county. I know because I saw all the people who wrote in my guestbook. Its okay gampa, I need those prayers and its probably too cold and wet to plant those beans.

Well, mommy and daddy made it through another line cleaning and bandage change tonight. They try really hard not to look at each other but sometimes they make faces at each other, or they talk kind of funny without moving their lips. I can see their faces. Mommy doesn't know daddy is making faces at her and daddy doesn't know mommy is making faces at him. It is really funny, I try not to laugh and I try to be very serious. Daddy didn't have to go to the closet tonight, it was a good night.

Gamma Patty called Papa tonight to check on him she asked him if he had eaten anything and papa said, "I had a hamburger patty and an old wrinkled potato." Everybody say OOOOHHHHH. I told you I was worried about Papa Porky. I don't know how he is going to stay at his playing weight without gamma Patty. Maybe Aunt Sherri or Aunt Angie can go and take care of him. Poor Papa Porky. I miss you Papa Porky and if I could, I would come and stay with you. I promise to send gamma home when Charlie is big enough to take care of himself. Gamma Patty had to give me my medicine this afternoon, she is a very good nurse. I love gamma Patty.

We just about had a major trauma today. I lost my monster truck remote. I was so upset. I had everybody in the house looking for it. Mommy said maybe the moving guys "accidentally" threw out my remote. How in the heck can you accidentally throw out a remote control. Did they not have any idea what it was. Mommy told me to check in the barn. It wasn't there. I checked the hay mow, it wasn't there. Then I remembered I put it behind my barn. I looked behind the barn then I looked at mommy and said, "There's my remote". I pretended like I didn't put it there. I knew it wasn't the moving guys, they're to nice.

I discoved a new game that drives my mommy and gamma Patty crazy. I love it and it is so simple to play. It goes like this. Everytime my mommy says something I say the exact same thing. At first she giggled then she said, "okay John Russell", and then she got quiet and Gamma Patty started talking so I said everything gamma Patty said. My mommy and gamma tried so hard to keep a straight face but they just couldn't, they started laughing and couldn't stop. It was pretty funny. Baby Charlie thought it was funny too. He is doing great. He sleeps and eats and makes raccoon noises. I'm waiting to see if he grows a tail.

Your prayer power is going to knock these bugs right out of me. I go to the clinic on Monday and I hope they can do the freezing then. I'm feeling pretty darn good right now so I hope those stem cells are ready to go. Pray for them to be strong and plentiful, you guys are doing a great job my mommy feels a little better today too. Thanks a million guys.

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, April 15, 2001 at 09:45 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Finally, the lost has been found. Is there anybody out there that can control my aunt Val? She has been missing in action since Thursday. I think my cousin Maleri had her 14th birthday and decided to have 15 girls sleepover and watch scary movies. I bet aunt Val didn't sleep much, I hope that Maleri warned them about Aunt Val in the mornings, she is not a very good morning person just ask my aunt Mimi.

Well, I made it home and they did not freeze my blood cells. We are going to wait until Friday and then try again. I am feel much better but I still haven't eaten anything. I am drinking my milk and my mommy adds some half and half when I'm not looking but its okay, I like it. Last time I talked to you, which seems like a million years ago. I was telling you about Baby Charlie and his shots. He got them and didn't like them one bit. He was really hot that night. I told mommy and daddy not to worry he was just trying to keep up with me. He feels much better now, he's not hot anymore.

Papa Porky, gamma Patty and my daddy have been working so hard. My toy room is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Daddy and Papa Porky have a wagon attached to the monster lawn mower and they load up the boxes and drive them around the house to my playroom. This is very fun to watch. Mommy says I'm a wild man. I run from one end to the other end as fast as fast can be. My mommy will never catch me but she does then I have bath time and bedtime. Boo Hiss, I want to Play, Play, Play, now, now, now, mommy, mommy, mommy. I forgot to say NEED. I will remember that next time I have to go to bed.

Thomas got kicked out of the sunroom something about him not working with the decor. Thomas works just fine as long as I'm playing with him. I don't know who this Decor is but stay away from Thomas. I talked to Thomas and we like the basement better. I have all my toys there now. My puppet show stage is set up and I have my art studio and of course I have Thomas everywhere.

I watched Papa Porky thatch the yard on Saturday. He was so happy out there on the tractor and having so much fun, he thatched some of the neighbors yard too. Papa is so nice to help them out. After that he had to fertilize and mow my daddy made Papa Porky work hard, real hard. The yard looks great. Papa has to go home tomorrow but gamma Patty gets to stay and help with me and my baby brother. I wonder how Papa Porky will like being home alone. I sure hope he behaves himself. Who is going to cook for him. I'm a little worried about this. I will have to talk to mommy and daddy and get the scoop. I don't think Ppa Porky should be home alone. He should stay here with us.

Gamma Patty got in trouble today. I'll fill you in and you be the judge. Gamma and Papa snuck out for a little while this morning and papa Porky says that Gamma Patty found a jelly roll. They were going to bring it back to house for breakfast. Papa Porky says Gamma Patty couldn't wait and she started eating it in the car and well, it exploded and got on my mommy's seatbelt. Gamma Patty cleaned it all up and washed it all off, all gone. But my mommy is pretty quick, she smelled a rat when she noticed her seatbelt was all wet. Papa Porky was very quick to give up gamma Patty as the culprit. Papa Porky told my mommy, "It was all gamma Patty's idea, she found it and she ate it and she spilled it. My mommy laughed and laughed and laughed. So did aunt Val cause she knows it was really Papa Porky.

I have another story that Gampa Russ would really like to hear. When my Papa Porky was out back mowing with my monster lawn mower, he got stuck twice coming up the hill. It's the same hill that my grandpa Anita likes to play on. I told you it was a big one. So gampa Russ it you want to bring that BIG RED CASE IH tractor with you when you come back, we might need it to pull my baby green one up the hill. I talked to my daddy and he said we could have two it you wanted to bring it.

We went to church today at St. Agnus. It was almost as beautiful as my toyroom. The ceiling was like a million feet high and the widows were so many different colors and they were really big. There were lots and lots of angels everywhere. My great-grandma Greiner would have loved it. It was beautiful. My mommy met a very nice lady who had 9 children go through school at St. Agnus and she was going to start a prayer chain with her daughters for me. How neat is that? Then she introduced me to the man who talked to us at church. He blessed me and my baby brother Charlie. It was a very good day. The Easter bunny finally came to my house. He brought me eggs, they were all over my deck. They were full of candy. I opened all the candy up but I wouldn't eat it. Good try mommy, but I don't like candy, remember. I got some more bubbles and a new hat and glasses, and a tigger movie. Baby Charlie didn't get to hunt eggs, he can't walk, I've tried to teach him but mom won't let him try. Maybe next year. He got to wear this really cute outfit today. It has a little bunny hat and a little bunny sweater. My daddy said he looked like a sissy. Gamma Patty and mommy and all the people at church said he was adorable. Papa Porky played it safe and said nothing. Papa Porky is pretty smart. I rode the tractor today for almost the whole day. I got to take a three hour nap with my mommy and baby Charlie. Mommy hasn't been feeling very well, she has a cold. Today was a beatiful day. I had fun. My mommy wanted me to ask you all to pray that I get my appetite back and start getting to my playing weight like Papa Porky says.

I will try very hard to keep aunt Val in line. I know I can, I know I can, I know I can. My poor uncle Dan I wonder how he handles her. This will get her moving. I will have some new pictures this week so check in on me. Thanks for your prayers, they got me home again. Pray for that appetite and one more quick one, pray that my mommy's cold goes away!

I love you.
John Russell

Thursday, April 12, 2001 at 10:53 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I know I told you I escaped but those darn bugs found me again at midnight and my daddy had to drive me back into CHOPS. It was a fun ride through the forest. We saw lots and lots of deer. When we got to CHOPS my floor on 3E was full, I got to go up on the 7th floor and share a huge room with 3 kids. My big buddy stayed with me again last night even though we didn't get much sleep we got to hold each other all night. Thanks daddy.

I didn't get to freeze those white blood cells today. My fever was a little to high. I think Dr. Grupp, (He is a giant, he made my daddy look short and my daddy is big) is going to try again tomorrow to harvest some white blood cells. I just remembered that my grandpa Russ harvest's things too. Wow, that means that Dr. Grupp could be a farmer just like my grandpa. I knew I liked him for some reason. If they can't harvest tomorrow, mommy said they will try again next week.

Grandpa Russ, I have been practicing driving my remote control monster truck. I am really getting good. I didn't crash into any little kids today. I can go really fast and I have been working on my turns. I squat down in the hallway so I can see everywhere my car goes. You might want to bring your own when you come back to stay with me again. I don't think that I want to share this one anymore.

I tried to eat some chicken nuggets tonight, I took a couple of bites then decided that was enough. My appettite is making a come back and mommy said she would bring me some shaved turkey and ham and my favorite cheese. I can't wait. I am hungry.

I finally got to move back down on 3E at about 5:00 tonight. We have our own room again and its big enough for all of us. I have flowers painted on my window and it says, "Keep on Smiling", it is pretty neat. One of my very favorite nurses came to take care of me tonight. Her name is Ann, I gave her a great big hug. I wore my hat and glasses today while I was cruising in my sports car. The nurses think I am adorable. Mommy said today I was lovey. Gentry and Cole gave me some bubbles in my Easter basket so mommy and I blew bubbles. Mommy blew and I smashed. It was a lot of fun. Baby Charlie slept. He has a checkup tomorrow. I hate to tell him this but he is in for some shots. It will be okay, I will be there to hold his foot. I will be brave for him too, poor little guy.

Mommy said I got another Easter basket from my other neighbor boy Tyler. Why won't that darn Easter bunny come when I am there. This one had a great big Chocolate bunny in it. We brought it to CHOPS to share with all the kids. One of his ears must have fallen off. I asked Papa Porky what happened but he didn't know where the ear went. Oh well, my friends didn't care. I also got a really cool tool set. Now I don't have to borrow my mommy and daddy's. I got some new sun glasses too. They have bunny ears on them. They are kind of fun to play with and I let baby Charlie wear them. He looked pretty funny in them.

Papa Porky kept a low profile today, I think Aunt Val scares him. He had a couple of power naps, he likes to call them that. My gramma and Daddy were kind of mean to him today. He found an ice cream shop after lunch and they wouldn't let him stop, they said there wasn't enough time. That's okay cause Papa Porky snuck out later and had a walk with some buddy called Baby Ruth. She must be a new nurse I don't remember that name. I'll ask grandpa Russ if he remembers nurse Ruth.

Sweet dreams to all, pray for my white cells to multiply and be plentiful.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, April 11, 2001 at 10:39 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody-

I managed to escape today, I couldn't have done it without you guys. You must have all been working over time in the prayer department last night. Thanks so much. My infection is clearing up and the redness is going away. Dr. Maris wants to start my freezing process tomorrow. Now I have to get up early in the morning and go back to the clinic. That's okay, I get to sleep with mommy and daddy tonight. I got in a little trouble today and I can't even blame it on grandpa Russ. I did it all by myself. I was bouncing on the bed again and my mommy told me to stop it. I didn't listen so mommy came over to sit on the bed with me. I got mad and I through my head back right into my mommy's front teeth. Oh baby did that leave a mark. I got a big bump on my head. Sometimes mommy is right I should have settled down. They almost made me stay in the hospital another night because of it. My mommy got me out. Sorry mommy, if your tooth falls out, I hear the tooth fairy is really nice and leaves you money under the pillow. Never the less, I am home. I am hot and mommy and daddy don't like it much. I have a little fever.

Daddy and gramma Patty are going to take me to the clinic tomorrow for my freezing of the white blood cells. Everybody pray those little critters are getting really strong tonight. Papa Porky, aka "Aqua Velva Man" has to stay home and mow on my Big Monster Lawn Mower that is green. My daddy said we have the worst looking yard in the county. I suppose you want to know about the aqua velva man. Okay, sorry papa Porky but the word is out. When mommy and Papa Porky and Gamma Patty were coming to see me today. Gamma Patty asked Papa Porky if he was wearing that cologne again. Papa Porky said, "Well yes, that woman told me I smelled really good. She wanted to know what the heck I was wearing." So now, we call him the Aqua Velva Man. Mommy and Gamma Patty laughed a long time.

I had a great big surprise when I got home today. I think the Easter bunny knows my neighbor boys. He helped them bring over a huge Easter Bunny Basket. It was awesome. I loved it, so did Papa Porky. Thanks Gentry and Cole that was so nice. Next time the Easter Bunny comes bring him over, I want to meet him.

I had a little better day today. My mouth really hurts now. I did eat 3 bites of ice cream but that was enough. Mommy wants me to eat. It's been 4 days now but the doctors say when my mouth sores go away I will eat. My mommy tried to get me to eat spaghetti by sucking it up a straw. This is very hard. I didn't do so well. I have a hard time eating spaghetti with a fork and now she thinks a straw will work. She is so silly. I will eat soon mommy I promise.

I also had some special visitors yesterday. Jim Fisher and Craig Smith. They are friends of me and my daddy. We are going golfing when I get bigger. It was nice to see some familar faces. Mommy was happy to see them too. Thanks for the visit guys and I'll catch ya next time.

Your prayers were very special last night. You guys are really good at this. I miss everybody and wish everyone could come and see me.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, April 11, 2001 at 10:39 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody-

I managed to escape today, I couldn't have done it without you guys. You must have all been working over time in the prayer department last night. Thanks so much. My infection is clearing up and the redness is going away. Dr. Maris wants to start my freezing process tomorrow. Now I have to get up early in the morning and go back to the clinic. That's okay, I get to sleep with mommy and daddy tonight. I got in a little trouble today and I can't even blame it on grandpa Russ. I did it all by myself. I was bouncing on the bed again and my mommy told me to stop it. I didn't listen so mommy came over to sit on the bed with me. I got mad and I through my head back right into my mommy's front teeth. Oh baby did that leave a mark. I got a big bump on my head. Sometimes mommy is right I should have settled down. They almost made me stay in the hospital another night because of it. My mommy got me out. Sorry mommy, if your tooth falls out, I hear the tooth fairy is really nice and leaves you money under the pillow. Never the less, I am home. I am hot and mommy and daddy don't like it much. I have a little fever.

Daddy and gramma Patty are going to take me to the clinic tomorrow for my freezing of the white blood cells. Everybody pray those little critters are getting really strong tonight. Papa Porky, aka "Aqua Velva Man" has to stay home and mow on my Big Monster Lawn Mower that is green. My daddy said we have the worst looking yard in the county. I suppose you want to know about the aqua velva man. Okay, sorry papa Porky but the word is out. When mommy and Papa Porky and Gamma Patty were coming to see me today. Gamma Patty asked Papa Porky if he was wearing that cologne again. Papa Porky said, "Well yes, that woman told me I smelled really good. She wanted to know what the heck I was wearing." So now, we call him the Aqua Velva Man. Mommy and Gamma Patty laughed a long time.

I had a great big surprise when I got home today. I think the Easter bunny knows my neighbor boys. He helped them bring over a huge Easter Bunny Basket. It was awesome. I loved it, so did Papa Porky. Thanks Gentry and Cole that was so nice. Next time the Easter Bunny comes bring him over, I want to meet him.

I had a little better day today. My mouth really hurts now. I did eat 3 bites of ice cream but that was enough. Mommy wants me to eat. It's been 4 days now but the doctors say when my mouth sores go away I will eat. My mommy tried to get me to eat spaghetti by sucking it up a straw. This is very hard. I didn't do so well. I have a hard time eating spaghetti with a fork and now she thinks a straw will work. She is so silly. I will eat soon mommy I promise.

I also had some special visitors yesterday. Jim Fisher and Craig Smith. They are friends of me and my daddy. We are going golfing when I get bigger. It was nice to see some familar faces. Mommy was happy to see them too. Thanks for the visit guys and I'll catch ya next time.

Your prayers were very special last night. You guys are really good at this. I miss everybody and wish everyone could come and see me.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, April 10, 2001 at 11:20 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody-

It's me. I didn't get to go home. They say I have to stay here all week. :( My centeral line in my chest has an infection. This is very serious. I am not at all happy about it. We hope that the anitbiodics will start working soon. If not, they will have to take it out and put it back in again. This is not an option that we want to use. I need everybodies extra prayers for the next week. I need this infection to go away or I can't start that freezing process I told you about the other day and I really need that to get better. What ever you can do and however many angels you can send now is a good good time. I need these drugs to start working I need to go home!!!

I did have a better night last night. I hope mommy got some sleep too. I only had one little teenie tiny wake up session. Once I knew daddy was with me I was okay.
I asked my mommy where Gampa was today. She told me he had to go home and plant corn and beans and he would be back soon. Its a good thing Papa Porky was here to fill in. He did a really good job today. We played with the playschool garage. We also took some rides in the sport car. Papa Porky put on my glasses and I was off to the races. Then my mommy had to help me make a crepe paper Easter egg. It was fun to see my mommy with glue all over her. Mommy had a lot of fun too. We also had the "music man" come in for a visit today. I got to play a keyboard it made a noise like a drum and a guitar and some instruments I never even heard of.

Gamma Patty rocked and rocked and rocked Baby Charlie. Mommy said he is getting so spoiled. Mommy said he misses gramma Anita but he likes having gramma Patty here she is being really good to him. That means spoiling him. Gamma Patty is just happy that Aunt Sherri and Aunt Val aren't here hogging him. They wouldn't let anybody hold him, they were sharing him.

My nurse came in tonight to change my dressing. I don't like this. It kind of hurts and with this infection I really don't like it. My mommy helped me hold my hands above my head. She talked to me like a "big boy". I was a very very brave soldier. The nurse even said I was the bravest little kid she ever saw. She got a couple of extra stickers. I liked her too.

Mommy got to see Bobby and his family today. They met on the elevator. Bobby was in for some more treatments. Hi Bobby if your reading this. I miss you, come visit me, I'm on lockdown on 3E for the rest of the week.

Papa Porky says he has the route from the house to the hospital down perfect. Aunt Val teased him and asked if he left a trail of bread crumbs he giggled and said yep. He really made notes when mommy was driving. He is pretty sneaky. He almost got busted today. He was watching over Baby Charlie when Charlie decided to dirty his diaper. Papa Porky started yelling for Gamma Patty, my mommy caught him but Gamma Patty saved him. He slipped by on this one.

I did have a very tramatic accident today. I was playing with my truck aunt Mimi gave me and Mickey Mouse's head fell off. It use to hang out the window. Now it rolls around on the floor. I looked at my mommy with my best pout face and said, "I boke him". Mommy took him home to fix him. He will be back tomorrow. Good thing mommy played with the glue today, now she will know how to fix him.

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can. with all of your help get through this bump in the road.

I Love you.
John Russell.

Monday, April 09, 2001 at 10:15 PM (CDT)

Hello everybody--

I went to the clinic today. I didn't sleep very well last night and neither did mommy and daddy. Those owies in my mouth bother me a lot. Remember that medicine called Adavan? It's the one that made me a little crazy. During one of my episodes I bumped my central line. Not a real good thing to do. We have been keeping a really close eye on it. It was a little puffy today and kind of sore. Once the doctors at the clinic saw it and mommy told them I wasn't very happy the last couple of days they decided to put me in the hospital. This really STINKS! It was 80 degree's here today. I wanted to play outside on my new Monster Lawn Mower.

There were some good things that happened today. My Papa Porky and Gamma Patty made it here safe and sound. My mommy told Papa Porky he had to behave because aunt Val's ears are pretty good and she tells everybody everthing. Papa Porky laughed. They gave me great big hugs and kisses, they missed me lots. Then my other grandma and grandpa had to leave, that made me sad. Grandpa promised me he would be back just as soon as the beans were growing. He was really sad too. He told me to show Papa Porky all the pretty nurses and all the great toy hangouts. Tomorrow will be a busy day for Papa Porky.

I spent most of the day at the day clinic but finally got my room at CHOPS. The first thing I did was check out my new bed. It has to pass the "Tigger" bounce test, it did. As I was jumping, I looked across the hall and there was my friend Eddy. I looked at mommy and said, "There is Eddy". He waved at me and I waved back. We met a man named Woody today. He was pretty cool. He played the guitar and sang songs to us. Papa Porky was a great "itsy bitsy spider." He sang the song and made his fingers like a spider. He even tried to do the wheels on the bus. After Woody was done playing he gave me my very own cassette tape of his music. I went back to my room and played it on my tape player in my room. That was fun I made mommy sing some more.

When we walked up to 3E the nurse at the desk looked at me kind of funny. She couldn't have forgotten me already. I've only been gone a little while. Then I remembered that I didn't have my hat and glasses on. Grandpa, you were only gone for 2 hours and already mommy forgot about my cool kid image that I have to maintain. You will have to have a talk with her.

I wore my new Thomas pin on my shirt today. It's the one that flashes. The nurses called me the "Mini Conductor". I liked that.

I wonder if Papa Porky has found that carrott cake in the fridge yet. He likes to sneak down for a late night snack. I'll have to ask my mommy in the morning. They went to my new house tonight and my daddy is here with me at CHOPS. I will sure try and sleep for daddy tonight, he is kind of tired. Mommy called me at the hospital to let me know she made it home safe. There was a great big storm here tonight. Mommy drove home, she was showing Papa Porky the way. It was pretty dark. I hope he didn't get directions from Grandpa Russ. By the way, Papa Porky found the carrott cake. I knew he would, it was good stuff.

I hope I get to go home tomorrow. These antibiodics are suppose to work fast. I will let you know tomorrow. In case you didn't check out my pictures I have a new one. I'm wearing one of my many crowns now that I'm the king. Pray for me lots tonight everybody. I WANT TO GO HOME NOW.

I LOVE YOU!!!
John Russell

Monday, April 09, 2001 at 10:13 PM (CDT)

Sunday, April 08, 2001 at 09:54 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I was a little happier today. I didn't sleep much last night. My mouth has some little owies in it. I won't show my mommy and daddy but they are there. Aunt Val has given me some good ideas about what to do. Maybe tomorrow I will be braver and show the doctors my owie so they can fix it. I'll let you know later.

Mommy, Grandma, Grandma, baby Charlie and me went to the West Chester Express today. No, it's not a new resturant, it was a train. Mommy and Grandpa said it was Thomas. I told them, "No, it is Diesel". They still haven't got it figured out. We went on a ride to the next town. Grandma had to do some shopping and so did my mommy. Daddy had to work so we could shop. I got so new books, a ball and a Thomas light that I can wear on my coat it's way cool. The animals were out and about too. We saw two deer, I was sure glad grandpa didn't have his hunting gun. I think one of them might have been Rudolph. Grandpa always tries to get Rudolph. Then the Easter Bunny was there on the train with us. I got to pet him and talk to him a little bit. He was kind of big for a bunny. The best part was when Sir Top 'em Hat came and got me. He took me to the engine room and showed me all the buttons and levers and gadgets. I even got to pull a few knobs before I had to leave. It was a dream come true.

My grandma and grandpa have to leave tomorrow. I am very, very, sad. Baby Charlie is too. He will miss grandma a lot. She wanted to take him back to Iowa but I said no way. He is my buddy now. I will be praying that they have a safe flight home. I will miss them, I love them soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo MUCH!!!!!!!

Today I tried to help Charlie walk. Mommy said that wasn't a good idea yet he had to get a little bigger and maybe learn to crawl. He is trying to talk. Mommy acts like she knows what he is saying. But she really has no idea what he is saying, I don't think anybody does. He smiles a lot too. I still smell his feet and pet him on the leg and head, he smiles at me too.

Grandpa had the construction man write in my journal so I thought I would share it with you.

Dear John Russell,

"I am Bob Meanix, we built you playroom dowstairs. I had fun watching you play outside yesterday. You looked like a french, racecar driver with you baret and cool coat. You were enjoying sitting in our trucks and it reminded me of when my boys were young. Hopefully I can bring the John Deere tractor over for you to play on. Keep smiling."

Your Friend,
Bob

I like Bob, he is fun and he lets me play in his truck. I got to ride the "Monster Lawn Mower" today. Grandpa helped me with the name. Daddy drove me up and down the streets for about an hour. I think the neighbors think my daddy is goofy. They all laugh and smile at us. We waved and smiled right back at them. Daddy had to go run the grill for dinner so grandpa took over the wheel. He only cried for a little bit. I told him to just pretend that the tractor was RED and everything would be alright.

I have a real busy day tomorrow. I have to go to the clinic in the morning. Then Papa Porky and Gramma Patti are coming. Then I have to take grandpa and gradma Horsey to the airport. Mommy says I might have a few broken platelets this time so I might need some fresh blood tomorrow. No biggie, been there done that. Help the angels watch over all my grandpa's and grandma's tomorrow.

I love you.
John Russell

Sunday, April 08, 2001 at 03:13 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

Aunt Val has been trying to update my pictures all day today. She hopes the new pictures show up today. I went to the clinic and had my blood checked. My platlets are cracked but not broken and my whiteblood cells were low, they were kind of quite today and so was I. The doctor said that was okay. I just had chemo and that's what happens. Mommy told me we might have to go into the hospital in the next couple of days to get rejuiced. Mommy says I hit my "Nader" I guess that means I hit my "low" after chemo. I'll be okay. You guys just pray for my white blood cells to get with the program and start growing. Next week I get to have some special things happen. The doctors are going to chase my white blood cells and then pick out the good ones (capture them) and then they are going to save them. It sound something like freezing them but thats not it exactly. Then when the Chemo really tires me out I get to have those special white blood cells back. Pretty cool huh. My doctor is really, really, smart.

My neighbor boys still come to visit when me and grandpa have out the monster truck. They were getting just a little to close to it this time. I had to tell them, "Boy's don't touch the wheels on my monster truck". That's all I had to say and they all took a couple of steps back. Grandpa laughed and said, "You tell them John Russell".

My Big Green Machine showed up today. I was so excited. Grandpa was still pouting a little bit. Daddy gave me a ride but it was really cold here yesterday. I only got one ride. It was a bummer day. I was not happy all day today. My mommy and daddy said I was being kinda like a "punk" whatever the heck that is. I was a grouch. I wasn't hungry but I did have a couple of bottles of milk. If I have to go to the hospital it's okay. Maybe Bobby or Eddie or some of my other new friends will be there and we can catch up on things.

Special note to Papa Porky and gamma Patti, if you see my grandpa Russ at the airport, don't let him give you direction. My grandma could give directions but don't take them from grandpa. See you two on Monday.

Kinda tired today so I'll sign off now.

I Love You.
John Russell

Sunday, April 08, 2001 at 03:06 PM (CDT)

Sunday, April 08, 2001 at 02:46 PM (CDT)

Friday, April 06, 2001 at 04:14 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I'm almost back to my old self again. I have to go to the clinic on Friday and get my platlets and my white blood cells counted. I fell pretty good so I hope I won't need any extra blood this time. I had a lot of workers in the house today. They use to lock their car doors but today, they left them open for grandpa and me. We honked all the horns a couple of times. I kicked all the tires, I don't know what that means but I see my grandpa do it all the time. I hope they finish my playroom so I can show my Papa Porky and Gramma Patti all my cool stuff. It's going to take me a day to show them all my new books and videos from all my friends. I have been getting a package everyday in the mail. I LOVE the mailman.

Grandpa pouted in the corner this morning because he read the journal update and heard what I said about the green machine. I told him I was joking. Then I gave him some love. He said he is not mad at me. His feelings were just hurt. Grandpa knows it's all aunt Val's fault. Grandpa and I met with neighbor kids today. One of my new friends is Gentry. He is pretty cool and he plays really really careful with me. Mommy likes him a lot. We hiked through the backyard and picked up sticks. I told Gentry, "Throw It". I had him working and he didn't even know it. It was so much fun. We didn't go back as far as grandma did. I told Gentry what happened to her yesterday. We stayed away from the big hill. Then grandpa and I went racing my remote control monster truck. We were having a lot of fun when all of the sudden, around the corner came this kid in his battery operated Jeep. He started chasing my remote car. Grandpa kind of giggled and said watch this. He tried some funky car moves with the kid in the jeep right on his heels. Then, it happened that kid ran over my remote control monster truck. Grandpa got mad. Really Really mad. Then the little turkey did it again. He must have known that grandpa wasn't the king anymore. I told grandpa we better put the car away before it gets hurt. Grandpa went inside and tattled on the kid. Mommy laughed when grandpa wasn't looking but I saw it.

When my daddy got home we went for a walk. Just me, mommy and daddy. It was fun. I hope we do it again. While we were walking something wonderful happened. Charlie had his very first bottle. Grandma said he was really noisy when he ate. Big step for him. He is growing up real fast. Aunt Val has some new pictures that she is going to work on this weekend they should be in my photo album by Monday. Sorry for the pressure aunt Val people want to see some new pictures of me and baby Charlie. By the way all you people checking into my web site I want to hear from you too. I know your checking on me I see the number grow and grow and grow. Send me a little note so I know whose out there.

I love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, April 04, 2001 at 09:22 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

My bad day was bad but not as bad as today was. I don't know what has gotten into me. I've been a wild man, crazy, and mean. Mommy says even if I were spoiled, I couldn't be this bad. Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, no more medicine by the name of Adavan. That is some wild medicine, it made me a crazy kid. It doesn't happen very often but sometimes, we little kids have a bad reaction to it. I told you it wasn't my fault about the tractor hitting my mommy. Now, don't you all feel bad......

I wore my grandpa out again today. We went visiting backyards today. You see, I don't have any toys in my backyard. Grandpa got me all dressed in my black baret, my black scarf and my black glasses. We were off on an adventure. First stop, a neighbors sandbox we don't know whose, but we played for over an hour. Next stop was another neighbors backyard, we found a slide. We slid for a very long time. Third stop, another backyard full of toys swings and more slides. Then grandpa said we had to go home. I wasn't happy I had a mini tantrum. Then grandpa said we could play with the trucks.

When we got home grandpa let me play in the workers truck. The workers are finishing my playroom at me new house. I bet they wished they had finished it before I moved in. I checked out the truck. First I kicked the tires, then I rubbed the beautiful silver rims. Next I hopped in and checked out the inside. I really like the horns, the radio, and the door locks. I almost caught grandpa sleeping with those door locks, he's still to fast for me. After I finished the workers truck I went for my mommies. I turned on the whipers, front and back. I turned on the blinkers, the heater, I put it in gear and last but not least, I turned up the radio as loud as I could. Mommy jumped really high when she got in to leave today. Grandpa and I laughed and laughed and laughed.

Special note to Sharron. Thank you so much for my train that sings. My mommy and grandpa and grandma love it too. I don't know how but sometimes I lose him. Grandpa and Grandma can always find him. I played him almost all day today. I also finally got my VCR hooked up. I watched a little Thomas and a little bit of my Monster Truck Video. Mommy was glad the VCR was hooked up too.

My grandma escaped today. We couldn't find her anywhere. I even checked the closets just in case mommy put her there. I checked the third floor to make sure she wasn't in isolation. No grandma. Then I looked outside, there she was. She had mommies wheelbarrel and was pulling weeds. She couldn't take it any more she was working up a sweat. After she filled up the wheelbarrel she headed to the hill outback. Mommy and I watched her go down and down and down the hill really fast and then we couldn't see her anymore. It took a long time and then I saw her. Her head was popping up over the hill. My grandma is so silly she must have been playing cowboys and indians. She was crawling up the hill pulling that wheelbarrel so we couldn't see her. Mommy and I giggled and then promised to pretended we didn't see her we wanted grandma to think she was the best indian and she won the game.

Here is some really big news, my new "JOHN DEERE TRACTOR" comes this weekend. I put that in there just for you grandpa. We'll see who's laughing next time I get a time out. You would be wise to remember who the New King is grandpa. "I LOVE JOHN DEERE TRACTORS." Grandpa, you still get to be the first one to drive me around in my big green machine. I lost my cool there for a minute but I'm okay now. Aunt Val, stop making me do that.

We went to the grocery store tonight and I found sweetcorn. I love sweetcorn. My mommy says I ate like a hog. I didn't even care, it tasted so good.

My mommy and daddy say thanks for the cards, they can feel all your prayers and as soon as they get the computer hooked up they will be answering your notes.

Until next time.
I love you.
John Russell

Monday, April 02, 2001 at 11:05 PM (CDT)

Hello Everybody--

I made it home. Not Ronald's home but my very own home. I knew with all your help this second blast would be a breeze. My very special friends Kim, Sharron, and Lana got all my stuff put away. I miss you guys a lot, thanks for everything you've done. Thanks for spreading the word Kim--I need every last prayer I can get.

I got a very special package from my papa Porky and gramma Patty. Mommy brought it to the hospital at bed time for me to open. It was the coolest Thomas the Train outfit I have ever seen. I looked at my mommy and told her to put it on me. I put it on and wore it right over my pajama's all night. I dreamed about Thomas and his buddies that night. Thanks papa Porky and gramma Patty can't wait to see you.

I got to sleep in my own room for the very first time ever. I'm a big boy now. I also found out that my new neighbors are all boys. They came to see me and brought me a Barney Balloon. The best part was the scooters they rode in on. My mommy said that I could have one just as soon as they came out with a full body cast made of rubber so I wouldn't get hurt. Guess I won't be getting one in the near future. I'll just have to chase them in my Monster Truck.

Thomas, James and Percy got a really good workout today. Sometimes they even flew, (don't ask grandpa about that). Baby Charlie had a doctor's appointment today so granpa said he would stay home with me. Grandpa had a hard work out too. Let's just say, I was a little bit grouchy today. I didn't feel like being nice so I wasn't. Sometimes this just happens. I was able to get through most of the day without to many outburst but then it happened. I was holding a tractor and my arm just let if fly. I didn't mean for it to hit my mommy in the head. If she hadn't been holding that big baby Charlie, she could have caught it. Mommy didn't think it was funny. Listen to this grandpa, my buddy, my pal, turned on me, he agreed with my mom. I had to go sit by myself on the big white couch in a time-out. Wait till my daddy gets home I'm telling on them.

Tonight I had a han-ga-burger for dinner. Grandpa is still throwing food at me all day long. Special note to my cuz Lubby. Please do not tell grandpa about the dog food, if he thinks it has vitamins and good stuff for me, he will make me eat that too. Lubby, I don't want to eat dog food. SSSSSHHHHHHHH, lets keep this our little secret.

Tonight is bandage night. Good for me but mommy and daddy don't always agree on how to do this procedure. I'm going to have grandma help me make sure all the closets are closed so mommy doesn't try and put daddy in one. Although she has gotten pretty good with sending people to the couch for no good reason. I'll warn my daddy about that later. If they get grouchy tonight, I won't send them to the couch like my mommy did. I make them give hugs and kisses (give love) for however long it takes for the happy faces to come back and the uglies to go away. It works like a charm. They just can't resist me.

Aunt Pepper, you leave Aunt Val alone. She is much much tougher than you and everybody knows it, even grandpa. Aunt Val says she will deal with you later.

Thanks for all the help with blast number two. Number 3 will be upon us soon. I will let you know. I think this one is another 5 day session. That stinks. But I have the best support team and I know they won't let me down.



I love you.
John Russell

Saturday, March 31, 2001 at 10:39 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

Wow, two days in a row on the updates. the people at the clinic said my platlets and my white blood cells looked great and I was ready to rumble with my meds. My first day of chemo was pretty good. Mommy and daddy think they gave me straight caffeine. I was bouncing on the bed and trying to jump off the bed. I was just trying to help those white blood cells jive up a bit. and, maybe have a little fun. I had 3 different kinds of medicine and had tubes hooked up to my central line with all my medicines in them. I kept getting tangled up, it was kind of like a spider web. Mommy and Grandpa tried all day to keep them straight. I only had a little tummy ache right before bed. My daddy stayed all night with me I was so tired from all that jumping I slept like a log. I had a little tummy ache in the morning too. Today I only had one medicine in my lines instead of three. Grandpa taught me how to say it. I was taking, "Cytoxin" today, I told all the nurses when they came in.

Friday I passed out my special stickers from Aunt Mimi, they say John Russell's support team. All the doctors and nurses that came to visit me had them on. The nurses and doctors around here have some real special name tags. My grandpa has been trying to get me one every since we've been here. They are so cool, you pull your name tag out and swipe it through the doors or what ever else you need to and then it shoots right back up to the badge like a tape measure. Grandpa finally found me one in the gift shop. I've been a snapping that thing all day.

My new friend Marjorie, she is one of the sorority sisters from the University of Pennslyvania she helped me make cookies at Ronalds house. Well, she came to the hospital today just to see me. She brought me a book about Spot and we read it and all of the other books in my room. She also found me a T-Shirt and sweatshirt from the Unviersity that will fit me. I like her a lot. I can't wait for her to meet Shannon.

Erika was my nurse tonight and she came into change my bedding. She walked in and headed right to me. I said, "wash hands". Ericka said, "you want me to wash your hands?" I said, "NO, WASH YOUR HANDS". My grandpa just about fell on the floor laughing. He usually makes sure everybody washes their hands before they come near me. Grandpa you better becareful--no more sleeping on the job. Granpa was probably just testing me to see if I was watching. Right grandpa.

I haven't seen Bobby for a while and I do miss him. I met a new kid today. His name is Eddy. Eddy and Bobby would really like each other. Eddy is 15 and since Bobby is home, Eddy is the coolest guy on 3E. He has his own computer in his room and he has a fake hand on his door knob. He also has some really cute chicks hanging on the walls in his room. Granpa thought they were pretty cool, so did I. Eddy came down to my room today and he brought his guitar. He is so cool, he can play anything, he doesn't even need a book. My mommy is going to bring in my xylophone so we can have a rap session tomorrow. I can't wait.

I should be able to go home tomorrow as long as I can drink on my own. I sure hope my tummy behaves tonight and tomorrow. I let you know.

My two favorite things lately have been those special head rubs aunt Val told my mommy and daddy about, aunt val is the smartest daughter grandpa has. (grandpa made me say that but it's okay because she is). Sammy my cousin sent me a bunny, he talks and says prayers. We say our prayers everynight for all the kids everywhere that have owies and feel yuckie to get better real soon. Then the bunny sings me songs and we fall asleep together.

I love you.
John Russell.

Friday, March 30, 2001 at 05:42 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody

That darn Aunt Val snuck off again. I found her in St. Louis, she was cheering on those SMS Lady Bears. I told her to stay home but she didn't listen to me. Grandpa says that's just the way she is.

Today is a big day for me. First, I have to go to the clinic and make sure my platlets aren't broken and that my white blood cells are ready to rumble. I feel pretty good, I will probably start my second blast today. I should only have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days maybe three. Then I get to go home, not to Ronald McDonalds, but home to my new house. I can't wait.

I know you have been wondering about Thomas. Thursday morning we headed out to the new hosue. When we got there I just about feel out of the truck. I thought my granpa na dmommy had finally lost heir marbles and my daddy was going to be really really mad. I thought it was another shopping spree. I had two huge Semi's in my front yard. I was so excited, I was jumping up and down and pointing and yelling, "Big Truck, Big Truck, Big Truck". I love big trucks. Then mommy broke the news, they were the movers, the trucks really weren't mine. Daddy will be sooooo happy. But then, I got excited all over again. If they were the movers that meant only one thing. Thomas was home at last. I ran through the house into the sun room and there he was, my best buddy in the whole wide world, Thomas. He was relaxing after the long trip. I woke him up and showed him all of my new toys and let him know, he was still by far my most favorite.

Grandpa got me in trouble again. He snuck me outside and into one of the big Semi's. My grandpa showed me how to honk the horn. Oh my gosh, do you have any idea what that sounds like? My new neighbors sure do. I pulled that rope and honked that horn, well, pretty much all day. I wanted all my new neighbors to know I was there. They sure do now, I hope they like us.

I tried to play hide and seek with the movers, I kept taking there tape and hiding it. They laughed at me and told me it was okay. They are really nice guys. I like them a lot.

I crossed a big bridge today. I know I haven't had to many baby Charlie updates. I kind of thought if I ignored him, he would go away. It didn't work, he is still here. I decided to ask my mom the big question, "Can I hold him?" She got a huge smile and said, "certainly". She helped me hold baby Charlie, he's kinds of fat. I'm glad she helped me. I wouldn't want to drop him like my grandma dropped cousin Lubby. (sorry grandma, it was gradpa again). I gave Charlie kisses and we held hands and then we rubbed noses, he is my new buddy, I love him and he loves me.

I got some new books from some very speical friends. They are train books about a little engine that thinks he can. I like them a lot. I have been running around the house telling everybody who will listen, and they all listen to the king, don't you know. My new saying is, "I KNOW I CAN, I KNOW I CAN, I KNOW I CAN" you have to say this three times to make it work. I just wanted you guys to know that: I KNOW I CAN, I KNOW I CAN, I KNOW I CAN.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, March 27, 2001 at 09:26 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

I'm back. I tried to give aunt Val a couple of days off and wow, you guys sure like hearing from me. So here goes--

I of course went to my new house today. Grandpa and I got in a little bit of trouble, imagine that. I let grandpa practice driving my monster truck and he had several crashes and since there is nothing in the house but plants and wine, we had interesting driving test. No, my daddies wine is fine. But mommies plants are a little shaken up. It was all grandpa, he needed practice. He even gets lost with the remote control monster truck. I sure hope he doesn't give the pilot directions on the way home. Sorry about the plants and the black marks on the wall mommy. I love you :-)

My mommy and grandpa went shopping again today. They left me and grandma and baby Charlie in the car, we took a great nap. Daddy had to work, grandpa said daddy had to work because mommy liked to shop. I think grandpa likes shopping too. They were shopping for a hospital buggy for me. They found a truck with a rollbar so they can push me through the hospital without having to bend over. If it means I get a new truck, it works for me. They also found a big "RED" Dodge Ram Monster Truck. All grandpa had to see was the color RED and that baby was all mine. It even says MONSTER TRUCK on the side of it. It makes fire truck sounds, it has a trunck, and it even beeps when I hit the horn. Hey you guys like-- Uncle Craig and Great-Uncle Wayne, and anybody else who snickered about the "green machine" my daddy bought, I LIKE GRANDPA'S "BIG" RED TRACTORS THE MOST (you all know grandpa made me say that, don't you).

I got a very special book today with a very special story for you. My great Aunt Bea loved angels, and she caught some nasty bugs like me. I didn't know Aunt Bea that well but my grandpa and grandma and mommy and daddy talk about her a lot so I know about her. She left to go live in heaven last year. Aunt Bea loved angels and she always said she would be by our sides no matter what. Lisa is my mommies cousin, and she has a little girl whose name is Maggie. Maggie and her mommy went book shopping for me. They had no idea which "Thomas" book to get me. As they were looking through the pile of Thomas books, they found one with a penny setting on it. Maggie calls them pennies from heaven, and Aunt Bea sends them. Lisa bought the book and sent it to me, Aunt Bea sure is smart, I didn't have that "Thomas" book and I have a lot of Thomas books. We know your out there Aunt Bea. Thanks for sending the angels to watch over me. We all love and miss you very much. Thanks for the book Maggie, I like you. I hear you know where I live on the map. That's pretty cool for a little kid like you. Be sure and direct those angels out here.

My new friends were back at Ronald McDonalds house today. I really like these new friends. They are from Penn State and they are sorority sisters. There were a whole bunch of them. We didn't make cookies this time. We had an art session. I got to color myself. The gals helped me draw myself and then, I got to paint what ever I wanted. I didn't leave until the last piece of white paper was covered with color. When mommies smile was the biggest I have ever seen I decided I was done. Mommy rolled up my art work very carefully and I waved to the sisters and said, "Bye Kids". They all giggled and said, "Good bye John Russell".

I've been gaining some weight back. Grandpa says I really had a good appetite tonight. What ever that means. I was starving so I ate like a little pig.

Loving Life and Loving you.
John Russell.



Paula and Gary want you all to know how much they appreciate all the cards, gifts, and support everyone is sending them. Your kindness and thoughts have awed them. Please know that their love, thanks and appreciation goes out to each one of you everyday.

Val

Sunday, March 25, 2001 at 09:16 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

It was another great day in Philly. I got to go to my new house again but no Thomas yet. I have a feeling he's on his way. On the way to my house I saw Cranky the Crane and a lot of his friends like: Mr Backhoe, Tanker Trucks, Semi's, Dump Trucks, Tractors, Rollers, and Cement Trucks. I've been learning from the television and my videos. I got all their names right. My mommy and daddy were very proud. We got to to to the pasta place again today. I like to eat. I have been eating very very good lately. The minute I walked in the door the waiter ran to the back room. I thought maybe we were going to have to leave because I was so noisy last time I was there. I was right, the waiter remembered me but he remembered how much I like french fries and when we sat down my fries were waiting and before I finished my fries my grilled chicken was there. I sure hope he got a great tip. I'm sure he won't forget me next time either. Can you believe it. I didn't even order and it was there. Wow, I like it in Philly.

I got to go see some more garden tractors today at Home Depot. I sat on everyone of the tractors and decided that I liked the biggest one best. I made grandpa sit on the smaller one next to me. He didn't like it. But I am the King. What he really didn't like was the fact that my daddy got a new green lawn tractor. It doesn't say Case IH. I don't want grandpa to get mad, So grandpa don't read this next line. My new tractor is green, it runs like a deere, and it is kind of named after me. (do you get it)? Now there are some of you out there that keep asking who the Heck is Thomas. I can't believe you don't know. Thomas is a Train and he has several friends and if Aunt Val had little boys instead of little girls she could name them all. My mommy knows them all and so does grandma. They love to watch my Thomas the Train video with Alec Baldwin in it. It is there favorite one in the whole wide world.

My mommmy asked me to pick out my favorite room. She giggled when I told her, this one. We have the same favorite room, the one with all the sun in it. My toys will look great in there mommy. I might let you keep a few plants they would look good with all my stuff. And I might need to borrow some dirt some day for my tractors.

We had a major ordeal today. It was time to rebandage my main line. My mommy was in charge of sterilizing and cleaning and daddy was the direction giver. This is not always a good combination. Mommy was very nervous, I could tell by the look in her eye. Daddy used a firm voice with her and was well, kind of bossy or pushy. They did manage to stay civil toward one another and they decided afterwards that they would do a couple of things different next time. Mommy please don't lock daddy in the closet, he promises to be nice next time.

Okay guys time for some more great news. Some of you know my old friend Shannon, she was my first ever nanny. My mommy and daddy have asked Shannon to come to Philly this summer and stay with us. We have been sitting on pins and needles, at least mommy has. I knew Shannon would come and stay with me, she loves me lots. Shannon called today and she said she is coming. I'm so excited she was my very first nanny when I was a baby. I love you much Shannon. Can't wait to show you my new house. Mommy, you can lock Shannon in the closet and we can keep her forever, I need her.

I hope we get to go to my new house again tomorrow. My mommy sure is happy her plants made it safe. She says they look better now than they did in Minnesota. It must be all those nice things Aunt Val and Aunt Mimi said to them. Or it could have been all that TAPE that Aunt Mimi used.

Thanks for my stickers Aunt Mimi and I love my new name tag. I wear it all the time. Aunt Mimi you were crying when the trucks left? If you wanted a ride you should have asked them, you didn't have to cry about it. Aunt Val said you are always such a cry baby. Buck Up Aunt Mimi it was just a house and I have a new one.

I Love You.
John Russell

Saturday, March 24, 2001 at 09:36 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

Another Great Day. I went to my house again, I got to pick out where Thomas is going to be set up. I love my new house. I know all of my stuff will fit. Don't worry moving man Dan, this house is bigger than my old one. I have a huge yard to play in too. I can't wait for summer. I might even need a swimming pool out back.

I ate like a hog today, at least thats what grandpa said. I had lots of ham. Three whole helpings. Papa porky would be so proud of me. Hi Papa Porky and Grandpa Porky. I miss you guys. I'm gonna show these bugs they picked the wrong kid to mess with, they are all going down.

I have to go to the hospital this Friday to start my Chemo but I only have it for 2 days this time. I might only have to stay in the hospital for 2 or 3 days. I hope my tummy behaves better this time. Hit me hard with those prayers this weekend guys. I know you can help me through this. Two days is nothing. I've already been thru 5 days of this stuff. Besides that, I am now a KING and I graciously accept the challenge.

Baby Charlie update. He was dunked today. In big people terms, he was baptized. We got to go to the Basilica in downtown Philadelphia. A wonderful man, Monsignor Close baptized Charlie and then, he blessed me. My daddy said he was bringing out the big "Fire Power" for me. Thanks Monsignor Close for baptizing Charlie and for blessing me. It was a good day. I smiled a lot today. I also talked and talked and talked about anything and everything. Mommy tries really hard to stay up and listen but she falls asleep with me in her arms and daddy falls asleep with both of us in his arms. When Charlie gets bigger and daddy won't squish him he can fall asleep with us too. Maybe when he's five, thats big enough.

Grandma was busy doing laundry and granpa and my daddy are already sawing logs. I'll be looking for those special big boy scarves aunt Val and thanks for giving my mommy and daddy tips on my head rubs. Your so right, they feel sooooooooo good. I love getting my hair washed now. Last week, No Way, no baths no nothing. This week, I'm a lounge lizard hanging in the tub. Life is great.

You guys are doing a super job with those prayers. I'm feeling great. I'm going to fly through this next batch of chemo with ease.

I Love You.
John Russell

Friday, March 23, 2001 at 10:04 PM (CST)

Wednesday, March 21, 2001 at 09:08 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

Sorry I missed you yesterday but Aunt Val's body was really, really tired after getting all my stuff ready for my new house and she fell asleep.

Yesterday was a so so day. Today was absolutely great. My mommy and daddy talked with my doctors and they decided that I didn't need to take my nausea medicine anymore, it kept making me sick. I tried to tell them that but nobody listened. I had to go to the clinic today and get some platlets. Not the kind my mommy has in the cabinet with all the glass stuff but kind that are in my blood. No owies, they just put those little critters right into my main line and I told them to get to work. While I was there my mommy spotted my friend Bobby through window. He was resting on his mommy's shoulder but he looked up and waved and smiled at me. I missed you Bobby, it was great to see you again. My mommy and daddy and grampie and grandma and everybody I know pray for us every single night. They are great people and they are looking out for us. See ya next time Bobby.

My daddy went to work today and took the big truck. I heard my mommy say something about a taxi. What the heck is a taxi. Now I know, its a very very smart man in a yellow car that knows where everything in the city is. My grandpa needs a friend like him. Grandpa got to flag the taxi man down he was a pro he walked right out to the curb and nabbed us one. It was my first taxi cab ride it was pretty cool. The seat up front was too high to see over but I looked out the side windows. I hope grandpa was watching so when he has to drive me he doesn't get lost. Maybe the taxi man could draw him a map, I'll ask my mommy.

I met a new lady today at Ronald's. Her name is Lynn, she has been voluntering at Ronalds for 11 years. She comes in and helps us with crafts. I really liked her. We made crowns, Aunt Mimi would have been so proud of me and my mommy. The little boy next to me finished first and got to be king. This was not okay with me. I looked at Lynn and said, "I want to be a King". Lynn smiled and said, "well, you can, let me measure your head". I whipped off my hat and my red sun glasses just as fast as I could and got my head measured. This is the first time in a real long time that I took my hat off. I was on a mission. I needed to by King (my grandpa is a king and I want to be just like him). My King crown had feathers, glitter, and stars and stripe streamers on it. It was beautiful. Lynn taped it together and placed it on my head and said, "Your a KING" and my mommy and grandma clapped and yelled yeah. I wore it all day, I was "King for a day" By the way grandpa, I want you to know that there is a new king in town and its me. I would like to inform you that you have been dethroned and your new position will be Court Jester, (I don't know what that is but aunt Val said it was a real fun job). I kind of like the power I'm feeling as king. I hope Maleri, Kinzi, Maddie, Meggie, Lexie, Lubby and Sammy Jo heard that, John Russell is the new "King". Remember that when grandpa ask who the king is, if you get it right, it could be worth a couple of bucks (right Maleri) I love you grandpa.

While my daddy was working hard today, mommy, baby Charlie and GRANDMA. Yes, she is back, feeling a little better. Charlie was real happy to see her again, but Not as happy as me and my mommy were. Now back to my story, I was saying while daddy was working, mommy and grandma took me to a special room at Ronalds. There were a bunch of closets and you can play dress up. My mommy let me put on high heels, a girly hat, and angel wings. It was a lot of fun, we giggled a lot my mommy said my daddy would not think this was good. So Don't tell my daddy about the shoes and the hat, he wouldn't like it. And daddy if you reading this, I hated every minute of it, they made me do it. After that we watched Thomas for the 300th time. Thank you so much for the tape aunt Val, mommy and grandma said they would be sure to thank you the next time they saw you.

One last thing before I go, My grandpa's birthday is Friday. He likes Balloons just as much as I do. My mommy and daddy are going to get him some. If you want to send him a card, he is at Ronald's house:

Ronald McDonalds
3925 Chestnut Street
Room 26
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Today was a good day, those prayers are working guys don't stop now.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 at 07:52 AM (CST)

Hello Everybody--

Day two on the outside wasn't quite as eventful as day one was. I took another tour around Ronald's house today. He has lots of rooms full of stuff. I found a new room that has a fort it is really cool. I played with some new friends in the fort for a while. Then mommy read me some books. We were going to take a walk outside, but decided to wait until tomorrow. I hope the sun is out so we can.

I met a nice man today at Ronald's. He was giving out special toys to kids. I got a monster truck, a forklift and a grader, they are little matchbox trucks. They work really good on my bed and on Charlies legs.

My grandma needs some extra prayers today. She had to go on the third floor, they call it the sterile floor, she got the flu. All the sick people at Ronald's have to go to the third floor so they don't spread those ugly germs. Grandpa has been checking on her all day and he took her lunch. He has to put a mask on and wear special gloves. He knocks on the door and tells grandma, "Back away from the door" then he takes her food in. My grandpa is so silly. Grandpa plays nurse just like my daddy. I wonder if grandma needs any shots because my daddy is the best shot giver. Charlie has been noisy, I think he misses grandma too. Hurry back grandma.

I haven't been wanting to take my medicine, mommy tries really, really hard to get me to take it. I know it is going to make me better but it taste really yucky! I will try harder mommy. I love you too.

I have to go to the clinic today. They have to count my white blood cells. Maybe I can help, I can count to 5 in English and in French right Do Do. I also know what color white is, its the color of my grandpa's truck and snow . Purple is my newest color and my Aunts, Mimi, Pepper and Val brought me a big purple balloon. I miss them.

Aunt Val said that Thomas is all boxed up and ready to gooooooooooo! Aunt Mimi you leave Aunt Val alone, she has to be bossy to get Thomas here to me. I think you use to much tape too (aunt val made me say that). Thank you for working so hard. Tell Lubby thanks for taking care of my barn.

Aunt Pepper and Sammy and Uncle Craig, I love my bunny. He sings prayers with me everynight. Then we say our special prayers, we pray for all the sick kids everywhere to get better. Just like all of you.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, March 19, 2001 at 11:01 PM (CST)

Sunday, March 18, 2001 at 08:47 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody,

Guess where I am? You got it. I finally got sprung and I'm at Ronald McDonalds house. I knew it was going to be FUN! You should see the trains. They are behind the glass but they are so cool. One is all dressed up in Easter goodies. Just like what my grandma does on the farm back home. It was great. My mommy told me that they just changed trains and guess who they put on the top train tracks. Right again. It was THOMAS. I missed him so much, I watched him for a long, long time. Then I got to go watch a movie in the playroom. Then some rowdy kids came in and I had to go to MY room. I don't get that mom. My daddy and grandpa had to move all my stuff from the hospital to Ronalds house. I have a lot of stuff. Grandma put my new stuffed animals all over the place, they are hanging from my bed, mommy and daddy's bed and grandma and grandpa's bed. It looks like a jungle in here. I still have all of my balloons too. I had a great big meal of lasagna it was wonderful and my tummy liked it too. After dinner I took my dad to the playroom. Daddy finally found a game that he knew how to play. Maybe you have heard about it, it's called PAC-MAN. He did really good and got a score of 85,000. Then grandpa broke the news to him about how good my aunt Pepper was and that her high score was 500,000. Then Grandpa teased my daddy about Wells Fargo Banks beating Wells Fargo Financial. My grandpa is getting naughty again, I think he feels better to be out of the hospital too, I know I do.

After I finally got my daddy away from PAC-MAN we went for a car ride. We met a little boy named Chris and his mom. His mom was going real fast down the hall. So my grandpa asked if we could race. I thought about this for a while and decided that I wanted to win the race so I asked my favorite race car driver to push me. You guessed it grandpa got the job. Sorry daddy, grandpa has had a lot of experience with racing and he knows how to win at everything. Don't be mad, your still my best bud. I won the race and grandpa didn't even have to pusch Chris' mommy down he was a real fast pusher and I think we might have won fair and square. Thanks Grandpa.

I have a great big hug for you grandma, for taking such good care of my baby brother Charlie. I can still have special time alone with my mommy. I like Baby Charlie a little more each day. Today was so special I didn't even mind sharing mommy and daddy with him. I love you grandma.

The biggest news of the day was kind of scary. After dinner we were in our room resting. When all of the sudden we heard an alarm. A very loud alarm. Then we got the news, "Every one needs to evacuate, we have a fire in Ronald McDonald's house, you must leave the building." Can you believe it! My first sleepover and the darn house is on FIRE. We walked quickly to the exit doors, no running allowed in case of a fire. But grandpa said we are not going outside until we have to. I thought that maybe the smoke filling the house or the alarm blaring was a sign that we might HAVE to GET OUT. But grandpa stood his ground, he wasn't going to let a fire spoil my first sleep over. Sure enough, he was right again. The smoke cleared (not much to begin with) and we went back to our rooms. I guess that one of dryer's in the laundry room caught on fire. I bet they didn't clean the lint out of the dryer right Grandpa Porky. It was a little fire, Ronald's House was fine and we don't have to move again. It was a great first day on the outside. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

My mommy and daddy have to give me all my medicine now. Mommy said our room looks like a pharmacy. I think my mommy is the prettiest nurse I have had and my daddy is the best shot giver.

Here is my room update:

March 18, 2001

Dear John Russell:

"I was so lucky to get to take care of you today. You are an adorable, strong and loving boy. I hope that you feel better soon. You are such a good boy."

Your nurse,
Anita

The Angels were with me today on my journey. Thank you all for sending them.

I love you.
John Russell

Saturday, March 17, 2001 at 10:27 PM (CST)

Hello Friends--

It's Saturday and I'm still at CHOPS. The doctors and nurses changed my medicine again today. I think they finally figured it out. Right after I got my new medicine I ate some kind of cereal that goes snap, crackel, and pop. I didn't want to wait for milk or a spoon. I ate it right from the box hand over fist. It was pretty good. My tummy liked it too. I'm not going to say that maybe tomorrow I can go see Ronald cause everytime I say it, I never get to go.

My grandpa and daddy went for along walk tonight. Does anybody know where they went? They weren't very happy when they got back. I wonder if those Hawkeyes were playing tonight? It was okay I didn't miss them much. I kept my mommy, baby Charlie and Grandma busy, we went for a long walk too. I took them on a journey through the hospital. I was driving one of those really cool Little Tikes Cars. It's one of those big plastic things that my mommy won't let me have. I think its one of those things that I don't want but will defidently NEED in the near future. I got to be the leader and I had a mission. I was heading for the room where I saw Peter Sam (Peter Pan). I told my mommy all day yesturday and today that I wanted to see Peter Sam. So I was on the hunt, I found the room but Peter Sam wasn't there. Aunt Val said that it was okay, she was going to send some green tights and a leotard for grandpa and he could play Peter Sam. I think grandpa would like that, I know I would. Grandma could play Captain Hook. My mommy would be Wendy and daddy could be one of the lost boys with baby Charlie (so he wouldn't get scared.) I'll be looking for that package aunt Val.

It's pretty quiet here on the weekends. I get a whole new bunch of nurses and doctors. They are all very nice.

My mommy, daddy, baby Charlie and Grandma went to check out my new house today. I got to hang with grandpa. Daddy and Mommy said the house looked great and my playroom was almost ready for my toys. Thomas where are you? I can't wait to see you again.

My room journal update:

March 16, 2001

Dear John Russell,

"My name is James, and I am the man who cleans your floors. You are a very handsome young man. And I hope for a swift recovery for you."

Good Luck
James

James is my favorite "Big Guy" (he's bigger than my own daddy). Grandpa gives him candy everyday. James has very happy thing to say about me, and my room is the cleanest. He is my favorite because Thomas best friends name is James (The red engine).

I have a special hello to my Great Grandma Greiner. Wow, when did you learn how to work the internet? My grandpa doesn't even do that. You are a very, very, special great grandma and I know you have been praying very, very, hard for me. Thank you, I love you grandma.

My little brother Charlie is already 10 1/2 pounds. He is getting a double chin. He looks kind of round in the face. I took his sock off today and smelled his foot. Not good enough to eat but it didn't smell bad either. Maybe tomorrow If I'm hungry I'll take another sniff.

I wanted to tell my Grandma and Grandpa Porky, my cousins Derrick, and Josh, My favorite Aunt Val, Aunt Mimi, uncle Chris and my mom and dad's friend LouAnn. Be very, very, careful with the table in the living room, not the glass one with all the things I can't touch. The one with the train tracks, train, trees, people, bridges and all of Thomas' friends. Make sure he is packed with the utmost care. I know you will, I just wanted to remind you one last time. Make sure they pack it into the big trucks cause they are the really neat ones. Thank you all for working so very, very, hard. We couldn't do it without you. I can't wait to play with my own stuff.

Peace, Love, and Prayer to all

I love you.
John Russell

Saturday, March 17, 2001 at 12:00 AM (CST)

Hello Again--

I know I wasn't going to write until Saturday night but my pal Aunt Val made good time in the airplane. Aunt Val has been trying to get me to talk to her on the phone for over a week. Today, she had success. She told me she was going to Minnesota to pack up "Thomas The Train" and send him to my new house. That's all I needed to hear. I told her, "Bring me Thomas." I sure hope he gets here safe.

I was hoping to go to Ronald's today (Friday) but I didn't drink enough liquid. I drank enough but my tummy wasn't that thirsty if you get what I mean. Grandpa said maybe tomorrow. My daddy sent somebody out for some pear juice, I haven't tried that one yet. The nurses are getting me some Pedia-sure. I think I know which one I'm going to like.

My mommy had some take out for lunch today. She had this yellow stuff in a dish, with all of the painting I've been doing I thought it was paint. It wasn't, it was mustard. I got it everywhere, mommy laughed when she was cleaning me up and she blamed grandpa for leaving it on the bed.

My friend Bobby stopped in to see me today and I was gone. Bobby if your reading this, thanks for the note. Please try and visit again, I would love to see you.

Baby Charlie is trying to get some extra attention. He has decided to follow in my footsteps and started spitting up. My mommy is not real cool with this. But it's okay with me if he want to be just like me. I went to the Library for a while, my mom tried to get me to play on the computer, BORING. I don't want to do that again. I went back to the room and found play-doh. Now that was fun.

My grandpa took me walking today, now you all know that his sense of direction, well, it kind of stinks. So I very casually led him right to the gift shop. I know my way around this joint, I just follow the pretty nurses. Grandpa taught me that. (don't tell grandma). They have some awesome balloons and I needed to check out the new stock. When I walked in, my eyes almost exploded. There was a huge, purple monster truck balloon. I took a big sigh, flashed my big blues at grandpa and said, "I NEED THAT!". It was the first thing I said all day. Grandpa looked at me and said, "Okay baby, it's yours." I love my grandpa.

Now for all you kids that are reading this or having your mom and dad read it to you. If you want something you don't get it. If you need something you always get it. Just ask my mommy. I love my mommy.

My daddy has been working real hard. I miss him lots. He is there everynight with me. We have lots of special talks about all the things were going to do when I get bigger. I love my daddy.

The people at Ronald McDonald's house gave my support team some very special guardian angel pins with a special poem. Mommy wanted to share it with all of you:

"Team of Angels"

"I need a team of Angels Lord. I don't think one will do. Please send me all the help from High for what I'm going through. Guardian Angel watch over me and help myself to cope. I'll do the best I can to pray and cherish gifts of faith and hope."

by Patricia C Gallagher

Hope you enjoyed it as much as my mommy did. Send those Angels to CHOPS for me and my friends.

Until next time.
I love you.
John Russell

Friday, March 16, 2001 at 08:12 AM (CST)

Good Morning Everybody

My injection went off without a hitch. My daddy got to be the nurse with the shot and mommy got to be the nurse with the pills. They are a great team. I wore my new airplane jammies yesturday with my black glasses and my hat. My daddy wanted me to leave it in my room when I went for my test but I said, "no". We took a walk down to the test room. My nurse gave me a dose of sleepy medicine. It didn't work, I was a talking to everybody. So, I got another dose, and kept right on talking. After the third dose the nurse started asking me questions. She asked if I had a baby brother. I said, "baby brother", she asked what his name was, I said, "Baby Charlie, is DO DO coming, Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, Shannon, Grandma." I was a little confused. The the nurse told me I could have some juice when I woke up. I told her, "I want coffee". (I don't even know what it taste like, I think I hear my daddy say that every morning.) Then my dad tried one more time to take my hat. They all thought I was sleeping. I told him, "I want my hat". Then I got the 4th dose and I was out. My daddy listened because when I woke up I had my hat. The nurses said I was a good little solider. I think the test went okay, the doctors are going to read the test and let me know later. The rest of the day I kind of slept, it takes me a while to get woke back up. When my lunch came I took one look, gave it to grandpa and told my mom, "I want pasta". So my mommy found a place that delivers pasta to CHOPS. It was so good. I let Charlie sleep with me for a little bit, I didn't have to push him away my mom gave us a little time together and then off he went. It was perfect. Sometimes I need to just see him, not share my space. He's getting bigger and he doesn't sleep as much as he did but he is still pretty quiet.

My room journal update:

March 13, 2001

Dear John Russell,

"My name is "Nurse Jeannie" and I work with your families doctor's and nurses to help get you home. It is a pleasure to meet you today. I love your truck stickers. Has your grandpop ever read, "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" by Richard Scary to you? It is a wonderful book, remember to look for "gold bug".

Smiles
"Nurse Jeannie"

Grandpa has been being pretty good, Now that he's got the directions down, my mommy is never late. My daddy said I might be able to go to Ronalds House Friday. I am so HAPPY. I will let you know on Saturday. My aunt Val needs to go to my old house and pack up all my toys so they can go to my new house. Aunt Val you take real good care of Thomas The Train. I'll be back on Saturday with more news. Everybody pray that my test went good and those infection bugs stay away from me. Thanks.

I Love you.
John Russell

Wednesday, March 14, 2001 at 08:08 PM (CST)

Hi Guys--

It was a sunny day today. The doctors changed my medicine and I feel much better today. I went to the Library and checked out 2 "Thomas the Train video's". Nobody can beat him, he's the best. I visited the playroom for a short while, I met a new friend Nathan, he was nice. We touched trains and then my grandpa got a little to friendly with him, I got mad and sent grandpa to the room, I forgot I had to go with him. Oh well, it was just me and grandpa again. I am having another test tomorrow so the doctors can learn more about my bones. I heard nurse mommy tell nurse daddy, "No, more drinks after 6:30 in the morning". I know that mean test time.

My room has a great view of the Heli-pad. I got to see some new kids arrive by helicopter and by ambulance today. I watched everything from my window. I hope the new kids are okay. The doctors here are great so I'm sure they will be fine. Mention the new kids in your prayers too.

My Daddy went to work today. I missed him but I bet he liked getting out in the sun. I also had another first today. I ate some kind of big, sloppy thing my mommy called a Gyro. Whoa, was it good. Daddy and Grandpa bought it from a street vendor out front. Hope he's there tomorrow.

Tonight is the big night for "our" first injection. I wish it was over. I'll fill you in tomorrow night. The doctors said as soon as I can eat on my own and drink on my own I can go stay with Ronald McDonald. My daddy said maybe tomorrowif things go well. I'm going to eat and drink everything in sight. I'm so excited.

My grandpa forgot my grandma at Ronald's today. But Charlie made it. He said she wasn't ready so he just left her. When grandma finally got there she told me the truth. She stayed behind to get all the laundry clean and scrub the room down so all the germs are gone when I come for my sleep over. Thanks Grandma, grandpa you are a stinker. I talked with Aunt Val and she helped me write the next part. I know your always right granpa but this is true you need to listen to me on this.

The directions from CHOPS to Ronald McDonalds house are as follows: University to 38th past Spruce, Walnut, Chestnut (all the trees) then look for 40TH NOT 39TH street grandpa (39th is a one way) Then look for the alley and your there. Now you can either use these directions or just ask grandma. (Aunt Val just fell of her chair laughing).

I forgot to give you one of my room updates yesturday but here is todays:

March 14 3:14
"John Russell,

My Name is Michele, I am lucky enough to be your nurse today. I met you on your very first day on CHOPS E. And thank you for helping me with your blood pressure cup and thermometer. Keep up the good work."

Keep those prayers coming and thank for checking on me. I can really feel your support and love. My mommy will get some new pictures real soon, I promise.

I love you.
John Russell

Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at 11:00 PM (CST)

Hi Guys--

It was a real dreary day in Philly. I had a really, really, icky day. My tummy ache was with me most of the day. My mommy and daddy got to be my nurses today. They changed my dressing and flush out my central line, they looked very, very, serious. I tried not to move and was a really good patient. Tomorrow they get to give me "our" first injection. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I'm thinking that maybe grandpa would want to volunteer for a few test runs. Mom and Dad did you hear that. If my papa were here, he would let them practice on him right papa. I'm going to have some test tomorrow and then maybe in a couple of days my daddy can spring me from this joint. I really want to see Ronald McDonald and his maintenance man, I have to thank him for the screwdriver. Maybe tomorrow or the next day if I feel better.

I didn't want to play much today but I did get to go see a Peter Pan Play. There is a elementary school here in Philly that put on this great big Peter Pan Production. My mom said that there were 106 kids. All the money they made, they donated to CHOPS. It was something like $12,800, wow, my daddy said that was a lot of money. I only got to see about 30 kids, they performed a mini version. It was really neat. When I feel better my mommy and daddy are going to take me to, New York City, to see a really really big show.

My grandpa and daddy were big winners last night in CHOPs Bingo. We get to play it on the TV in our room, if we win we get to go pick out a prize. I didn't cheat, I needed a nap and I asked my daddy and grandpa to watch my card. After my little cat nap I went and picked out 2 new monster trucks one is orange and the other one is green. They aren't as big as my other one but they are great to play with on my bed.

Not much else happening today mommy and daddy were real tired to. Daddy is going to try and go to work tomorrow, so mom's in charge. Keep those prayers a humming, and the angels flying. I need them.

I love you.
John Russell

Monday, March 12, 2001 at 09:19 PM (CST)

Hi Guys--

I sure am glad that I only have one more night of Chemo in this series. I finally have a break before I start my second series. I might even be able to go spend a couple of nights at Ronald McDonald's house, my first real sleepover. I was really tired today. Daddy and I were up a couple of times last night. I sure am glad my daddy stays with me every night, sometimes I wake up just to make sure he's here and that he is okay. He smiles at me and says, "hey buddy, Daddy loves you." I love him Lots and Lots and Lots. My mommy was in a little bit of trouble today. She was a little late this morning, I told my daddy that it was probably grandpa and grandma's fault or maybe even Charlies. So we forgave her right away. I had a pretty bad tummy ache last night and today. But I still ate a really good dinner.

My mommy and daddy had to go to classes today to learn how to take care of me when I am an outpatient. They had to learn how to flush my central line, that's where all my medicine goes so I don't have to have those nasty IV's. At the next class mommy and daddy learned how to give injections. Mommy wanted to practice on daddy but he said, "No Way". Daddy wanted to practice on mommy and mommy said, "No Way". They decided that the dummy would be the best practice site so I guess the dummy lost.
(grandpa I wouldn't say what Aunt Val wanted me to)

Thank you for all those special prayers for my new friend Bobby. He got to go home today. I am going to miss him, I sure hope he keeps in touch with me. If your reading this--Hi Bobby, I miss you. Bobby also has a little brother, Baby James. Baby James is bigger than Charlie he is 5 months old. This Big Brother thing might be fun after all.

When my mom and dad were at school today I let baby Charlie sleep next to me, it was okay, I held his foot again for bit then I gave grandma a look and she knew that the bonding time was up and she moved baby Charlie. Grandpa, Grandma and Charlie took me to the Atrium today. Grandpa had a big surprise for me. The maintenance man at Ronald McDonald's house had a screwdriver, (My Daddy was getting ready to pay BIG buck's for a screwdriver) and you know what that means. My MONSTER TRUCK fianlly had batteries and was ready to roll. It goes fast. No, it goes really, really, fast. Grandpa ran over a couple of little toes, not mine, but they were toes. He almost crashed into a wheel chair and then he had the kids in the Atrium make a bridge with their legs and my monster truck went right under them, way way too cool. Maybe tomorrow, he will let me drive.

When mommy and daddy got back from school, we had to put the truck away. Mommy and daddy took me to the playroom about 4:00 and they were painting with pink mouth swabs and syringe's It was real real fun, I had paint every where.

I learned more about being a doctor today. Brushing your teeth is very, very, important. It helps keep the germs away so that I don't get any infections. I wasn't real sure about this so I practiced on grandma, grandpa, mommy and daddy a lot. After I made sure that their teeth, tongue and what ever else is in there, were real clean, I cleaned my own. I used the pink swabs just like the ones we painted with.

My Room Journal for this update
March 12, 2001
"Hi John Russell!
"My name is Linda, I am your nurse today. You are here with your grandmom and grandpop. You were able to go for a walk a little bit and had a great dinner. Many people love you very much and are wishing you very happy thoughts. Thank you for the lady bug sticker.

My mommy and daddy want you to know they are reading your notes everyday and they have them in the room and share them with my new friends. Your notes and prayers have given my mommy and daddy lots of strength to deal everything thats going on. Thank you for all the kind words and prayers

I have a new update, it's a baby Charlie update. Like I said before, he just kind of hangs around, he's pretty quite unless he's hungry. Grandma holds him a lot and grandpa supervises, she dropped my cousin Lubby (Libby) when she was just a day old. That's why grandpa says he has to keep such a close eye on her. Charlies most favorite thing is his blue afghan that our Great Grandma Lorenz made him. He looks snug as a bug in a rug, he takes it everywhere. In case your wondering what he looks like, my mommy says he is the spitting image of his big brother John Russell (me). That's kind of gross mom. I think he just looks like me.

Love and Prayers to everybody
John Russell

One really important thing for John Russell right now is to not get any kind of infection. So if you could mention that in your prayers, we would appreciate it. Thanks for so many kind thoughts--Aunt Val

Sunday, March 11, 2001 at 11:57 PM (CST)

Okay guys just one more night of Chemo. Big Smiles everyone. I have some GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!! The doctors and nurses have been measuring my tummy to keep an eye on my tumor, and today, it was smaller, it is SHRINKING! The one by my ear is also getting smaller. I knew that there was POWER IN PRAYER. Thanks a million guys.

My mommy liked my journal so much that she has been asking all of my nurses and doctors and everybody who visits me to sign in. Grandpa is the sign in police, he makes sure no one gets out without signing and I get to give everyone who visits me, like the nurses or the doctors, or all my new friends, a sticker, I give out new ones everyday. Grandpa is pretty tough on those doctors, one slipped away without signing my book but not before he promised to come back later, thanks grandpa.

My mommy thought it would be neat if I shared one of my notes from my first nurse here at CHOPS (Childrens Hospital of Pennsylvania) so here goes.

"Dear John Russell, It is March 8, 2001, and I am your nurse, starting your first chemotherapy tonight. You look well and I wish you, from the bottom of my heart, the best of luck. You are a very precious and handsome little boy. I will do anything you need to make you happy and comfortable during your time here at CHOPS. You are my mini rock star (smiley face and a heart). JENN"

Jenn thinks I'm a rock star with my RED sunglasses on and my cool hats. Jenn is kind of cool too, she has a wild haircut and wears really cool sparkley t-shirts.

I had a new friend stop in to see me today her name was Laura, she made me the coolest pillow, it has trucks and trains on it and I get to put it under my legs while I rest. She goes to school here at St Joseph Univeristy in Philly. I sure hope she comes back for another visit.

My daddy and my grandpa are in trouble. I don't know how it happened but those darn Hawkeyes followed us to Philly. I know I'm pretty special but I just can't compete with those Hawkeyes. I had to listen to, "Did you see Evans, what a rebound, way to go Oliver, the Hawks are gonna do it, etc.. etc.. etc... Grandma, my mommy and Charlie were invisible for about 2 hours. Bobby's daddy even got loud because he was cheering for Penn State, not the Hawks. Grandpa gave him a rough time, he loves his Hawks. I think everybody up here on 3E was happy when the game was over. I sure was.

I have learned a few new things here at CHOPS, the nurses let me take my blood pressure cuff off, I like the sound that it makes. I also get to pop the top off of my thermometer when the nurse is done with it. Maybe when I grow up I can be a doctor. Aunt Mimi and Aunt Pepper brought me a doctor kit so I'm practicing, I've got the ear thing down pretty good, just ask Aunt Val.

I've been counting the days and I was wondering where DOO DOO was. (DOO DOO is really Dominique, she was nanny and best friend in Minnesota). So I asked my mom and she told me DOO DOO was in Minnesota and that she was coming to visit me this summer. I smiled and said okay mommy. What I really wanted to say was send home the Hawkeyes and bring me DOO DOO. My mommy got to talk to her and tell her how things were going. I was pretty tired today so mommy told her I would talk more to her next time. Love you DOO DOO.

We told my friend Bobby that all my friends and family were going to say some special prayers for him. He smiled and said thank you John Russell.

Love to all
John Russell

Saturday, March 10, 2001 at 11:39 PM (CST)

Hi Everybody, me again. Well my first blast (as mommy calls it) of Chemo went okay. I had a little tummy ache but I'm okay now. 1 down and 4 to gooooooo. I get my medicine at night so I can sleep and help my body get better. I really like my doctors and nurses.

I have a special favor to ask of all my friends that have been praying for me. I met a boy across the hall, his name is Bobby, he is real sick. My mommy and daddy and I would like you all to say an extra special prayer for him tonight. Bobby is a hockey player and he is 10 years old. He is from Jersey. He brought me some of his balloons because were friends and he likes me and I like him.

My grandpa has finally gone crazy. He brought me a monster truck to race up and down the hallway with. But, he can't find a screwdriver, to put the batteries in. I've been looking at that truck all day long. If Aunt Val were here she could do it, and we'd be racing the hallways. (sorry grandpa, Aunt Val made me say that) oh well, maybe tomorrow. Grandpa takes me on special walks around the hospital, we get to meet ALL the nurses. Grandpa says they think I'm cute. I have been wearing my RED sunglasses a lot and a couple of new hats. Daddy, my "bud" brought some hats along too. He's my big buddy, I love him. My Daddy went to work today for a couple of hours, grandpa said that Jim and Dan would be real happy, but not as happy as Grandma was, she got me all to herself for the afternoon. Grandma has been helping so much, she takes care of Charlie, except when its time to feed him, mommy has to do that. Grandma has been keeping all my clothes clean and tries really hard to keep grandpa in line.

Now on to bigger and better things. Are you ready for this. I have a Nintendo game in my room and my mom and dad have no idea how to run it. So I asked my grandpa, he knows everything, he had NO idea. My mom said that we could find an older kid tomorrow that could maybe show me how to do it. If they would just GIVE me the control, I COULD DO IT.

You all know I have this new baby brother, "Charlie". He's starting to grow on me a little bit. I held his foot today, it was kind of wiggly, so I took off his sock. My mommy and I counted his toes, and he has 10 just like me. Sometimes I kind of poke him...just to make sure he's okay, he sleeps a lot! I was laying in bed with my mommy, daddy, and Charlie it was the perfect time to tell them how I felt. So I said, "mommy and daddy I love you and Charlie, your my friend. It's the best I could do for now. But, when my mommy and daddy aren't looking I think Charlie is kind of cool and I love him too. Just as long as he stays away from Thomas.

Thats pretty much how things are going. I make a lot of trips to the toy room. I'm making new friends just like my mommy and daddy are. My favorite place so far is the big room where they have a car track, it's grandpa's favorite too.

Thanks for checking in on me. I love you. Remember my friend Bobby in your prayers.
John Russell

P.S. Aunt Val said to check out my pictures, she had a long, long, long, talk with her scanner and it finally worked.

Thursday, March 08, 2001 at 11:11 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody. My airplane trip was pretty cool. I took a nap for about 30 minutes. I had 3 nurses and my daddy there to entertain me. Grandma said my two boy nurses were pretty cute. I sure hope grandpa didn't hear her. I was sure happy to see my mommy the minute I got to the hospital. I was so surprised when I got to my new room, all of my balloons and stuffed animals were there waiting for me, thank you Kim for taking care of them. Big hug to you.

My Daddy stayed with me in my new room and mommy, baby Charlie, Grandma and Grandpa stayed with Ronald McDonald, sure hope I get to meet him, mommy says he has a huge house.

I started the first of my Chemotherapy sessions tonight at 8:15, while I was resting in my mommies arms (one of my most favorite places). I will have 5 treatments and then I get a break. I think I might be able to go stay at Ronald's House with Baby Charlie for a while. I had a great big dinner and mommy says that this is the best day I have had in a while. It helps that grandpa is taking me all around the hospital. We found a huge, huge, huge, car today where all of the kids play. Boy, did we have FUN. I bet grandpa sleeps like a baby tonight.

Thanks for the prayers Love to all of you, until next time,
John Russell.

Paula and Gary want thank everyone for their prayers and to keep them coming. John Russell really needs them now that he has started his Chemo. The notes, and cards have been wonderful and John Russell loves his balloons and stuffed animals, they of course, made the journey with them. They appreciate everything everyone is doing. The doctors are wonderful and they feel they have made the right choice. The Doctors are very hopeful that things are going to go well for John Russell.

Love and Prayers.

Thursday, March 08, 2001 at 10:52 PM (CST)

Hello Everybody!!

My plane ride was GREAT! I was very interested for about 30 minutes then I took a nap for about 30 minutes then I really hated the noise. I had 3 nurses and my daddy to entertain me but I was sure happy to see my mommy when we got there. When I got to go to my new room, I was so surprised My mommies friend Kim had sent all of my balloons and stuffed animals so they would be there when I got here. Thank you so much Kim.

My mommy says that we are at a wonderful place. She says the doctors are great and very very hopeful that thing are going to go well for us. Mommy says that we made the right move coming to Philadelphia.

My first night here my daddy got to stay with me at the hospital. Mommy and Grandma and Grandpa and of course baby Charlie stayed at Ronald McDonalds House. I can't wait to see him.

I started my first treatment of Chemo tonight at 8:15. My mommy was holding me and I feel asleep. I had a great big dinner and mommy said that I was very perky and back to myself. I am going to have Chemo for the next 5 days and then finally, I get to go see where baby Charlie has been staying and might even stay with Ronald too.
Until Next Time--John Russell

A quick note from Paula and Gary. They want to thank everyone for all the prayers, and that John Russell really needs them now, as the Chemo has started. They are very impressed with the doctors and feel that they are in the best place possible for John Russell.

Love and Prayers to All

Tuesday, March 06, 2001 at 11:41 AM (CST)

Hello Everybody, It has been a crazy week. My surgery went well, and now, when I look down, I have a smile on my tummy. The Doctors told my mom and dad that I have something called, Stage IV Neuroblastoma.

So now, I am going to be taking a trip on a big airplane with my daddy and I even get my own private nurse. We are going to Philadelphia where the best doctors are going to take care of me.
My Mommy and Baby Charlie are coming with Grandma and Grandpa on another plane. Grandpa and Grandma are going to get to stay at Ronald McDonald's house, boy are they lucky.

I'm feeling pretty good today. I've been walking the halls with my mommy and my daddy, driving a big red truck, and of course I have my most favorite things here, Thomas The Train, my Monster Truck Movie (I don't think Aunt Val liked it as much as my Aunt Mimi did, Aunt Mimi can make monster truck sounds just like the big trucks). and Cassie from Dinosaur Land.

Thanks for sending me the ballons, and animals, I love them.

Time to head down the hallway. Thanks for all your Prayers. Keep them coming. Talk to you soon.

I love you,
John Russell

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