Grayson Paul Everaard

October 2, 2010 in Uncategorized with 7 Comments

Gray received his second round of chemo this morning. So far, he has had no side effects from the chemo but the doctors and nurses said that it could take at least a week for us to see the typical side effects like him losing his hair, etc. Gray also received a blood transfusion this afternoon. They did the transfusion through the port in Gray’s chest. He laid in bed while the “transfusion machine” did it’s work, all the while watching OU Football, eating popcorn and drinking sprite! We joked that he’s “livin’ the life” now! He’s waited on hand and foot! Lately, Gray has developed his own special way of letting anyone and everyone in the room know that he is upset or simply DONE with what is going on around him, including the hospital staff. If you know Gray then it won’t surprise you that this show of will, you could say, is demonstrated by him taking his binky out of his mouth and hurling at a person, the wall or simply just across the room! He will then politely ask for the binky back only to chunk it back to the ground in frustration. I can’t say I blame him. He has to let us know how he feels somehow! Gray was happy to have some visitors toward the end of his transfusion. The sons of close family friends dropped by to play with Gray and try to make him laugh! When they arrived Gray decided he wanted to get out of bed and play on the floor for a bit. Gray and Maddox played with BibleMan action figures and miniature zoo animals. We even got a great shot of Gray dueling with his tiny lightsaber! Looks like he’s having so much fun! Gray was able to really play, while still receiving his blood transfusion, for a good 15 or 20 minutes before he was worn out. He tried to stand up to walk to mama’s chair but got stock in a squatting position and needed help rising to a full stand. He’s still weak from…well everything. When playtime was over he snuggled in with mom and let her rock him. He looked comfortable and like he could doze off at any moment. The doctors have explained that the blood transfusion should help his energy level but today’s activity was more then enough to put a smile on each of our faces to see Gray playing in as normal a 2-year-old way as he can right now. Maddox, Gray’s playdate buddy this afternoon, looked at Gray laying in his bed a bit nervous about the tubes coming out of Gray and simply whispered “He’s brave…” I haven’t heard a truer statement in a long time. Gray IS brave! Please keep praying for strength not only for Gray but also for his mom, dad and brother. This journey has only just begun. We’re looking ahead to a miracle!

“Two are better then one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up, But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

October 1, 2010 in Uncategorized with 3 Comments

Today was a big day! Today Gray received his very first chemotherapy treatment! Before that, though, Gray woke up in a very good mood and acted more like himself today then he has any day in the hospital. He was smiling and being silly! He knows how to make all of us laugh! Gray also surprised us all by asking to get out of his bed! Up until now, he hasn’t even allowed us to dress him. He has just laid in his bed, in his diaper. But today he kept demanding “I go! I go!” So, we put on his PJ’s and got him out of bed. After laying in bed for over a week his steps were wobbly but he was able to walk with the help of mom holding his hands. It was good to see him with his energy up and wanting to be active! At 10AM Gray began his first chemo treatment. He received two different medicines, each taking about an hour to get into his system. Grayson really hasn’t suffered any side effects from his chemo treatment as of yet but the nurses assure us that if he does happen to suffer nausea or other symptoms that they now have many medicines that can help keep him pretty normal and symptom free. We are now hoping for a good night’s sleep for everyone and anticipate another chemo treatment tomorrow. Oh! And Gray will be rooting for OU tomorrow in the Red River Rivalry, against Texas, chemo and all so you have no excuses! Go Sooners!!!!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:1-3

September 30, 2010 in Uncategorized with 9 Comments

Gray was born December 4, 2007. He weighed 7lb 10oz and was 21 3/4 inches long. He was a healthy baby boy and his parents were proud to have a second son. Older brother, Seth, was proud and excited too!  During the first two years of his life, Gray and his family endured a variety of medical diagnosis and developmental suspicions. After ruling out everything from Cerebral Palsey to simple recurring infections the doctors finally conducted a variety of blood tests and when the results came in the findings were disturbing. Gray was anemic and suffering joint pain leaving the doctors wanting to know more. More tests, CAT scans and MRI’s were ordered and that’s when the doctors discovered the source of Gray’s constant health struggles. Just over a week ago doctors delivered the news that Grayson had a baseball sized tumor in his abdomen. Surgery was scheduled to perform a biopsy and remove bone marrow. Surgeons were unable to remove the tumor from Grayson’s abdomen due to it’s size and the fact that they still weren’t sure what they were dealing with. Gray was admitted to the hospital and the little world of Grayson changed forever. After an agonizing five day wait, the results of Gray’s biopsy came in and they were staggering, to say the least. Gray was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma Cancer. The cancer had spread to his bone marrow. Doctor’s announced a 3 in 10 chance of recovery. The Everaard family huddled together in prayer and in a search for strength. Doctor’s began to formulate a treatment plan while Gray and his family simply waited. The next step was a complete work up. Gray’s doctors needed to check the health of his heart, kidneys and really his entire overall health before proceeding with chemotherapy. Gray’s heart passed with flying colors but then more devastating news was delivered. Just this week, Gray’s family was informed that his cancer had spread to most of his bones and his chest. Again, emotions ran high. Understanding escaped us all. While doctor’s delivered the bad news of even more cancer they also presented their treatment plan. Gray was set to begin chemo. He will have therapy every day for five days and then every 21 days after that. The chaos of the past two weeks has felt like a whirlwind for all those who have heard Gray’s story but the whirlwind has been most intense for Gray’s parents, family and close friends. While we all plead with God in prayer and try to comprehend a situation that truly has no answers Grayson is simply being himself. Aside from all the other lessons we have learned from this tiny little boy he has also taught us, during this time, that life must go on! He still laughs, plays with toys and flashes that coy smile he is so well known for. Even in the midst of the worst news and the most extreme emotions there are still memories to be made and moments to be had with those we love. Gray is teaching all of us what life is truly about with his childlike faith and inability to understand the gravity of what is going on around him. We can all learn a great lesson by watching the bravery and strength baby Gray is exhibiting from the bed of his hospital room. We are now trusting that the doctor’s know how to treat Gray and are also believing that God is working a miracle. There is a long road ahead of Grayson and his family. Pray4Gray.com is a chance for you to stay informed on the day to day happenings of Grayson and also a place for you to see firsthand what your prayers are doing in the life of such a young boy. Please pass the word about Pray4Gray.com and don’t forget to visit our donation page where you can make a monetary donation to the Everaard family. While they do have insurance the cost of care for Grayson is overwhelming and every little bit helps.

“Sorrow came to visit us today. Was the longest day. Was the loneliest day. Sorrow came to steal our hope away. Only tears can tell of this holy hour. This mountain’s high, too high for us. Only you can pull me over it. Pull me, drag me, hold me, keep me, walk me while you pull me over it. Take me, heal me, make me, break me, love me while you pull me over it. Your ways are high, too high for us…”  -Delirious