From: KingCasper211 <jhowell211@...>
Subject: [GabrielMichaelHowell] Nov 19 Update on Gabriel
To: GabrielMichaelHowell@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 10:16 AM

 

Dear friends and family,

 

I have some updates for you about Gabriel.  As many of you know, he had recently received a series of scans and tests to determine where we stand with his tumors.  Prior to these tests, Gabriel had been developing a lump on the back of his head which had Brandy and I concerned.  The tests had revealed both good and bad news.

 

The good news is, that all of his previous tumors show that they have regressed.  Even though they were still present, this was/is encouraging to know that there were clear signs of gaining ground.  Unfortunately, and remaining consistent with every inch of this battle we fought thus far, with this good news comes bad news.

 

The bad news is that there are four new tumors, the back of his head being one of them. (1) Back of his head: ½ golf-ball size (2) On his brain: pea-size (3) Hip: pea-size (4) Hip: pea-size.

 

This last Monday (November 16), Brandy and I had a consultation with his Doctor and some nurses to review some treatment options.  A majority of these options are Phase I treatments, meaning, they are strictly experimental.  In order for us to enroll Gabriel in a Phase I treatment, we have to understand that Phase I treatments are designed for the improvement of medical science as opposed to strictly patient care.  Along with these Phase I options, we also have a conventional option available.  This option is a low dose Chemo, but it is for the objective of sustaining instead of curing.  Thus, Brandy and I has come to the conclusion that we will go with a Phase I option that offers an opportunity to directly attack the tumors and/or cancer, using the low dose Chemo as a back up option for the just in case.

 

Today, Brandy is at the downtown Riley for a scheduled surgery for Gabriel.  He will have the same port he had before placed back into his body for treatment administration.

 

On another note, I have been working to improve our ability to update everyone in real-time about Gabriel.  Also, I am trying to make it as interactive as possible.  So, here are a couple of new things to look at;

 

Become an Angel of Gabriel and follow him on Facebook

http://www.facebook .com/pages/ Bedford-IN/ Angels-of- Gabriel-Michael- Howell/178717514 940

 

I encourage you to also view his new Website;

http://gabrielmicha elhowell. weebly.com/

 

As always, thank you all for your love and support,

 

-The Howell Family

James, Brandy, Gabriel, and Ezekiel

From: Sue Williams <acorn7@...>
Subject: Re: [GabrielMichaelHowell] Quick update
To: GabrielMichaelHowell@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 7:46 AM

 

This is great news indeed.   Gabriel is always in my thoughts, as is your whole family.   We are really pulling for him here. 

----- Original Message -----

From: Angel Eyes

To: GabrielMichaelHowel l@yahoogroups. com

Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 9:38 PM

Subject: [GabrielMichaelHowe ll] Quick update

As many have been wanting to know how Gabe is doing and what is going on, I am finally getting on here to do a brief update.  Many of you already know that we have been concerned about a bump on the back of Gabe's head and we have been watching it very carefully.  This is week 4 for this bump and it is not going away.  At first we thought maybe he had just hit his head, or that maybe Zeke has hit him...that is still a possiblity, but we have to be cautious and so he went to the doctor yesterday and the doctor has looked at it, however, did not have any answers w/o having a test done.  Therefore, a PET/CT scan  has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th at Methodist Hospital in Indy.  They are going to do a full body scan to check the bump on his head as well as see what exactly is going on in the rest of his body.  His last PET/CT scan was done in January of this year, so it has been awhile.  This test should tell us if the areas that were active in January are stable or still growing or even better, gone completely. 

Gabriel has been acting like a normal 3 year old and has really enjoyed being home.  We have been able to stay home since late September and it has been great!!  He did have some blood work drawn yesterday while at the clinic and for the first time ever...there were NO red flags on any of his counts...everything was perfect from what I was told.  This is very exciting especially since he has not had any treatments since August. 

Thank you to all of you for being patient w/ us as we have not been posting much on here...and this time...no news has been good news.  We appreciate all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers for Gabe's healing.  GOD has indeed been answering prayers and continues to heal Gabe's body everyday.  He looks great and has tons of energy.

Sincerely,

Brandy Howell