A fun day at the Park

Payton enjoyed a fun day at the Park with his cousin Ella. We picked a day when his counts were high and when it wasn't busy to get some fresh air. He loves being outside. He enjoyed his sonic corndog and drink.

Ella loves me



I love going for a ride in my red wagon.

Look at me, I'm getting so big! And even with no hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, my mom thinks I'm still pretty handsome.

I am a typical 2 year old that loves to get dirty.

I look at these pictures and so much has happened to our little Payton the last 5 1/2 months. Our little Payton has endured so much. He is an angel to me and he is the one that gives me strength to get through this. I can't wait to get through this my little one so that you can go on doing all the things that you love to do. Payton you have such a special place in our hearts and always will. Love you, Mom.

Finally some time at home.

It’s been so long since we last updated this blog so I figured it was about time. Payton has completed two more big rounds of chemo; he was admitted to the hospital after each round. Dr. Bowman decided that we needed to increase Payton’s dosage of chemo back to what it originally was. He said that if this does ever relapse that it is a "bear to treat", so we need to beat it the first time. I have had some mixed feelings, but I know what we need to do. Both times Payton was admitted in the hospital for neutropenia and fever; the first time he was there for 5 days and the second for 11 days. Payton has had several transfusions during the latest round of chemo, especially platelets. It seems like the carboplatinum is hitting his bone marrow pretty hard. He needed platelets every other day. Payton was kept in isolation on the 11 day round since he showed up positive for a carrier of VRE. He will now be kept inisolation for the remainder of his stay at Cooks. It really stinks since we know that he picked it up from the hospital.

Payton is due to start another 5 day round of admission chemo on Thursday. He is also due for a GFR to find out how his kidney is functioning and a CT scan on Friday.

Payton has enjoyed having a few days at home since it seems like we are in the hospital more than we are home. He loves spending time outside, jumping on the trampoline, watching teletubbies, a drive to Sonic for a corndog and drink, and spending time with his family.

Payton is so brave I can’t even think of words to describe him. He has grown and changed so much since all this happened. He has learned to communicate and we are amazed at how his vocabulary has grown. He is so smart and has learned to sense what is going to happen next. When they are drawing Payton’s blood he sits up so big and tells the nurses I want to help and he will say "here it comes" referring to his blood. Payton will tell the doctors and nurses "no more owies today". After we leave the hospital he will tell Chad and I “I did it”. We love him and are so proud of him

Halloween at Cook's

Since we were in the hospital on Halloween; Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Kelsey, Aunt Jennifer and Ella brought Payton some Halloween goodies to the hospital. He was thrilled.


Me and my cousin Ella (I call her YaYa) enjoying Halloween goodies. We are six weeks apart in age.

Me with my aunt Kelsey

Me and my Grandpa

Halloween at the Cook's

We were in the hospital on Halloween from being neutropnic and fever. Grandpa, Grandma Archibald and aunt Kelsey flew in and came to visit. We enjoyed a picnic outside on the playground. Payton loved having his Grandparents come to visit unfortunately we were in the hospital during their whole visit.

Halloween for Savannah!

Savannah went trick-or-treating with her Cousins, Grandpa and Grandma. She was dressed as Aurora from Sleeping beauty.

Savannah working on her school project

Savannah was to make a turkey into something different for her school project. She is doing great in 1st grade.

Making Carmel Apples with her cousins


Savannah's butterfly.

A day at the air show

We decided to take Payton to the air show on a day his counts were up since he loves airplanes.