Garlic bread, french fries, and pancakes. Who needs more? Certainly not Jackson, who has successfully been off of the IV nutrition now for four nights without eating anything else. He even rejected pizza. He still gets IV hydration every night, but he has been eating on his own. So far he has avoided the nasal-gastro feeding tube (or worse)! I would say, "Mission Accomplished," but that phrase seems to have fallen on hard times lately. Plus, he will be in the hospital tomorrow for a blood transfusion, so they'll weigh him at the doctor and we'll really see how he's done. His doctor should be happy either way, though, because she said it's good for his 'gut' to eat food on his own, especially since he will be admitted again this Friday for more chemotherapy which we know kills his appetite and gives his gastro-intestinal system a really hard time. Looks like we'll be starting all over again...and have another mission to accomplish.
The picture is Jackson recovering from today's MRI. About an hour after that photo was taken, Jackson rallied and was back at work eating french fries. He's on a special anti-bacterial diet for the next few months due to the stem cell transplants. We have an entire manual on what he can and cannot eat. By doctor's order, he cannot eat fries from anywhere other than McDonald's or Burger King--only nationwide franchises, the fries must be freshly made and cannot have sat under the warmers, and he must eat them very soon after they were made. Going to McDonalds and asking them to make a fresh batch is the easy part. The harder part is making sure to remember to remove the tops of the fries. Many people have gone their entire lives not even realizing that french fries have tops, but it turns out that they do. The top is the part of the fry at either end where the rectangular shape tapers to a point and/or becomes a dark brown color. Jack has decided that the "tops" must be removed else he won't eat them. He says, "No tops!" Wyatt doesn't seem to mind the tops, though...
Hey Jack! Love the photo- rest up little guy! So glad you are eating some really YUMMY foods again. I’ll be thinking of you guys every step of the way with this next round of chemo. The next mission will be accomplished very soon, hang in there. Keri and Kelly- you both are amazing parents.
Love,
Sam
Hi there Jack! Glad to know you’ve revived and started eating again. Davina is just home today from another chemo round and had rice with potato chips for dinner. I think that’s good enough for me. She has just fallen asleep. We know everything will be alright and look forward to hearing more good reports from you.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davina1
I really love that photo of you and your mommy Jackson, it is very beautiful. Yay for you getting in the “good stuff” all on your own. I unfortunately know there are tops to french fries because my Tommy doesn’t like them either!! But he & Nicky don’t like the skin on grapes either so what does that tell you???!!
Hopefully those “fatty cakes” are doing their job and fattening you up!! Keep up the good fight and keep on believing. Lots of prayer and hugs sent your way!!
Patricia, Juan, Tommy & Nicky
P.S. Our doggie Milo also sends his best licks your way!!!
What a great picture of you guys. I am glad that Flap jack is eating on his own. Keep up the good work. And WyWY you are never far from my thought either. I love all of you. Keep up the great job Flapjack.
You are the most amazing family ever… Jack, keep up the good work. We are hoping for great MRI results! Hope you guys get to have a little fun before the next round of chemo… we send ultra-gigantic hugs and kisses to you all!
Nice job young Jack!!! You keep up the good work eating topless fries, fatty cakes and toast without the green stuff. Love the picture and admire the amazing strenth of your family. Much Love!!
Way to go Milkman,,, keep up the good work.. Auntie Poe Poe didn’t know that fries had tops!!!!!
xo xo xo
Give your parents and WyWy and big hug from me.
Hey Jack
I agree who needs the tops??? I think we should start a national campaign to outlaw tops on fries at all fast food joints. What purpose do they serve other than to annoy you and certainly you do not deserve to be bothered by tops. Keep eating the yummy Texas Toast because it keeps your mommy busy picking off all the yucky green things. I know she is ALWAYS doing whatever it takes to keep you happy. Looking forward to hearing positive results from the MRI. Don’t forget ALL the Team Jackson members are here, willing, ready and able when needed. We are just a phone call away.
Aunt Kiki loves the tops Jack!!! So we can share… Mc Donalds hot fresh fries are the best!!! See you tuesday. Love you all...K
We love the picture of you and your Mommy! We’re sending all of our love and prayers your way for this next round of chemo.
Hugs and kisses,
Auntie Lauren, Aaron & Lexi
Jack, you are one tough kid! Keep up the hard work ... and it’s ok to say no to the tops! That’s what little brothers are for, right? To eat all the left overs
Stay strong and we are thinking about and praying for you every day!
love,
Denise, Greg & Reagan
Hi Jack
Thinking of you from Maine, where the moose and deer roam wild. Hope you can visit me someday.
So happy to know you can eat fries, without tops.
You are very brave, Jack, and can do anything! I hope you have a Superman costume for Halloween...since you are really SUPER!
love,
Jane
That is such a great picture. I really admire your strength and way to go Jackson eating up those fries! Tyler and Emily don’t care about the tops as long as they are smothered in ketchup!
Keep up the good work and our thoughts and prayers are with you!
love,
Michelle, Jonathan, Tyler and Emily
Jack, I talked to Papa tonight and heard your weigh-in resulted in really positive news. I called Uncle Greg in Chicago to let him know, and he’s very happy to hear that too! You are doing a great job eating. Keep it up so you can stay strong next week!!
Brendan’s & Ryan’s other Grandpa was reading your update to us today. He skipped the part about the fry tops, because if Brendan heard that, he’d start eating them just like you, and Ryan just doesn’t have the teeth like Wyatt yet to eat the leftovers. If Bren was with you, though, he’d share with you in a heartbeat! Yum yum yum!!
Uncle Greg is trying to schedule a visit when he’s in the Bay Area over the next few weeks. If he can, he’ll bring you lots of kisses and hugs from us in Cleveland. You know we love you!
hi jack i hope you r feeling better. (typed by Bren)
Uncle greg has a present for you from me when he comes to california. i am making a card for you too. love, Brendan (dictated by Bren)
Great carbo loading, Jack! As always, we’re thinking of you.