Caleb Daniel

Emily Leonard After Caleb's 2nd relapse, before his bone marrow transplant. He wanted to get a mohawk before he lost his hair again, and his brothers decided they wanted to match. I didn't do the best job but they sure looked cute!

Emily Leonard Caleb is plugging along. He's in alot of pain, but always cheerful, never complaining. He can't eat at all anymore, so he sucks on ice chips all day. He is on a pain pump. It helps, but to provide total relief they would have to give him so much he would be constantly sleeping. It hurts him even to swallow water, and the sores cover the inside of his mouth, throat, and go through his body. He has fevers off and on, but so far they have told us its nothing to worry about. He sleeps quite a bit during the day, and even falls asleep when he's sitting up or standing. That part is kind of funny. His hair is almost all gone now. These are all side effects of the chemo and radiation that happened before the transplant. The bone marrow has still not engrafted, so there are no problems with that yet. The bone marrow should engraft some time between 15 and 30 days after transplant. Caleb has a calender hanging in the room for people to place bets on what day it will be.

Emily Leonard Doesn't he look good? Can you see his hair growing back? It looks kind of like a five o'clock shadow..... only further north. It might not be much, but we are very excited about it! It is Day 62! Caleb has been doing pretty good. After a break from the medicine that was giving him so many problems he has started to feel better. At our appointment last week all his blood levels were great (meaning his new bone marrow is doing it's job)! His blood is not destroying itself like they were worried about. He does have to start that medication back again, and he has already started to have stomach pains. Hopefully they won't get as bad. He is finally able to get up and around more, so Saturday we had a nice trip to visit family and Caleb enjoyed time outside with his brothers. It was so nice to see him having a good time. Shane and Seth came for the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa. They wanted to stay, so they are still here. On Tuesday Caleb's Grandpa is going to come spend some time with him, and I am coming home! I will bring Shane and Seth back with me, and then I will come back to Salt Lake on Sunday. There has been some confusion about why we are so worried about Caleb when he seems to be doing well now. I wish that meant everything was alright, and will continue to be. We don't know. What we do know is that we are facing the possibility his cancer will come back even with his new bone marrow. We also know that his immune system and body are very fragile right now. He will have to be extremely careful for the next year. He can't be exposed to large crowds. He has to protect himself from the sun. He has to be careful what he eats. There are many precautions that will need to be followed. I believe in God. I believe in miracles. I believe that if it can be done, Caleb can do it. It is my privilege to be his mother and have spent the last 14 years with him. I look forward to our future together as a family...... and we all look forward to coming home.

Emily Leonard Today was Caleb's first day to attend High School. He was so excited he didn't sleep much the night before. He was nervous too, but of course he just jumps right in anyway! He had a great day and enjoyed seeing friends and experiencing high school. Wednesday and Thursday were more difficult and tiring for him, but he still wants to be there. (I tried to talk him into home schooling for the rest of the year, but he won't have it. Shucks. I'll miss having him home, and so will his little brothers.) Oh, and check out the picture I have attached to this. That was Caleb just before his first day of school. He said it was too early for bright lights. haha

Emily Leonard Caleb just got back from a once in a lifetime hunting trip in Montana! Of course, he loved every minute! I got to go with him and I had a great time too. It was fun being there when Caleb shot his first buck and elk! He got both within three days, then topped it off by catching his first pike. How lucky is that? A couple weeks ago I got a call asking if Caleb would like to go on a guided hunting trip. Would he ever!!! It didn't take very long for it to get set up with the help of United Special Sportsman Alliance and Montana Taxidermists Association. The trip itself was generously provided by the best guides ever at Rocky Point Outfitters in Thompson Falls, Montana. Before we knew it we were on our way. We stayed at a beautiful lodge and got up early every day to go hunting. The scenery there is incredible. He shot his buck on the first day! He did a great job sneaking up on it. The second day we drove around looking for elk. Caleb was looking at the back of his eyelids alot. lol On the third morning he shot a cow elk with a single, perfect shot. It was impressive. It was so exciting, for Caleb and everyone who came to celebrate with us! He got to drive into town to show off his elk and then he rested up for fishing. It wasn't long before he nailed his first Pike. Wow, what a day!