Resting after a long day
I hate to start off the family blog like this, but here goes. As many of you know by now, Cutler has been hospitalized with Leukemia. It all started yesterday morning (Friday 9/11 of all dates) at Mason’s four year old check up. About a week ago we noticed several bruise like bumps on Cutler’s back and then on Thursday noticed they had spread to his scalp and stomach so we figured we would bring him along to Mason’s appointment and get a two for one. The doctor originally thought they were some form of hemangioma, which she considered was not a big deal, but to be safe sent us immediately to the oncologist.
At the oncologist appointment, he immediately said that it didn’t look like hemangioma to him but wanted to take some blood tests to be safe. He didn’t think that it was anything life threatening and just recommended that we see a dermatologist next week. Well about five minutes from home I get a call that we need to come back to discus the blood results. We arrived back around 3:30 and were immediately admitted into the hospital and the fun for Cutler began.
Fast forward to this morning, Cutler was put under anesthesia for a bone marrow biopsy and a spinal tap to help determine what we were dealing with and the doctor mentioned that over the next day or two he would like to get a central line put in. Well about 15 minutes after coming out from the biopsy the surgeon happened to be there and ready to put in the central line and so back Cutler went under anesthesia. Needless to say, it’s been a long day and as you can see from the picture above, Cutler is resting well…until they have to wake him to weigh him any minute now. 🙂
The doctor did come talk to us, but he is waiting for more results to come back. What he did have to tell us is that from the biopsy he sees that 60% of the marrow is bad cells, so it is definitely leukemia. The spinal tap did reveal that the bad cells were present in the spinal fluid as well, but he expects to eliminate that issue within a few days of treatment. The doctor expects to have the final plan of attack in place tomorrow at which time we will learn a lot more. Until then Cutler is catching up with some blood transfusions and did receive his first bit of chemotherapy as part of the spinal tap procedure.
Mason is doing very well. Last night he and I had a great time together racing go carts and trashing a pizza buffet at Amazing Jake’s and today he had a blast reaping havoc with the Hobbs’ boys. He is now having movie night at home with mom, the grandmas, and Aunt Pat.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers. It means a tremendous amount to the team. We only wish we had enough time to respond individually to each and every one of you. Please accept this blog as that effort for now. We recognize that this is going to be a very long fight, but Cutler is very strong and with God on our side we will win this fight!
Team Fricke 
I am very sorry to hear this news, but I know that he will be a fighter, and that he will have tremendous support from his family and friends. My family will be praying for all of you. Good luck, Cutler. Keep fighting.
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May God continue to provide you and the family all the strength to endure this phase. God has the greater plan and we will be amazed at the lessons He and Cutler will teach each and every one of us in the coming days. God bless the Fricke Team! I have you all in my prayers, Toni
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We are keeping close watch on all Cutler updates. We’re are praying, even Kole is praying for Baby Cutler. He wondered if you would call him “Baby Cutler” still when he is grown up, when I told him who we were praying for. 🙂 God tends to answer Kole’s prayers so we fully expect Cutler up and crawling asap!!
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We will be keeping your family lifted up in prayer and believe in a full recovery.
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Aaron & Mel,
I am so sorry to here about this. Melanie, you call me for anything you hear me, anything. I’m right across the street. If you need me to take Mason one night, or let the dog out, whatever. I want you to know that I am here for you guys and to please don’t hesitate to call me. I love you! Stay Strong!
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Mel – Thankful that you are doing this blog so that we can all stay up to date on the progress. Praying for you girl! love, Denise
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The Stern Four is on call and ready to help the Fabulous Fricke Four with anything at any time. Let me know if I can help facilitate anything from a medical standpoint. It sounds like you have good docs and Cutler is being well taken care of. All our love and hope for the little man.
-Ryan, Jamie, Ilana, and Ravi
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We’re so sorry you’re having to go through this. No doubt God get you through this time. Keeping you guys in our prayers!
David, Vida, JohnDavid, Jacob & Lilly
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Melanie and Aaron – I just opened FB and saw the post about Cutler. My heart stopped for a moment. There is nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for my daughter and I know you feel the same about your boys. Each time I read the latest blog I will say a prayer. I may be far away, but I’m close in heart.
Love to you all,
Nat
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God is there during this time difficult time. I will pray for you and your family. If I can do anything please do not hesitate to ask.
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Melanie and Aaron,
Cutler is my little man!!! I can’t wait to hold him in my arms again. I am just too far away. It is so frustrating. Tell him we love him and his big brother Mason. We hope to see more and more of his smiles on this blog as the days go on.
You know how we feel about all of you. We love you.
Lisa Doyle
(Reagan, Jensen, Trevor and of, course Matt too!)
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Melanie, Aaron & Mason
Since we heard the news we have been praying regularly. Melanie, please rest assured that your needs will be remember in prayer. I am not in Dallas, but I am here ALWAYS!
We pray you have supernatural peace and confidence that the Lord Jesus Christ will completely heal Cutler’s body. Father, We know You are our living heavenly Father who only wants the best for us and our family.
We Love You and Your Family So Very Much. Tell Mama “hello” and that I am with her in spirit every minute of the day.
Ed & Beverly Jones
Houston, Texas
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Melanie,
My prayers are going up to our Lord before I even typed this note. We have friends here in Camden that use a blog to keep everyone updated with their little girl’s fight with cancer. She has said that it is a huge therapy tool for her, as well as a great way not to answer the same questions over and over and wear herself out!! We’ll pray all of you through this.
Tiffany
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We just received the news late yesterday regarding Cutler’s condition.
I will keep Cutler in my thoughts and prayers every day and know that he will win the battle.
On behalf of me, my family and your “work family”, I want to wish you good luck with everything you and your family are going through. I will stay close to the blog and look forward to good news in the coming, days and weeks.
Good Luck, Melanie-we are all praying for Cutler and Team Fricke.
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Melanie,
Our family will pray for little Cutler every day. he looks and sounds like a strong little guy! He will beat this, stay positive and if our family can do anything for you, please let me know. We are in this fight together, your family, friends and co-workers and the power of prayer will win out. God never gives us more than we can handle….stay strong.
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Melanie & Aaron –We wanted you to know that you’re in our thoughts and prayers. We pray not only for Culter but also that God will give you and your family courage and strength..
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Cutler is so precious to all of us and my Presbyterian church is praying for you as well as the first Baptist church both of Collinsville, Illinois. Great Aunt Helen and her family in New Jersey are added to the praying list.
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Dear family-
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dear family
If only I could, I would gladly go thru what Cutler is taking. I am praying every day and night for all of you. I do know what all are going thru. Please keep up your strength and prayers. Love to all–Grandma Boo
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Hello All–
Ken and I took a drive to Pocohanas for a lunch for his birthday early, as he will be leaving for his trip to Dallas. He is anxiously awaiting the results of Mason’s tests as we all know how important this is. May God keep his blessings flowing to Cutler, that is the most important thing we can think of now. LUV Yall! Grandma Boo
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Ir is wonderful to see that beautiful baby in the videos.I also love the iron man–only he kind of frightens me. I really love and adore the whole team. I am sure all the prayers have lifted our precious baby out of the red zone and back to the yellow.Everyone I know is praying for Cutler.
Great grandma Boo
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Hello from Grandma Boo–This past week I visited with 2 of my doctors, my oncologist and podiatrist.
They both said they would put Cutler in their prayers. We are now praying for a successful transplant. The Lord has helped us so much in the preparation for this process, it gives confidence for all of us.Love to all
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Thanksgiving–The most important subject of the dayis being thankful for Cutler and his next process.May the Lord have control of the doctors hands and decisions. Love–Grandma Boo
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