Bravest Four Year Old!

He Laughs At Pain

I realize that parents often marvel at the smallest things for their own kids and think that they are best, but this time I apologize to all parents because Mason is by far the bravest four year old that I have experienced. Yesterday we took Mason into the doctor’s office to have blood drawn in order to be tested for a bone marrow match. A few weeks ago when I discussed this with Mason he told me that he wanted to sit up and watch because it would only hurt for a little bit. I thought this was just a lot of talk and when it would come time we would be strapping him down like a mental patient in order to draw blood. I was wrong. Mason sat very strongly in my lap and watched as they inserted the needle and was in amazement as he watched the vile fill with his blood. I asked him if it scared him and he said “No, it’s pretty cool”. Not one tear dropped from his eyes and it is one of the proudest moments I have experienced. He gave blood easier than a lot of adults I know. Now, if he could only take that attitude to the soccer games we might have better stories to tell after the games. 🙂

As a reward we took Mason ice skating for the very first time. The first couple laps were not very smooth, but after a few times around and the can do attitude that his mom has instilled in him you could definitely see dramatic improvement. Of course we still had to hold his hands (e.g. hold him up), but each pass required less and less effort on our part. He now wants to take lessons so he can play hockey. Hopefully he keeps that attitude and doesn’t change it to figure skating as he enjoyed watching the girls that were practicing. Here is a short video of his efforts during the second pass through…

I apologize again for the layout of the video, unfortunately anything taken from on my iphone is rotated for some reason. WordPress assuress me that they are working on a resolution for this.

Now, for the negative news about Mason’s donor potential. We did hear back from the doctor today and Mason is not a match. As disappointing as this is, things are still good as we still have a very high probability of finding a cord blood match via the cord blood bank. We have also heard some potential of using his current healthy bone marrow, but I don’t know much about that at this time. We will be in the office on Monday for more blood work for Cutler and hope to get more news at the time. One request that I have of everyone is that you please never mention this to Mason. I am sure it goes without saying, but we really don’t ever want him to know that he is not a match. That can wait until he is much older when he understands these things. In the mean time, as far as he is concerned, the doctors took his blood to help Cutler.

Again, this news is not what we had hoped for, but with only a 25% chance of Mason being a match it is what was expected. Up until this point, everything has gone our way, so we need to expect to have some road blocks in the way, but they are only road blocks and ones that can be removed. We still have the cord blood solution and more importantly we still have a baby that is in remission and who loves his big brother very much. Below is a video of Mason coming home from school to find his baby brother home from the hospital.

We thank everyone for staying positive and for their continued thoughts and prayers.

10 thoughts on “Bravest Four Year Old!”

We think you have 2 of the bravest kids on this earth! We are so proud to be related to Cutler and Mason and all of Team Fricke.
We continue our positive thoughts and prayers for Cutler. We know this is the most important thing we can do for him.
Please give Cutler and Mason big hugs and kisses from Aunt Linda and John.

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Absolutely love the video of the brothers hugging. You are all still in my thoughts and prayers as I know this will all work out. As always, thanks for the updates.

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Mason is amazing!!!! What a brave little guy! He definitely did better than some of the adults at the blood drive!!! Your family just continues to put me in awe…

I have had some parents ask how they can find out if they are a match for Cutler. Is that possible or is it better just to use cord blood?

Love the pictures and videos!!!

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Aaron & Melanie,

You guys have two very special boys!!! We are very happy to here that Cutler is officially in remission. That boy of yours has already overcome more in his first year than most people in a lifetime. Truly amazing!! We will keep him in our prayers.

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Hey guys!

So happy that Cutler is in remission. I hope that this news will allow everyone to breathe a little easier now. You all have stayed so strong through all of this. As far as Mason’s doctor’s visit…WOW! What an amazing little guy he is…and barr none…that was THE sweetest video I have ever seen. Even though times are kinda tough right now, you guys are so blessed.

Still praying for all of you!
Love,
Pam

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Think of you all the time. Be assured you are on the Prayer List at St. Rose Hospital. After reading “The Lost Symbol” and the concept that thought has matter and can change the world, the more people concentrating their thoughts and prayers can’t hurt. God bless you all and you are all in our prayers. Love, Chris and Cathy

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So proud of Mason and Yes! he is the ‘bravest little guy!’. He does his part to help baby Cutler, by being checked if he was a match, and always giving him a hug and kiss on the back of the head and making him smile so much! What a great big brother!
Praying for your appointment on Monday and the ‘plan’ ahead.
When our little guy was 13mos and diagnosed with ALL, his newborn brother’s cord blood was saved and we hoped too he would be a match..when he wasn’t, it is just like you said, ‘feels like a road block, or change of direction” but one that you know God was in control of. Will continue to have the prayer team praying for your dear family and Cutlter’s continued remission and healing.
Hand in Hand Prayer team at FellowshipChurch

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