Monday Morning.....

Dalen woke up feeling pain in his stomach. This stomach pain has been going on all weekend. As he was getting dressed for school, he laid across my bed and said "Momma, so much pain and no relief." My eyes filled with tears because I can't help my baby. All day long I've been so emotional. As a mother you are the protector, caregiver, the provider, and full of knowledge, but today I felt like I was none of them. My baby has been in some kind of pain since he started chemo two weeks and I can't help him. All I can do is hold him and tell him God has him. Dalen went to school today at 8:30 this morning , however I picked him up because of the same stomach pain. On the way home he fell asleep. When he arrived home he went back to sleep. When I returned from work he fell asleep and is still sleep right now (9:30pm). Sleeping is his new friend, a friend that eases the stomach pain, throat pain, and jaw pain. We thought that Friday and Saturdays was his worst days but every day is seeming that way. Lord I need strength and so do Dalen. Please Father intervene and grab a hold of this mountain. We no longer can walk through it, we need you to carry us over it. Please Father, in your name Jesus, AMEN!

Basketball game...

Dalen's first basketball game after surgery and two chemotherapy treatments went okay. He could only play about two minutes after every eight to ten minutes. His speed and fast passes was very slow then normal. But he was still determined to support his team. Most of the people in the stands were wondering what was going on because this wasn't the same superstar they saw two weeks ago. God has a plan for Dalen! He just have to keep believing. When we got ready to leave the gym Dalen turned to me and ask" why God picked me? I was so tired trying to run up and down the court, momma."... I told him that he has already be an encouragement to so many and God don't make any mistakes. Please continue to pray for my son Dalen. He needs strength and faith that everything is going to be okay....

Report Card...

I received Dalen's report card today....and he received 3 As, 4 Bs and 1 C. I am so proud of my son for such a good report card with everything that has been going on lately. He has done his best and that's all I can ask for! ( This was Dalen's first C ever) Super Proud Mom! ....Dalen was pickup from school early today because of stomach pain. However , the pain went away after a quick nap in the car. 😏

Second Chemotherapy Treatment...

My son's second chemotherapy treatment went well. We arrived at 1:00pm and was heading home at 4:00pm. This treatment was how a normal treatment will take with no issues. However, just before treatment started my son's nose begin to bleed. This would be the third nose bleed in four days. Nose bleeds use to be a regular for Dalen, but for the last three years he hasn't had any, which made me a little worried if this was another side effect. The nurse explained that when Dalen's number drops (blood count, platelets, lymphomas, neutrophils, etc..), his nose may bleed, however this wasn't the issue this time. And I was also told that when the numbers drop, he will have to take an antibiotic to prevent from catching pneumonia. Its so much to remember! However, Dalen is so amazing! As we were walking through Arnold Palmer Hospital, he was performing magic tricks on everyone. When he was called back to the clinic,the nurses and Mr. Bill asked if he had a trick today. I am so happy that God did not allow my son to become depress or sadden about this tumor or process we will be going through for the next fourteen months. God is awesome! Although, this treatment is making Dalen sleepy and exhausted, he keeps on moving!

Determination....

My son is so determined to continue to play basketball. Since, his surgery he has been sore and in a little pain from the placement of the chemotherapy port. Any time there is an foreign object placed in the human body, the body has to get use to this object in its domain. I understand this, but try telling this to my son. The doctors gave him two weeks to heal then he could return to any sports even swimming. However, two weeks was to long to even think about according to my son. For the last week he has been excising and stretching to get back to playing ball in one week. I understand his passion for the sport because he has always loved basketball. When Dalen was two years old, he could name all the basketball teams and colors, this included college also. He knew all the top players and their numbers. He had me stuck watching ESPN all day long. When it was playtime outside, out came the basketball hoop. He loves basketball! This Saturday will be the big day that my son trys to return with his team on the basketball court. He went to practice last night and had a ball practicing plays, dribbling the ball, and running the court. But he has not been cleared from the doctors to return nor has it been two weeks. Today will be Dalen's second chemo treatment and he is so prepared to asked the doctor if its okay to return to the courts. He has prepared a speech and already has his protection gear laid out to try to convince the doctors he's fit and ready. I'm so proud of my son determination in following his dreams. Dalen keeps moving and he will not let this tumor hold him back.

Last night....

Last night was a ruff night and I did not expect it at all. We had a good day other than Dalen wasn't eating or drinking that much. Just before we left to go see a comedy and magic show at 3:30 pm Dalen had only eaten breakfast and drunk one glass of juice. No matter how many times I asked if he was hungry or told him he had to eat something, he just wasn't up to it. I made him drink some Powerade and his jaw started to throb. I asked what kind of throb? Dalen could only tell me it felt strange, however five minutes later the throb feeling was gone. We went on to the show and It as great! Dalen was surprise and happy to be getting out the house. He helped out with a magic trick on stage. It was a rope trick that he has been working on since school started that he hasn't been able to master. I was so happy to see him on stage and showing off the big smile on his face. At the end of the show Dalen got a picture with Tony Brent the Magician and an autograph. He was so excited! However, after arriving home and eating a small plate of spinach and crawfish, his jaw begins to throb again. Then it stop and he kept eating. Around one o'clock this morning he was still up saying "Mommy my jaw hurts". I went to call the doctor and to read the fact sheets on the chemotherapy medicines. The medicine Vincristine has some less common side effort of jaw pain. I felt so bad because I should of known this. I have read this facts sheet over 50 times, because I wanted to be able to notice them. I knew about the stomach pain, muscle weakness, constipation, hair lost, etc.. all those are common side effects. I never thought about the less common side effects, I didn't want Dalen to even experience these effects at all. So I called the doctor and was told that he will have to take Tylenol with codeine and he must chew something hard to excerise the jaw. I began to cry out Lord please heal my baby right now. Please don't let him have to take all these medicines with all these side effects. Heal his body right now Father. I am not strong to watch my baby in pain, I'm not as strong as I thought I was. Please Jesus in your name, Amen! Just as I was getting up to go to the kitchen, I turned to Dalen and begin to talk and saw he was sound to sleep. Thank you , Jesus! Once again our Heavenly Father showed me he got this! All I have to do is believe and keep believing!

After first chemo treatment....

First full day after chemotherapy treatment and Dalen is doing just fine. His left side is still a little sore from the surgery which is preventing him from any activity such as running, basketball, and playing. He is slowly gaining his appetite back. Overall, he is doing pretty good. Thank God! We both were thinking that the treatment would be painful , uncomfortable, and just to much to deal with, But God! God has allowed no pain through this whole ordeal and we have faith that He will continue to bless us. Our faith is stronger then Ever before and we will continue to keep trusting in our Heavenly Father Jesus Christ. Please continue to keep Dalen in your prayer. Lets LOVE

First Chemotherapy Treatment...

Today is Dalen's first chemo treatment. I think its going pretty well. So far no pain, allergic reactions and no side effects. Normally the whole treatment will last about two and half hours but today he has been in the clinic from 9:30 am until...well we are still here and it's 2:49pm. I am so thankful they offered Dalen a video game system cause I did not bring any electronics, but next Thursday I will make sure I back a book bag full of goodies. Dalen had a special guest today, Nurse Minnie Mouse and she brought him a gift. That really made he day! I guess you are never to old for Mickey or Minnie!

First surgery...

Today was day that my son had his first surgery. He was so amazing! From the time he woke up until they pushed him off into the operation room, he kept everyone laughing. He even showed off some of his magic tricks. He is such a special kid. The nurse and the doctor explained the happy juice (anesthesia) to Dalen. He got excited and said "ooh I'm getting some happy juice!". The nurse took his blood pressure, attached his heart rate monitors, inserted his iv, and then went the happy juice. Just five minutes later Dalen looks at me with the saddest face and cried "Mommy, I thought happy juice made you happy." It shocked me so because he has been the strongest kid ever through this whole process. I started to cry with him and told him that everything will be okay, God has you in His palm. He smiled and then it was time to head off to the Operation Room. He raised both arms and said "Weeee I'm going on a ride!" After about an hour he was out of surgery and waking up in pain. I held his hand, wishing I could of took the pain for him but I couldn't. He looked at me in tears and I could only tell him that God would not have chose him if he wasn't strong enough. Dalen then close his eyes and falls asleep. I am so grateful that my son knows who his Heavenly Father is. God was the doctor in the hospital and the comforter and my son knew it!

Fear not.....

As a little girl , I use to place my head in the palms of my daddy's hand. It was a way that reassured me that I was loved and protected. But tonight I searched for my Father's hand not just for my reassurance but for my son's reassurances. Today is the day that my son has surgery. The doctors will be inserting a chemotherapy port just below his nipple. This port is designed to prevent from many needle pokes and bruises on the skin and veins from chemo medicines and blood test. My son has never had any surgeries before nor has he been under anesthetic. But God! Right now I placed my son's head in the palms of our Father Jesus Christ hand. Please Father love and protect Dalen like you always have! Go in this operation room and touch the doctors and the nurses. In Jesus name Amen!

He keeps moving...

The past month have been so much on my son and my entire family. We have been trying to figure out how to deal with my son and all his extra activities he has going on under the circumstances. At first I thought to take him out of everything. All his plays, basketball, playground play, dancing, etc. put him in a bubble and store him in the house so he or no one else can injury him. But how could I! I have to let him know and show him that everything is going to be okay. All the prayers we have had to our Father and telling him that God has us would be all in vain. So I decided to keep life moving and let Dalen be "Dalen the Entertainer"!

The reason for this blog...

Hello everyone,


Welcome to the journey of my 11 year old son name Dalen Seals. He was diagnosis with Optic Pathway Glioma on December 20, 2012. Optic Pathway Glioma is a type of tumor that grows along the optic nerve inside the brain that causes vision lost. This website is designed to take you along his journey of progress and to share his testimony. We are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Savior. I hope you can join us on this journey and maybe be encouraged. God has not promised us a perfect life, but he did promise He would take care of us. We may not know the reason we are chosen, but I believe that everything happens in His divine plan. I must accept it! Please pray with me that the Lord will continue to bless and protect my family.

Also, unfortunately medical insurance does not cover all the expenses that will come with this journey such as deductibles, co-payments, prescriptions drugs, transportation, etc. If you would like to make a donation please feel free through this website.

 

Thankful & Grateful,

Charmian
Dalen's mother

Let's LOVE

6th Grade; 11years old....

Now my son is eleven years old and is in the sixth grade. He has been accepted to one of the best performing arts middle schools in Florida. Yes, we thought sports was his gift, but he also loves acting, singing, and dancing. He has been in over six plays throughout the last past three years. He is just an amazing kid, I call him Dalen the Entertainer! Did I tell you he knows magic, too. He's not only an entertainer and athlete, he is also an 4.0 student! Yes I had to tell you how awesome my son is!...for the last three years every three months my son has been seeing an eye specialist for his left eye that was diagnosis with Amblyopia (better known as lazy eye). He has to cover his right eye (good eye) everyday for three hours to improve his sight in the left eye (bad eye), which has been improving. His left eye was 20/2400 , but now its 20/150. This was great from where he came from. However, on December 10, 2012 on my son's regular three month eye visit, the doctor notice something was going on. I knew something was wrong because the normal thirty minute appointment was now three hours. His right eye that was 20/20 is now 20/2100 and his left eye that 20/2400 is now 20/80. His eyes flipped flopped and the doctor was scratching his head. At first the doctor thought my son was pulling his leg. He started telling my son how important it was to tell the truth during eye visits. I knew my son wasn't lying because he hated wearing the glasses and not to mention two hours everyday wearing a patch over his eye. The doctor reschedule my son for the following Monday for another visit. I guess he was hoping my so was pulling his leg! However, he wasn't on December 17, 2012 , my son gave the exact same results as last Monday. The doctor did not know what to think, he even scratch his head. My son was schedule for an emergency MRI Wednesday December 19 at 6:00 am in the morning. I was told the results from the scan would be given to the doctor by Friday, however, I received a call at 3:30pm the same day. I'll never forget how my heart dropped and my hands begin to shake as the doctor told me over the phone that my baby had a tumor on his brain. I didn't know what to do, think, or act....so a cried! And cried! And cried!!!! This couldn't be my son. Not my son who is so awesome and amazing at everything he does! This could not be my son!...(tears)......I left work early and as I was driving home I started to pray. This wasn't my first time praying about my son to God. My son and I pray every morning about everything we need, we are thankful for, or just because. But when I started to pray this day, The Lord spoke to me. He said "Haven't I taken care of him this far? When he lost his eye sight in his left eye didn't I take care of him? He kept playing basketball, he's been performing on stage...So, why wouldn't I do it know?" God's presence was so clear and I started crying even more, but now tears of joy and comfort. God is so good to me!...(tears).....on December 20, my son was referred to a brain surgeon and a pediatrician Neuro-oncology. They reviewed the MRI images and explained that my son has a tumor growing inside his brain called an Optic Pathway Glinoma. This is a common tumor in children ages 8 to 10 and is the cause of his impaired vision. Since this tumor is growing on his optic nerve it is not recommended to be removed because of the high risk of him becoming blind. The doctors recommend chemotherapy. Chemo will stop the growth of the tumor, which may cause it to shrink and maybe my son's eye vision can improve. My son will have to do chemo once a week for fourteen months. Yes, that is a long time, but I'm still grateful, it could of been worst! I was once again asked a ton of questions and I answered them all. The specialist smiled at my son and said" you are a special kid"... He said "I know!"...I told the doctor that my son just got done with a seven show production that was viewed by seven thousand people and he also just was in a dance recital on Tuesday in the front leading. There was no headaches, dry mouth, joint pain, weight lose, fatigue, etc...he just could not see that we'll. The doctor smiled again and said " You are one special  kid!"...and my son said again " I know". ...

3rd Grade ; eight years old.....

He was eight years old when all of a sudden he couldn't see the board in the classroom. I did not think nothing of it because most kids start having a hard time at a young age and this could be fix with some seeing glasses. Well, after an extremely long eye exam my son was referred to an eye specialist because he could only see black spots in his left eye.  I was scratching my head thinking how could this be, he just played flag football as the quarterback and is now playing the point guard in basketball. How could he be so coordinated with only one eye? The eye specialist ask a ton of questions and I answered each one of them. My son went through many eye test that day and began to get sad. I did too. Well, the doctor told me that my son had Amblyopia in his left eye (what we know as lazy eye). I've heard of a lazy eye, but I thought a lazy eye just drifted every now and then. However, the doctor instructed that my son cover his right eye everyday for two hours to help improve the lazy eye. He also, told me to not let him play any sports because if something happen my son's good eye, he would be legally blind. I couldn't tell my son he couldn't play sports anymore! That was his life. At the age of two years old, he could tell you every team name, it's color, and who was the starting players with there numbers. My son was the loud kid in the stand yelling at the player for making bad plays and at the referees for making bad calls. He was the little two year running bases in tee ball while trying to balance the oversized halmet on his head. He was the team player in basketball, passing the ball. He loved sports. How could I tell him to give up on his dreams and who he is? I couldn't, so I didn't! I just got him some really cool sports glasses with tint and prayed. At first, it was super hard to get my son to cover his eye for two hours everyday. It seemed like it was never enough time in the day, but it worked out and his eye started getting better. At first his left eye was 20/2400....one year later he was seeing colors, then shapes, then letters. I even made these colorful flash cards with pictures, colors, letters, and numbers for him. His left eye kept getting better and better. We started getting hope that one day his left eye would be 20/20 just like his right eye.