City of Hope

We were very impressed with the City of Hope - the campus was large and beautiful, the people were professional and personal, the rhythm of the whole place flowed easily. It is a place of order. We felt welcomed there and were treated with respect.

The doctor spent well over an hour with us. We were impressed with his bedside manner. He even brought Greg coloring books because he noticed Greg's eyes were beginning to glaze over. After reviewing the reports, he agreed that the proposed treatment is what he would have them administer at the City of Hope. He advised not to use the Rituxan because there wasn't sufficient data for long term effects for a kid Greg's age and situation. He also gave us some additional information about supplemental medications that should be given to combat the effects of the chemotherapy. He had the slides and scans reviewed within hours and verified it was indeed Burkitt's Lymphoma. They were more than willing to admit us and were willing to let us stay at the on-campus village during and in between treatments.

We were very very tempted to stay; however we felt good about returning home; the treatment will be the same and we will be better able to care for the rest of our family and get prompt care if there is an emergency.

While getting ready to leave Los Angeles, a man approached us at the gas station, petitioning for $11 and some change to get the car part he needed to return to Henderson. We gave him all the cash we had, about $8, and told him why we were here. He asked our son's name and said he would pray for him. As we walked away from the car, his hands were stretched toward heaven and we could hear him giving praises.

We arrived home about 1:00 in the morning and... we didn't have keys to the front door. Luckily we gave our neighbor a key awhile ago. This wasn't the first time we've woken him up in the middle of the night to help out. He said he'd be bored if he didn't have neighbors like us. What a good attitude - even at 1:00 in the morning!