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Tues, June 10th - Test Cole's spinal fluids and find that Leukemia has returned.

Thursday, June 12th - Cole's bone marrow is tested and the Leukemia is also found in his bone marrow. All of this testing has been done at St Mary's hospital in West Palm Beach. The oncologists here are part of a nationwide children cancer team called the COG (Children's Oncology Group) that has 300 member organizations/hospitals worldwide, including the finest cancer centers in the world.

Friday, June 13th - We call to confer with Doctors at the Dana Farber Institute in Boston for a second opinion and to both confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan of action.

Sat, June 14th - We need to check into the hospital on Monday, so we decided that we are going to enjoy our weekend with our family. We went to a Miami Marlins game with some close friends and on Sunday we went golfing and played 9 holes. All the time my mind keeps asking myself, how can this beautiful, happy boy really be so sick. Nonetheless it was a great weekend and thanks to those of you who shared this very special time with us.

Mon, June 16th - Our next adventure begins. We check into the hospital and Cole gets an initial dose of chemo.  After further consultation with Dana Farber, it was decided that we need at least start our treatments here at St Mary's.

Tues, June 17th - Cole continues to receive fluids and few other medical necessities. We have our formal sit down with our oncologist to discuss the formal diagnosis, prognosis and to review his treatment plan. This was pretty scary, as a parent never wants to hear cure percentages that are any less than absolute. The treatment plan we are presented with will initially consist of 3 x 30 day heavy chemo dosage treatment cycles and then assuming Cole's Leukemia goes into remission as it should, the continual treatment options consist of 2 paths; one which is a multi-year chemo treatment plan and the other consists of a bone marrow transplant, assuming we have a good marrow match. Testing for a match with his siblings will be done in the coming weeks.

Wed, June 18th - Cole gets an infusaport surgically implanted. This port will allow for treatment to be delivered easier and without continuing to poke his arms or hands for access. We return to Cole's room from surgery to fins that 5-6 players from the Jupiter Hammerheads baseball team had come to visit the kids on the oncology floor. It was fun for the kids, as a couple of the players allowed the kids to shave their heads. Cole had good conversations with a few of the players and took some nice pictures. A little later in the day a couple of local golf pro's came in to the hospital and hung out for a couple of hours with toy clubs and gave the kids some lessons. Cole had a lot of fun with them. In the early evening our good friends, the Esgros, came to visit Cole and brought Cole's brother and sister to come see him. This was the first time he had seen his siblings since early Monday morning. It was a nice early evening, however the late evening was not so great. He received his first full dose of his chemo cocktail and he didn't feel well, as his body was reacting to all these new drugs being given to him. It was a tough night him and his mom who stayed with him this night!

Thurs, June 19th - Cole feels much better this morning. His mom had spent the night with him last night and tonight is my night. I came to the hospital around 1pm and Cole was feeling great. I brought him a Nerf gun and we had target practice with an empty water bottle in the hallway. A little later our good friends, the Disistos, came by to say hello and play with him. Unfortunately Cole was not up to it and he took a long nap while we talked with them. Just received a text from my good friend Chad Rucker letting me know about a fundraising effort that he and his family are putting together called "Cole Strong". They had some bracelets made up and will be selling them for $5 each. The bracelets says Cole "Strong" with his baseball jersey #28 on it. Cole just saw the picture of the bracelet and said that's cool, can I have one? I will try to get a picture of the bracelet online soon along with where you can get one. This is a very special thought! We are blessed to have some amazing friends!

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