All,

Michael was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in early December of 2003.  

He had been having pain for about 2 years prior, and each time I took him into the doctor's they told me that it was simply growing pains.  Mike had grown over 13 inches in 1 year, so it seemed to us to be a logical answer.   Mike never complained that the pain was excruciating, only that it was irritating.   

This summer, Mike started limping and favoring his right leg.  Again, I was told that it was growing pains, and that it was very normal for boys to experience this. Mike continued to play Football and went on to train for Wrestling.  

On November 30th I observed Mike favoring his right leg a lot, and made mention that I felt I should take him to the doctor again.  Mike got upset with me and said that the only thing the doctor was going to tell us was that he was having growing pains and send us home, and that in the mean time I was going to pull him out of school and make him miss a day of wrestling practice.  I actually entertained his comment and thought that he was probably right, however later that night I noticed how different his right leg looked from his left (smaller) and decided that I would take him in anyways.  

On December 2nd I took him to see a doctor again and implored her to look into it further.  She graciously did, and had x-rays and blood work done.  The next day my husband and I were called back in with the news that they found a large tumor in Mike's pelvis.  

We went to 5 different hospitals in 3 days getting bone scans, chest x-rays and meeting with oncologists and bone specialists. The following Monday morning Mike had surgery, which included a bone biopsy on his right side, (confirming he had Ewing’s Sarcoma) and a bone marrow biopsy on his left side, which came back negative.  The chest x-ray showed a small lesion in his right lung as well.   Mike started his first round of Chemo on December 15th. His second round will begin January 5, 2004.

I have asked the oncologist about Mike getting treatments every two weeks as opposed to three, and he said that if Mike rebounds quickly enough then we could do it.   The only reason why it wasn't done this time was due to the holidays, which meant that Mike would have had to take Chemo in a hospital full of people with Influenza, which seems to have gripped so many people in our area. The doctor weighed the options, and decided that it was better to wait 5 day's and
begin on Monday then to subject Michael to Influenza.

I have checked around, and have been told that the Oncology team that we are working with is by far the best in the Denver Metropolitan area.  

Mike's attitude towards all this is better then we could ever imagine. He simply looks at it as an inconvenience and is always talking about playing football next year.  We find ourselves getting really worried when he's tired which thank God, hasn't been too often.

Most of the time he's up for video games and pillow fights with his sister and I, and he watches a lot of football with his dad.  

Most mornings when I wake up, for just a second it all seems like a bad dream.   Mike has always been so healthy and energetic.  I've read a lot of the letters that people have written at the e-sarcoma list-serve, and wonder if our journey will be the
same.  I just have no idea what to expect.  It is so overwhelming.  Nights seem to be the worse for us.  When all is quiet and Mike's asleep, the enormity of the situation sets in.   The unknown is so scary.  

Our faith in our Lord God and the support of our family and friends is what is getting us through this.  We have never been on the receiving end of this kind of support, and it’s quite humbling.  God has blessed us beyond measure.  Some people may not understand this, given our situation, but I know that you, the support group will.  When you have friends and family, willing to step in and help out in any way, you are truly humbled and grateful.  I thank God every day for the outpouring of love that we have received.  

Thanks for being here

        Lacene Downing,