Sorry for the gap in posts. Let me get you caught up on all the activity from last week. The Eigner’s came to the Twin Cities on Sunday, 2/18. Peter was scheduled to have a lot of testing and Erika and Ty were scheduled to have some informative meetings.
All of the work was outpatient last week, and it provided Ty and Erika some flexibility and quality time with Peter while he is feeling well. And he is feeling well. My wife and I had the pleasure of hosting the three of them (while Grandma Mary had the girls) and I can attest that the old Peter enthusiasm and charm are in full force.
The activities were as follows.
Monday, 2/19
- Initial meeting with a Bone Marrow Transplant doctor
- Chest x-ray and EKG
- CT scans of head/neck, chest, abdomen/pelvis
Tuesday
- Bone Marrow Biopsy (went under for this)
Wednesday
- GFR for Kidney Function
- Toured future home in 4A and met with social worker; This floor is much quieter than 5B
Thursday
- Bone Scan
- Echocardiogram
Friday
- DMSA scan (liver and kidney)
- Nurse Coordinator meeting – went over drug combination, side effects, calendar, general “what to expect”
- Hickman consultation
- Audiogram
So there was a lot of activity and there is much more to come. One reason for all of these tests is to provide the patient’s full picture for the BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) team. This team will be taking over in some ways over the next couple weeks.
All of the detailed test results aren’t known at this point, but we do know that the bone marrow biopsy and CT scans look completely clear again! That’s always reason to celebrate. They also received results of the Audiogram for Peter’s hearing and learned that his hearing has deteriorated so that he’s only hearing the speech range. This is expected news, but obviously news no one wanted. Hearing aids aren’t going to be helpful at this stage, but may be necessary in the future. That chemo is rough stuff.
Peter’s had the pleasure of meeting some new friends during his time in the hospital. One of his new friends is Mary Virnig. Mary would be a college freshman if she wasn’t diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the same time as Pete. She has been going through this same battle in Unit 5B and has been a great support and friend to Peter. When Peter finishes a test or procedure, there’s Mary (and family) to see how he’s doing. Keep fighting, Mary!
Peter also shared a room with a four-year-old named Noah a few weeks back and, boy, did they have a good time. With Noah’s help, the room ceased to be in a hospital; It felt more like a playground with two padded pommel horses. Thanks, Noah. We hope all is well.
Thank you for the update! I have been checking faithfully once a day (ok, so that’s a slight lie…. it’s been more like 5 times a day…. or was that 8 times a day… ???!!) 🙂 Anyway – what a relief to hear that things are going well. I got chills four times while reading this post…. once when I read that Peter’s old charm and enthusiasm are in full force; again when I read that the bone marrow and CT scans look clear (!!!); once again when I read about your awesome friends (Mary and Noah); … and then the biggest chill overtook my body when I scrolled down to the end and saw this picture of the most beautiful, courageous, little boy I know. eter – you are the true definition of beauty, courage and strength. I would hope that the next time I page through good ol’ Webster’s Dictionary, that Peter’s picture would be plastered under the word “hero”. As I sit here with a cold, a sinus headache and a slight loss of my voice (which the kids are rather enjoying!), I feel silly feeling “sorry for myself”…. I stop and think about you and am reminded that there are tougher things in life than going through a box of kleenex each hour.
I am so happy that you are nearing the end of your battle. It is with oodles of prayers and buckets of love that I write this letter. Keep your strength alive…. keep that smile plastered to your face… and keep reaching for the stars. One day real soon, this will be over and you can then sit back and wait for that new blue hair to begin filling in….
Hang on tight this week, buddy….. it might be a rough ride…. but we all know that you’ll handle it like a champ. Never forget that your team is bigger than you could possibly imagine. I passed by the ice rink this weekend (in the “blizzard”) and saw the famous “Keep Fighting Pete” sign again…. it’s amazing the sense of calm that washes over me everytime I read that…..
With infinite love and hopes of having you back to play soon-
Jenni and family 🙂
Thanks Matt,
We’ve been checking on Peters site and were worried that there was no update posted. See how we all depend on you. Keep that fight going Peter…..you are so loved by so many.
love,
Uncle Ed and Aunt roz
Hey Peter,
We’re so happy to hear that your biopsy and scans are looking good. What a fighter you are! The knock out round is upon you, so go show the path thing what you’ve got. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we look forward to hearing more good news.
~Amy, Rich, Jake, Callie & Kira Peterson
hi eigners it sounds like you’ve got a long month coming up. we check
on peter throughout the day and we all talk about how strong he is. Love the picture of Peter and Noah. They look like good buddies. Great news about the scans being negative. good luck over the next few weeks. Thinking about you.
Pediatrics BMC 🙂
Peter and family,
Great news to end a week of uncertainties! I am so glad to hear that your tests so far have all come back with good results. I check a few times every day like so many others and had been very patiently waitng to hear some new news.
Thanks Uncle Matt for the update, I am sure that the entire family has had far more on their minds, but again thank you for your time spent in informing the rest of the team!!
Our continued thoughts and prayers are always coming your way Peter, and we’ll be sure to send some extras this week as you under go some pretty tough stuff!! Just keep that fight going, you are pretty amazing!
Your friends sound pretty special, it must be nice to have someone your own age to have a little play time with. Have you gotten lots of pictures for your room yet??? I bet you have and I bet it looks really cool!!
Take care, and stay strong!!
We’re cheering you on…………….GO PETER!!!!!!!!!
Love and Best wishes,
The Olson’s
Hi Eigners,
WOW… what a week you have all had. So happy to hear about the clear scans!! You certainly are the bravest little boy I have ever heard of, Peter!! And now you have another BIG week coming up. We will be thinking of you every single day and saying lots of GIGANTIC prayers!!
Peter, what a handsome picture of you (as always!!). Noah looks like a nice new little friend. Good luck to you Mary and Noah – we will keep you both in thought and prayer as well.
With much love to you all,
Papa and Monga Allord
Hey Pete, sounds like you were pretty busy last week! But I’m glad you got to squeeze in a Warrior hockey game….. You’re not missing much up here in Brainerd, just snow and cold! Hunter and I have been working on a “care package” for you to keep you busy. Do you know what FLARP is??? I guess you’ll find out when you get our package! We’ll send it to Uncle Matt, so bug him everyday until you get it! You are such a tough, brave kid, braver than most adults! I hope your week goes well, you hang in there!!! Sending you love and prayers, Maggie
The Eigner’s,
Being a father of two young boys, I can’t help but think about what a fighter Peter is and how I hope things continue to improve for him. He is one tough customer. My family will continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
The Smith’s
Peter and family – wow, what a busy week again! But with GREAT results so far, and we couldn’t be happier to hear that!
Peter, it was good to see you at the hockey game in Elk River….you are always smiling, and it makes the people around you smile too. Will you tell your friends Mary and Noah that we are praying for them too? They sound like great friends and all of you are lucky to know each other…..one more positive thing for each of you to think about when all of this is over.
Keep fighting hard – we cheer for you (and now Mary and Noah too!) every day!
Big hugs from the Swansons
(Cary and Lori, Luke, Brooke and Erica)
Hey Eigners,
We are continuously keeping you in our prayers!!!!!!! Best wishes to all of you and may God give you strength for this difficult step in your battle of “the path thing”.
All our prayers and positive thoughts to you,
The House Family
Hello Peter –
It is great to hear that all is well and on schedule! Noah and our family continue to pray for you and wish you the best in the upcoming weeks. I know that Noah would love to send you a message, but we are awaiting our new computer at home so we can get the internet again. As soon as it is set up, I will show Noah your site and he will send you messages. We love the pictures your mom sent of you and Noah!
Stay strong and may your Guardian Angel always be with you!
The Scherpings
Hi Peter!
Bummer we didn’t get to meet you little man. Last week Erik had a bone marrow biopsy (same day as you, Tuesday, in ped sedation!) and bone scan and PET/CT and pentamidine infusion, and meeting with Erik’s wonderful doctor. You might have to introduce your new friend Mary to Erik! He was a college sophomore when we found out he relapsed. He’d like to talk to her too! We will be praying steadily for smooth sailing through tranplant. Blessings from the Ludwinski Gang!
Hey Pete-
Well its looking like you’ll have to start without me. I will be in the hospital Monday but for surgery instead of starting with you! So you’ll have to tell me all about it so I know what to expect! Maybe we’ll run into you sometime this week.
Love,
Mary
Hi Eigners, You are such strong people and I admire you all so much. We just wanted you to know that you are all still and will be still in our nightly guardian angel prayers as long as needed. We never forget how much Peter needs them. No prayer is ever wasted, right?
thinking of you,
Trina and Jake Volkl
Peter, I know you are going to cowboy-up and be helping drive the bus next hockey season because you are tough ice monkey. Can’t wait !