WOW! I would like to start off by saying I’m glad we made it through Easter Sunday! Uncle Scott & Aunt Michelle were kind (crazy) enough to host the Hanson’s and the Eigner’s, which consists of 11 kids (10 age 4 and under) and 13 adults. We all thought it would be total chaos, but it was really fun! Yes, the Easter Bunny made an appearance.
Speaking of chaos, the girls joined us here at Ronald McDonald on Saturday – yep, all 5 of us in a 1-bedroom apartment! We are really glad to have them, though. We had not seen them for easily over a month. I have to say that Peter is such a nice big brother. He is genuinely happy to have them here and couldn’t wait to give them each a present he had made and show them all the playrooms here; especially the one with the bubble hockey game.
Well, Peter is doing well. He is getting a little stronger every day. It’s easy to forget what his body is going through because he looks good and wants to be active! Our days are somehow extremely busy after leaving the hospital. He’s still on TPN (IV food) and for the first time today had a fair amount to eat! He has not been eating or drinking much on his own. We hook him up to the TPN each night and it runs over 12 hours. He tested positive for a virus last week so he’s hooked up an additional 2 hours/day to a med to treat that (once AM and once PM, but unfortunately can’t run simultaneously with TPN). I’m pretty sure these meds alone constitute a part-time job. He takes meds orally 7+ times per day as well. And let’s be honest – the kid has lost a little control over his life – so he likes to negotiate his way through each one of theses things (ie: I need something to drink, I have to go potty, I’ll take that one as soon as I can do this or that). At any rate, he gets it done. And then there are the clinic visits. We wheel him over to the hospital each day for labs, doctor visits, and transfusions. He’s getting platelets every other day on average, but with the virus it’s been more like daily. Tomorrow morning he’ll get the combo deal – red blood cells and platelets, an appointment that will take a good 4 hours. But no complaints – they say he’s still doing very well!
We hope to find out soon when he will be able to start radiation. It’s all dependent on counts. They will only radiate the tumor bed (abdomen) and we’re happy about that (originally thought they would radiate where the lymph nodes were infected in neck and chest too). Radiation will last 2 ½ weeks. Starting around Day +60 Peter will start Cis-Retnoic Acid (a strong acne medicine!) as well as Antibody Treatment. We are hoping he is able to get it here at U of M, but if not, we’ll head out to NY.
Seems like a lot of treatment for a kid; especially when he is NED (no evidence of disease)? They treat this disease very aggressively because it’s a very aggressive form of disease. While it is not easy to watch him go through all of these treatments, we know the benefits far out-weigh the risks. So we continue to move forward and are so very thankful for each day and all of the positive results!!!
A journal of Peter’s journey
Eigner’s,
Great to read that Peter is progressing well. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers daily!
Keep kicking the path things behind!
James, Tara, Taylor and Max Heinen
Whew!!! Oh my gosh!!! Each time we get a report I am absolutely astounded with what you are all going through! Peter, you are one extremely amazing young man! Keep up the good work you are doing on this difficult journey! As for you Erika and Ty, what can one say??? You are doing a great job dealing with this – you can be very proud of yourselves! We can only imagine what some days must feel like for you – but you always appear so strong! Our players continue for you all!
Love,
Peg and Ron
Peter~
Sounds like you had a really special Easter with your entire family together!! We had a hard enough time getting Emily, Lily, Parker and Ivy to cooperate long enough to get one decent picture taken of them… can’t imagine trying to manage 11 kids! (Ok, so I forget sometimes that managing kids is a huge part of my job description!!) I bet the Easter Bunny brought you kids some neat treats, huh?? Emily & Lily got lots of bubbles and chalk… too bad they can’t use them yet!!
How fun that Ellie & Kate got to join you at the RMH! I bet it’s crowded but I bet it also feels good to snuggle up close with them all! 🙂
Your fight and your amazingly superb progress continue to amaze us all! You are one heck of a kid, Peter! We continue to pray for you. Hope to you see you all real soon…..
With much love~
Jen, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker J.
Peter, Ty & Erica,
Amazing! Your positive attitude and resolve is an inspiration to us all. We’re happy to hear Peter is looking and doing so well, also glad his sisters could join him. Our prayers continue for all of you!
The Petersons
Hi Pete, It was great to talk to you yesterday!!!…We can’t wait until you and your entire family is back home. We miss you guys!!…The Z’s
Peter,
I am amazed every day that I read the website. You are an amazing little guy Pete! I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your Easter. I had lunch with your Grandma Mary the other day, and she was giving me all of the updates on you! She was excited for Easter to have the whole gang together. I bet your sisters and cousins kept you busy. Well keep up the good fight and stay strong. You are AMAZING!
Love,
Kelsey
We’re delighted that Peter is making progress! We hope that he will be able to stay in MN to receive further treatment. We can’t imagine how excited you all must be to be together again even though the space is snug! Stay strong and always feel free to call on us for anything.
Oh Peter,
We are so glad all of these treatments have meant you are getting better. Easter was a blast. All four of our kids sleep all the way home. The bunny was a bonus. Seeing you play with all the kids was the best part of that day. Stay strong and always know how much we love you.
Love YA
Melissa Trent buzz cole quinn And van.
GREAT NEWS PETER !!!!
Keep on fighting those bad guys…..you have them on the run. It must be fun to play with your little sisters again, they must miss you very much.
We are keeping the prayers and good thoughts going for you and your whole family. Stay strong………
Love,
Uncle Ed and Aunt roz
Hi Peter,This news just keeps getting better ! We are so happy for you tough guy. Keep on eating and drinking more and more each day and you will stay strong Im sure of it. We are so happy you could all be together for Easter that makes it so special for everyone ! Did the bunny bring some goodies? It did at our house and all we’ve been doing is eating candy yummy. Ty & Erika it will be nice to see you this weekend if you need help with anything let us know.
Hugs to you all,
Dean ,Denise,Blake,Bren&Tiffany
Peter, I can’t believe all you have to go through. You handle to it with such maturity for someone who should not have to know what cancer is, let alone have to fight so hard to get rid of it. We continue to pray for you daily. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Keep fighting, and stay strong doing so!
It’s good to hear you had a chance to have some family togetherness over the Easter Holiday … thinking and praying for you guys on a daily basis. Way to keep us on our toes Peter … how are those Twins doing?
Hi Eigners, It’s so good to hear that things are going well and that you are all together. We had Grandma Judy and Papa Tom here for Easter- Grandma Judy made a bunny cake- one ear is gone and half of the head- it’s really good!
Keep fighting Peter- it sounds like you are winning! We continue to pray for you every night- you’re always in our thoughts!
Love, Greg, Brenda Brooke & Ty
Pete-man,
I did some research on that Bunny that stopped by Uncle Scott’s on Sunday. It turns out it was a real bunny and not a fake one as you thought. There is a very rare species of bunny only located in Minnesota, that has a unique ability to walk around on it’s hind two legs and use it’s front paws like hands. The odds of a human being actually seeing one are incredibly rare. Once again just another testament to how special of a kid you are. It was great to see you on Easter.
We love you buddy,
Uncle Roy, Auntie Macer, Grace & Lily
We are so happy that you could be with Kate, Ellie, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and your WONDERFUL parents for Easter! Peter, every part of my family are so very proud of you.
My entire family care about you and your entire family!
With our love and support!!!!
Holmquist & Koshiol
Eigners,
What a great Easter memory. It sounded like a fun day, and it sounds like Peter is as strong as ever. Way to go Pete! I bet you are watching the Wild! Look for Henry Sunday night, as he will be there.
You go through so much in one day it must be hard to remember it all. But the bottom line is Pete is doing great, a blessing from above.
We miss you and hope to talk soon.
Love,
Enebaks
We continue to pray for Peter every day. Levi and Emily can’t wait to see him – they want to see the boy they are related to that they pray for every day. They really are concerned with his well being.
Fight as hard as Peter can take it. Such a sweet, tough kid will beat it and go on to be an incredible person.
I hope we can see you all this summer.
Rick
One more thing, great to hear things are going well and that Peter is in good spirits!
Rick
Hello Peter and family,
Great news AGAIN!!!!!!!!! It is so nice to come to your site and read nothing but good news! What an Easter you must have had. How fun to have all the cousins together, and the Easter bunny made it too!! It sounds like you have settled in pretty good at the Ronald McDonald House. Have you met any new friends since you’ve been there?
We continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and our prayers and hope that with every day that passes you gain strength. Keep fighting Peter!! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Take care,
The Olson’s
Ty, Lisa, Paige, Drew & Hallsey
Eigners,
Thanks for the update! Our family was excited to read the positive news about Peter. He is in our daily prayers.
Best wishes,
The Smith’s
I’m breathless just thinking about your schedules. Glad to hear that you are getting stronger each day Pete. I’m so glad that you were able to visit with your sisters, too. What a great treat, I’m sure that they miss you everyday that you’re away.
Hang in there, and enjoy that bubble hockey.
Joan
i think about you guys all the time. you are a great strength to me. i’m glad you were able to see the girls and spend some nice family time together!
you’re all in my thoughts and prayers
amy
I trust the red blood cells and platlets went good today. Praying like a warrior.
So glad to hear how things are going….you guys all amaze me. God is good. Alicia Wollmering
Dear Eigner’s ~
We hope you know you are thought of often and held in the highest regard. I can see though your updates that you have become an even stronger family through all of this. Why do some of life’s biggest lessons need to be learned the hard way? It is amazing to see how much you have all gone through, especially little Peter and still maintain such an incredible positive attitudes! Congratulations on making it through this next phase of treatment, you are one tough kid Peter! Best wishes for the next few weeks/months. The snow is melting slowly here and the sun in shining! Looking forward to having you back to Brainerd. Please call if you need anything.
Take care, and pass hugs all around your family!
Love, John, Carna and Parker Linn
AWESOME!!! Glad to hear you are doing so great Peter. Maybe some of your good luck will rub off onto the Wild for them to win the next 4 games.
Hope you are able to enjoy some of the nice weather since spring has finally sprung.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Love,
The Rezacs
Hey Peter we have another joke for you!
How do you make a Kleenex dance?
Put a little boogie in it!
🙂
Hope you are feeling better every day!
Peter-
Just thinking about you today, and wanted you to know. Hope you are doing well, and getting stronger! Hang in there buddy!
Hello Peter,
Just wanting you to know we are thinking of you and hoping that things are going well. It has been so beautiful outside. I hope you have been able to sit in the sunshine!! (maybe even play outside for awhile??) I saw your dad this weekend in Plymouth and he said you were doing pretty good. You just keep getting better and stronger and before you know it you’ll be back at home.
Take care Eigner’s,
Love from The Olson’s
Ty, Lisa, Paige, Drew & Hallsey
Hi Peter – Thanks for letting us come and visit with you this weekend. I’m so glad it was a sunny day and we could spend some time outside on the playground. The “bubble hockey” match between you and Jack was alot of fun too. I hope you’re having a great week…we’ll come and visit again soon.
Bob, Kristi and Jack
P.S. Why did the poodle sit in the shade? Because it didn’t want to be a hot dog!!!!!!