Cody was finally taken to the ER at U of M where he was given a wide variety of tests. The final diagnosis was not good. Neuroblastoma was found throughout his bone marrow. They found a large tumor in his abdomen, a tumor up his spinal column, a tumor behind his right eye (which made his eye cross inward). In addition, they also found neuroblastoma in Cody's skull.

Cody was immediately put on a very aggressive chemotherapy. The first chemo treatment was very difficult on Cody as he developed high fevers and terrible mouth sores among other things. Chemo can have some severe side effects, some that are not reversible. Cody has continued his chemo treatments as well as radiation treatments. He has responded well to the aggressive treatment. Cody recently received a bone marrow transplant in December and is doing well. In January Cody went through a intensive radiation treatment where he received radiation for 12 treatments over a 2-week period.

Cody is back home and recovering while his parents (Mike and Shannon) decide which treatment path to take next. There is a new "Antibody Therapy" that is showing great results. This treatment can increase survival rate by 20%. Here is how it works: A person's immune system makes antibodies to attack germs such as bacteria or viruses, but it will not attack neuroblastoma because the tumor is part of our own bodies. An antibody that attaches to neuroblastoma can be made in a laboratory and then given intravenously to a patient. This antibody will circulate in the bloodstream until it finds and attaches to a neuroblastoma cell. And then the patient's own immune system will attack and kill that neuroblastoma cell. This is amazing science! However, this new treatment doesn't come without side effects. The biggest side effect being pain. Cody would have to be hooked up to a pain pump every time he receives a treatment. No parent wants to see their child in pain, so we can empathize with the decision his family must make. If they choose this therapy, Cody will begin treatment February 6th.

We are very excited to be helping this very deserving family. Mike and Shannon live in Newport and have 3-children, Hayden, Cody, & Megan. The family is expecting their 4th child June 19th. We are very excited for them and want to help them get back on their feet.

Update - January 2012

Cody is AMAZING. He is doing phenomenal. I do my best to make "the bad" a faint memory to ALL the kids, but "cancer" has left its mark.

Neuroblastoma has a high relapse percentage of about 60%. And if it comes back; it comes back STRONG and FAST. Doctors have explained that if relapse occurs they won't be looking for a cure any longer but more of a prolonger. So Cody testing is quite frequent. He has urine testing every month. His more throe testing is done every 3 months and include MIBG, CT scans, and full body MRI's. His Bone Marrow, EKG Echo are every 6 months. He also has random hearing tests.

All the tests will continue for 5 years from the date he finished his treatment in August 2011. After 5 years, of no cancer, means Cody is safe, for the most part. Neuroblastoma that has been cured for 5 years only has about 5% chance of returning. We have just met our 6 months mark of being cancer free!

There are signs the Dr.’s have asked us to watch for that will be a result of all the Chemo Cody received. They have told us Cody will loose some hearing but they are unsure how much or when, that all kids are affected differently by the chemo drugs. We also have to have Megan and Shelby tested every 6 months for neuroblastoma by also doing urine testing. One of the specialists told us about 1/2 the families with a child that was diagnosed with neuroblastoma will have a sibling that will also carry it. So we take NO CHANCES. Hayden doesn't have to be tested because he is 5yrs. Neuroblastoma isn’t found in kids 5yrs +.

Cody's ability to learn is still impeccable. He is incredibly smart...with an imagination that is unbelievable. He still talks about the hospital/the doctors, his "snakes" (the tubes that were in his chest for over a year) and occasionally about "the bad" that lived inside him. He doesn't mind the blood draw visits, but his testing dates, he gets a bit edgy thinking he is going to have to "live" there again. Cody does however show signs of having separation anxiety. Which Doctors say is o.k. and normal seeing as everything Cody has been through. He won't go anywhere I'm not, with an exception of Nana's house. If I leave to go grocery shopping and I don't take Cody, he sits in front of the door and cries until I come home. Needless to say if I'm out and about I'm never alone! And that’s just fine with me.

But on an everyday basis Cody is a Normal 3 yr old boy. He fights with his brother and sister, makes messes, don't listen. He is perfect. There are times when we go places, and I notice people staring at him, and I have even had people ask if "he is Cody Wood"? And we joke with Cody that he is a celebrity. A lot of times he brings attention to himself with his "big mouth" and yes I mean BIG MOUTH! Not only is Cody extremely loud with a unique voice, He also loves to tell stories to everyone and anyone that will listen, about why he has pirate "silver" teeth, or why he don't drink "poop" milk like everybody else (he is lactose intolerant). He's not shy to lift up his shirt and make up a huge tale about the scar that stretches all the way across his abdomen. And of course He plans on being a power ranger when he grows up!

Cody is an incredible little boy. He is nothing shy of a miracle! Megan who is almost 2 now hasn't been affected by the life we once lived and has actually become Cody's partner in crime since Hayden is now in school all day. They are very close, and stick together in everything they do. Shelby who is already 7 months...is our blessing that came after all the hospital living. She is the best baby ever. I guess with all the noise in this house she doesn't feel she really needs to add any! Hayden is the one I see affected the most. He worries about everything. And some nights has terrible nightmares. He is half way through his Kindergarten year and doing well considering the year that came before. All I can do is assure and assure and reassure everything is going to be o.k. And pray that I keep my promise. He loves Cody very much. But at times I see him trying to regain some of the attention he was cheated out of. He likes to pretend to be sick/or sometimes will "wish he was sick" because he doesn’t understand the bads and all Cody went through but only sees the attention Cody received from everyone. It is very hard to explain to a 5 yr old that "being sick" like Cody was, is not "sick" like a normal cold. I tell Hayden everyday how much we love him and that we are so thankful he is who he is! I am also very involved with Hayden’s school activities, and volunteering in his class when given the opportunity. I think it makes him feel very important when I’m there to cheer him on. The focus is on him for a change!

For Mike & I, we don’t talk about "what if", but live one day at a time. And enjoy every moment of it. Do we have a plan for, if we did get bad news? NO, no plan, no thoughts...as irresponsible as it may seem. Relapse IS NOT possible for us, or for Cody! That is a road unimaginable for us. So we stay positive and pray all the time. And with help from people like you guys...You have helped us in way you guys can't imagine. It is an "awe" feeling knowing people are around that think and care so much about Cody. Just knowing there are people outside of our family who have been our second shoulder, is a tremendous gift to us! So beyond the financial help you guys provided, that was God send to us and a blessing. You have been our friends! Nothing we could ever say or do would be enough to let you guys know how truly incredible you all are! So THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! We will definitely be there for the winterfest. And can’t wait to show you the amazing little boy Cody has grown up to be!