Testimonials
A few words from those that we've been honored to serve.
Macie's mom, Kristi shared with the world about Macie's diagnoses, the following on her Facebook page the day they got am official diagnosis.
As may of you know, Macie was flown from Beauregard Memorial Hospital to Ochsner's Children's Hospital on Friday due to critically low blood levels. After we arrived at Ochsner's, she was put in pediatric ICU where they immediately did more tests that did confirm a diagnosis. My sweet Macie has been diagnosed with Leukemia. We were told there are 4 types of leukemia, and another lab test would tell us which type she has. We found out today that she has Acute Lymphocyctic Leukemia, it is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. I am still trying to wrap my head around this. She is only 4 years old, soon to be 5. We went from planning a birthday party to planning chemo treatments. Everything has happened so fast. They will be doing a bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncher on Monday which will determine if it is a cancer standard or advanced. They also hope to place a port in her chest as well. They told us to plan to be here for 8 days. If she runs fever at all during those days, the clock resets. This is a start of a journey I never thought I'd be on. Continues prayers are greatly appreciated.
Today, Kristi tells us that Macie was in treatment at Ochsner's Children's Hospital for 27 months and I would like to add how grateful we are for Colors for a Cause! Ya'll were there for us and helped so mush with gas money, food, helped with school supplies and so much more. Yall have treated us like family from the start and still are there for us after treatment which is soooo amazing because the affects of a childhood cancer diagnosis do not end when treatment ends. If forever changes that child, that family! We will forever be thankful to all of you at Colors for a Cause!
Today, Macie is celebrating her 9th birthday, and has been in remission for almost 2 years.
Drake's Story
Drake was a typical 7-year-old country boy. In January 2018 we noticed he had drooping on one side of his face. We brought him to the doctor, and they said Bells Palsy. We went back a numerous of times and tried to get the doctors to listen that he wasn't getting better. On March 11, 2018 we went boat riding and set crawfish traps. Drake was driving our boat and just happy as can be. It started raining so we came home showered and napped. Within 6 hours of us on the boat, Drake had had 2 seizures. He could not move his right side, talk, or swallow. We rushed him to our local hospital where we had Cat scans, labs, urinalysis , ekg and lumbar puncture. It was told to us that something is going on, but we aren't sure, and Drake needs to be life flighted to New Orleans Children's Hospital. This hospital is 4 1/2 hours away. The crew arrived and loaded Drake up. we were unable to travel with him due to inclement weather. I thought at the time watching that helicopter take off with my son was the hardest thing ever. We rushed home, threw some clothes in a bag, and took off at midnight for NOLA. We brought Gunner who was 3, because honestly, we never imagined how sick Drake was. When we arrived around 5:00 we loved on Drake and crawled on the couches to sleep. at 7:45 a.m. they came to get Drake for a MRI. I told Chris to stay and sleep and I went with him. They started the procedure, and I could see the nurse through the glass window. She picked the phone up and called someone. My heart sank and at that point I knew it was bad. The MRI tech came in and said we are going to get some more pictures and of course wouldn't answer any questions. The procedure should have taken 30-45 minutes and it took almost 2 hours. We get back in the room and Chris is panicking because he couldn't reach me on my cell because they aren't allowed in MRI room. He said how did it go, and I couldn't face what my heart suspected so I said I'm not sure. They came in and had a nurse sit with the boys while we went into a conference room at 10:30. We were told your son has terminal brain cancer called DIPG and has 6-9 months to live. We were devastated and asked what can we do? How do we fight and they said there was basically nothing. The doctor said we will have a family conference at 4:30. I immediately called my closest friend and said Jess I need you, it's not good. Please come get Gunner and be here for the conference. They closed their shop and drove all the way to meet us. They attended the meeting and helped ask questions that we couldn't think of. We were transferred to the oncology ward that evening. My brother and his family brought my mother-in-law and oldest son to meet us. When the doctor made rounds, she said we can transfer Drake's case to Texas Children's Hospital, and they can do radiation. We jumped at the chance to do anything. Drake had to be brought home unable to walk, talk, swallow for 24 hours due to insurance. we had an appointment with Dr. Baxter 3/14/2018 at TCH. She looked at Drake and examined him. She told us he needed to be admitted because he's severely dehydrated and very sick. We choose to put a NG tube so we can get Drake hydrated and fed. He had a port placed also in March. Drake underwent 30 rounds of radiation. He was put to sleep for each of these. He suffered radiation burns to his ears and neck. Horrible mouth ulcers, weight gain from steroids and anger from the seizure medication. By June of 2018Drake was finished with radiation, had gained most of his abilities back, took the ng tube out himself and was weaning off of steroids. We celebrated him turning 8. We started a trial in August of 2018. We as parents had to sign paper that stated yes, we agree to give our son this meds to record at what point it reaches toxicity in his body. Adults take 15-20mg of the chemo 2 times a week. Drake was taking 25mg 3 times a week. Even on the days chemo had him sick, he still worried about us and kept telling us God had him. In November of 2018 Drake's tumor had grown and we were disqualified from the trail. WE had to sign a dnr and put our 8-year-old on hospice. We came home and decided to make as many memories as we could. Drake got to go on many trips and mad a huge impact wherever he went. He managed to remind the entire would what Christmas was about in 2018 and requested 190 Christmas cards. He received over 144,000 card and numerous packages. Drake slowly lost functions one by one. His eyes no longer closed when he slept so that caused ulcers on his cornea which resulted in surgery. He lost the ability to walk , swallow, and talk. On May 25, 2019 Drake was joking with his dad and aspirated on a snickers. I took his pulse ox, and it was low, so I called hospice. They came and told us we had hours left with Drake, we stated him on medication for pain and anxiety. He was still able to communicate at this point. We called our family and friends, and they came to support us. Sunday, May 26, 2019, we had a hospital bed delivered and transferred Drake to it in the living room. Everyone went home around 11:00 p.m. and we finally went to sleep. At 2:55 a.m. on 5/27/2017 (Memorial Day) Chris woke up to the song "Well Done" by the Afters playing. Drake had taken his last breath and was no longer in a broken body but healed in Heaven.
Drake was a typical 7-year-old country boy. In January 2018 we noticed he had drooping on one side of his face. We brought him to the doctor, and they said Bells Palsy. We went back a numerous of times and tried to get the doctors to listen that he wasn't getting better. On March 11, 2018 we went boat riding and set crawfish traps. Drake was driving our boat and just happy as can be. It started raining so we came home showered and napped. Within 6 hours of us on the boat, Drake had had 2 seizures. He could not move his right side, talk, or swallow. We rushed him to our local hospital where we had Cat scans, labs, urinalysis , ekg and lumbar puncture. It was told to us that something is going on, but we aren't sure, and Drake needs to be life flighted to New Orleans Children's Hospital. This hospital is 4 1/2 hours away. The crew arrived and loaded Drake up. we were unable to travel with him due to inclement weather. I thought at the time watching that helicopter take off with my son was the hardest thing ever. We rushed home, threw some clothes in a bag, and took off at midnight for NOLA. We brought Gunner who was 3, because honestly, we never imagined how sick Drake was. When we arrived around 5:00 we loved on Drake and crawled on the couches to sleep. at 7:45 a.m. they came to get Drake for a MRI. I told Chris to stay and sleep and I went with him. They started the procedure, and I could see the nurse through the glass window. She picked the phone up and called someone. My heart sank and at that point I knew it was bad. The MRI tech came in and said we are going to get some more pictures and of course wouldn't answer any questions. The procedure should have taken 30-45 minutes and it took almost 2 hours. We get back in the room and Chris is panicking because he couldn't reach me on my cell because they aren't allowed in MRI room. He said how did it go, and I couldn't face what my heart suspected so I said I'm not sure. They came in and had a nurse sit with the boys while we went into a conference room at 10:30. We were told your son has terminal brain cancer called DIPG and has 6-9 months to live. We were devastated and asked what can we do? How do we fight and they said there was basically nothing. The doctor said we will have a family conference at 4:30. I immediately called my closest friend and said Jess I need you, it's not good. Please come get Gunner and be here for the conference. They closed their shop and drove all the way to meet us. They attended the meeting and helped ask questions that we couldn't think of. We were transferred to the oncology ward that evening. My brother and his family brought my mother-in-law and oldest son to meet us. When the doctor made rounds, she said we can transfer Drake's case to Texas Children's Hospital, and they can do radiation. We jumped at the chance to do anything. Drake had to be brought home unable to walk, talk, swallow for 24 hours due to insurance. we had an appointment with Dr. Baxter 3/14/2018 at TCH. She looked at Drake and examined him. She told us he needed to be admitted because he's severely dehydrated and very sick. We choose to put a NG tube so we can get Drake hydrated and fed. He had a port placed also in March. Drake underwent 30 rounds of radiation. He was put to sleep for each of these. He suffered radiation burns to his ears and neck. Horrible mouth ulcers, weight gain from steroids and anger from the seizure medication. By June of 2018Drake was finished with radiation, had gained most of his abilities back, took the ng tube out himself and was weaning off of steroids. We celebrated him turning 8. We started a trial in August of 2018. We as parents had to sign paper that stated yes, we agree to give our son this meds to record at what point it reaches toxicity in his body. Adults take 15-20mg of the chemo 2 times a week. Drake was taking 25mg 3 times a week. Even on the days chemo had him sick, he still worried about us and kept telling us God had him. In November of 2018 Drake's tumor had grown and we were disqualified from the trail. WE had to sign a dnr and put our 8-year-old on hospice. We came home and decided to make as many memories as we could. Drake got to go on many trips and mad a huge impact wherever he went. He managed to remind the entire would what Christmas was about in 2018 and requested 190 Christmas cards. He received over 144,000 card and numerous packages. Drake slowly lost functions one by one. His eyes no longer closed when he slept so that caused ulcers on his cornea which resulted in surgery. He lost the ability to walk , swallow, and talk. On May 25, 2019 Drake was joking with his dad and aspirated on a snickers. I took his pulse ox, and it was low, so I called hospice. They came and told us we had hours left with Drake, we stated him on medication for pain and anxiety. He was still able to communicate at this point. We called our family and friends, and they came to support us. Sunday, May 26, 2019, we had a hospital bed delivered and transferred Drake to it in the living room. Everyone went home around 11:00 p.m. and we finally went to sleep. At 2:55 a.m. on 5/27/2017 (Memorial Day) Chris woke up to the song "Well Done" by the Afters playing. Drake had taken his last breath and was no longer in a broken body but healed in Heaven.
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Katrina M. Deville just wanted to say a special thanks for your support! my check came in today and we are going to get some diapers and bottles today. We appreciate your support more than words can describe. Farrah and I look forward to attending another one of your fundraisers as soon as she's in remission. I will do my part to help keep people informed of your cause and hope that it's able to provide assistance for many years to come. No one realizes how many people here at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are from La. I have heard it's at least half of the patients at one point. That's a big number of babies fighting cancer from la. Thanks again and may God bless you for your amazing organization.
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From Brandy Harris Christian:
Thank You Colors For A Cause for helping out our family this month. We have been blessed by you all and hope one day we can return the favor. When Praises go up blessings come down. As we quickly approach my son's 8th birthday party on February 5 we extend a invitation for you all to come out and make a big noise. We are Calling on ALL our Super Friends so come if you can .... God Bless you all |
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From Deana Haynes:
I would just like to say thank you to my friends at CFAC for all they have done for my family as I battle through this cancer. Y'all have done so much for us mentally and financially and continue to be here for us. I love you all and may God bless you. Thanks so much. Y'all are deeply appreciated. |
From Brandi Stinson: Hey I wanted to thank u all for sending Allister his bullwhip because it keeps him going and he's learning how to use it every chance he gets.
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