Children's Halloween Costume Party

Christian has given me the info for the Party! Im so excited!! Here is all the info that is on the flyer:

All Hallow's Eve Children's Halloween COSTUME Party as a Benefit for Blake Danforth
sweet or scary,
ghost or fairy,
dead or alive,
don't be late to arrive...

Friday, October 30th, 2009
7:00-the witching hour

$8 per child

New Life Family Church
4835 Shawnee Drive
Kansas City, MO 66106

Please join us fro a fun-filled night and a chance to party with Frankenstein (Blake)!!
This is an open invitation, so invite your friends and family!
Children MUST BE accompanied by an adult.
Feel free to dress up with your child.
Bring trick-or-treat bags!
Games, crafts, a movie, and much more!! (We will be watching Hocus Pocus from 9-10:30pm)

PLEASE RSVP by October 15th
Catch Me Running: The Blake Danforth Foundation
blakedanforthfoundation@gmail.com
(417)684-5461

Wed Sept 23, 2009

Hi everyone! So we had our neurologist appt today at Childrens Mercy South with Dr. Lepichon. He was AMAZING!! We were able to look at ALL of Blakes MRI's and he explained them to us. From what I understood, Blake still has a lot of swelling left, at least that is what they hope it is. We also learned that Blake MIGHT be having seizures-which could be causing the falling down, waking up in the middle of the night, etc. He ordered a EEG, which we have scheduled for November. Until then he has given us a seizure medication to try. We started the seizure medication tonight. He told us if it is seizures that Blake is having we should see an improvement in 2 or so days. He gave me some books to read about seizures. He gave us so much information, it has really helped me feel more comfortable about our situation. He agreed with Dr. Hornig that the best thing to do now is wait and see what the next MRI tells us. He said that good news would be that the MRI looks the same or better. Obviously if its bigger thats bad news. So we are waiting with hope that the next MRI will bring good news.
Also, we are looking into starting Blake in a half day preschool program. We aren't sure where he will be going just yet, we are looking into a specialty school TLC, where he would recieve 1 on 1 care along with OT/PT/Speech. This is our next big decision. I would love for him to go back to Union Hill, but due to his physical limitations im not sure how that would work and if it would be the best place for him due to his limitations. So we are waiting for TLC's social worker to call us back and set up a time to go visit their school. I am so excited for Blake to be getting a little 'normality' back. Blake loved school before all of this happened so I know he will be excited to be back! We would still continue at Rehab Institute 3 days a week, but would be going only half days. I know Blake would love to be around kids his age, he is quite the social butterfly these days. :)
One more thing...My friend Christian wanted me to put a bug in your ears. She is planning a Halloween Benefit Party for kids on Fri. Oct 30. I will be getting more info soon. So mark your calendars!!
I want to thank you all again for all your prayers and thoughts! I cant tell you how blessed we feel to have all of you supporting us!!

Fri Sept 18, 2009

So our MRI was Tues. As far as news goes-they were able to get a good look at the tumor that is still in his brain, but were unable to tell us what is causing Blake to fall down and drool so much. This MRI is our base. It is our first MRI since the surgery, and our next one will be in December. Hopefully at our second MRI we will find out if the tumor is growing or not. Dr. Hornig(our neurosurgeon) is sending us to go see Dr. Lepichon-he is a neurologist, next Wed. I am hoping he will be able to explain more to us. Blake is doing well otherwise. I want to thank all of you for praying for us. We were nervous about the MRI and even though we dont know what's causing him to fall/drool, I was relieved that there was no bad news. So we wait now. Thanks again for all the prayers!!

Tues Sept 15, 2009

I need everyone to pray for us! Blake's MRI got bumped up to tomorrow. He has been falling down more frequently and drooling more. In addition to not sleeping that great and his eyes being puffy, the therapists are concerned. So tomorrow we go in for his MRI. I am praying that everything is ok.

Thurs Sept 10, 2009

Happy to be on Grandpa's boat-his very
first boat ride!



Blake and his cousin Katie, she was diagnosed with lukemia
only 5 months before we learned of Blakes brain tumor.
 Talk about 2 tough kiddos!



Hello! So we had a great time at the lake. Blake took his first boat ride. He loved it! We had so much fun seeing all of Phil's family. It was really nice to get away and not have a schedule to keep. I took my watch off and turned off my cell phone(I had no signal) and lost track of time. It was SO nice. Phil really enjoyed fishing with his niece Lauren, and he got to water ski too! It was just so nice to get away. When we got home, Phil got Blake his first 'ice cream truck' ice cream...he chose Batman of course! :)

So, this week was supposed to be a big week for us. However, it actually ended up being some what relaxing. Tuesday Blake went in to get his AFO(leg brace) modified. They decided to go ahead and order a whole new one. So in two weeks we will have a new brace. His current brace was made when we were still in the hospital and he wasnt walking yet. The new one will be angled a little. Im not sure exactly what else they are going to do to it, but I am excited to see the improvements Blake will make with a new brace! We were supposed to be scheduled for Botox on Wed. However, it got cancelled because they are still waiting to hear back from our insurance. I was a little disappointed. Its going to be rescheduled as soon as our insurance gives the okay. So we instead had a fun day with Nana and Mason. We went to the book store and got some books to work on colors, counting, and shapes. Today we had First Steps. Blake really enjoys playing with the therapists. :) He is working hard and showing improvements. There are a couple of things we are keeping an eye on. He is falling down and his drooling is picking up again. The falling could be caused by the tone that has built up-and the drooling could be caused by how tired he is from working so hard. I think we are going to try and bump his MRI up, just to be on the safe side. Other than those two things he is doing really well. His talking is improving daily. He is slowly getting better control of his right arm. That is his biggest challenge right now. He still neglects things on his right, and we are working on it daily.

Tomorrow is not going to be a fun day for me, im getting my wisdom teeth pulled. :( Ive been putting it off for a while and decided that since I am off work right now I might as well get it over with. I am sorta scared. I know I will be ok. Megan is going to watch Blake for us all day tomorrow so I can come home and relax. I know Blake will have a lot of fun at Aunt Mimi's. Plus he gets to hang out with Kirsten.
Well, I think that is all for now. I will let you all know once our Botox appointment is rescheduled. Keep us in your prayers!! Talk to you soon!