So, Atticus over all is really doing quite amazing.  All of the doctors here are so impressed with is progress and we are as well.  Although he is quite weak on his left side (remember the right side of the brain controls the left), if he concentrates he is able to perform fine motor tasks, he can pick up a ball with two hands and throw it, clap his hands, and wave bye bye with his left hand.  We have been so so excited and happy for him.  On top of all of this he still has all of his cute little quarks and funny little things that we loved.   

 Another thing that Atticus just loves to do is to push the handicap buttons and watch the door open.  The wing of the hospital we are in is like a big loop, and there are 2 such doors that he can push the button.  Later in the evening he was really having a rough go and I decided that he needed to get out of the room.  So we rolled the IV cart and everything around for about 3 hours.  He spent the first hour or so pushing all the handicap buttons he could giggling each time and clapping.  One of them I got him to stand up and take a few steps (with me helping of course) and reach for it!

The next two hours I walked around the hospital like this!!!!  I rigged up the IV cart to my Parent lanyard we have to carry, and I wrapped our Atticus Army blanket and tied it up.  Atticus is one hefty kiddo haha.  But is was of course worth it for our little bug.  

Speaking of Atticus's Army.  I would like to take a moment and give a GIANT shout out to a few people.  Special thanks to Bob and Becky Richards, and the WSU Vet class of 2018 (which I am apart of) for, unbeknownst to themselves both had the great idea of getting some AWESOME wrists bands made.  Thank you all so so so much, it is so very special to us.  I am in fact wearing mine right this very moment from my class and am anxiously awaiting my ones from Becky.  

For those of you that are back in St. George Utah, these bands will be available at Bare Foot Gymnastics, or at the Richards household.  Those of you in Pullman and Logan, please find either Karen or Michael to get yours while they are there.  I would just ask that as you wear them keep sending your prayers, and if people ask what they are for feel free to give a quick story, and if they want to know more you can send them here.  I think that it is important to get the information out there.  It has been so surprising to me how many little children come to this hospital with devastating brain tumors.  Many parents that Emmie and I have spoken with are in the same boat as we are and some of them have some tumors that are inoperable!  So sad.  But we just feel that this would be a great was to raise awareness and let people know that it isn't the end of the road if you get some bad news!! 

Atticus has had a few really rough nights.  He was up until about 2:30 am two nights ago, and last night he didn't go down until 3, then was up at 4, and then up for good around 6:30.  It has for sure been a challenge for us.  We just feel so so bad for him and want him to get his rest so he can get better.  Thanks to my Wonderful wife I was at least able to get a  couple hours of sleep in last night before my long trip back to Pullman.  Not really sure how I made it all the way there and back, but some how I did it on just 3 hours of sleep.  On top of this some of the medication makes Atticus kind of live on this teeter totter of happy, and Raging.  At times he is the sweetest little boy that you could ever see, and then other times he just screams in frustration for hours.  It is so hard to see, I just wish that we could explain that everything will be OK and that it just the medication.  But alas, it is not meant to be.  We will just keep working with him and helping him find other ways to express and deal with his little frustrations.  

Speaking of Pullman ;-) This of course had to happen on the way home.  Luckily I had my Father-in-Law there with me to help pass the time. 

Now on to the miracles.  If you recall from last week, on Thursday Atticus had an MRI to prepare for surgery.  In that MRI they were able to map the brain out to assist with surgery, and they also scanned  his entire spine looking for evidence of metastasis.  Unfortunately they found 2 small masses and the base of the brain stem as it turns into the spinal cord, and metastasis all the way down the spine.  :-(  Rough day for sure!! 

Yesterday Atticus was finally able to get his EVD (extra ventricular drain) out of his head since it wasn't draining anything.  The doctors were a little concerned and ordered just a really quick MRI to make sure that the ventricles were not to full causing increased pressure.  The ventricles looked great and were function as they should.  We are not sure yet if he is in the clear as far as intracranial pressure goes, we still may need to get a shunt put in at some point.  However on that scan they noticed that the two masses that were at the base of the brain stem were GONE!!!!  They went and double checked the old MRI and sure enough they were there, then checked yesterdays again and they were gone.  They said they aren't to sure exactly what happened but that it may have been some sort of inflammatory product, but it peaked their interest enough that they want to order another full MRI at the beginning of next week along with a lumbar puncture (LP) to double check for metastasis that they had seen and to see if there are in fact any cancerous cells e present in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF).  We all in the Army know of course where they went.  So Emmie and I just want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all your prayers and thoughts.   There are no words that can express our gratitude and humility that you have all shown our little family  

 This of course doesn't mean that Atticus doesn't have brain cancer, because he does.  And it is true that they may still find some metastasis down the spine, BUT for now, we know that we are the recipients of a well needed tender mercy in the midst of such tumultuous times and we, all together, have been a part of and whiteness to our own little miracle.  The faith and conviction of Atticus's Army is awe inspiring, and is something that our family will cherish the rest of our lives.

I think that is it for now, we meed with the neuro-oncologist team in the morning to hopefully map out our future for the next bit, and get the treatment plan for our little soldier.  

Thank Army for all of your support

#Atticusarmy