December 06, 2005

Curtis is in Remission!!!

It's with great pleasure that we share some fantastic news. After eight months of highly aggressive treatments, Curtis has reached full remission! This is definitely the news we've been waiting so long to hear, and it's the best Christmas present we could have asked for! For the first time since diagnosis, the possibility of our family getting back to a normal life seems real. Leading up to this wonderful news was yet another grueling week of procedures and tests for Curtis but as always, he handled it like a champ.

We also found out yesterday the answer to whether Curtis would be undergoing immune therapy as part of a randomized research study we have placed Curtis on. The study compares children receiving a promising new immune therapy along with a drug called 13-cis-retinoic acid to children receiving 13-cis-retinoic acid only. Children who are in remission at this point in treatment are randomized to either arm of the study. Curtis was randomly selected to receive 13-cis-retinoic acid only, which means Curtis will have no more hospital stays and once his broviac line is removed on Friday, he will only have monthly check-ups at CHEO. 13-cis-retinoic acid will continue for six months, and Curtis will also need to have a series of scans every three months for the first year.

We will savor this time in our lives and make the most of every moment. Curtis has been given a chance to be a kid again without interruption and we are so thankful.

Posted by admin at December 6, 2005 01:28 PM
Comments

Hi everyone,
Thought I saw you guys walking in the neighbourhood today, so thought I'd check the website and found the amazing news! It was so wonderful to hear that Curtis is in remission, and as you said, what a fantastic Christmas present. We wish you all a very merry, peaceful and relaxing Christmas and will be looking forward to seeing Curtis playing in the snow! Maybe he and Hayden could hook up on the toboggan hill one day! All our best wishes,
Stephanie, Ed, Ashton and Hayden Cristina (66 Peckett)

Posted by: Stephanie & Ed at December 6, 2005 06:42 PM

FANTASTIC!
We are so happy for everyone! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Robyn (Arklan Staff)

Posted by: Robyn at December 7, 2005 01:04 PM

this is fantastic news indeed! I can't wait to tell Lucas. He's going to be so excited!

God bless you and Merry Christmas.

Posted by: fellow Jedi Knights Brian and Lucas at December 7, 2005 10:42 PM

Oh Happy Day!!!!!

Posted by: Randy Snow at December 12, 2005 06:45 PM

What an amazing little man. We are so happy to hear the great news ! Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year.

Melanie, Philippe, Alex & Nick :)

Posted by: Melanie at December 12, 2005 08:42 PM

Santa has come early. Julie I am speechless. I can't express how happy I am for all of you. I was not looking forward to the holidays since this is the first Christmas without my Father-in -law but this news has given me reason to celebrate. Curtis you are one special prize fighter! Have a Very Merry Christmas!!
Sam,James and Mallory

Posted by: Sam at December 13, 2005 01:40 AM

Right on Curtis!!!! Auntie Heath got the very best gift possible this Christmas. You are an incrediable little guy....but I knew that the very first day I held you. Can't wait to visit you again in Ottawa....maybe you will let me win a light saber fight. See ya soon Auntie Heath

Posted by: Auntie Heather at December 13, 2005 08:53 PM

Way to go little one, Merry xmas to all of you...GOD BLESS!

Posted by: Deidra at December 14, 2005 04:44 AM

As your family nears the end of this ordeal, it's easy to see how something like this can change your thinking for the rest of your life. It's amazing how many trival things with which we can become obsessed. Curtis has been a great teacher. He has forced the things that really matter in life to float up to the surface and made us all see them.

After following this story, I don't see how anyone could be the same. We have all changed for the better. That said, Curtis, you can now go back to being a kid.

Posted by: Alan Luckow at December 15, 2005 02:23 PM

Julie, Trevor, Curtis and MacKenzie
Merry Christmas to you all. We are all very thrilled that Curtis is in remission and can't wait to see all of you on Boxing Day. I hope that Santa brings you and Mac all the things that you have been asking for this year, as I know mommy and daddy both got the wish that they and all of us have been praying for.
I love you Curtis, keep fighting and always stay strong.
Love Aunt Lee

Posted by: Lee at December 15, 2005 04:19 PM