"Nate went in for labs today and his counts are trending upward. We are thankful for this and pray for full recovery quickly. He got out of the hospital on Friday and has enjoyed being with his brothers. We were so blessed tonight to watch Nate in his walker along with a group of kids here at the Ronald McDonald House, run and play hide and seek. Nate was yelling and laughing with excitement and we looked on in awe of our God who has given this child such strength and joy.
We have received so many cards, emails and packages since we have been in California. I read Nate every card and he knows so many people around the world are praying for him. Over the last month I have not sent out thank you cards, and I must confess I have gotten confused at this point. Those of you who know me will not find that surprising :) Wes and I are humbled and pray for all who are on this journey with us. Thank you for the encouragement and love you all have shown to us in so many different ways."

Update from Wes

"Please report that final report is clear, no cancer. Amen, praise God. Right now have everyone pray for #s to rise quickly so we can start. The day his #s rise high enough, he starts so it could be any day. Wes Oxford"

Update from Wes

"Because many are wondering, here is the update so far. All tests have come back clear so far. The final cultures will be in by Monday. Please continue to pray, God bless. Many great things continue to happen, let's keep praying. Wes Oxford"

Prayer Request

"Please pray for Nate tomorrow morning he is having both a lumbar puncture and a bone biopsy to check for any cancer. If there is any, then treatment is over and we go home. This is the final step before transplant can be done, which should start on Monday. This has been a long road and we have to make this hurdle to get to transplant. Thank you for your prayers and we know that God is with us. Wes Oxford"

"Praise God for HE is an awesome God. The final report on today's MRI is clear, no detectable cancer in the brain or spine. We rejoice in this and thank all of you for the prayers. There is a couple of twists the doctor told us today that we have to overcome before proceeding with the transplant. The first is Nate's numbers have to recovery and relatively soon. He has been at an overall number of 0, essentially a very low immune system, for over a week now. If it were not for the fact that he is on heavy antibiotics continuously here in the hospital to clear his infection, he would not be able to fight off other infections at this time. He received so much chemo a couple of weeks ago to get rid of the brain cancer that it wrecked his immune system and counts. We are getting into a very dangerous area if it does not come up by this weekend the doctor said. The other hurdle is the need for a clear lumbar puncture, which can't be performed until his numbers come up. The lumber puncture is what caught the cancer last time, without a clear one, treatment halts and we could go home. I know that was a lot to say, but for today the fight stays on track and we have much to rejoice in. I have to be honest, I was worried about today. Nate had been complaining about things he had complained about in the past that showed up on MRIs as tumor, but God had mercy on him and us. I have a strong belief in the abilities of God, many times I am confused on why and where all of this is going but I know that HE is the one in control. I know we have a long way to go and possibly might have to go through things that have never been attempted before, but I feel at peace today and I truly stand in a healthy fear of the LORD, for all of us are in HIS hands and HE can choose to do with us as HE pleases whether we realize or accept it , and as odd as it sounds, that is just fine with me because I believe HE has some awesome things in store ahead and this is all just part of the plan. May you find strength in knowing Jesus as your friend also and not just your savior, you will need HIM one day to help you in ways that no one else can, God bless you all. Wes"

"Tomorrow, the 17th, is the big MRI. If it is clear then treatment goes on, if it is not then we go home. Thank you for all the prayers and support you all have given us. Please gather with us and others and cry out to our loving father in heaven and ask for another miracle regarding Nate. Lately he has been showing some symptoms that indicate disease progression, but we know that this is all in our LORD'S hands and HE can do anything. Today please wherever you are say a prayer for Nate that he is clear of disease and will live a long life on this earth showing others what GOD can do. I pray also that no matter what your circumstance in life is right now, whether high or low, you find peace and understanding in the scriptures that our LORD has given us and ask guidance from the giver of all good things our savior Jesus Christ. May God be with you, Wes."

"Nate was admitted to the hospital yesterday with a fever. He needed two transfusions along with antibiotics. His fever has not broken yet. His blood work does show he has an infection, if the fever continues they will add in another antibiotic. Please pray for his counts to recover quickly and that this will be a short stay. He has been feeling very good and was sad when he realized he had to stay at the hospital." from Jackie

Nate is currently getting one more round of chemo before the transplant. He has been in the hospital since Monday and will finish chemo on Friday. The doctors feel strongly that we need to make sure this newest development in his brain responds to chemo prior to transplant. He will have a break next week from chemo (as always still many doctors appts). The following week the brain scan along with the lumbar puncture will be repeated. If he shows a positive response then we will proceed with transplant. As I have said before this treatment is built around Nate, so things do change often. Thank you for your continued prayers and support!" From Jackie