JAN 29

Jan. 29, 2005

To You Wonderful Supporters & Love-givers of our Amazin’ Boy Hazen:

We hope all of you are well. Hazen’s surgery scheduled for Monday, January 31 is postponed for a few weeks. Not to worry, it is a neutral issue. His platelet counts needed to be above a certain level leading up to the surgery date and they were not quite there.

The platelet counts have to be above a safe level for someone not to have a potential for compromised blood clotting during surgery.

We feel fortunate that his Neuroblastoma treatment team is conservative about this. All of his want him to have an easy recovery from the surgery, unlike the difficult after effects of the original biopsy surgery.

Thank you so much for answering the call to prayer for the surgery. We will be starting Cycle 4 of Chemotherapy on Tuesday, February 1 now instead. All of the prayers and blessings can now be directed to this next phase of chemotherapy, to continued healing, and toward complete recovery. When we have an exact date for the surgery, we will let you know and again make a special request.

We have been back at Memorial Sloan Kettering pediatric in-patient since Thursday, January 27 at midnight. Hazen had a fever of 100.4 and chills, which is an automatic trip to Memorial Sloan, and 48-72 hours of time served in-patient to test for viruses and infections. So far, Hazen has not had any since we began this adventure.

This scenario often repeats itself and so, we have become accustomed to frequent return visits to the Upper East Side. We have been able to be home for two entire days since November 18 and look forward to many more.

While we are now in the hospital, Hazen has sprung-up strong like an April tulip. Mr. H. has walked farther than ever; he is now poking fun at the doctors and nurses; asks for play dates with his friends; and is verbally yelling at the staff to go home. He’s got his attitude back… THAT’S OUR BOY!!

From our hearts we thank everyone who has been so generous in donating blood and platelets to Hazen’s blood bank. We will keep you updated as to what is needed.

We feel your touch every day in so many ways. Please keep reaching out. This can prove to be a long journey for our family. You all help to make this happen and we love you for sticking by us.

More good news to come shortly as time permits. For now, stay warm and live very day with optimism and in-the moment.

We are the Kennedy family.

Hazen Suzan Scott