Ray is Cancer Free!

The results of the tests are in and today Dr. Khatua told us that Ray is cancer free and that everything looks perfect! YAY!!! Needless to say we are so happy. It seems what they thought was a tumor was actually just a benign cyst and there is no activity or growth in it or any cause of concern! We are just so relieved. Many many others are still sick, and some never get better, so I recognize that we are lucky.

We are grateful for the doctors and the medicine that healed Ray's cancer and for the many prayers that supported us along the way. And of course, grateful to God for giving us more time with our boy.

Here are some pictures that chronicle the last home stretch.

-Rays last week in the hospital, here with nurse Emily.

Getting bored and making gnome costumes.

Visits from the finest! The Chan clan...our friends from BYU Hawaii.

Fun times in the cancer ward play room with Ray's cousin Andrew, an IceBreaker champion.

One of our all time favorite nurses Amber!! Here she is giving Ray his very last chemotherapy. She was also the one who gave him his first chemotherapy in May! She said that almost never happens. We thought it was meant to be. This was August 18th.

After chemo was done, Ray was invited by the nurses to come out and Ring the Cancer Bell. When you finish a course of chemo you get to ring the bell to proclaim you finished and you survived. The nurses made a sign that said "Happy Last Chemo Ray!"

When his white blood cell counts came up he was able to go back to church....look at that cute outfit. Our ward has been so good about this whole thing. All his friends, teachers, and the kids in primary were very supportive.

He also got to go back to school in Sept.! He only missed the first two weeks of school and again, his teacher is amazing. She got permission for not just his class, but the entire second grade to be able to wear hats to school for Ray!

They didn't have to wear them long though because by the beginning of Oct. he already had a nice little layer of hair growing back in! He was selected by the Make-a-Wish foundation to be able to have a wish granted. Here we are at the wishing room after Ray made his wish. They are working right now on getting it granted and I'll let you know more about it when it happens. It was very sweet. He's a cool kid.

And now here we are at the end of October and Ray is feeling great, he looks good, he is happy and now he is cancer free! This was taken last week at Cornbellys, where he was running around like a totally normal kid...which I guess...he is!

and finally....my kids and I visited the Provo Temple two weeks ago...we are trying to fill our temple passports up that my parents gave me. I love this picture of Ray. Thumbs up, in suit, at the temple, smiling....here's to many many more years and photos like this!

Love you Ray!