ReeseStrong 5K

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Published: Monday, July 21, 2014 08:05 AM

Written by Dave Erb

We are running for Childhood Cancer Research!

Along with Savanna Anchell, Callen was selected as one of the two beneficiaries for the 6th Annual Reese Strong 5k and Gold Ribbon Kid's Run on Saturday September 13th at 8:30 AM.

If you would like to make a donation for Team Callen, please visit his fundraising page.

If you're thinking about running, or having your child join in the Kid's run, you may be interested in the course route.

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Out of the Mouths of Babes

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Published: Saturday, July 12, 2014 06:55 AM

Written by Katie Tyson

“…And God bless leukemia.”

This final supplication offered by Callen, seemingly as an afterthought, caught me totally off guard. It came at the end of a long litany that was otherwise adorable, predictable and reflective of the day’s events: prayers for relatives, friends, pets, babysitters, superheroes, “the whole world, the whole universe, everyone who is a human”, mommy’s hair (which he wanted to bless because “it seemed dry”) and Santa Claus.

It was late in the evening, Callen’s bedtime routine having required more time and encouragement than usual. His lips were cracked and bleeding, his gums raw and blistered from the newest chemotherapy and its newest side effects. He cried at the sight and sensation of bloody drool oozing from his mouth. He asked for Band-Aids for his teeth: I offered kisses, mouth rinse and lip balm instead.

I hardly saw these final moments of his day as a prelude to “God bless leukemia”.

Had we not just lived through the same fifteen minutes? Or the same last week, for that matter?

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GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAL!!!!!!!!

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Published: Thursday, June 26, 2014 07:51 PM

Written by Katie Tyson

In the spirit of World Cup fever, Callen reached target goal of Minimal Residual Disease less than 0.01% in his most recent bone marrow biopsy done Monday afternoon!!! This beautiful news, hand-delivered in hard copy by his attending physician late last night, is a sweet first victory for our little champion. There is currently NO discernible evidence of cancer in his bone marrow! But because he is a slow responder, he will be required to complete this intense three year high risk protocol in order to optimize the likelihood of maintaining longterm remission and eventual cure. We push forward, at the same time savoring his hard-earned victory.

SCORE: Callen 1, Leukemia 0.

Who's the "Big C" now?!?!?!!

Home for the Holiday

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Published: Monday, June 23, 2014 07:12 AM

Written by Katie Tyson

It has now been 17 days since Callen last received chemotherapy. Even by chemo holiday standards, that’s quite an extended vacation! Admittedly, as with most getaways, it took Jim and I a few days to relax into the concept of doing “nothing”.

Callen, on the other hand, clearly lacked any ambivalence about his time off from treatment: he was fresh off a blood transfusion and rarin’ to go!

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