Six months baby check...

Our little munchk is definitely thriving. At 6,5 months he weighs 24.1 lbs!!! That is 91% percentile in weight and he is 92%  in height. Maybe a basketball star is on the rise:) The newest milestone in Evan's social behavior is not being happy with those he doesn't know. He gave a good whale to the doctor yesterday. And she was actually happy to see that, recognizing his social development in such reaction. According to her, it is usually expected from a 9mo old. So, Evan is ahead on "crying with strangers" milestone. :)
    Grandma "babushka" went home last week. It is an adjustment for everyone in the house. Our helping fairy is gone and routines had to change. Evan is getting out more and so far he is good exploring the world. Yesterday we went to Sea Life in the MOA. He just stayed in his stroller and enjoyed the bright colors of underwater world. Today we went on a walk. What a relief to see this snow melt! And again, he just sat in that stroller and looked around. We look forward to this summer to see him grow and enjoy outdoors after being cooped up for so long!
   Next stop - scan on April 1st..... Please, continue your prayers for Evan's health. God bless!

Two months after chemo

Another long weekend behind us. We were waiting for Friday's HVA/VMA results. I called yesterday in the morning and our nurse Tom called me back and left a message that it was not back yet. In the afternoon finally I got a call, my heart skipped a beat when I heard Dr.McCallister voice. I honestly thought that if the doctor is personally calling, then there are some bad news. And, what a relief to hear that the news were very good. Evan did it again. His numbers dropped from 34/22 to 22/15!!! I can't wait to see on April 1st what's actually left of that tumor. That is when we have scheduled another scan. So, here is  a line of HVA/VMA results since Evan was diagnosed:
                                               November  235/289
                                               December   92/89 (after 2 rounds of chemo)
                                               January      34/22 (no treatment)
                                               February    22/15 ( no treatment)
    I am AMAZED by this boy's power to fight! I am AMAZED and testify of power of prayer! My heart bursts out of gratitude to all of you, our friends, for praying for our little boy. He is in the top percentage with his weight and height development. For the first time on Friday the doctor actually said that I can stress Evan out a little and let him cry at night if he asks for a bottle.:)
      We are definitely moving in the right direction. Evan will have this monthly tests till 36 months after treatment, and scans every 3 months for 12 months and then he will be on the watch every 6 months and then every year. We are hoping for no more surprises and looking at this experience as our trial of faith. We know that God is watching over Evan and we are blessed to have him in our lives and grateful for the lessons he taught us. He is such a joy, he makes us laugh, started sitting up and loves to play with toys and take a bath. He already pulls his sisters' hair and gets frustrated when he wants attention. Evan has the cutest smile and he loves music and lights. He is the most spoiled child in our family and so far his siblings don't have a problem with that.:)

Baby check appointment

On Thursday Evan had his first appointment after diagnosis in our regular clinic. It was his 4 months delayed baby check with immunization. I called Oncology clinic and found out that Evan cannot have live vaccine for 6 months after chemo. So, yay, we had to survive only 3 shots instead of 4.:) It is so painful for me to see Evan cry... But I know it's for his good. Our favorite Dr. Peterson was SO impressed with Evan's well being that she took him out of the room around the clinic to show him off to other doctors. Our little miracle...:) Wait, maybe not so little... Evan was already 21lbs 13 oz!!!!!  This kid just took off after his treatment.And we are so proud of him!!! We are very hopeful for his next scan results. I pray that nothing will set off his health improvement...

*Thank You*

Dear Friends,

Evans has been doing so much better and making improvements everyday. And we would just want to write a thank you for all your help, prayers and words of faith towards us. These things lift us up and have helped us get through Evans fight against cancer. We all hope that one day we can show as much love and friendship as you have shown us for the past year. I remember the very beginning of all this, with moms complications during those 9 months. I remember her in the hospitol just waiting for all this to end. But not only do I remember that, I remember all the people who came to the hospitol to see mom or to see Evan. And for all the people who came to the Fundraiser (hosted by Brittany Checketts) and not only donated but also took the time out of their day to be there. I also thank all the people who brought dinner for us or who were there for us DeVol kids as well, I know some of you may think these things are very small but it made a big difference in our lives. I have learned a lot of lessons in the past year and I thank you all for that. May god bless you,Thank You.

Sincerely,

DeVol Kids

*Written by Nadia DeVol

The boy without strings

Well, Today was the day!!!! Mom, Dad and Evan braved rush hour traffic in a snowstorm to get to Children's Hospital. We were only an hour late...the snow was terrible, traffic was even worse. Our appointment was for 7:45 am we left at 6:30 thinking we would get there with time to spare...boy was I wrong. We arrived at 8:45 and thankfully we were able to call ahead and warn them. The Hospital staff was great of course. The proceedure took all of an hour to take out the central line, stitch the tiny cut, and slap a band aid over the line site. This part they tell me will scab and heal on it's own with out a stitch. Amazing!!! Thank you for all of your prayers and angelic blessings of support and most of all friendship. We feel extremely blessed for all of your prayers and fastings that you have performed on our behalf. We are so grateful for all of you who have placed our names in the temple. We know that God lives and loves each of us here on this planet. He gives us challenges in life to prove our faith. To prove whether or not we will remain faithful to Him. Our challenge is not over, we understand this...Evan is only five months old... Life will roll out something else to overcome, hopefully something else we can overcome together with your help and especially the help of our Heavenly Fa.ther

Evan Almighty :)

  Evan's results came back yesterday, finally!!! It was the longest wait in my life!!! He did it! Without any treatment since December 21st Evan's markers dropped from 92/89 to 34/22. And all I know it is AWESOME!!!! We are happy beyond measures and SO grateful to our Father in Heaven for his mercy over our little boy. He is a fighter, but without God's help and all the angels here, on earth, we would not be able to get through this.
  On Monday, the 31st, we'll have to deal with another sedation, cause Evan's line will get removed. As silly as it sounds, I can't wait to give him a bath without any protecting covers on his chest.:)
     My heart is bursting out of gratitude to all of you, our friends, for your prayers, to the team of doctors who made the wise desisions in treating his desease, to all the nurses who had to take care of him in this journey, to Tiffanie who was here every Monday changing his dressing, getting his vitals, labs, weight and just being SO supportive.
   The journey is not over yet, I know, but where we are rightnow is a great feeling....

                                                First discoveries

                                                      Project Linus Blanket

                                                      With Peter

                                                     The whole crew, Evan's first Christmas

                                                              With Anya