"Guardedly Optimistic"

We wanted to write and share some good news. We've heard from one of our doctors from Boston this week. She asked our permission to use Jared's story/photos in a presentation this week that she is doing in Chicago and research grants that she is writing and referring to as the "Jared Project." In Boston, they have seen two more chordoma patients since Jared and have put them on Rapamycin as well because of Jared's tumor being stabilized, if not shrinking it. They remain "guardedly optimistic", which I love that phrase. We too don't want to get too high on the roller coaster but at the same it is so exciting and makes us feel so much hope! Jared has been so happy these past couple of days. He talks so much more and is much more animated. I told him all about the "Jared project" and he just got a big smile on his face and then said, "this has been the best year ever!" :) Can you believe it? I just laughed so hard and was just in shock that he would say such a thing . . . I just love that kid. He also said the closing prayer in his primary class on Sunday. When his teacher told me that - I just couldn't believe it! It just warmed my heart to hear that and to know that Jared would have the confidence and desire to do it - I love it!

We've been doing well and feel so blessed. Jared still has his discomforts and that is the hard part - the constant up and down emotions that come everyday, every week. We feel excitement, hope, then the worry, fear, then the excitement and hope, worry/fear, and so forth. But Jared does handle his pains very well. He is a strong, patient kid with such a goodness about him. All in all things look up.