Michael Bazargani

Growing Up

2010-01-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

Michael is doing great and is growing up to be quite an amazing little boy. When I look at him I almost forget every thing he has been through. He is overdue for scans and should get them this week. This also marks one year for us since his last chemo. So much crosses my mind. Most of all so incredibly grateful to be able to see him grow up.
Thanks for all of the support and prayers. Praying that they make huge advancements with treatments as many of our friends are still battling. God Bless.

This Halloween

2009-10-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to see how much Michael has changed in a year. He runs around playing, and screaming and laughing and of course bullying his older brother. He has such a large vocabulary for a 2yo that I am just amazed. Thank you to everyone that has prayed for him and thank you to all the people out there that are trying to make a difference in the NB world. We scan again in Dec and although I am still very scared and probably always will be- I am trying to move forward. I know that life is a gift and am trying to live one day at a time. I hug Mikey and thank God that today I have my Mike. We are so very lucky. Have a safe and happy Halloween. God Bless.

Clean Scans!!!

2009-09-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

This is our second round of scans since treatment and they are clean!!!! 7 months in remission!! We are soooo thankful and sooo blessed! Thank you all for your prayers and support. Off to celebrate......

Guilt

2009-09-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in a while and I am sorry. This is one of many things I feel guilty about. I never realized that being a mom would be so tough. I figured I was a decent teacher so I could easily be a decent mom. Not as easy as I thought.
Michael is very much living up to "the terrible two's." He destroys toys, rips apart books, and finds it very funny to throw his food and spill his juice. I guess these are all normal two year old behaviors, but Michael was such a sweet and calm one year old that I never saw this coming. I also didn't realize that chemo made him too tired to want to do anything. I will take terrible two's any day over the other.
Anthony is our 3 1/2 year old and this is where much of the guilt begins. I have been so focused on Michael's medical issues that I have taken Anthony's for granted. Yesterday he had an eye appt and it turns out that he needs glasses. I cried. How did I miss this??? I know that this is nothing in comparison to NB, but I was heart broken all over again. I feel like Anthony has missed out on so many things because Michael has needed me a little more. This tears me apart.

But there is one thing that I think I have done okay at. I hug and kiss my boys soooo much. They KNOW I love them. This will work to their advantage in the future and of course to my demise!!

P.S. We are one month late on Michael's scans. (emergency situation for another child, I pray that child will be ok. and Michael had a cold the day of his scans so no anesthesia.)

Happy Birthday Michael!!!!

2009-07-24T08:38:00.001-07:00

It was actually on the 21st but I did not get a chance to post that day. I can't believe Michael is 2!! WOW!! Each day he is talking more and more and is soo cute. He even speaks spanish.

Thanks for all of the support and once the cooler weather rolls around we should be able to do more. Houston is really nice Oct- Dec!!

1 Year

2009-07-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

Last year I sat in the OR waiting area not sure what would happen. We knew Michael had a mass in his neck, not sure what exactly it was, and that we could biopsy it to find out. Tricky part was the location of the tumor. Sitting snug between a major artery and a vein- along with nerves that control so many things that we do not even think of. This is how our journey began.

At times it feels like a dream. Times I can't believe how we got through. And so many times that I just THANK GOD that he never left us. I know Michael has GOD's favor. He is one loved boy.

Not much going on

2009-06-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long. Now that I am dealing with almost terrible two's and ongoing terrible three's - I hardly get a chance to brush my hair.
We started off full speed ahead with LIVING but quickly realized that Mikey may not be all that ready. He is recovering from viral pneumonitis ( i think that is how you spell it). I figured clean scans means full speed ahead. Michael's real issue is trying to build an immune system because even before cancer he really wasn't exposed to much. We kept him at home most of the first nine months of his life because of RSV and other preemie issues. Then we kept him in a "bubble" because of his NB treatments.
He is feeling 100% better after numerous breathing treatments and meds. And is back to bullying his older bro.
The other day it hit me that next month is his 2nd birthday. I can't believe how much he has been through and he is barely going to be 2!! We are very blessed and sooo thankful. As I celebrate his birthday it is also very hard to not forget the friends we lost. Each day is a real gift.
Thank you for all your support and prayers!

Michael's special gift

2009-05-25T19:04:00.001-07:00

Michael can speak to animals.

Clean Scans!!!!!

2009-05-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

The scans are clean!!! Wow. What a year!! Mikey's bday is coming up and I think I may order a cake in the shape of a trophy. He earned it. In clinic, everyone commented on how big he is :). All I can think when I hear that is - He once weighed only 2 lbs. I don't know why life is the way it is, but for the next three months we will do our best to be thankful and enjoy it. We will honor our dear beautiful friend Erin and just BE HAPPY!

Scan Time

2009-05-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Michael scans Thursday. Please keep him in your prayers.
He is such a happy toddler right now, and I don't know how it will feel walking back into the hospital. It has been two months of "normal" and I am praying that it stays that way. We should have the results on Friday and I will keep you posted.

Michael- One tough boy

2009-04-21T07:21:00.001-07:00

Michael enjoying Palm Sunday at Grandmas. What a 21 month roller coaster. From 2lbs 11 oz to cancer. This is one tough boy. We should have named him Rocky!!
But the truth is through this all- The LORD has always kept Michael in his hands. I have no doubt he loves him more than me and will always take care of him!

Michael after 2 surgeries and 8 rounds of chemo.

Michael after almost one month in the NICU.

Enjoying Sunny California

2009-04-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

Michael enjoyed a trip to San Diego's Legoland. The weather was beautiful and as always leaving California depresses me! He is really growing up and looks more like a little boy and no longer a baby.

Catching up

2009-03-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

We are catching up around the house with all of the things left undone. (Especially an inspection sticker that expired in Dec!)
Michael is doing very well and he can sing the EIEIO part of Old McDonald.

He is walking very well and is a very happy boy. We are very THANKFUL.

Sorry... I know it has been a while.

2009-03-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened in these past months. Michael finished his chemo- and yes I cried. I could not help myself. I just kept thinking about how much he has gone through- from birth until now.
We got the results from our scans and they were not exactly what we hoped for. The tumor in his pelvis was still gone- Thank God. However, the area in his neck was still showing unclear.
We had a successful surgery Feb.27 . He had a tough time the first couple of days, but is doing great now. The results came back and they were really not what we hoped for. I really hoped and believed that the area was just scar tissue but it was actually tumor. The positive side is that it is all out. The scary thing is that it was not dead and will it stay gone???
These next few months in between scans will be tough. We are trying to enjoy the time off treatment but are scared to death at the same time. After his first surgery, the tumor grew back and I just pray for Michael that this does not happen. I want my brave baby to just have a chance at "normal". I want him to play with other kids, I don't want him poked or pumped with toxins!!! Please keep him in your prayers!!

Mayada

Mikey AKA Vin Diesel

2009-01-22T04:38:00.001-08:00

What a journey it has been... For a long time I doubted that he was sick. I took him to his appts followed all of the doctors instructions, but because he had hair- it never really sank in.
I am not sad because I knew this day would come. At first I would notice a little falling out on his pillowcase. Then his hair slowly became thinner and thinner, but after round 6 or so we got the new Mikey!!! I kinda like it. I think he looks like a tough guy! Which after what he has been through- he is!! So this is Mikey Vin Diesel!

Mikey has his last(my fingers are crossed and I am knocking on wood right now) chemo on Wed. the 28th. I don't know how I will feel when the flush beeps and the last chemo is done? Will I cry??? Will I yell for joy? I don't know. What i do know is that I am forever changed. People who knew me before probably wouldn't know me now. From the beginning I have always tried to be happy and smile no matter what because I owe that to Michael. He deserves to be happy and loved. But on the inside there is a light bulb that needs to be replaced. Cancer, no matter what age, is a journey through a maze. Every corner has something different and you just keep trying to head for the end. There is this eerie silence at times when there just isn't anything to say. No one on the outside understands. I wish I could go back to being young, foolish, and naive.

We scan in the middle of Feb. and all I want to hear is three letters N.E.D. ( no evidence of disease). I will take "Scans are clean". I have scanxiety already. (Vickie's term)

Please keep Mikey in your prayers along with all of the other children at TCH and everywhere else.

Mayada

I need HELP!!!

2008-12-23T06:04:00.001-08:00

I can't get them to pose for our Christmas card!!! Out of 20 pictures this is the best we could do!! Merry Christmas from the Bazargani Boys!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-23T05:46:00.000-08:00

The threat of Santa is so GREAT!!! Anthony's selective listening is diminishing as he is afraid that Santa will not leave him any presents in his stocking. All I have to say is "Santa won't leave you any gifts!!" and for the first time he does what I ask. It is sad that my son only responds to bribery. I taught elem and jr high for five years before staying home with the kids and I thought being a mother should be easy. I mean I had class management down I enjoyed teaching 25 kids. Why is it so hard to get your own kids to listen???? My rugrats are in total control of me!!!! I need super nanny to rescue me- what will I do once Christmas is over and Santa will retire for 364 days???
On to real matters, Michael is doing well. The sixth round of chemo really hit him and I think his little body is slower to recover now. He still has two more rounds and God willing that will be it forever!! There are times however that I wonder if there will be an end to this. I worry about relapse, chemo side effects, other cancers because of chemo..... But for now I am watching a beautiful angel grow up, babble more, say mama, and fight with his brother over a nintendo DS. Which they are both too young for anyway!!!!
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!! I pray that 2009 holds only excellence for everyone!!!

Just thought I would share some pics!!!!

2008-12-03T11:35:00.001-08:00

Would you even guess they are brothers???

Mikey and daddy!!!!

Scan Results

2008-11-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

We have results from Mikey's scans. THANK GOD that the lesion in his pelvic area is gone!!!!
We have shrinkage from the tumor in his neck so we will continue with treatment. Our plan calls for four more rounds of chemo and then surgery to remove anything left. We are so lucky that we were able to diagnose Michael before the cancer could spread further. He has been such an angel through out all of this.
Again, I would like to thank everyone at TCH for helping to save Michael's life. He is going to grow up and walk the hospital as Dr. Bazargani and help save others. He better not forget his momma and send me on a world class cruise!!!!

Done with round 4!!!

2008-11-02T04:17:00.000-08:00

Well round 4 went well-Michael showed how great he truly is!! He had chemo for three days and managed to keep mostly all of his food down. He has been playing and motor boating non-stop!!! For the first time since we started chemo his ANC is around 1900 so he feels much better now than his last rounds. I am guessing that I will see a difference in the next few days when his counts begin to drop.
Well the future is a little obscure right now for us. Michael will get his scans on the 6th and the results will tell us a lot. This will be the first time we see what the chemo has done. GOD WILLING the chemo has killed all of the NB cells in his little body and his scans are clean!!!
Plz continue to pray for Michael and all of the other children battling cancer.

Thank you

2008-10-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

I want to take the time to say thank you to soooo many people. In no particular order- to my mom that takes such good care of our other son, Anthony. To my family, Dr. Russell, Ericka, hospital staff, friends, Siamack's co-workers, all of the people who donated to Lunch for Life, everyone who donated toys which will be handed out this week, all of the prayer groups, strangers and anyone else I missed.
A very special thank you to the NB families and others that have become my family at the hospital. We are in this together.

Getting ready for round 4

2008-10-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Michael should make his counts Tuesday and this will be his 4th and GOD willing last round of chemo. We are scheduled for scans Nov. 5&6 but that may be postponed, but not sure. These scans will show what has happened with the two areas of concern. Michael had/has a tumor in his neck and in the pelvic region. His bone marrow at the time of original scans was clear (THANK GOD).
All in all, he has been amazing!!! We have been so blessed through out the entire journey. There have been times when his blood counts have been extremely low and GOD has taken care of him. He is an angel during times of fasting for tests, weekly finger pricks, a port in his chest, and on......
The only thing I can say is that this has changed our lives. The things I thought were important are so minor in comparison to holding your baby down while a needle is stuck in his chest to access his IV because he has cancer.... I pray for all of the children and all of the families that are living like us- kinda in limbo- can't really make plans. And more than anything a CURE for all cancers!!!!!