Gabriel Goode Fight against Cancer
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UPDATE: 8/12/22
Gabriel has started his 6th Cycle of Chemo. He’s had some rough patches the past couple weeks but he’s in great spirits and doing well considering. He’s counting down the days til his last scheduled chemo treatment on the 22nd. Also scheduled that day are CT Scan, PET Scan, MRI etc to see what our next plan of action will be moving forward. We are scheduled to get results and go over what the next step will be on September 2nd. This week is rough Mom, Gabriel, Cielo and Sylvia are all camped out at Grandpa and MiMi’s house cause Dad has tested positive for Covid. Can’t and won’t take any chances. Keep our family
in your thoughts and prayers.
Gabriel Update: 6/8/22
To catch us up to today there’s been a lot going on dealing with work and bills and kids but we are taking car of business. After Gabriel’s trip to the ER on the 15th of May. That cause his chemo day to be pushed back a couple days to Thursday’s. Anyways On May 25th Gabriel had a CT Scan and an MRI, on the 26th he had an Audiology appointment before his 3rd Cycle of Chemo started that afternoon. He was admitted for a little over 48hrs.
On the 27th we received his results from the CT scan and the chemo is working as planned and is shrinking what remains of the tumor. Which is Great News, but what remains is still significant in size at about 9.1cm. We also learned from his audiologist that he is also losing some of his high pitched every day sounds etc hearing in both of his ears, more so in his right ear.
He and Mom got home early Saturday morning. Felt great, was glad to be home. We had a good few days. He had Chemo again on June 2nd was home that evening. Then on June 6th when he woke up he looked a little flush and was very tired and lethargic. I checked his temperature and he had a Fever on 101.5 I Made a call to the Hospital to follow our at home protocol.
They instructed us to go to Texas Childrens of The Woodlands instead of going downtown due to his high fever. We arrived at The Woodlands ER, told them our name and they took us straight to a Major Treatment Room within their ER. His temperature had risen to 103.1 from the time we had left the house and arrived 36minutes later at the ER.
They accessed his port, started IV and started fluids and antibiotics and pulled blood for labs. Within the first hour they had some results and all of his blood counts, platelets, hemoglobin, ANC levels were all out of whack and extremely low. The Dr decided we would be admitted and he ordered several transfusions. Gabriel started with a 2hr Blood transfusion followed by Platelet Transfusion on top of antibiotics.
The night of June 7th GiGi stayed with Gabriel in the Hospital so mom could come home and see kids and grab a few things before heading back to the hospital since this was not a planned visit and there’s a good chance we may be there for a few days. GiGi stated and asked the Dr to look but Gabriel’s fingers and toes are starting to turn dark or black in color. Gabriel’s temperature Was up and down until this morning on the 8th.
This morning June 8th Mom got back to stay at the Hospital with Gabriel the Dr stated the discoloration of his fingers and toes isn’t lack of blood flow but caused by the Chemo. Dr also advised his numbers were still very low and ordered transfusions again. He received a platelet Transfusion this morning followed by a Blood Transfusion this afternoon. Gabriel is in good spirits considering. We were advised today that the results of his blood cultures all came back clear except for we are again Positive for Rhinovirus again. Tomorrow on the 9th we are scheduled for a short round of Chemo at the main campus downtown. We were informed that they will be able to administer the infusion here at the Woodlands campus since we are inpatient. They said if Gabriel stays fever free through the night and during the day in the 9th, that after chemo he may be able to come home.
We are scheduled on June 16th for an Echocardiogram appointment that morning the check his heart before getting admitted for 48 to start his first day of his 4th cycle. We will keep everyone informed. Again our Family and Gabriel cannot express enough the amount of Love, support both financial and emotional, prayers we have received. Our Family is Forever Grateful. We appreciate everyone more than you’ll ever know.
GABRIELS UPDATE 5/15:
Today is Day 13 in our second 21 day cycle we left the house about 1am. Gabriel woke up about 11:30 crying and talking in his sleep. We took his temp and it was 99.5 at about 12:45 we took it again to see if it had gone down and it went up to 101.28. It was a long morning to say the least.
When we got here they accessed his port and also did an IV in his arm. They drew blood cultures, Covid test, check platelets and blood counts. Covid test was negative and his platelets and blood count were way low. This time it was his red blood counts that were alarming so he had to have a blood transfusion.
Earlier this afternoon we found out he has Rhinovirus and the symptoms are that of a cold. But with chemotherapy it can be alarming and potentially very serious. It’s crazy when one of our children have a cold we give them Benadryl or cough and cold medicine. But due to Gabriel having to go through his chemo it drops all of his defenses and we come to the hospital for a cold. Something as small or silly as a cold can have the biggest affect on him.
Preston and I are very cautious of where he goes and what he does. But even we can’t fight off a cold or allergies. Please continue to pray for him. We’ll be here for at least another 2 days as they try to get his numbers back up.
GABRIEL UPDATE 4/28/22
On Saturday the 23rd gabriel received another blood transfusion and platelet transfusion later that afternoon we were transferred from ICU back to the Cancer Center and remained there on antibiotics for the sepsis. Earlier that day doctors revealed the strain of Gram Negative Rods that Gabriel had caught was E.coli. It wasn’t from something he ingested but had seeped through his intestinal wall and into his blood stream. Doctors said he’d remain on the cancer floor from 10 to 14 days to receive steady antibiotics and to monitor his blood levels. On Monday the 25th we were given the option to remain in the hospital for 10 more days or to take a class on how to administer the antibiotics through the external port at home. Gabriel was excited to go back home. Mom and Dad took the little class and learned how to administer the antibiotics at home through the port. On Tuesday the 26th Gabriel received his last day of chemo in his first cycle. We were released later that afternoon to go back home. On Thursday the 28th Gabriel got a visit from Mrs. Mason his kindergarten teacher from school to do his first day of Homebound Learning. She will come by the house a minimum of 4 hours each week to work with Gabriel and his learning to be able to stay in school since he is unable to attend class. He was overly excited and happy to see her. He really misses his teacher and friends at school. We go back on Tuesday May 3rd for the start of his second cycle of chemo. We will be admitted into Texas Childrens for 72hours. Wish us luck, please continue to say a prayer for Gabriel and our family. We are forever grateful.
Update: 4/22 6PM ICU
We are settled back into ICU on fluids, antibiotics, morphine. Still has a fever but is slowly going down. Doctors said we’d be here a day or two for monitoring. Due to his white blood cell count being zero. We are experiencing sepsis, tested positive for Gram Negative Rods, luckily it was caught soon and we are in the process of antibiotics to help fight the infection. CT scan revealed no signs for reason for surgery so that’s a plus. Please keep us and Gabriel in your thoughts and prayers. They plan to transfer us back to the Cancer Center on Saturday the 23rd if his temp stays close to normal and will remain on IV antibiotics for 7 to 10 days.
He had a runny nose last night and then woke up about 7:30am complaining of tummy pains we took some deep breaths and fell back asleep. Woke back up about 8:30am crying and complaining so took temp and it was 102. He was rushed to Texas Childrens. Temp is now 102.7 and they’ve drawn blood and done nose swabs, so now we’re just waiting on results. He was transferred from the Clinic to the ER his hemoglobin numbers are down so blood is on order for a Blood Transfusion this afternoon, his ANC levels are at 0. The lower the number the higher risk of infection, temp has risen to 104. Doctors say is belly is soft but feels tender so they’ve ordered xRays and a CT scan to make sure. Please pray this isn’t something major. We just want our baby to feel better.
Update Day 19 - First night home since this all started 18 days ago.
The anticipation leading up to being released was unbearable. Gabriel even called mommy on GiGi’s phone and asked her if he was still going home today because last minute they decided to schedule an audiology appointment to check his hearing before he was scheduled to get our 3rd day injection. Mommy assured him they were letting us go home. Gabriel said they take too long.
Audiology went really good, injection went ok he didn’t like that shot, it was quick but he was not a happy camper that was for sure, Either was mommy. We finally were released about 2pm yesterday afternoon to go home. Gabriel was excited to go, he told Nurse Brittney when he gets home that he’s not measuring no more pee.
The ride home was long thanks to afternoon Houston traffic. We live exactly 57 miles away from Texas Childrens to our new house. We got home, got settled, his brother and sister got home and we’re excited as well. All 3 played for a bit, Gabriel said he wanted to lay down in his bed. His brother and sister fell asleep on the couch, Gabriel said he wanted to relax in his bed and play on his iPad. Gabriel sat outside with Grammy for awhile and enjoyed the fresh air. We made spaghetti for dinner since that’s everyone’s favorite.
He and his brother stayed up late watching movies went to bed and he slept through the night without any complaints or pains. Gabriel slept til about 830am got up ate some cereal and has since spent the day playing and relaxing with his brother. Since mommy, grammy and little sis went to get a few things for the house.
We are scheduled to go back to Texas Childrens Cancer Clinic for our 4th session of chemo on Tuesday. Wish us luck. He’s not gonna be thrilled.
Update day 18, 4/15/22. Homecoming
On Wednesday night Gabriel had round two of his first cycle of chemo. They said the chemo he receives on the second day hit pretty hard. Luckily Gabriel slept through the whole thing. He had some pain before they started and they were able to give him some medicine to relax as they were prepping and he ended up falling asleep. Gabriel slept the whole night without any interruption.
Thursday morning he woke up about 730am, daddy asked him how he slept and Gabriel stated he slept really good. Gabriel told Nurse Brittany that when he goes home he’s not measuring his pee anymore, and he’s not measuring dads pee either. He ate some bacon and eggs, played on his iPad, watched Cars and ended up taking a nap. He woke up to his GiGi being there and they went and saw the Easter Bunny, and had an Easter Egg Hunt, threw confetti eggs and went to a Silly String Party. GiGi stayed the night with Gabriel and said he slept through the night and woke up 5am in some pain, nurse have him some medicine and he fell right back asleep. He woke up around 830 when they came in to check his vitals.
This morning (Friday) mommy and daddy’s are on their way to the Hospital because this morning is the Day we get to Go Home after an injection. 18 days after we left our house to go to the Urgent care for a tummy ache. Everyone is very excited yet scared of the unknown of what our new normal is going to be.
We will be back at Texas Childrens in a few days for chemo again. The first 2 days of every 21 day cycle we will be admitted into the Clinic at Texas Childrens for 48 hours for chemo. Day 3 will consist of an injection we can administer at home. Days 8,12,15 and 21 we will spend the day at the Clinic at Texas Childrens for chemo. This will be for 6 -21 day cycles. At the end of all 6 cycles they will do a series of scans, tests and labs to determine what our next step will be. Whether it be surgery, more chemo or ?????
After much discussion we decided that Mommy take a leave of absence from work at a minimum it’s going to be 6 months. We will re-evaluate when that time comes in the future. Right now our babies are more important. Luckily our job is willing to be patient and work with us through this difficult time.
With the amount of at home care, hospital visits and stays, home bound school since Gabriel won’t be able to attend school, daddy working, Cielo school and Sylvia. They said it may be the middle of next year before he’ll be able to go back. He’s not happy about that he really misses his teacher and all his friends. We will get it all figured out. Socializing will be on the back burner for awhile.
Gabriel just talked to mommy and was nervous they were going to change their minds about going home today because they took him to an audiology appointment this morning to check his hearing. Mommy assured him we are going home today. He is very excited.
Update day 16, 4/13/22
Gabriel finished his first round of chemotherapy this morning around 1130 or so. It lasted about 12 hours through the night. He woke up a few times throughout the night in pain. Nurses were able to give him some medicine to calm him down and be able to sleep. His grandpa was able to sneak past security (lol) to visit today. That was a nice surprise, Gabriel thought that was so funny.
We got to go in a wagon and take a tour of what Texas Childrens calls the Clinic. That’s where in the future once we are able to go back home, we will come back and do our chemotherapy. 2 days out of each 21 day cycle we will have to be admitted into the hospital to receive Chemo. That will be rough at first especially since we will have been released back home.
We took a tour of the library, kids zone, walked the sky bridges. We are scheduled to start round 2 of chemo around 1130 pm tonight. These won’t be as long as they were last night. But from what we are being told, they pack a punch. Luckily Gabriel still has his gloves on and is ready to give them his left hook.
Yesterday on Day 15, Induction Day
Gabriel slept in until 745 this morning. I made sure to stay extra quiet so he could get some much needed rest.
There's only one Official Induction Day (the day we start chemo) for each patient in oncology and yesterday was our First Day on our journey to becoming Cancer Free!!!
We have a very long journey ahead. I’m sure we will have some good days and some bad. But we are ready to embark on this journey with our heads held high, Gabriel has his boxing gloves on ready to knock Cancer out. Gabriel’s Fight is Our Fight, we are all in this together.
Please keep Gabriel in your thoughts and prayers. We have a long way to go but we are on our way headed in the right direction. We are forever grateful for all the love and support we’ve been given. We are going to continue
“Fighting the Goode Fight”.
Update day 14, 4/11/22
Confirmed Stage 3 Hepatoblastoma Liver Cancer, no signs of it having spread to other areas of his body. If all goes as planned we will start our first cycle of 6 cycles, 21 days each of Chemotherapy tomorrow. Gabriel will receive 4 different types of Chemo every session.
Hepatoblastoma is Malignant which means it is very infectious and has the potential to get progressively worse and spread to other areas of the body. Usually starting with the lungs. Luckily it has not spread and it is contained to his liver.
Gabriel is 5 years old and has a million dollar smile, he is very happy, rarely ever sad and a friend to all. He holds a special place in everyone’s heart who has ever met him.
On March 29, 2022 Gabriel began complaining of right shoulder pain and a tummy ache. Three weeks prior we were in the ER for an upset tummy and we were diagnosed as a severe case of constipation. So on Tuesday night we went to the Urgent Care in Magnolia, Texas, they ordered a CT scan to determine why his tummy was so tight.
The CT scan found an 11cm tumor on his liver that had ruptured causing internal bleeding, Air Medical was called immediately and he was transported to UTMB John Sealy hospital in Galveston for Emergency Surgery. During the 22 minute flight, Gabriel lost all of the blood in his body three times causing him to go into Hemorrhagic Shock. He received his first blood transfusion while in transport on Air Medical.
Upon arrival Gabriel was rushed into Emergency Surgery. After a five hour surgery and 18 blood transfusions, Surgeons we’re able to stop the bleeding, remove the large portion of his liver and and the ruptured tumor. On Thursday the 31st he went back into Surgery for a little over 4 hours to clean, an ultra sound discovered the tumor was not removed from the remaining lobe of his liver. Surgeons decided it was not worth the risk of bleeding to try to remove more of the tumor without complications or risk of more bleeding, or worse. So they decided to sew up his chest and do a series of more tests, scans, MRI. Gabriel remained in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UTMB until Friday April 1st and we were transported by Texas Childrens Kangaroo Crew’s Mobile Intensive Care Unit, to Texas Childrens Pediatric Intensive Care.
On Saturday Gabriel was taken off of intubation and started to breathe on his own. The first couple days we had some good moments and some bad. On Tuesday April 5th we were transferred from the PICU to a room within the Texas Childrens Cancer Center.
Gabriel has slowly started making progress we went from sitting up in his bed, standing assisted, sitting in a chair. To walking a few steps to the bathroom, once his bowels started to function after several long painful nights and days trying to pass gas or have a bowel movement. We’ve got into a wheelchair and saw some dogs at the puppy retirement party. Friday the 8th Gabriel made a milestone and walked an entire lap around the Cancer Unit without assistance and did a great job.
They are saying because of Gabriel’s age, the size of the ruptured tumor, and the way it was discovered is extremely rare.
Hepatoblastoma is a very rare cancerous tumor that starts in the liver and rarely spreads beyond it. Most cases are found in children ages 6mos. to 3yrs.
Brittany and Preston are truly amazing parents. They are staying strong for Gabriel while still caring for their two other children at home who miss their brother and have not seen him since he went with daddy to the Urgent Care to fix his tummy.
Even if you are unable to make a donation please continue to say a prayer for Gabriel and his family, please continue to send messages, kind words, or share our story.
Gabriel is a Warrior and will continue to fight and make progress. His 6 year old brother and 4 year old sister and his mommy and daddy will fight with him and are waiting for the day we will be able to walk out of the door here at Texas Childrens and go home.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dina Bush
Organizer
Richmond, TX
Brittany Goode
Beneficiary