This week was a double header for Rusty: his 18th month ampuversary was on the 25th and his 3rd birthday was the 30th!  We took him to In N Out burger for his celebration and when I told them that is was his 3rd birthday, they gave him a double patty, which he enjoyed immensely!  We will have a birthday party for him next Friday the 5th, as Dr. Macy, his Oncologist, wanted to be invited and was not in town until then.  Rusty's entire medical team will be present along with 15 parents of his best buddies; I will take pictures and post.

Rusty will see Dr. Macy for his three month follow-up on the 4th and we are hoping for continued good news.  The past two months have been the best health wise that Rusty has enjoyed since starting this ordeal; he still has issues with his stomach, but no diarrhea!  We are keeping the stomach issues under control with his diet (chicken breast, ground beef, chicken noodle soup, brown rice and dry EVO) and medications.  I have not found any suspicious lumps in his daily massages and he is not showing any other symptoms, other than lower than normal energy levels which we hope are from the hot summer temps.  He still enjoys a good 20/25 minutes in the pool which is keeping him very trim.  By the end of the day he shows noticeable fatigue in his leg and very seldom will walk around the lake in the evening; we go over and socialize with all of his buddies and then take a long ride in the golf cart.

Rusty's original prognosis was for 1 to 3 years of quality life after amputation and chemo therapy; we are now half-way through that time frame!  We don't know what this incredible journey has in store for us in the future or when it will end, but we are very grateful that we are able to continue along its path.  We make sure that Rusty enjoys each and every extra day that he has and we are so blessed to have him with us; he has taught us so much on dealing with adversity and is such an inspiration!

I am still working on a new surfin' video for him, which may be more swimming than surfin'.

Chuck & Rusty

Happy Ampuversary Rusty!

Rusty, you indeed ROCK!! 18 months is awesome , now your 3rd birthday?? I had no idea you were such a young feller, Im bucking for you to blow those odds all to pieces and live a long and full life in spite of what you have been through! Keep on going little buddy! We are rooting for you!

Sooper Dooper Fearless Leader Clown Cooper

Hoppy Ampuversary AND Hoppy 3rd Birthday! This is awesome news, and we can't wait to see the celebration pictures from your upcoming party. You sure are one hot surfin dude….

Cathy

Hoppy ampuversary and happy birthday!  2 great dates to be celebrating!  Pawty hard buddy!

Hooray Rusty! Awesome double-header news! And also awesome to get a Flying Dutchman from In-n-Out! That is definitely Abby's favorite way to celebrate!

Jackie, Abby's mom

Chuck -

Amazing what a bit of a nudge can do huh .

So happy Rusty is doing so well and that you have an In Out Burger close by!!! LOL

I wish Riley liked the pool (she's beyond terrified)…..Oh wait, maybe I should send her to your house for a week or two and Rusty can show her how much fun it can be……

Have a great time on friday and give Rusty another kiss on the nose…

KaCee & Riley