Photo Updates

On November 29th I was given the opportunity to skate with the Colorado Avalanche during the national anthem. This was truly an amazing opportunity. I had a lot of fun out there. Thanks also to my team and other friends who came and watched me. I had so much fun. It was an amazing night. (information blog is below this one. Read that one as well)
-December 29th

First coming onto the ice at Pepsi center

On the blue line for national Anthem

Standing next to Ryan Smyth on blue line

Getting off the Ice

Thanks,
Tristan Close

The Start of the End

Today, (Monday, December 9th) was the start of my radiation. Last week we went and got a few blood tests done, a few MRI's and we were determining if i needed to do another round of chemo therapy or if I could move onto radiation. The MRI's looked great, as the tumor was shrunk enough to begin radiation. Last week on Tuesday I had a spinal tap as one of the test's as well. This came back good as well. On that same day they drew blood to make sure my counts were doing okay. My platelets unfortunately had dropped over 300 (that's bad) and they wanted to do a blood test again before I started radiation. Today I got my blood drawn and my counts were good. So therefore i started radiation. For those of you who don't know what radiation is, it is a nothing like chemo. Unlike being injected with chemo this one is more like being hit with a beam. You are lying down on a table and they put a mask over your head and face. You then lie there as the beam hits you. You don't really feel anything. Basing off of my first day I have felt pretty good just really tired.

Here are a few pictures from when they were forming the mask to do radiation. Its kinda creepy but somewhat cool at the same time:

My activity has been pretty normal. I am working towards playing with my team hopefully soon. I am trying my best to work out and work on things my team has been doing when I am not tired. My new goal is to try and be fit and ready to play the weekend we play our two toughest teams in our league, both Littleton teams. My team now is in Arizona kicking butt. I am hoping to get the phone call soon that we made it to the championship.

My Christmas was really awesome too. I got some really amazing gifts and had a great time.

We are hoping to have an all picture blog with all the pictures from people shaving there head all the way back to the avalanche game.
These should be up hopefully by today or tomorrow.


I hope everyone had a happy holidays and have a happy new year!!!

Thanks for all your prayers and support!!!

Thanks,
Tristan Close

End of chemo?

I am finally feeling somewhat decent from chemo. A lot of ups and downs have happened but I have made it through most of the downs. My appetite has been getting a lot better as well. I have been going on with my regular tutoring with my two classes of math and English. That has been getting better as I try to get back on top of things at school. I had an MRI on Friday afternoon. This was a big test depending on if I have another round of chemo or not. If it is good then I get to move onto radiation on the 24th. On the 23rd I have a spinal tap that also depends on if I move on from radiation.

My Dad and brother have been attending this class at our health club called boot camp. On one of the mornings they made a donation to help me get a Colorado Avalanche jersey. They actually raised over $700.00. The instructor Linda also arranged for my whole family to attend a game and have access to the Avs locker room after the game so I could get the Jersey signed by the whole Team. I would like to also take this time to thank them a lot. They really made my night perfect and I am very grate full to have so many good friends like them.

The picture turned out really good of the jersey:





Thanks very much and I will try my best to blog right after we know about the next round of chemo or radiation.

Thanks,
Tristan

It's not whether you get knocked down...

"It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get back up."-Vince Lombardi

This quote has been running through my mind many times through out chemo. The getting knocked down part i thought was how towards the end of every chemo I seem to feel somewhat fine. I get to the hospital for chemo and the chemo just slams me down and then i don't feel great. I love to think of this quote as motivation to get better and make that little extra effort to feeling better.

Sunday night I was fortunate enough to get the chance to get an Avs jersey signed by all the players after their game against Vancouver in the locker room. This was awesome. I got to meet all the really nice players and re-visit my buddy Ian Laperriere. These guys were really great again and most of them signed my jersey. I went into chemo with this great excitement.

This last round of chemo has really been difficult. We had the same thing as last time. On the first day I stayed there for about six hours. The next two days are generally about one to two hours. What could be expected I felt awful during these three days of chemo and threw up constantly. I am still not feeling great and usually I am atleast a bit recovered by now. I have broken my own record for throwing up so much during chemo. I am still throwing up even today. My stomach has been wierd and I have felt very very weak and dizzy.

On Thursday I went in to get my port de-accesed and get this other shot I have to get after every chemo. I still didnt feel great that day but something brought my spirits up a little bit. We ran into the Avs this time they were visiting the hospital. It was really cool how i was sitting there in my wheel chair waiting to get out of there and all these amazing players were there still remembering my name! All the guys were still great. I really noticed a few that stood out and talked to me. My buddy Ian Laperriere was there and we were able to talk about how I was doing. Through all these Avalanche things I have been doing it has really occured to me how awsome of a player, guy, and leader he is. Ben Guite was also a really nice and awesome guy as well. All of them were really great and I really look up to all of them not only as hockey players but leaders as well.

Last night I went to my hockey team's game. I still felt really crummy still so I sat up in the bleachers with my dad clutching my puke bucket.

Clearly this chemo has been the hardest chemo but I am also hopeful that this is the last one.

If this is the last chemo I get to start radiation therapy on December 29th.

I am now looking forward to skating a bit with my team this week, Christmas, and hopefully the phone call from one of my teamates that we have won the Phoenix tournament.

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.

I am so lucky to have so many great friends and family.

Thanks,
Tristan

What an amazing week!

Wow! What a great week I have had since the last week of chemo. It started about monday when I practiced with my team. Unfortunately by the end of practice that night my stomach started to get really wierd and I threw up in the car on the way home. The next day we went into the Dr. for my regular blood tests and my blood counts were fine which was awesome! However I didnt get cleared to play in my tournament this weekend. Tuesday night I went and practiced with my team again. This time I felt much better after and didn't throw up. This already was a great start to my week knowing i went through two practices with my team.

Wednesday night we started our tournament. We played a pretty decent game and came away with a win 2-0 against the Jr. Eagles. I was glad my parents still let me go and cheer/lead my team to victory. Wednesday night I found out from my parents that Saturday night I would get to go out during the Avalanche game and stand on the blue line during the national anthem with the starting line up. When my Dad finally got done describing this to me I was completely speachless. I was in so much shock and I was so excited I got the chance to do this.

Thursday (Thanksgiving), we spent with our good friends the Soichers. This was really fun because they have been there so much for me and there a great family to be around. I was also glad that I had most of my appetite back from chemo and was able to eat decent food! After our big meal my mom took me to my friend Christian's hockey game. This was really fun because its AAA hockey and I know alot of kids on the team. These guys have also been there for me and it has been really great to get to know some of these kids closer.

Friday, we spent most of our day running back and forth between Denver and Westminister for my hockey games. In our morning game we lost a close game to Ft. Collins 2-1. Our next game we came out hard against Foothills and beat them 3-0. I really would of thought after all that I would of been really tired and not feel to great by the end of the day but overall i felt great for all that I did that day.

Saturday, was a huge day. Saturday morning we had a game against Casper up in Westminister, where the tournament was. We came out pretty hard again and had another win 3-0. Because of our loss we were waiting on other games to be played and what not to see where we ended up with points to make it to the championship. Between the game that morning and the big avs game that night I was busy with friends coming over to get rides and friends hanging out.

That night I rode to the pepsi center with my Mom and my hockey friends. This was really exciting. When we finally got there it took us a bit to sort out where my team was seating and where my other friends were sitting and it took us a while to get me into get my stuff on. Finally we got every one in.

When I finally got dressed I waited in this hall way for the players to come out into this tunnel thing so they could go onto the ice. At this point I was pretty nervous but it was still amazing. As they came out I gave each of them high fives onto the ice and then I followed right in front of Ian Laperreire (assistant captain). When I got out there i felt like I was on top of the world. I took one short lap around them turned around on the blue line towards the opposite side and looked all around me. Then I turned around to the flags. Ryan Smyth talked to me for a bit out there which i found really really cool. They sang the national anthem then I got off. This was truly the experience of a life time and I had a great time it was so great!

I then went up and watched the game with my teamates and friends. About half way through the game I got a text from my team (I wasn't sitting with them then) saying, "WERE GOING TO THE SHIP!!" (championship). This was really the icing on the cake having a great night with my friends, and family!


The next day we drove up to Westminister for the championship game against Littleton. Our two teams were really even they beat us once and we beat them. It was a great game and we battled to the end. At first we went up 1-0 then they tied it. Then we went up 2-1 then they tied 2-2. Then the last 6 seconds of the game they scored. Truly a heart breaking loss but we played really well. Its a tournament and we already beat them in league where it really counts!


Thanks to everyone who made Saturday night possible it was really amazing!

Thanks to my hockey team for being there for me Saturday and for having a great tournament!


Thanks to everyone else for your prayers and thoughts!


I am so lucky to have so many great friends and family!

Thanks,
Tristan Close

(P.S. pictures of saturday should be coming soon!)

Chemo - half way done (or more)!!

Chemo went as well as it could be expected. I really did not feel to great during it and it was a tough time. The first day was the toughest. I went in around 9:30 and i had about 6-7 hours there. I was put into a room and for the most part i rested and played x box. Something that i have realized during chemo is that anything you eat or crave during it, you never want to eat again. The next day it just sounds like the worst thing ever. The first day was definitely the roughest day. Days 2 and 3 were okay. I only had about 1-2 hours of chemo and it was mostly getting in and out pretty quickly. Over all it kinda sucked but I find small little things to look forward to during chemo like getting home and resting. I was not able to get to my hockey practices this week but I am probably most definitely feeling good enough to go to them this week.

When I am at home i can mostly keep my pain under control. I have had quite a bit of nausea and haven't been able to walk due to dizziness. This week I am doing my tutoring Monday and Tuesday and hopefully hockey practice.

Tuesday i have a blood test to test my counts depending on if i can play in my hockey tournament this weekend up in Hyland Hills. The Dr.'s said not to plan on playing.

I am very excited that chemo is over half way done (so we think). I am also hopeful radiation therapy will go smoothly so i can go back to school and hockey. Going through all of this it really makes me think how grateful it is to just go to school and have a normal day and see all my friends. I really miss that but I am hoping its not too long before that can happen.

I will try and write more now that I am on chemo break again!

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

-Tristan

p.s- If any of you get a phone call from me asking if i can stay with you don't act surprised, my parents are pretty fed up with me.

Once upon a time...

not so long ago, there lived two little boys. Now these little boys were neighborhood friends, the kind that play roller hockey in the cul-de-sac, and watch Av's games on tv. They even went to some games together.

Time went by and the boys stayed friends through moves, different schools, and a one year age difference. They shared a back fence and some very memorable times. One of the boys got sick and his hair began to fall out. So the other boy, who likes to make faces, decided his hair had to come out too.

And so it did.

It took 3 people and two sets of clippers to get that unruly hair off. Now the boys share one thing in common. Smooth lids. But not smooth enough for the funny-faced one.

Nothin' says lovin' like the first time your dad takes a razor to your skull. You just don't ever forget the first time.... Ahhhhhhh......smooth. Boys, the ladies like to rub their hands all over the velvety smooth lid. He highly recommends it.
And they all lived happily ever after........ Not THE END but the BEGINNING.

Scroll down to see all of the other bald and beautiful men....are you next? Email your picture and we will add it to the rest!

Twas the night before chemo and all through the house...

Relaxing before the big event...

From Lenina
(Tristan's Mom)

Tristan's hair started falling out on Friday. As awful as that can be - especially given that he has great hair (!) he and Chris (Tristan's Dad) both shaved their heads Saturday morning. Lest it be just a ho-hum experience, my good friend Leighann, owner of Leighann's Hair Studio and Spa in Greenwood Village, pampered them and comped the services (Thank You!!).

Chris (Dad) goes first

Caleb (brother) waits patiently

Not so sure...

Almost Done!

Bald and Beautiful...

We have Chemo tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday. We will update during that time to let you know how round two of chemotherapy goes. As always, thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

The 18 day break part 3

Yesterday (Monday) and today has been going pretty well. I have not been throwing up at all and only having a few headaches. Although i have been very tired during the day and have felt like sleeping quite a bit.

Yesterday was a really fun day because i got to go and skate at my hockey practice. It has not really occurred to me until this past week how great my hockey team is. Although we spend a lot of our game time in the penalty box and could be known as a bunch of goons, they have meant a lot to me. These guys have put a smile on my face so much in the past couple weeks its been awesome. Its been really fun to get to watch them go out and play even though i haven't been able to help them out there. I would really like to thank all of them for all their support during this time. They have truly been great! I can't wait to get back on the ice with them!

I am also excited yesterday our coach picked captains and assistant captains and I was picked as one of the assistant captains. This meant a lot to me and this is just the motivation I will use to try to go to our games still even during chemo!

Today, I woke up with a small headache but it was fixed right away with medicine. I have no chemo therapy this week and the only hospital visit i have is Thursday to test my blood counts.
So this week i am having math/English tutoring every day for about two hours a day.

I am also hoping to skate at my next hockey practice which is Thursday.

Thanks all for your prayers and support!!

-Tristan

Counting our Blessings...

From Lenina (Tristan's Mom)

I got a card in the mail a few days ago that had 3 pairs of shoes on the front. The inside said "Do any of these shoes go with my stress?" I laughed. As they say, laughter is some of the best medicine when life challenges are rather serious. Thank you all for your cards, calls and prayers.

Tristan is doing remarkably well given all that he's been through. Although he still appears somewhat pale and weak at times, he went to both of his team's hockey games this weekend (sat on the bench with the team but didn't play), he had some friends over at various times throughout the weekend, and is keeping up with both of the classes that he's taking through the home hospital program. The nausea has mostly subsided and last check, his blood counts were good and no blood transfusion was needed. We've been forewarned that this could all change drastically and almost instantly, but for now, we thank God that at least for this day, he is doing great. (relatively speaking of course!)

One of the most amazing blessings in a situation like this is the tremendous support of friends and family. There have been so many random (and not so random) acts of kindness - it would be impossible to recount them all. I pray that God will bless each of you who have so kindly reached out to us. One of the most incredible examples of this support is my brother, Trenton, whom many of you know as "the cigar guy". He shaved his head last week in support of Tristan. What an awesome uncle!

Before...

Shave and a hair cut...

After...
Hey - is that a ginger ale in your hand?

Tristan really enjoys reading all your comments on this blog - so keep them coming! They are a tremendous encouragement to him.

I am so grateful for all of you. I deeply appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and kindness that continues to come our way. Thank you - and many returned blessings to all of you.

Humbly,

Lenina

The 18 day break part 2

For the most part today was a pretty normal day so there is not much to report. My sleep has been pretty good and i slept till about 9 today. My English tutor then came around 10 and we worked for two hours. That went pretty good i got really tired at the end though. Of course then for the rest of the day I watched numerous news stations reporting about the presidential election. I did get a bit of an upset stomach today but besides that there have been no serious issues from the chemo. My appetite has come back for the most part and luckily my hair hasnt fell out yet.

Tomorrow I get to meet my math tutor and do that then hopefully go to my hockey practice. I am really looking forward to hopefully getting on the ice with my team just in my warmups even though i am not fully suited up.

Thanks again so much for your prayers and thoughts!

-Tristan

Tristan's Dad

It is true that people can have a healing effect on each other. Tristan and Chandler have been buddies since they were 6 years old. They use to break out in spontaneous neighborhood hockey games that seemed to last for days. Their energy together has always been without limits so watching Tristan's spirits elevate when he was able to see Chandler and spend some time with him this weekend on the heels of a tough week of chemo was nothing short of a blessing. I am so thankful that they were able to see each other again. We all love you Chandler and thanks for being such a good friend to Tristan.

The 18 day break Pt 1

Wow the weekend has gone by it seems some what fast. For the most part I have been feeling good. Friday was definently a tough day but I am past that now and i am starting to feel better every day. This weekend my friend Chandler got to fly out. (old neighborhood friend) Along with our pal TJ we got to play video games and watch movies which was really exciting for me since I havent been seeing alot of my friends recently. Saturday I was starting to get this twitch in my right leg. My mom thinks it was from some of the medicine but it could also be from not being very active.

Sunday was a pretty good day overall. I was able to go to the broncos game against Miami with my two friends Chandler and TJ and part of their families as well. I was able to walk all the way up and down the ramp to our seats so that was really good. That day around toward the end of the game I was starting to get somewhat of a "heavy chest." We are not quite sure what this was from but it for the most part has gone away now. My sleeping has been mostly normal. I have been waking up about normal times and going to bed at somewhat decent times. My appetite has still been kinda wierd. I have gotten taste back for some foods, but not everything.

Tomorrow i believe i start my home tutoring with my two classes we are trying to keep English, and math. I am looking forward kinda to it just because its something for me to do but I'm sure I'll get back into normal school mood with in the first 5 minutes.

Wednesday i have a team practice. I am hoping very much to at least be able to skate in my warm ups and just get a feel for the ice again because it seems like forever since i have been on it.

I would really like to thank you all for reading my blog and I am doing my very best to write on this every day!

Thanks so much for your prayers and thoughts!!!!
-Tristan

The end of the beginning

Well no surprise chemo therapy has been really tough. I'm not sure what's the toughest part just it feels like it sucks out my excitement in some of the little things. My symptoms have been periodic headaches, my chest hurting (from the medi-port), and a lot of nausea. It seems like everything i eat i end up throwing up. This has not been easy since my appetite is most random at times. Hockey seems to be out of the question right now. Even if my surgeon would let me play i probably wouldnt have enough energy to play any ways.

Today i woke up very tired and not feeling good. I had to get a shot so we decided to take me back to the hospital and get my shot and other medicine. I was there for about 2 hours.

Unfortunately, no trick or treating tonight for me however I look forward to maybe handing out some candy and getting some more rest tonight.

Thank you all for your support during this time.
Happy Halloween!

-Tristan

From Lenina: Tristan's Mom

Day 2 of Chemo - yesterday wasn't so bad, but today has been rough. We are at Children's hospital as I write this and we have another hour or so to go before they will send him home. Tristan looks very pale and weak and is feeling nauseated but they are treating him with several different nausea drugs. It is so very hard to see him this way. I know that chemotherapy is virtually poisoning his body but it seems to have sucked the life force out of him too. We are so lucky that we only have a few months of this - we've been told that some kids have to do chemo for 24 months. This is not how I'd envisioned his teenage years...but due to this amazing medical technology, he will most certainly get to celebrate his sweet 16 in February. Although a 16th birthday is noteworthy for every kid...it will have very special meaning for Tristan and all who love him because at that point, most of the brain cancer treatment will be behind us.

Day 1 of treatment

I would first like to thank my guest writters for blogging while i was gone. I am so lucky to have so much great support. Again thanks!

Over the weekend i went up to Aspen for my hockey teams tournament up there. This was a fun experience even though i wasnt on the ice to help them out. We lost just short of the championship game but i had fun cheering my team on.

Yesterday i had my surgery. This surgery involved getting a medi port put in. Overall the surgery went pretty good. The area that it was put in is still sore and uncomfortable but it will get better. My shoulder from the side it was put on hurts as well but it is managable pain.

Today i started my first round of chemo. This didnt go to bad. I was ready to stay positive and get through the day with a smile on my face. I do not feel really different. I do feel a bit tired but nothing unusual. I have decided tonight to shave my head. I think its better to do so instead of being creeped out by having hand fulls of hair coming out. Thank you all so much for your support again!

From Lenina, Tristan's Mom
10/26/08

The course of treatment for this cancer will entail both Chemotherapy and Radiation. Tristan will have a medi-port implanted tomorrow through a surgical procedure which will accommodate his Chemotherapy regime. He will start Chemo either Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

He will have 3 days of chemo, then 18 days off. We have to do at least 3 cycles of chemo, then an MRI will determine whether another course is needed. After chemo, we will start radiation which will be every day (Monday through Friday) for 4 - 6 weeks. The entire treatment plan will take several months, and of course several after that to recover from the harshness of the chemicals and radiation.

We are hopeful that Tristan can return to school next semester, but for the time, he will have home tutors for English and Math. We have had tremendous support from the school, community and friends. Thank you to all who are praying for his recovery...

NHL "Hockey Fights Cancer"

Skating with the Av's

This is NHL "Hockey fights cancer" month (October). Since I already play hockey, I got to help a few of the Av's players with a "learn to skate" camp. This is me with Avalanche player; Ian Laperriere

Helping with learn to skate camp at the Pepsi Center.

Teaching other kids who are going through Cancer Treatments...

Me with Av's players; Paul Stasny (left) and Ian Laperriere (right).

A Banner for Tristan

This is a guest blogger in for Tristan today.

While Tristan was recuperating in the hospital we made a little banner to come home to. Notice the spilled paint on the driveway....I wonder how that happened? And why is it when kids and paint are mixed someone always wears it?

Maybe it was the acrobatics......

This is actually the SECOND banner that we made for Tristan. The first one was eight years ago when he was in an accident. We'll post some pictures if we come across them. Tristan is one loved kid in the neighborhood! Some of his friends, neighbors, and hockey teammates, past and present, came to sign it and wish him a speedy recovery. We all are hoping and praying for the best outcome. We are lucky to have Tristan in our lives, on and off the ice!!

Recovering from Brain Surgery - October 21, 2008
Today i felt a lot better. I finally got a full decent night of sleep. I still have had a few headaches and there is still pressure in my nose. In the surgery last Friday they went up through my nose into my brain. I still have a few stitches inside of my nose. My right hand has been hurting a bit the past few days too. It looks like a few bruises on the back of my hand it probably is vein related. (Where they put the IVs.)



My activity is normal, i have mostly been resting and been walking around the house normally. I am hoping to skate with my team a few times this week not fully dressed, so i can do that before i don't feel like it during chemo. Wednesday i am getting to skate with a few players on the Colorado Avalanche down at the pepsi center. I am really excited about that. The link to this information is

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=384306

.

Brain Surgery 10/20/08
My surgery went good. I spent 5 days in the hospital and now am home. I am sometimes on pain killers from headaches, pressure in my nose, and some additional pain in my hand. Besides that things have been going good. I have been able to walk decently but not for a really long time. I went to my hockey game yesterday and was able to stand on the bench the whole game with out feeling sick. Unfortunately yesterday was our first loss of the season. Hockey is going good and i hope to be on the ice as soon as i can.