Live It With Logan

Update

2008-03-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hello! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted but there really was no NEW news...until now that is! LOGAN GETS TO PLAY FOOTBALL HIS SENIOR YEAR!!!!
We had two post-op check-ups last week at Vanderbilt. The first was with his surgeon and he has given Logan a clean bill of health and the okay to play ball again! This was obviously great news for us! We will go back in a year (Jan 12th) for a one-year check-up and an MRI. They do not expect the tumor to come back but he will have MRIs performed off and on for the rest of his life. The tumor ended up being the more rare of tumors! Dr. Thompson was actually giddy he's so happy with the outcome! We have not yet heard back on all of the blood work from his endocrine appointment but we do expect good news in that area also. He goes for another check up on August 1st.
Thank you again to all of you who have continued to pray for Logan and to ask about him! We are so happy and blessed!
The Dames

February 4th

2008-02-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

Hello...sorry it's been a while since my last post but there really hasn't been much to report (this is a GOOD thing). Last week Logan started back to school on a 1/2 day basis, alternating between a.m. and p.m. He really did pretty well but M, W and F (his longer days)left him quite tired. We had hoped to have him back full time this week but decided to go with one more week of 1/2 days.
Otherwise, he is doing great. Sleeps a lot still but his body is still healing. I keep having to remind myself that it's only been a little over 3 weeks. He just looks so good...
The 25th will be here soon and we are very anxious to get a "clean bill of health" from both the surgeon and the endocrinologist. I will be sure to update the blog with what we find out.
Thanks again to all of you who continue to keep Logan in your thoughts and prayers...
We are meeting with a husband and wife tomorrow evening...the husband JUST had an appot. with Dr. Thompson Friday...he's having surgery on the 12th...pray for him please!

Yesterday was a GREAT day!

2008-01-19T08:38:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was truly a day to celebrate! Not only did Logan have his staples removed...but we found out for SURE THAT THE TUMOR IS BENIGN!!!!! Hooray! I cannot beging to tell you what it's like to actually be able to take a deep breath just for that sake of doing so, NOT because you are trying to suppress butterflies!
Dr. Thompson also mentioned that it may not be the rare Pituicytoma (35 known cases in the entire world) but it could be an even RARER tumor called a Schwannoma. They have sent the tumor off to a Dr. Peter Berger at John's Hopkins (the pathologists at Vanderbilt actually trained under him), a renowned pathologist, to see what he thinks it is.
I always knew Logan was "one of a kind"!
He continues to do a little better each day but also continues to tire very easily. This should last another couple weeks most likely. But that's okay, it just means his body is doing what it is supposed to be doing...HEALING.
You know a 17 yr old boy is not feeling well when he can't even play a video game! : )
Logan may return to school at the end of next week or the following week on a half-day basis...I think his body will let him know what it can and cannot tolerate.
That's about it for now, I will update again in a few days!

2008-01-18T05:09:00.000-08:00

They came and did an update this morning. (1/16) It aired at 6 and 9pm. For those who live out of town, you should be able to access the video http://tristatehomepage.com/
Thanks!!!!!! Rhonda

Home Again...

2008-01-15T10:16:00.000-08:00

We arrived home safely yesterday afternoon. Logan is SO HAPPY to be back in his own bed! (so are mom and dad...I think it's the best I've slept since December 21st!)

Each day gets a little better and we continue to thank God for that. He is really doing quite well. He is still struggling with pain but we have become a great team at keeping it under control. Being an athlete I think has really helped him in interpreting his body's needs. I am just so proud of how he has handled this whole situation. What an accomplishment for a 17 year old!

We will go to our family doctor on Friday to have the 28 staples removed. I'm sure that too will make him feel even better. Then it's just continuing to recover until we head down on Feb 25th for all of the post-op appointments. We expect to hear within the next 7 -10 days the final pathology report. We are comfortable that the outcome will be good but will not breathe normally until then...what a ride this has been! Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers until you see the final update that states it is confirmed benign.

Again we are just so thankful for all of you...you have lifted us up so many times when it would have been just as easy to slide down...we are forever grateful.

Tim, Rhonda, Sidney and LOGAN

We are OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, today is the 13th, 4 days post surgery...Logan was JUST discharged and we are resting comfortably at the hotel. We plan on staying close by for a day or two. There are some things that Logan had not yet accomplished that makes us just a bit nervous going ahead and leaving but yet we understand that he's better off out of there.
We have gone to Walgreen's and picked up his 50 prescriptions (yes I'm exagerating a bit...but JUST a bit!) and are laying in bed watching the Colts lose (only at this moment tho!)
He is in good spirits and is glad to have a new celing to stare at! : )
When we are 100% confident that we are comfortable with Logan being far away from Vandy and that we can properly administer his meds, will be homeward bound!
That's about it for now...as I'm sure all of you are, we are so just so impressed with his progresss and are anxious to be back home with family and friends!
Love to everyone!!!!!! Tim, Rhonda, Sid and LOGAN!

Jan 12th

2008-01-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

Good morning from Vandy...
Logan had a more restful night but is still in quite a lot pain. We are waiting for him to start eating and moving about...this could translate into us maybe being able to get out of here earlier than expected. It is actually safer for him to be out of a germy hospital than in one , however we also don't want to leave here too soon with the distance between the hospital and our home.
The endocrine team feels that they are getting a handle on his diabetes insipidus and hope that he will start recognizing the signs that he needs to use his medicine. It's quite interesting, it is a nasal spray that he will use that will regulate his fluid levels...hmmm
His shiner is starting to subside, it's a beautiful shade of red at the moment! He just had his catheter removed and although he says it was the most painful thing he has every experienced, he is feeling like a new man!
That's about it for now...Logan just got cleaned up, got his morphine and is headed off to la-la land...will update again tomorrow!

Jan. 11th

2008-01-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon...sorry it's taken me longer today to update!
Logan had a rough day and night yesterday. Today is not really any better. He's in quite a lot of pain and has been pretty much on pain meds continuously. They are continuing to monitor his fluid balances. It is very obvious when the medication has worn off as his catheter fills up very quickly!
There really isn't much more to report as it is now more of a waiting game than anything.
Dr. Thompson did say that had he only been a nuero patient, he would be leaving today or tomorrow. However, since there is so much to deal with from the endocrine side, that is what will keep us here longer. There is a CHANCE we could get out of here on Monday. It's all up to Mr. Logan...he has to eat (he has only had sherbert and a protein drink to date) and has to get up and about...he walked one lap this morning and then crashed!
Thank you again to all of you who are anxiously awaiting news and our homecoming!
Tim, Rhonda and LOGAN

Thursday Jan. 10th

2008-01-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

Good morning!
Logan is laying beside me resting comfortably. They (the nurses) are doing a wonderful job keeping his pain under control.
First of all I have to report that at about 11:30 this morning, Logan turned on the TV and started to cry when he realized he could see the score ticker at the bottom of the screen! He couldn't even see the big E at the top of the eye chart!!!!!!!!! What a blessing!
He had an MRI at 2:30 this morning. I assume this was to establish a baseline for future MRIs. Not sure why they had to wake him up in the middle of the night but they didn't ask for my opinion!
Logan has definitely developed diabetes insipidus. This is from the involovement of the pituitary gland. It is crucial that they stay on top of this. They are constantly monitoring things and drawing labs.
They are giving him steroids to help wih the swelling...
We have not yet seen a doctor today, not sure when but we should be meeting with the nuerossurgeon and the endocrinologist. Anxious! Will be sure to update everyone.
Rhonda

Great News from Vanderbilt

2008-01-09T13:53:00.001-08:00

Updated 1/9/08 4pm
Logan's surgery is over and he is in ICU. The tumor was completely removed and believed to be benign. Further lab results will verify. To the surprise of the surgeons, the tumor was not a Craniopharynginoma. Rather, it was a rare tumor only documented 35 times in the world. It was not intertwined with the brain stalk and was easily removed without damage to the area. Obviously, these results are far better than anticipated.

Logan is visiting with family and friends, alert and talking. It appears that the vision in his right eye is intact at this time. Tests will provide more information in the upcoming days.

Watch for more updates.

Surgery Update

2008-01-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

Updated 1/9/081:45pm:
We just received word that the tumor is out! We do not know anymore at this point but the nurse said she was smiling!!!!! We are waiting to talk to the doctor when everything is finished...will post another update soon!

2008-01-08T06:36:00.000-08:00

Updated 1/8/08
Please keep Logan in your prayers and thoughts tomorrow. The surgery is scheduled for 8am at Vanderbilt Hospital. All efforts will be made to keep this site updated and post his progress with the latest information throughout the day.

Thoughts from the Dame Family

2008-01-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

Updated 1/7/08 9:30am
I'm not quite sure how to write what I'm feeling when in all actuality I am speechless.

At first what I thought was going to be a "journey" for the Dame family has turned into a "journey" for our entire community. I can honestly say that we are honored to have each and everyone one of you who has prayed, volunteered your time, donated items and/or money and most importantly gave us your hearts, travel down this road with us.

We are so very thankful to EVERYONE that showed up yesterday at the Rock-A-Thon to support Logan. What started out as a way to get Logan and some of the kids together before we left for Nashville turned into something so much more and we will be FOREVER grateful. There has not been an hour that goes by since the start of the Rock-A-Thon to right now as I'm typing, that I don't find myself going back to yesterday and feeling, once again, the pride that filled my heart as I watched family, friends and strangers embrace our son. Whether you realize it or not, you're all going to Nashville with us....thank you for that.

The Dame Family
Tim, Rhonda, Sidney and LOGAN

2008-01-07T05:49:00.001-08:00

Updated 1/7/08 8:30am
Thanks to everyone who attended or helped with the Rock-A-Thon. It was a wonderful event and a special day in Logan's life, never to be forgotton.

Read today's article in the Courier and Press. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jan/07/crowd-rocks-to-raise-funds/
View the 14WFIE video from the Rock-A-Thon.
http://www.14wfie.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?
View the pictures from the Rock-A-Thon at RockAThon Pictures

For those still wanting a tee shirt, they will be sold at the Castle Junior High School on Tuesday, at lunchtime and at the basketball game at CHS on Tuesday night.

2008-01-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

Updated 1/4/08 4:40pm
The support for Logan from friends, classmates, and the community has been overwhelming. T-shirts and bracelets will be sold at the Castle basketball games at CHS on Saturday and Tuesday nights. Join us at the Rock-A-Thon, Sunday, from 12-6 at the CHS cafeteria. There will be entertainment - the Boom Squad, a magician, and the band - Deaf Meagan along with food and drinks. Come support Logan and his family.

Attached is a link from Thursday night's newscast from WTVW Evansville, http://tristatehomepage.com/media_player.php?media_id=5397 and Friday's newscast from 14WFIE, go to 14 News Top Video (right side of the page0 and scroll over to Cancer Benefit: Residents prepare to rock. http://www.wfie.com/Global/category.asp?C=3490&nav=menu54_1_6

To read the Evansville Courier and Press article about Logan, dated Friday, Jan. 4th use the following link. http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jan/04/brain-surgery-in-his-future/

2007-12-31T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here's additional detail from Rhonda, Logan's mom. Updated 12/31/07 9:07am

I first of all want to say thank YOU to all of YOU who are keeping Logan in their thoughts and prayers. I honestly cannot imagine how we would be making it through this ordeal without the support of everyone.Secondly, I would like to fill everyone in on Logan's particular type of tumor. The doctors are hoping that it is in fact a Craniopharynginoma. This would almost guarantee (97%) that it is benign. This is a good thing. HOWEVER...even if it is, Logan's is "exceptionailly complicated" according to his surgeon, Dr. Reid Thompson. It has attached itself to the carotid artery and has completely encompassed the "stalk" (the part that connects the brain to the pituitary gland). It has also flattened the optic nerve.
All of this basically meaning:

A: if it has "stuck" itself to the carotid artery, they will have to leave that portion behind (radiation will become necessary)
B: the "stalk" (which will have to be completely removed) represents the only connection between the brain and the pituitary gland. This means that Logan will most likely suffer from many hormone, steriod, testosterone, metabolism, fluid level and "a whole laundry list of health issues" due to the surgery
C: and there is a very good chance he could lose all sight in his right eye, therefore ending his football dreams. we of course are hoping that this will not be the case but we are preparing ourselves for the worst. (not that we expect this)Having said that...it is correct that the surgery CAN be performed in a "non-invasvise" manor, however, Logan's has proven to be "difficult". He will have the entire right side of his head open so that the surgeon can see EVERYTHING.

We know we have a long road ahead of us but we DO BELIEVE that he will come out a "winner". Without the love/prayers/support of the ENTIRE Indiana community...I do not know how we would get through this. The entire experience, to date, has been very touching and humbling. We are forever indebted to each and every one of you. Thank you,Rhonda Dame, Logan's "mommy"

2007-12-30T18:37:00.000-08:00

Updated 12/28/07
A fund raising event is planned for Logan and his family at Castle High School, Sunday, January 6th, from 12-6pm. The event is a Rock-A-Thon, so bring your rocking chairs and rock to live music by “Deaf Megan .” All donations will go the Logan Dame Fund at Fifth Third Bank to help with medical expenses. There will be prizes and raffles awarded, food and drinks available, and t-shirts for $10 and wristbands for $2. Bring your friends and Rock Out! Print out the Donation Sheet and the Information Sheet. T-shirts and wristbands can also be purchased at CHS on Friday (1/5) in the cafeteria at lunch and at the basketball games at CHS on Sat., Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan. 8.
A message has been added to the Indiana Gridiron Digest Forum web site for Logan. You can read the posted notes from the Indiana football community by clicking on the following link. Gridiron Digest.

Updated 12/27/07, 9:30am
Yesterday’s results proved conclusive that Logan will be undergoing surgery on Jan. 9, at 7:30am at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Reid Thompson who was recommended to the Dame’s by Doug and Krista Hurt. At this point, it looks very positive that the tumor is benign but tests will be run following the surgery. The surgery is expected to last approximately 7 hours and Logan will be fully sedated. He will then be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for approximately 3 days. The ICU is considered an open unit which allows visitors other than family to visit for extended periods of time. Logan is expected to be in the hospital for a week.
The type of tumor in Logan’s brain is called a Craniopharyngioma. “These tumors can occur in the region of the pituitary gland and can grow to put pressure on the optic nerves. Patients may have loss of vision of endocrine problems. The can occur in children as well adults. This treatment is very specialized and usually involves surgery with or without radiation.” (Taken from Vanderbilt Brain Tumor Center web site) It is believed that Logan has had the tumor since birth but it has recently grown so that it now is putting pressure on the optic nerve. Thus, Logan’s sight in his right eye has been deteriorating, and recently, at a rapid pace.
The outpouring of support and love the family has received has been overwhelming. The Dame’s appreciate all of your prayers and encouragement. We are working on a web site/blog that will enable notes to be sent to Logan and the Dame’s online.
A student fund raiser is being planned to help the Dames with the anticipated expenses. Look for more information coming soon.

Updated 12/25/07 9pm
Junior, Logan Dame (#87), a member of the class of 2009, recently found out that he has a brain tumor. He and his family will be seeing a specialist at Vanderbilt on Wednesday 12/26 to determine available options they have with initial indications that the tumor is operable. Tentatively, surgery at Vanderbilt is scheduled for January 9th. Although shaken by this sudden event, Logan is in good spirits with the help of his family and friends and is confident that all will work out over the coming weeks. The Castle family needs to keep Logan in its thoughts and prayers and this website will continue to keep everyone updated.