Hamilton G.
Born: June 8 , 2006
Illness: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Theme of Quilt: PLANES AND FIGHTER PLANES AND SPACE SHIPS
(20 squares) Juvenile AND realistic patterns….


Biography
When we found out we were pregnant with our second child we were beyond excited. We so wanted another child I thought I was pregnant every month! I thought I would do the surprise, romantic thing and I bought a pair of baby booties and gave them to my husband. Just like the boy who cried wolf he didn't believe me and totally turned my made for t.v. romantic moment into me trying to get him to believe me! Hamilton was born and really announced to the world he was here. There was nothing wrong with his lungs or his determination. He was a sweet and very friendly baby. Most importantly he was so healthy. He rarely had so much as a cold and if he did he was able to fight it off quickly. I took the kids for pizza and games and both my 3 year old son and my 9 year old daughter had a blast. Early that morning Hamilton started to moan in his sleep and complaining about his stomach. We thought he was constipated especially after the night before eating tons of pizza. An hour later he was still complaining and developed a fever. We then thought he had some kind of infection. We decided to take him to see the doctor where they would probably gives us some antibiotics and Hamilton would still make zoo day that morning at school. He really didn't look that sick but as soon as the attending felt his belly she could feel an enlarged spleen and liver. She told us what she felt and she wanted to do blood work. The blood work initially came back and they said he was severely anemic. We were floored. How can that be? He has more energy than any one in our house and has had no bleeding or bruising. My husband and I looked at each other in a great place of denial and figured at that point he would get his blood and some iron supplements and we would be out of there. The nurse came in later and said Ham's blood looked funny and we are calling oncology down to talk to you. She obviously had the wrong room since we were there for the infection with a side of anemia. They admitted him and it's been a crazy whirlwind ever since. He was scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy the next morning to be sure of the diagnosis. By the time we were settled in his room that night he was a different kid. He was in so much pain that you couldn't touch him. He had gone down hill so fast we knew something terrible was going on. Later that next day the bone marrow came back and the oncologist told us he did in fact have leukemia. They would schedule his port surgery in two days and he would begin chemo then as well. Everything happened so fast we barely had time to absorb what was happening. I guess in a way that was a blessing. Hamilton has been through things no child should have to endure and has handled it like a true champion. When I tell him how brave he is he doesn't want to believe it and says I'm not brave because I was a little afraid. We will be in treatment the next 3 years and we must take those 3 years one day at a time. (not always easy to do) Cancer has changed the dynamics of our entire family. Big sister Madison has had to grow up pretty quickly and Hamilton's life is filled with meds, and sometimes nausea and pain. Of course as parents to see your child hurt is one of the hardest things to go through. Our goal is to bring both of our children (and each other) through this fight called cancer and come out on the other side healed. Organizations like this one, full of people who give their precious time for people they do not know, makes this journey a little easier. Thank you so very much.
To stitch a square for Love Quilts you will need to join the yahoo groups to see the listing of patterns that are already being stitched.  It is an open group so you can sign up easily and view the patterns right away.  Once you are a member you wont have to sign up again, just sign in and to make it easier yahoo allows you to stay signed in for 2 weeks at a time!  Please follow this link to sign into the Love Quilts Yahoo Group...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveQuiltsUSA/

Once there click on the link "database" on the right to view the children and their patterns.  Once you find a pattern of your own that you want to stitch and have confirmed it is not already being stitched by viewing the pattern listing on the yahoo site, please link below to formally sign up for a square.  If you have any questions about they yahoo groups please email Cyberfogie@aol.com, Vicki, for further instructions (yahoo groups email only!)  Thanks!
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Welcome Friends!
"THANK YOU"
The most AMAZING quilt came today!!!!  Odd but our mailman never walks to the door if we have to sign for something.  Today there was a new mailman and he walked up to the door rang the bell and waited for me to answer.  If we had our original mailman he would have left that little slip and we would have had to wait to pick it up on Monday.  (I said odd but I do know God wanted Hamilton to have his quilt!:)   I can't believe women from all over could seemingly know my son.  The fighter jets, the space shuttle (of course we were glued to the shuttle launch yesterday), the bi plane etc it is all so perfect.  I am glad you sent the note about using it because the first thing he did was spread it out in front of the tv and laid on it with a box of raisins. My first thought was NOOOO!!!!   There he was spread out looking at all the planes and God only knows what he was day dreaming about.  I have never seen such amazing talent and willingness to share that talent with my son.  I am deeply touched and so appreciate your loving time, caring, and attention.  I know I said a quick note lol.  I will write later on the site so that all the ladies can know how much we all love, love, love that quilt.  (I really want to hang it on a wall but I will again listen to you lol)

Love and hugs,

Meiko

Hamilton is still enjoying his beautiful quilt.  We got to put it to good use since we had a couple of clinic trips.  People are amazed at the quilt and those who know Hamilton best appreciate how well you captured his interest.  I wanted to share a few pics with you and to let you know again how thankful we are for what you do.  The picture of Ham looking down was when I asked him to choose his favorite plane.  Do you see that position? Well he looked down at that quilt for 10 min and still couldn't choose just one!  You can almost see him dreaming of flying something on that quilt one day and with God's grace and people like you he will get there. By the way notice he is holding a toy fighter jet in that one too.  Take care. Love and hugs Meiko