February 10, 2012

Dear Friends,

UPDATE: Michael was admitted to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth last night. He started experiencing pain yesterday due to the tumor compression on the spine. It was best to admit him to manage the pain and swelling. The MRI results started coming back around 4:00 and showed growth of the tumors and significant swelling around the spine. They started him on steroids last night to reduce the swelling in order to perform surgery. The surgeons would like to hold off on surgery until Monday, but we are waiting to see if he needs to have surgery sooner. It depends on how he responds to the steroids, and whether or not his symptoms increase. Alison and Mike are meeting with the surgeons at 3:15 to discuss all options and the appropriate timeline.

When we have a definite answer on surgery, I will send out another update. But as of now, it is still scheduled for Monday.

Many of you have contacted me asking what you can do to help the family. THANK YOU! I have spoken with Alison and the most difficult part of this situation for Michael is being separated from his friends. He would love to receive cards, photos, homemade items, video messages, texts or emails from his little buddies. This makes him so happy. These items are easy to take to the hospital and surround him in his room. You may email them to Alison or Mike, or send them to the Malone’s home: 3905 Hanover Dallas 75225. And for those of you who have children who are close to Michael, please feel free to visit him over the weekend. He is in good spirits today, and would love to see his friends between now and Monday morning. Michael will be in ICU dealing with a difficult recovery next week. I know many of you will want to visit after the surgery. When he is able to except visitors, I will let you know. We are also working on a meal plan, but first need to get the surgery schedule. I will send out the meal calendar as soon as we have the details set.

They also need lots of prayers – pray for Michael’s pain management, wisdom for the doctors/surgeons, quick healing, successful removal of the cancer, comfort and peace and wisdom for Alison and Mike, and comfort for little Emory.

The Malone family feels your continued support – thank you.

In Hope,

Evelyn Costolo