As you know, Dustin was diagnosed again in March, 2003 with his tumor growing again. Dustin had three options: try chemo again, go to Maryland and try the experimental drugs they have there, or nothing at all. We were devastated with the news they gave us, not to mention the options. We told our son not to give up, and enjoy live to the fullest. We told him that we would stand by him no matter what he decided to do. He chose to do the chemo again. He started the chemo immediately, and was able to take the chemo and come home the same day. The following week he would always have to go and get blood and platlettes. In June he took his chemo as scheduled, then the following week when he had to get blood and platlettes, his counts was really low. When we were in clinic waiting for the platlettes to come, Dustin developed a fever of 103. I knew he was running one, because he had went to the bathroom, and when he came back he had chills. Before they hooked up the platlettes, they did a blood culture. It came back within 24hrs. The doctor called and said you need to bring Dustin to the hospital immediately. He said the bacteria growth was aweful. This was on a Sat. evening. By Sunday, they told us the bacteria was ECOLI ! I was astonished. I know about the bacteria from job-related. We just couldn't beleive what we heard! Dustin had to take antibotics for 14 days. Dustin was very weak from this, and it took him a long time to recover. I don't think to this day that he fully recoverd from the ECOLI. Dustin's doctor and nurse came to our home to see Dustin the last week in August. We were all amazed at how well he was doing at that time. The doctor had talked to him about a chemo pill that he could take, so Dustin said he would be gald to try it. And he did! Dustin had a great Labor Day. He was out several times that day driving his car. Dustin loved his car! That was his pride and joy! He loved riding around with his daddy! The hospice nurse came to take Dustin blood sample to the hospital on Sept. 2, 2003. They called from the clinic to let us know that his hemoglobin was really low. They wanted to know if Dustin wanted to come in on Friday (Sept.5), to get blood. The doctor told us he didn't need to drive because they were afraid he would pass out. His doctor and nurse came back to the house to see Dustin on Sept. 3, 2003. She told us that this low blood count had been something that had been going on for some time and not an all of a sudden event. Dustin did go in and get the transfusion. They had to give it to him over a 4 hr period so he wouldn't go into cardiact arrest. He did fine and we came home. On Sunday, Sept. 8, 2003, Dustin had went to the bathroom, and on his way back he fell and hit the coffee table, hitting his right jaw bone and behind his right ear. Keep in mind, he had been on crutches this whole time since March. His nerves was a total wreck after the fall. The only thing he ate that day was a milkshake. That's all he had the next day also. On Tuesday, Sept. 8 & 9, 2003, the hospice nurse came out. She told me that if we noticed any changes over a 24hr period to let her know, and she would keep a check on Dustin also. She noticed considerable changes from Mon. to Tues. Also, back on Sept. 2, 2003, the hospice nurse noticed Dustin had quiet a bit of swellen in his right leg and foot. This is supposed to be his good leg. When they got the blood results back, we found out that his kidneys was not functioning properly. I guess we knew what was going to happened at this point. We just didn't want to acknowledge it. Dustin started having a lot of pain on Tues., Sept. 9, 2003. I called the hospice nurse and told her what was going on with his pain and she called the pharmacists to see what they could get for him. When the medicine came, it burned his mouth so bad that he wouldn't take any more of that. So I called the hospice nurse again, and asked if they could send someone to come out to the home and be with Dustin, so I wouldn't have to call every time I needed something. They sent his nurse that usually came out for his visits. It took a while to get his pain under control. One of his best friends would get Dustin to take his medicine when no one else could. He kept everyone hopping because he couldn't get comfortable. He fought with everything in him. Dustin finally gave up the fight about 9:37am Sept. 10, 2003. Dustin was truly a fighter. We are greatful that God gave us 19 wonderful years with our son! I know that he could have taken Dustin when he was first diagnosed in 2001. Dustin touched alot of lives here on earth, so I can only imagine how many souls his touched in heaven! We truly miss our son, but I know some day I'll see him again. He's no longer hurting anymore, and he doesn't have to use those crutches to get around. I wish I could have Dustin back, but not in the pain and shape he was before. Dustin, your moma and daddy and sisters miss you alot! With all our love! We would like to thank all of you at Jesica's Hope Chest for allowing us to receive the grants. They were very much needed!