Ray of Hope

I'm starting off with the good news:) 99% of our test results are in. Both the MIBG and the bone scan show no evidence of cancer anywhere else in the body. Brady's tumor is one big mass from his chest down along his spine. It is officially Stage 3, intermediate risk. Given all of this info, our oncologist feels that there is a possibility that only 2 rounds of chemo may be necessary. This is just a small glimmer of hope, but a little bit of hope is all this mommy needs!!!! They will be able to monitor how the cancer is responding to treatment throughout the process using blood and urine analysis. Once the two rounds are completed he will have another series of scans. Many options exist after that...the cancer could have turned into mature cells (not dangerous), only some could be gone and at that point surgery may be an option, or more chemotherapy. There are a ton of variables, but considering we thought that 5 rounds was the definite plan, we consider this GREAT news. Keep praying...can you feel it working?

The day started off on a bad note. When we got to radiology for our scheduled 9:15 bone scan, the tech (who is as nice as can be) told us she had no record that sedation was supposed to take place. We were flaming mad because we were told not to feed him after midnight because he was going to be sedated. He had already endured 3 days of these scans, being held down and screaming. So, after several heated discussions and phone calls, he got the contrast injection at about 10:30. They told us he wouldn't be sedated. We agreed to that after I bargained with them not to use an IV. We then went to the cafeteria and let him eat like crazy with Pastor and Joyce until 12:15 at which time we had to be back for the scan. The scan was hard for him, but he made it through. When we took off his pjs to do the scan, he had blood all soaked through his onesie down his spine. It seems as though a few of his stitches popped. They aren't concerned right now and are going to keep an eye on it.

We are now settled in our closet, I mean room! Come to find out we will only have a private room this first time. After this we will share a room with another family...ughh The plan for tomorrow is surgery mid-morning to place the Broviac in his chest, and chemo to start tomorrow night. All the what ifs surrounding the terrible side effects is weighing heavily on us right now.

So, we can rejoice in the good news! We ask you to keep the prayers coming!!!

Bone Marrow Clear!

Good news tonight...Dr. Asselin called at 7:30 to tell us they just received another "all clear" report for Brady's bone marrow! This is great news and just another piece of the puzzle. She seems more certain that we are dealing with Stage 3 intermediate risk neuroblastoma. That basically means that prognosis is "favorable." That word annoys me...doesn't sound bad, doesn't sound great. Remeber though, that the MIBG scan coming up could still show cancer show where else in this body. We are still on track to be at Strong tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday during the day. Then home for the weekend, and back on Monday to begin the battle.

Please pray in the following areas:

1. Comfort for Brady. The steroids are causing him to not be able to sleep for any period of time. Poor honey, it is heart breaking to watch him...so agitated, so sad, so confused. We are being allowed to give him Benydryl tonight to help him sleep...pray that it works.
2. More comfort for Brady! Tomorrow he will need an IV and that is not a fun thing for a toddler. He also will need to get his stitches out (we are estimating there are about 100 of them). He will be having his Broviac placed surgically on Monday...more pain.
3. All remaining tests and scans to be clear!!!
4.Continued strength for Matt and I and our families.