TC in an 8 year old?

[SahmIam]

My friend talked to the doctor again last night. Her son is definately looking at Chemotherapy. Depending on what the CT scan results are, he may need radiation and possibly more surgeries. We are all anxious. It is hard to stay positive with all the info I have looked up on Rhabdomyosarcoma. I talked to my friends hubby and recommended that he try to keep her off the internet until we know more. He said that the doctor had given the same advice. While some of the info out there is positive, most is pretty bleak.

Thanks for your support. I will let everyone know what the CT shows on Monday.

Elizabeth

[Rune]

Elizabeth,

So sorry to hear the bad news. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the CT scan will turn out well.

[SahmIam]

Good News

I just got back from the CT scan. They found three small spots that may or may not be cancer. The doctor said that if they saw these in a "normal" boy, they would probably consider it normal. But because of his history, they are going to look closer at it. There is no need for immediate surgery. They are going to start him on Chemo, but they are taking him for a 2nd opinion first. This doesn't mean he is out of the woods, but it is a good start. Considering the size of his original tumor, I feared the worst.

It's a good day!

Elizabeth

[Rune]

Elizabeth,

Definitely good news, considering. Keep it coming!

[dadmo]

Thank you for sending that news our way. I hope the news continues to be encouraging.

[Mom]

That is encouraging. 99% of the time cancer can be cured if it is caught in time. This type of tumor is staged so there is certainly hope. He will be in my prayers. Dianne

[Fish]

Congratulations!

I hope the news continues to be good.

[SahmIam]

Here's the latest.....

They got a clear margin around the tumor and he is negative for tumor markers. His doctor tried to refer him to St. Judes as per the parents request. St. Jude's turned him down. The only way they will take him is if his bone marrow test comes back abnormal. He gets the port installed next week and they will do the bone marrow test at that time. They are sending his paperwork to MD Anderson in Texas for a 2nd opinion. If they suggest the same treatment, he will have it done locally.

The final word on the size of his tumor is 9 x 6.5 x 5 cm. I guess the original info on the tumor size that I got was a bit exaggerated.

Elizabeth

[Mom]

Let's hope he doesn't qualify for treatment at St. Jude's. Dianne

[burgdob]

I very glad the news is turning positive. I'll continue praying for him.

“If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell.”.....Lance Armstong

[huckchef]

elizabeth, i also live in the jackson area(madison). if there is anything i can do for the family please don't hesitate to ask. if you would like to private message me please do and we could maybe exchange names of your friends for prayers and help. let me know! brian

[SahmIam]

My friend's son is doing well. He had surgery yesterday to install the chemo port, do a bone marrow biopsy, and to remove some lymph nodes in his abdomen. The prelim report on his bone marrow is that it is negative for cancer. The doctor said that he would be surprised if the lymph nodes came back positive. This was all good news.

I found out that they were so concerned about these small lymph nodes that showed up on the CT because when the original surgery was done, they removed the tumor plus two enlarged cancerous lymph nodes that were near the tumor.

We will get his chemo protocol next week and he is supposed to start Chemo on Wednesday or Thursday. They haven't staged his cancer yet, but the doctor said she thought it was either stage 1 or 2.

Thanks everyone for your support. I know that I am not the mother of this child but I am trying to be there for her on a daily basis, sometimes 8 or 10 hours a day. You folks are helping me to do that. Today, however, I am taking for my husband and kids.

Elizabeth

[Mom]

Thanks for the update. Sounds encouraging. Our hearts go out to your friend's family. What wonderful support you must be for them. I know it is hard for you too. Dianne

[Rune]

Elizabeth,

Very happy to hear your friend's son is doing well!

[burgdob]

How are things going?