We are finally back on the treatment path. We checked in to Comer Children’s Hospital yesterday morning, expecting chemo to start by the afternoon. We waited for about 7 hours in a holding room before finally being admitted. During that time, Alexander’s port was accessed and he started getting fluids in preparation for the chemo drugs, which are metabolized by the liver. It’s important that he is hydrated and pees a lot to flush the chemicals out quickly. We got a fresh glimpse of Alexander’s toughness: we wanted to put lidocaine cream on his port to numb it, but he refused. We relented after a bit of back and forth. He was right to refuse it—he hates getting the tegaderm patch taken off, and he endured the needle piercing his skin with not so much as a word or whimper.
Also while we waited, we talked to Alexander’s nurse practitioner. She had called me Friday afternoon at a very inopportune moment (see photos!), and we didn’t talk then. I harbored such dread at what she had to report about the MRI and lumbar puncture. She had already told us that there was an area of enhancement in the MRI at the tumor bed site. She assured us that the radiologist saw no cause for concern but that the tumor board would review the images Friday. She came into the room very concerned to talk about … fertility. We listened to her as she spoke about that, but I was looking for an opening to broach the subject of the test results. She then gave us perhaps the best news we have received since his surgery: his CSF is clear—no abnormal cells present—and the tumor board all agreed that the area of enhancement was just the result of radiotherapy, not any new tumor growth. We are concerned about fertility issues caused by the chemotherapy drugs, but we are much more concerned about the effectiveness of this aggressive treatment. We are starting chemo from the best possible place. Only successive scans, one every three months, will tell the full story of his fight.
Today has been a relaxed day overall. Alexander has had his first doses of vincristine and cisplatin and is now resting. He’s had anti-nausea meds too. We are afraid of him vomiting and feeling awful. He was not prone to nausea during radiation—here’s hoping that trend continues. And now we wait…
That’s wonderful news! Truly an answer to prayer. We will continue to lift all of you up to our Lord and Savior who has all the power and the glory.
What a brave and precious boy. I and the church I serve pray for him daily — for all of you! God is near.
Overjoyed for some good news on this day for you! We are all praying daily for him!!!
Praying for you all 🐝 💛 🐝
Continued prayers 🙏🏻
Christy, my husband and I have been following this so closely and I cannot tell you how often I thought of y’all and prayed for good news since the scans last week. You are incredible parents and have such strong children. We will not stop praying!
-Mandy and John Threlkeld (although you knew me as Mandy Carter back in the Erlanger East days!)
Yes, our Sunday School class asks about him weekly. Excellent news! Keep up the fight, Alexander.
That’s great news , continuing to keep you all in my prayers .
Praying for my little cuz.