Matthews Cancer Adventure

As we await Matthew being disconnected from his post hydration and getting the go ahead to head home, I thought I would reflect back on this cycle of Matthew’s Cancer Adventure.

As you know, the test after the first 5 cycles showed less than expected results. So the doctors all powwowed and came up with a new 2 cycle plan called I.C.E.. Janet found out the names of the 2 top Neuroblastoma gurus from Matthew’s nurse practitioner and we thought, “Hey, why not try giving them a call.”, not really expecting to get more than a general contact without flying to them for an in person consult. One of the gurus wanted just that, though they did call back later and answer some questions. The other hospital asked her some questions and then said someone will call. Later that day the phone rang and the #1 guru was calling personally. Long story short, the gurus all concurred that the I.C.E. treatment was exactly what they would do next. This brought us all alot of peace of mind.

Now, the I.C.E. chemo is a more intense cycle so we checked in expecting the likelihood of having to manage more nausia than the most intense round of the first 5 cycles. We planned to premedicate for nausia and found out that one med, the Emend, wouldn’t play nice with one of the meds so they added a steroid instead. The plan worked so well that throughout the entire cycle Matthew had ZERO nausia! Thanks be to God!

In addition to that good news Matthew has been able to eat this time, including two dinners where we brought him Fajitas for 2 and he ate the whole thing. We thought he was looking thicker, more muscular, perhaps gaining weight and Mom had him step on a scale and sure enough he has gained around 3 pounds while in the hospital. Wow! This is not typical but, with the lack of nausia and the steroid, not completely unexpected. We are thankful for the improvement.

He is soooo ready to go home … watching the clock, waiting for the time when they will stop the post-hydration, hep lock him, deaccess him, give him his NeuLasta injection and then say Hasta Luego!

And with amazing blood numbers, particularly an ANC of 8.46 (8460), we can expect to have a great time on Thursday and Friday as we celebrate his 18th birthday!!!!!

We can’t thank you all enough for all the prayers, thoughts and support.

May the Lord bless you and keep you!

(This updates picture is of Matthew with one of his doctors)

p.s. On the way home Matthew was so happy and wanted to play all sorts of music with a “Home” theme. Love that boy so much!!!!!