Hello absolutely everyone! I just can’t imagine that we are on the cusp of Labor Working day and summer time coming to a close. The last five to 6 months have been a full blur and this summertime, in particular, has flown by. There’s been hospitals (chemo, stem cell harvest, operation), clinic appointments, and driving back again and forth to New York.
But, one particular foot in entrance of the other and just one working day at a time, we are grateful to be heading into a new period with a robust boy and hearts comprehensive of hope.
Dominic had a busy initially several months of August…
🔍 1st, he experienced a new set of scans (MRI + MIBG) additionally another bone marrow biopsy. The scans even now exhibit sickness through his bones but most of the spots are “dimmer” than in advance of, and the bone marrow involvement decreased by above 50%.
So, there is however perform to do, but there is an enhancement. And! Dominic did the two of the scans without having anesthesia (he has been sedated earlier mainly because you have to lay wholly still and the MIBG is more than 2 hrs). He’s a rock star.
🏥 Subsequent, he had his initially spherical of immunotherapy. The antibody he’s offered targets the protein of neuroblastoma cells and given that they usually sit on nerve cells, there is considerable nerve ache accompanying the cure. The infusion is small (45 minutes) but intense.
There is a good deal of pre-medication and agony administration during and right after, and he would generally rest the overall rest of the day afterward. But, the treatment options are outpatient so no hospital stays, and they never effect counts like chemotherapy, so no neutropenia or blood or platelet transfusions.
🦸♂️ Then, he crossed off one more major hurdle… radiation. He did this awake with no anesthesia as well… twice a day for 5 days, he was strapped down making use of a distinctive mask that was molded to his head and higher human body to preserve his head and neck in the exact same place each and every time (his clavicle was radiated thanks to the cluster of diseased lymph nodes that ended up there, as very well as the tumor mattress in his stomach). An awesome lady who performs there has the youngsters decide on what they want their masks to be and then custom paints them… Dominic chose Iron Gentleman. There are some extremely particular men and women in this globe.
He could also decide on whatever music he wished to be piped in each and every time and chose Xmas music just about every working day 💕🌲 He completely rocked it and the folks performing there were being definitely phenomenal.
➡️ Next… we get to be property for a few of months, then it’s back to NY for one more spherical of immunotherapy, a new established of scans, and a different bone marrow biopsy.
📘 In the meantime, he begun kindergarten this week! He’ll be joining class practically right until his oncologist gives him the go-ahead to attend in individual, which we’re hoping will be late September.
💈 His eyebrows, eyelashes, AND hair have all started out rising again! He’s had a ton of electrical power, has obtained back again all of the fat he dropped immediately after operation and that very last spherical of chemo and is otherwise accomplishing definitely, definitely well.
❤️ Thank you all for your continued prayers, it means so significantly to our loved ones.
In other information, I am setting up to get some emails scheduled out heading into the slide and holiday break year to refresh some internet site written content. So, you can search forward to me popping into your inbox much more frequently in the coming months 🎉