Joyful October, good friends!
I hope you have all experienced a excellent commence to tumble and are enjoying the cooler temperatures and wonderful drop days.
I’m popping in currently with a new Dominic update. Thank you all so considerably for your e-mails, the cards and items that you have despatched, and all of the prayers you’ve supplied up our loved ones appreciates it all so incredibly much ❤️
The Hottest Solutions and Scans
Just after Labor Day, Dominic experienced his next spherical of immunotherapy therapy, followed up by a new set of scans and a bone marrow biopsy in mid-September.
We received extremely encouraging news… the scan showed that 50% of the cancer has cleared, which is the greatest transfer of the needle that we have seen so much.
The entire-body radioactive scan accomplished for neuroblastoma is termed an MIBG scan and it is provided a “Curie score” – 10 segments of the physique are scored to 3, based mostly on how significantly cancer is present, which means the optimum score it can show is 30. In May possibly, Dominic’s score was 27 after surgical procedures and prior to beginning immunotherapy, his rating was 26. Right after the second spherical of immunotherapy, this most current scan confirmed a rating of 13.
His bone marrow biopsy confirmed what the doctor known as “just a trace” of neuroblastoma cells, a reduction from the preceding 5 to 10%.
We pray that the immunotherapy treatment options go on to be this effective and that he will soon be entirely cleared of the most cancers that remains.
Subsequent Up…
Dominic will have his 3rd spherical of immunotherapy the week immediately after future, and then the fourth spherical about a thirty day period immediately after that, followed by one more set of scans.
Immunotherapy, not like chemotherapy, does not induce white counts, platelets, or hemoglobin to fall, so we really don’t have to worry about twice-weekly lab get the job done or transfusions. We just will need to go into clinic the moment a week to have his central line dressing improved.
In the Meantime…
Dominic began kindergarten previous 7 days! It has created my heart so happy to see him experiencing usual 5-12 months-previous life, showing us the papers he’s worked on, and speaking about the tiny issues that have took place throughout the day.
After paying the very last six months likely back and forth from hospitals, inpatient stays for chemotherapy, surgical treatment, limitless clinic visits, transfusions, radiation, and everything in between, getting some normalcy in day to day lifetime has been this sort of a blessing for him.
AND he turns 6 this week! 🎉
Coming Up…
You might have found a couple of new e-mails from me this final 7 days! Thank you so much for the magnificent feedback!
I’m bit by bit beginning to get back into the swing of issues and with a a little additional predictable timetable at home, I’m hoping to provide again Friday Matters and send you delectable recipes on a semi-typical basis all over again. Continue to be tuned 😋