Office visit 9/18

09/18 12:06
ANC 8022

Well, there was lots of good news today, but not the great news we were hoping for. First, Alan's white counts were back up after shots of Neupogen on Tuesday and Wednesday. That means we can take Alan out and about this weekend for some fresh air and company!

Second, the CAT scan and MRI results are in - the tumor is continuing to shrink (about 20% according to Doc A) and the bone continues to grow back.

But, as good as the results are, they aren't good enough to go on to surgery. There is still some involvement of the tumor with his abdomen and spine, and since Alan has responded so well to chemotherapy, especially the Irinotecan combination, they would prefer to shrink the tumor, giving the bone more time to heal and getting the tumor away from the spine and organs. I'll be able to get pictures of the scans and a copy of the report on Monday.

Doc R, the surgeon, wants a chance to examine Alan directly, so we'll see him next Wednesday. Doc A has also shown the scans to a pediatric oncology orthopedic doc, but has not had a chance to discuss Alan's case with him yet. We'll be back to the office on Monday for a course of VAC, followed by Vincristine the following two weeks. After that, another trip to the hospital for Irinotecan and Adriamycin over several days. We should be ready for another set of pre-surgical scans again at the end of October.