12/16 10:50We've been laying low since our visit to MD Anderson. The news wasn't what we wanted to hear so we've been wallowing a bit until we could talk to Doc P today. The long and short of it is that Alan will definitely be losing some hip bone - where and how much are still to be determined, but it will be some variation on an internal hemipelvectomy. The leg is safe though.
ANC 2166
There seems to be some confusion about exactly how much and which part of the bone Doc L would like to take. Doc P will go over things with her again, but has talked to Doc R about removing the bulk of the soft tissue mass of the tumor first. So we're back to square one - we have an appointment with Doc R in the middle of January to set up the surgery. It was his earliest available appointment, but I'm going to check with Doc P to see if that will be a problem. Alan has been off chemotherapy since the beginning of October, so we are a little nervous about any new activity with the cancer cells. However, Alan looks so cute with his fuzzy head as his hair starts to grow back in!
Back to the topic of hip surgery, it is also certain that Alan's recovery will be in a spica hip cast for six to eight weeks - a period in which Alan will be only be able to sit or lie down. It is going to be so hard on our active little man, and doing some quick web surfing tonight has made us realize the challenges ahead beyond an angry little man who wants to move around but can't: diapering around and bathing with the cast, the possibility that we will need a special car seat to accommodate the cast (thank goodness Britax makes one), hoping that one of our strollers will work and being so grateful that we have a wagon (thank you Aimee!), getting a beanbag chair for him to sit on - all that based on one hour of surfing. Who knows what else we'll need to do.
We are determined to give Alan as much freedom until then - Seaworld doesn't close this year until January 3, so we'll try to make one more trip to see the dolphins. We may be calling on the local ACS office to ask for a visit from Panda - anything to get Alan through. But first we need to get through the first surgery.
Alan tackles Tackley, Daddy and Kevin - pile on!
Alan "brushes" his hair as he plays.
We have been looking for the update, Judy. I know that you and Harold have some tough decisions ahead but know that lots of people are praying for you all. You and Harold must be two of the strongest people on the planet. Please give those two little guys a hug for us and call if you ever need to talk.
ReplyDeletePS,
I love the picture of Alan with the brush...very talented boy! :) Michele