Hey All -
So, we're really back in it! Sitting up here on the 9th floor. To be honest - it was surprisingly difficult to step off the elevator and onto the 9th floor for an admission. Thankfully, some of our favorite nurses, Randa and Natalie were right there to scoop us up. I've known it was coming, but the emotions were pretty strong. Hans had counts done today and an IV placed. His counts look great! This will help with the chemo he's about to get! He really does not like the IV and wants to have nothing to do with it. But, with the new treatment plan we've finally decided upon, he won't have to deal with it much longer.
Tomorrow Hans will have a port placed in his chest, which will allow easy IV access, but it is under the skin and won't need regular cleaning and dressing changes, and Hans will be able to bathe and swim with no problems. I found out that Dr. Nuchtern was doing the surgery - and 'lo, the waterworks began again. We love that man! I cannot envision Hans in better hands tomorrow.
Then, Hans will begin two cycles of Topotecan/Cytoxan Chemotherapy (the 'best known' treatment for relapsed Neuroblastoma).
He will also start concurrent Radiation Therapy shortly, his Radiation Oncologist just has to review his scans, set a plan for his treatment and get him on the schedule. I have a feeling they will get him in Wednesday.
Kevin has to be away at work in Oklahoma and I KNOW it's killing him not being here for Hans. All I can say is that Dr. Russell bent over backwards to ensure that both of us were in on the final treatment decision (we didn't know for sure what treatment approach we'd use until about 1:45 today). We had time to reach out to other parents and a handful of other Leading NB docs were extremely responsive to our emails. We feel we have made a fully informed decision!
We should be inpatient another 5 days of chemo - and then home, to finish up radiation on an outpatient basis.
The good news - the report only showed that one area on the arm!
We are already in the hospital ready to fight this stuff off!
Hans wants to get his boo boo out of there. He was actually ready to come to the hospital last night. He knows specifically that his bone is hurting so he knows that this is where he needs to be.
The second cycle begins 21 days from now. We'll rescan in 6 - 8 weeks.
Please pray for this approach to heal Hans completely of his cancer.
Pray for Kevin to wrap up quickly in Oklahoma so that he can be where his heart wants him to be, here with his boy.
Thanks To: Anne/Eric/Kira for hosting Elle this week and shuffling her around, thanks to our neighbors for the meals, and thanks to everyone for your prayers. Honey is lounging this week at Man's Best Friend and I'm sure they're treating her well and that her kennel experience will be conducive to good potty training!
Shelley C. - It's pretty cool to see the FLEET of bikes up here on 9 in Haleigh's honor. How sweet! I Haven't heard yet but I'm hoping erin and chloe have received good news on their scans.
Lara
PS - we're in room 916!
www.texaschildrens.org
About Me
- Hans Weberling
- Bakersfield, CA, United States
- Hans was a busy, happy, sweet and fearless three year old when he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. He fought his disease like a "gladiator" for nearly 6 years. Hans was an animal lover to his core. He was 'guarded' at home by his three cats, Black, Orange and Cotton. He also had his Golden Retriever, Honey, to keep him company. Hans enjoyed swimming, biking, gardening, grilling (he had his very own grill!), horseback riding, playing video games, building Legos, and flipping between Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and Animal Planet. Hans loved all members of his family and he was a loyal friend. He had to go through a lot of treatment in his life. But Hans powered through it. His attitude was let's get this done! His motivation was always to get back home, to his family, pets, favorite foods and pool.
12 comments:
I've been checking and checking for news and please know that my thoughts are always with you! The port sounds good, I know it made it easier for my friend Ethan when he was going through lymphoma treatment when we were in college. EXCELLENT news that the relapse is located to that one area in the arm. It sounds like you are in excellent shape to power through the inpatient treatments. And, at the end, Hans will have the best friend in Honey to help him recover at home.
Xoxo
Erin
I've been waiting for your post--sooo glad the MIBG only lit up on the arm. Our thoughts and prayers are with your sweet family!! Lara, you are such an inspiration, slinging baked goods with a smile like no other to find a cure!! Hope Hans has a comfortable stay, that you are away from the loud beeps of the nursing station, and you have some great projects on Radio Lollypop nights. Be sure to ask Randa for her Jiffy corn casserole recipe--it's sooo good--we've made it twice!! You are an amazing family, we are awed by your posts, and we know that "boo boo" is going to be outta there in no time!!
Sarah Thweatt, John's mom
Lara,
We are praying for your family and for Kevin to get back home quickly. You are an amazing, strong family and we know Hans is getting the best care with you by his side!
Charon Edgington
You are in great hands with Dr. Nuchtern. We love him too!!! He was always soo good with Haleigh and me (ha ha ha). I'm glad to hear the bikes are still making their rounds!! I know Hans is a big boy but maybe you could get a picture of him on one of the bikes?? I would love to have one. I'm still praying for Hans and your family.
I am so glad I got to hug you last night. We are praying for Hans to be healed fully and completely. He is here for a reason and I think it will be great to see exactly what that reason is...finding a cure for NB??? God is good and He will prevail in the end!
We love you!
Kerri
carepage:buddhabelly
Hang in there, dear ones. This little boy is a fighter, and you are all so amazing in how you have dealt with this latest setback. My heart goes out to all of you, big time. Of course I'm praying for him and for a miracle! So glad you're in such good hands at TCH.
Love,
Kim
Thanks for taking the time to keep us all up-to-date. My love, thoughts and prayers will be with you all today!
Aunt Holly
La- just know how much we are thinking about all of you and keeping our fingers crossed that this goes quickly and well for Hansie. Love, p.l.
I am Michael Susterich's daughter and Holly let me know what was going on. I wanted you to know that you guys are in my prayers and thoughts and I look forward to the 'good news' updates to come.
Lisa Alexander
Love you all. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
The Seldens
I hope you are finding plenty to keep Hans entertained while in-patient. I'll bet Honey is really missing him.
VB
erinbuenger.blogspot.com
I guess there's a positive side to everything so we're very glad to hear that things seem to be isolated in the one place. You are in the best hands to knock the heck out of that boo boo once and for all.
Lara, you know we are always thinking of you and continue to hold you all in our prayers.
Love,
The Zeosky's
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