MIBG Negative

But, don't get too excited yet! We understand that about 20% of kids are not MIBG avid. Hans has always been MIBG avid, but it could just be that he is not MIBG avid all of a sudden??? So, the next step is a Bone Biopsy. We have never been through this and we don't know how hard it will be on Hans - they'll try to get him on the schedule for tomorrow.

We had great luck this morning with going for an early test. Not sure if I"m burning all our luck up yet - we'll see.

The Biopsy will take several days for a read - they have to decalcify the bone, and then get some cells on a slide. Possible outcomes include: Neuroblastoma, Infection, Secondary Malignancy, or...nothing (meaning they miss the problem in the biopsy). We were told it was rare, but if nothing comes back on the slide - they'd have to go in and do a more invasive surgical procedure. Wow-what a mess. So, here we sit... if we get in tomorrow, we wait til Monday or Tuesday for results. If we don't, we wait til Monday for the biopsy.

I believe we have a good shot of being sent home tomorrow, so long as Hans tolerates the procedure with no surprises (if we have it)! His arm has declined rapidly this week. He keeps it very stabilized (The MRI did detect a small fracture), and uses it very minimally. However, he has refused pain meds all day, and has only had two oral doses of the stuff since 9pm. Hans is a trip.

Thanks for the prayers. I know a lot of you are very concerned about Hans right now. I'm not sure if this falls into the category of good news, bad news, or odd news. He is being carefully considered. We are wrapping this boy up in all of our love.

Thanks to my girlfriends who sent Michelle down with a special care package today. It was sweet - Hans worked on the Lego Indiana Jones set all day! We have enough quarters for 40 nights in the hospital!!! My gosh, hope we are outta here tomorrow night anyway! Thanks to Mayada and Sarah for popping in on us and for a hug and flowers. It's so endearing to me - Hans has been around here a while now, (3 years to the day since he first hit the 9th floor!) and when the nurses and staff catch wind that he is on the floor, our old friends make their way around to say hi. Our nurse yesterday told me that a newer nurse said, "I'm just gonna have to come and meet this Hans everyone's talking about!"

Good night! Lara