Oxaliplatin

Well, I sure don't get around to posting much these days, do I?  Sorry - it has been harder to get to my laptop these days.

We were asked to arrive at CHLA Wednesday for a CT, and we were warned there may not be enough stem cells to proceed with our plan.  Long story short, there weren't. We needed 2.0 viable stem cells and we had a mere .8.   We got the CT.  It showed some more progression to the jaw and lung nodules and I think pelvis area:(  Counts are low low low.  This combination of bulky disease plus low counts doesn't give you a lot of really really great options.  But there are options!

Hans is having another concerning symptom of swelling in the feet and legs.  After reviewing the CT, an ultrasound was ordered.  They were concerned about clots.  Poor Hans powered through a two hour ultrasound to all the veins in his legs Wednesday night.  Ultrasound was negative for clots. An MRI was ordered to check for tumor pressing on a blood vessel, affecting blood return.  It never actually happened due to scheduling but it was ordered.  We waited inpatient all day Thursday.   I thought we were going to see the MRI and go from there.
We found out that it wouldn't happen Thursday and I was starting to get worried.  If we had to wait for Friday, what were the chances he could get any radiation on Friday afternoon to help the swelling.  I asked everyone who came through the door to call in a favor with radiology scheduling.  They all looked at me, like, sure Lara.  And then, Dr. Wong just walked through our door.  He announced that he knew where to radiate based on the CT alone.  We could forgo the MRI.  I thought, oh, this is what it feels like to have a hero!  Dr. Wong just opens the door, walks in and saves the day.  He is a really really good guy!  He is pictured above with part of his great XRT team... Anthony, Themonie, Debbie, Dr. Wong, and Alisha:)

Hans got two large doses of radiation to the pelvis on Thursday and Friday.  Friday afternoon our team decided to go ahead and start a new Chemotherapy - Oxaliplatin.  It's new for Hans and has something of a track record against NB. And, most importantly for us right now, it's not too hard on the counts. We were pleasantly surprised that they went with our suggestion of a quickie little chemo infusion and then a discharge on Friday night.  We are home now.  We need a home run with this one.  It has to be the magic bullet, knocking back bulky disease and at the same time allowing counts to come up.  We are on our knees.  Hoping and praying for our special boy.

Meanwhile, we've had a little company.  My friend Perla brought a meal and treat up to us at CHLA.  Uncle Mark, Aunt Debbie and Jessa and Kalene are in town this wknd doing a little spoiling!  And Elle's school is looking out for us.  The counselor, Ms. Antongiovanni, sent over the loveliest meal on Tuesday night.  It was perfect and now one of the other teachers at the school is setting up a Meal Train for us.  You can email me if you'd like Ms. Tiffin's information.  kevinandlara@hotmail.com.  It reminds me of the many fine meals we were treated to by the St. Anne's Society back in TX.