Well there is good news and bad news. Good news is that radiation seems to have shrunk the new, high-grade tumor. The low grade tumor does not show response yet and won't for several months, being low grade and all. The bad news is that since the second tumor has now grown quickly and responded quickly, it is most likely a terminal high grade astrocytoma. There is stil hope though. There are survivors of high grade astrocytomas with atypical tumors and so far Alex's second tumor is quite atypical.
Right now all we can do is wait and see. Normally a high grade astrocytoma will reappear and become untreatable within 2 to 3 years. So, as Steve puts it, if Alex can make it for three years he's cured! Then we only have to worry about the low-grade tumor reappearing over the next 20 years.
Somehow there has to be good news in there somewhere. Basically, we'll be dealing with this stuff for the rest of Alex's life. The next step is to have another MRI in 12 weeks, so late August, right before school starts. In the meantime, Alex has to get off the steroids and recover from radiation. It is highly likely that within six weeks he will be sleeping 14 or more hours a day. Then we will have a period, no telling how long, when Alex will start to feel better (hopefully). We hope to take a quiet, family vacation somewhere at that time. We'll just have to see.
Okay, that's it. Alex is sleeping and we are trying to get Zoe down. Rest is needed, this is exhausting.
God bless.
G
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2 comments:
Gwen,
I am teary eyed as I write, because I am so, so thankful that the radiation has worked at undoing the second tumor. This is great news, at least for the short-term, and for right now you can at least focus on helping Alex regain some strength and normalcy after the steroids and radiation. I look forward to reading blogs on Alex playing in the sprinklers, going swimming, and enjoying life as every 4-year old should.
Here's hoping that the rest of your day is restful!
~Annie
Gwen,
thank you so much for being diligent at updating the blog! I've been waiting to send out the report to all our friends that are consistently praying for quick healing for Alex and rest for you and Steve. God is good and he will provide.
Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Sara
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