Beginning of the Ending

All the news thus far...

So, here it is...the last day of our in-patient chemo cycle. It has simultaneously lasted a blink of an eye and an eternity. (Time is a trick like that.)

Next up, we had our consultation yesterday with Dr. Keene (our radiation oncologist at UAB) to set up a "mapping" CT. Basically, they will take intense measurements and make a "mask" to ensure that the radiation only hits the smallest area possible while targeting the tumor on her esophogus/windpipe/aorta. They are hopeful that the tumor is almost non-existent when we begin the radiation and that it's only given as a precaution to avoid recurrence.

The radiation will target the first place the cancer was detected and aim at completely erradicating it. It will remove even microscopic things that can't be detected yet but might still be there. The biggest fear with the type of cancer Elise has is that reoccurance almost always occurs at the original site, so they want to get it out and remove any possibility of that beastie crawling back in there in the future.

The list of things that can happen as side effects and future possible cancers being created by the radiation was extensive and horrifying. (Don't google it. I'm not kidding. You might not sleep at night.) She will also have some permenant lifestyle changes. For example, the radiation will impact her salivary glands, throat, heart, lungs, thyroid, and breasts. She will have to begin having routine breast exams at 25--and not regular mamograms--she will have MRI breast scans every year from 25 years of age forward. Future thyroid problems are the most common with the location and kind of radiation she will receive, so we will keep a close eye on that.

After this horrifying litany of 'what ifs', the conversation ended with me asking if the benefits clearly outweighed the future risks and the doctor replied soundly, without hesitation, that this is absolutely the course of treatment she would use with her own child and no way would she risk the lymphoma coming back over a possible future thyroid issue. So, we are all in.

The actual radiation doesn't hurt at all, it's the side effects because of the location that are scary and truthfully, a little overwhelming.

The schedule thus far:

• Mapping Ct at UAB with Dr. Keene (radiation oncologist) February 5th when her blood counts are back up. This visit determines the length, strength, and duration of her radiation treatment.
• Begin radiation therapy at UAB every day (out patient--we drive back and forth) five days a week. (this falls in the afternoons meaning that I won't even have to miss teaching. And no more overnights in the hospital unless she gets sick.) 
• Pray some more.
• Re-scan. 
• Determine if the whole show is eradicated or if we need more chemo/radiation. 
• While all of the new stuff is going on, we will continue to have Tuesday clinic days at Children's to monitor blood work, heart, lungs, white count, etc. 

If (and this is a huge if) everything pans out like we are hoping and the stars line up correctly, Elise could actually get cleared to go back to school after Spring Break. We are praying to that end. She'd have the last month of her senior year, the play, etc. It's important, so we are asking everyone to join us praying and thanking God for the outcome.

Love,
Charlotte
and the Fun Bus

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Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.