Saturday, February 27, 2010

Scan Results


Pictured with Lisa today is one of her BFF, Shalie.

Scan results are back. The good news is there has been no progression of the disease on the scans; prayers have been heard. The bad news is....the bone marrow biopsy shows a significant growth in the neuroblastoma cells since January. 80% of Lisa's bone marrow is now full of cancer cells; guess I forgot to add good bone marrow to the prayer list.

So, what does this mean? It means that while the current chemo drugs are helping keep the cancer throughout her body in check, they are doing nothing for the cancer in her bone marrow. (yah, we know, what? how does that work? why isn't it helping the bone marrow? is there a different drug for that?...the questions are endless, the answers are none). Because the current drugs are part of a clinical study, Lisa may no longer be able to receive them because the low response of her bone marrow may make her ineligible for the study. That's unfortunate because she really has been tolerating the drugs well.. Monday we go back and talk with docs about how to proceed.

One option doctors think will be good for Lisa is MIBG therapy. At this time, the clinical studies for this are closed throughout the U.S. but we are hoping the studies will open again in April. While MIBG therapy doesn't cure neuroblastoma, it has been successful in stopping the growth and spread of the disease for a time. 

Knowing the cold hard reality that this awful NEUROBLASTOMA often is the victor in this fight, we are hoping for a miracle and counting our blessings. We are so lucky Lisa is asymptomatic, doing so well and feels so good. We pray that God continues to let her feel well and be happy and gives us the miracle of intervention and returns her to full health.
As always, please keep praying.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You and your family are always in my prayers.

~Gwen

Diane said...

Are grown ups allowed to throw temper tantrums?? Cause I would like scream, jump up and down and shout "unfair"!! Just to get it out of my system and then get on with my positive thoughts for the sweet Princess!

Diane

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that Lisa is doing so well and feels so good.

I'm so sorry to hear about the mixed results. I conintue wiht prayers and sending much positive energy to you all.

You are in our thoughts daily,

Pam and Rick

Anonymous said...

I read this the day you posted it, and have been trying to figure out what to write ever since. What leapt to mind wasn't what I would call "helpful" commentary for sharing with you. I will continue to send you all the love and healing energy I can summon every day. You're all in my heart and thoughts.

Lynn Zott