Doors Open

Today Jon went to Kaiser Sunset and gathered his pathology report and other diagnostic results and delivered them to pediatric oncology at LA's Children's Hospital (on foot)! He scheduled an appointment with Dr. Muscheranas tomorrow. This consult/second opinion is an out of pocket expense but well worth it....Jon brought home a copy of his pathology report which states at the end of the report, "THANK YOU FOR SENDING THIS INTERESTING CASE IN CONSULTATION". Gotta love being a lab rat! The biggest blessing today came from Dr. Ruby Kalra. Dr. Ruby used to work with Dr. M (mentioned above) and happens to be good friends with our nearest and dearest, Rachel McIntyre. Dr. Ruby sat on our couch for an hour while Rachel entertained the kids in the yard and discussed the treatment protocol. We learned a ton and got a glimpse of what this "Ironman" is going to look like. Here are a few details: 1. Jon is being staged. He will have a PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy Wednesday. As my sister has always said (TNM)-tumor, nodes, metastasis....These tests will determine if/where the Rhabdo cells are hanging out..... 2. He will meet with Dr. P (Chemotherapy) on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss the treatment options. 3. It looks like surgery (resection) will be first. Chemo will follow...Again, this depends on the consult with Dr. M and the other oncological surgeons. 4. Dr. Ruby has worked with Rhabdo. She presumes Jon will have roughly one year of chemo in three week cycles. Chemo lasts a week....he hits bottom at ten days...and then gradually rebuilds bone marrow; and just when he is feeling good, bam--the cycle begins again. I was reminded of the Ironman Jon and I "fought" in 2008. Standing on the beach at 5am getting ready for the 2.4 mile swim/112 mile bike/26.2 mile run...one can't think beyond the first mile of the ocean swim...it is TOO much. All that said, it was helpful to get a glimpse of the this mountain's height. We learned that even after the tumor is resected, Rhabdo cells may be hiding out anywhere in Jon's body--this is why they use chemo to "mop up the mess". Radiation might also play a role.... Our dear friends, the Ateeks, also set up a fundraising site to help us manage the extra financial expenses this journey will demand. We are so grateful. Caleb and Josiah are doing well. We explained to Caleb that there are cells (cancer) in daddy's body that want to take over. Daddy will need strong medicine to stop these cells from spreading. The medicine "may" make daddy sick, but it will eventually make daddy stronger.