Updates (Oct 30-Nov 5)
Sunday (10/30) – Dave exercised his Super Dad muscles, and managed to get Ian and the next six children to church while I had Little Faith with me at a conference out east (Pennsylvania). Things went well, and I kept in touch throughout the day (texting, love my smart phone!) as I was traveling home with a friend. It was hard, in many ways, to be away from home for the weekend, but it was also so very refreshing for me to have that time.
Monday (10/31) - We drove down to Children’s in Mpls this afternoon to meet with his main doc (pediatric oncologist) and to have a Physical Therapy evaluation. The evaluation went well. The team in Mpls is pretty excited to see how much progress Ian made during our time in Indiana! Ian’s physical strength is almost back to his normal. When tested before leaving Indiana, his grip strength was just below average, so the plan now is to focus more on balance and coordination (though if I know our Ian, he will still be working hard to bring his strength past that average mark!)
We’re thinking that we’ll be able to get in all of his rehab therapies at a facility close to home, so that will save a lot of time and gas, especially considering that we’ll be going in 3 times a week for the foreseeable future. I’m really hoping that all works out and that everything goes smoothly with our insurance coverage.
I ended up talking to his oncologist for just over 2 hours! (End of the business-day appointments are great for that…) We discussed a possible alternative chemo protocol which is a bit shorter, but it is also more intense, including multiple stem-cell transplants and more physical down-time and more hospital stays. We opted for the Children’s Oncology Group’s maintenance chemo course, and discussed the medications involved and the things that need to happen in the next couple weeks before Ian starts Round 1 (of 9).
In addition to his Physical Therapy evaluation, he’ll be having Speech and Occupational Therapy evaluations, a special hearing test, a thorough eye exam (he still has double vision), a swallow study, a neuro-psych evaluation, a kidney function test, it seems like more, I don’t remember, I’ll have to check my lists, before he goes in for his first maintenance chemo hospital stay on the 16th.
Tuesday (11/1) -We made it back to our homeschool co-op today! It was so wonderful to reconnect with so many old friends, many of whom we hadn’t seen since we last got together in May. So much has changed since then… I was probably more nervous about things than Ian. I wasn’t sure how it would go, how it would affect his friends, seeing him so changed, but they’re all such good kids, and it all went fine, and I’m just so thankful for such good friends for all of my children!
I got a call from Children’s, to schedule Ian’s next scans. He’ll be having MRIs of his brain and entire spine, which will take about 2 hrs, next Tuesday.
***Please pray for CLEAR scans!!!***
Wednesday (11/2) -
Thursday (11/3) -
Friday (11/6) -
I want to thank everyone again for your thoughts & prayers!
This very hard, very long journey has NOT been a lonely one. Your thoughtful comments, e-mails, cards, and letters have meant so much! This world, that can seem so big and cold at times, has become so small, cozy, warm, and friendly for us, and we’re so grateful.
Thanking Him, for all of you!
I’ll keep adding to this post throughout the week, check back for the latest update…
Ian’s cancer story and updates
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So glad to hear that Ian is doing well! Continuing to pray for him and will be praying for clear scans.
God bless,
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