Chemo - Week 26 (HALF WAY!!!!!)

May 26th Update:

Today Isaac is HALF WAY through his chemo treatment!!!  Week #26 was this morning, in addition to his monthly antibiotic, so a slightly longer appointment but Isaac had fun with all his hospital pals (aka: nurses, doctors and child life specialist). 

Although we've been on this journey for more than a year, we feel blessed that Isaac is continuing to progress and do well. We realize God didn't have to spare our son but yet he did and we are so grateful. Can't imagine our lives without this little guy.  Even though our lives have changed dramatically we wouldn't have it any other way. 

26 more weeks until the end of chemo!!! Bring it on!!

Chemo - Week 25

May 19th Update:

Isaac is at week 25 for chemo today.  Unfortunately mom misplaced his port cream in the big move to our new house this past weekend.  So when i went to get Isaac ready for his appointment his cream was no where to be found. 😕 so we had to come to the hospital 30 minutes early and get cream on his port here. But bonus for Isaac, this meant he got to spend 30 minutes playing in the hospital play room while the cream worked it's numbing powers. 😉

He played swords with the child life specialist while getting checked out and at the end of his appointment he got a brand new light saber.

Chemo - Week 24

May 12th Update:

Forgot to post but iz had his week 24 chemo treatment last Thursday. He received a gift from an awesome organization. Since Isaac's diagnosis, we've discovered so many terrific groups and organization that blesses kids like Isaac and families like ours. We are so grateful!

MRI Results

May 11th Update:

Isaac's most recent scans showed his brain tumor to be STABLE in size (which is the goal). 😊 We also got additional good news... The enhancement on the images was less which means that his tumor is "less active"! This was great news! Praise God! I didn't even know that tumors had "activity" but less is exactly what we want.  I asked the oncologist whether less active meant the tumor was dying.  She said it doesn't necessarily mean that but that definitely could be a possible reason to why it's less active. So that is what I'm going to pray for... A dying tumor!!! Wouldn't that be amazing!

Here's a little video when Isaac woke up from sedation:

MRI and Chemo - Week 23

Update:

The MRI went well today. However we had a slight hiccup as Isaac woke up with a fever this morning. Luckily we still were able to do the procedures planned but Isaac was a little crankier during it all. 😕

We are back home now in Des Moines but Isaac still has a high fever. Unfortunately he doesn't take medicine well so we've yet to get rid of it. I'm praying he sleeps it off. His blood was cultured at Iowa this morning so we should get results back tomorrow but praying it's just a virus.  Poor little guy can't catch a break. But he's been such a trooper today. I'm thankful i get to be his mommy even if he comes with a little extra work (it's always with it) 😊.  Appreciate your prayers!

May 5th Update:

Nick and I will be traveling to Iowa City with Isaac for his next MRI and chemo treatment.  It’s been 3 months since his last MRI and so we are due for new scans.  As for chemo, it will be his 23^rd.  This is the first time we are going back to the U of I since we’ve transferred to Blanks in Des Moines.  I am kind of excited to go back and see the familiar faces of our beloved nurses and doctors there.  J  With that said, I am not necessarily looking forward to the full day of appointments. 

We are scheduled to arrive at 10am for his port access.  Then we’ll head down to imaging at 11 and his MRIs should begin at noon.  Unfortunately we got the later time slot which will be “interesting” as Isaac won’t be able to eat or drink anything prior.  :-(  It always kills me to have to tell him he can’t have breakfast or a drink before these procedures.  It sure is hard to explain to a 2 year old…  Hoping and praying he will just miraculously not be hungry tomorrow morning.  ;-)

After the MRIs are complete and Isaac wakes up from sedation we will meet with a few doctors (oncologist and radiologists) and then lastly Isaac will receive his chemo.  I imagine it will be a very long day but I am thankful Nick will be with me this time. 

We’d appreciate your prayers as we travel to Iowa City, and Isaac undergoes yet another MRI.  We are truly thankful for the support shown for our brave little guy. 

Faith,

It does not make things easy,

It makes them possible