MRI Results:
Overall Isaac's MRI results are good. His tumor is stable, which is great! There is one area that we need to investigate further as there was some changes/slight growth. It may be a cyst or it may be post treatment changes, TBD still. With that said we have to go back for another MRI in another 4 months to make sure this area hasn't grown any more due to the vital location.
But like I said overall we are very thankful. Thanks for praying.
Isaac's oncologist was happy with results as well but thought it best if one of the neuro surgeons at Iowa also reviewed Isaac's MRI scans (because of the pain he was feeling in his neck was still not explained). So on Wednesday I got a call from the U asking us to come back the following day for a CT scan and Xrays. So back to Iowa we went on Thursday. Side note, we are so blessed to now live closer to Iowa City, it made the last minute trip a lot easier. My mom was able to meet us there to help with the girls while Isaac had the appointments (it takes a village, and we ate so grateful for our families to always step in and help). After his 2 tests we met with a neuro surgeon who reviewed everything with us. Nick and I were thinking this meeting would last only a few minutes but we probably spent close to an hour with this guy and learned a lot.
Long story short, we discovered that Isaac has 2 vertebrae that have been fused together. Also when Isaac had that brain surgery (~5yrs ago) they had to remove 1 and 1/2 vertebrae and remove a portion of the skull bone (just as a point of entrance to do the surgery). Anyways, the combination of this along with the location of his tumor (being not only on the brain stem but also in the spinal cord) makes it more dangerous for Isaac to get seriously injured in this area. So the doctor told us we needed to restrict Isaac from a number of sports and activities. Examples are no wrestling, no football, no trampolines, no rollercoasters, no cartwheels, and no ninja class.
This was pretty hard news to break to Isaac. He had to quit his ninja warrior class that he's been doing for the past 7ish months (and absolutely loves). We told him he can no longer do trampolines. This was also pretty upsetting as we have one in our backyard. We have yet to explain all the ramifications. His little heart could only take so much. There were a lot of tears that night. But we know Isaac will find new passions and we just need to explore different types of sports and activities. We are thankful that we discovered this before something happened.
Because of Isaac's unique situation the doctor wanted Isaac to come back every 6 months for Xrays.
Nov 12 Update
Isaac is scheduled for another MRI on Tuesday, Nov 12th. Orginally he wasn't due for one until January; however, we are proactively moving it up 2 months as Isaac had been complaining of neck pain the past few weeks. After mentioning it to Isaac's oncologist at Iowa she thought it's best if we get it checked out sooner than later. Nick and I agreed so here we are.
With Isaac's tumor located on the brain stem/spinal cord we have to be hypersensitive to any new aches and pains in this region. We are desperately hoping and praying that it's nothing but regardless we know that God is good and we are trusting Him in this. As always appreciate your prayers.
This picture was taken a week ago when we visited the St Louis Zoo. Isaac was enjoying a fancy Hot Chocolate 😊
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