The Latest Medical Scoop

This is Christopher in a fire truck at a St. Baldrick's Day in CA. St. Bladrick's is a volunteer driven charity committed to funding research for childhood cancers. Many shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer. For more info on this organization go to http://www.st.baldricks.org Thank you Donna, (Chris' stepmom) for taking Chris and the Ventura County Fire Dept for hooking him up!

Christopher and his great grandfather, Arch Bacon. A classic photo, classy duo!

Nana, aka Sheri, took Chris to his first theatrical experience at the Pantages in LA. A night to remember for both he and his Nana.

Ok now for the scoop.

Before Christopher left for CA he had a chest CT that revealed some suspicious areas, i.e. more lesions on his lungs. He had also decided to stop chemo after 4 rounds (even before the CT), and not continue with the originally planned 6. He was having a rough time with the side effects and was becoming pretty low spirited being in the hospital so much. Not to mention the fact that it appeared the cancer was continuing to spread even during treatment.

He took a much needed break to CA and as you can see from the pictures had a wonderful time visiting with his family and friends out there. He felt great, ate well and enjoyed the break from the usual routine. He managed to get a couple days of shooting in with Grandpa Bill and Grandpa Roy which he loves.

Days after he returned he had his follow up chest CT.

We met with his oncologist and learned that there had been no change to the areas in question. I am taking this as a good thing. Though it was only a month, there still could have been noticeable growth. He will have his full set of scans again in mid June. So we were very happy that there was no talk of surgery-whew! All in all a good report...finally.

Christopher has decided to go with the interferon treatments. Starting next week he will have a sub cutaneous shot once a week for about two years. The first 4 weeks his nurse will administer the shot in clinic. She will show Chris how it is done and after the first month he can do it himself at home. We were told that the kids either have a really bad flu like reaction or they are fine. There is no in between. Should Chris have an adverse effect he will discontinue the interferon and try some sort of alternative treatment. (Thank God!)

Christopher asked if his port could be removed as he made it quite clear that regardless of what any of the other tests reveal there will be no more chemo. So the port will be history in the next couple months.

So that is the latest medical scoop.

Stay tuned for a very exciting "alternative" treatment with my all time favorite mammal!

I contacted an organization called Ocean Guardian and they have been more than kind and willing to help and I am most grateful.

Now take a look at the next blog entry to see what Christopher describes as the best day of his life!

Keep the prayers coming...they are doing wonders!