Moving Forward

Six a.m. came really early for Brendan this morning.  We knew it would.  But we were glad that the Huntsman worked Brendan's radiation in on Monday so we could see if he could get some pain relief.  Last week, in the Emergency Department, Brendan told me he didn't think he could take the pain anymore.  So we asked if they could start his radiation earlier than Tuesday, and they put him on the Monday to Friday schedule.

Shaun was on top of things this morning.  Before we got Brendan up, Shaun had warm rice bags, Norman (his bear), and his blankets all ready to go in the car for the drive to Salt Lake.

Brendan is walking better, but it is still difficult for him to put weight on his hips and legs.

Brendan still wasn't happy at radiation.

Today Brendan was assigned to Vault 3 (the same vault he had last time), but it was a new team working in the vault.  They are radiating Brendan's entire pelvic girdle as well as his upper femur on his right leg.  Since last week, his left hip has begun giving him trouble too.  Lying on the hard table was difficult for Brendan since he had to hold still for so long.  Both the "dress rehearsal" and the actual radiation took place today.  Tomorrow, it should only take 10 minutes for radiation since everything is ready to go now.

After radiation, Brendan hung out at Uncle Sheldon's until it was time to leave for his clinic appointment.  Brendan tried to avoid getting up and said he wanted to see his dad and uncle arm wrestle first.  They obliged.

But then it was time to go. . .

At Primary Children's Hospital, we met Ashley (Brendan's Wish Granter).

She had a fun surprise in store for Brendan.

 Ashley made arrangements for Cosmo (BYU mascot) to come visit Brendan during his clinic appointment.  Brendan was very surprised and very happy!

After Cosmo came, there was nothing too exciting, so Brendan slept through most of the discussion Shaun and I had with the doctors.

 There wasn't much new that we were told.  We talked more with the doctors about "Phase I" trials and the pros and cons of joining experimental treatments.  We also discussed an MIGB scan, which might be used on Brendan if the dye tests show his estesioneuroblastoma cells can uptake the radioactive dye.  The dye can then target specific cancer cells.  (This scan is used on high risk neuroblastoma treatment plans.)  The question is -- are the two cancers (which are distant relatives) enough alike?  We will test him in the next few weeks to see.

The third thing we talked about was some DNA type testing to determine molecular structure of the tumor cells.  Then, they try a combination of several drugs together that impede the cell cycles.  The drawback on this is that they need a substantial tumor sample which would have to come from an untreated (no radiation) part of his bone and would require another bone biopsy.  All things to consider --

Before we left clinic, Brendan's feeding tube was pulled out and a new one inserted.  His sodium was checked -- 139, a good number.  Then his port was de-accessed and we were ready to head out of there.  After a long day, Brendan was glad to get back to Uncle Sheldon and Aunt Angie's house to play with Zoe and his cousins.  Brendan continues to improve and was willing to walk a little bit to make it in and out of his wheelchair.  He even said he felt like the radiation to his hips was already working.

Overall, today Brendan made some good progress.  We hope the radiation to his hips is effective in killing enough cancer cells to give him substantial pain relief and to strengthen the bone.  Brendan is beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, he will be well enough to go on his Wish Trip.