This whole week has been filled
with tests. On Wednesday the 27th we had a pulmonary function test
and an echocardiogram at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. The
pulmonary function test is meant to test the lungs functions. There are multiple
stages of laborious breathing tests that take up to an hour and a half to
complete. After that we headed over to the Echo test and that is an ultrasound
of the heart. These tests were ordered to test the strength of his lungs and
heart before deciding on a treatment option. The next day Chase had to do a PET
scan of his entire body. This test takes an hour and a half and was extremely
uncomfortable for him. He said he was crammed on a small bed for a long time so
it could take a scan of his whole body. We went to eat Nick’s Gyros while they
burned a disk of the images for us to keep. You’re left in agony waiting when
you leave the hospital after the tests because they don’t tell you anything or
give you any answers. You have to wait to hear it from the oncologist.
The next day (Friday the 29th)
we went to Good Samaritan again for an appointment with Dr. George Bascom to
hear the results of the tests and so he could give you his opinion on the best
treatment option for Chase. He gave us a better description on the cancer Chase
had as well. He was able to walk through the PET scan with us and show us
exactly where the cancer was located.
The exact diagnosis is that he
has Stage 4 B classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Bulky Mediastinal disease with
an International Prognostic Score of 2. The Bulky Mediastinal disease is they
type of disease he has in his chest. It is a 10cm tumor that has grown in his
upper chest cavity. It is putting pressure on his lungs and heart and making it
difficult for him to breathe. He also has the lymphoma in his bones (femur and
spine). He has tumors attaching to the fluid around his heart and throughout
his lungs, neck, legs, arms, and med section. The PET scan was overwhelming. It
looked like there was cancer everywhere! The reassuring part bout the whole thing
is that it is very treatable. The oncologist kept reassuring us that this was a
very treatable disease and the goal is cure!
The treatment option he suggested
for Chase was ABVD chemotherapy followed by radiation once he was in remission.
He was able to prescribe such a harsh yet effective medicine for Chase because
the results from the tests showed his heart to be strong. The only thing he seemed
cautious about was the toll part of the chemo would take on his lungs. ABVD
Chemo is 4 different medicines that they administer throughout the course of
each round of treatment. The A stands for Adriamycin. This drug is very hard on
the heart, but a necessary step in the treatment of his cancer. It can also
have ling term side effects on his heart. This is something they will monitor
closely throughout his treatment. The B stands for Bleomycin, which is very
hard on the lungs. Since his lungs have been very affected by this cancer, they
may have to substitute this part out for a different form of this drug. The V
stands for Vinblastine, which takes a toll on the Veins. The D stands for
Dacarbazine, which affects the bone marrow. All these drugs have potential
short and long-term side effects but may be necessary in the process of getting
rid of this cancer. If we choose to go with this treatment, Chase will loose
his hair and need to have a port put in for administering the drugs. Dr. Bascom
suggests Chase visit with a radiologist because he believes he will need to
follow up the chemotherapy with radiation as well to make sure the
Bulky Mediastinal disease in his chest does not come back. For years
after the cancer is cured he will still need to be monitored.
We
have not started treatment yet because we are going to visit with Dr. Julie
Vose on Monday for her opinion on Chase’s treatment. She is a specialist in
lymphoma and Dr. Bascom informed us “she is the President of the American
Cancer Association and is a celebrity in the world of oncology”. We are anxious
to hear her opinion about Chase’s diagnosis and treatment. We have had all his
records and even his biopsy slides sent to her office so she can review his
files. She will be testing and giving us a second opinion on his diagnosis and
giving us her opinion on a prognosis as well. I’m hoping for a less brutal idea
for treatment that has less potential for long-term side effects but I am open
to hearing her opinion on treatment options for him. She is a specialist and
deals with this type of cancer on a daily basis. We are anxious to meet with
her 1:20 on Monday.
I have felt so comforted lately. I can
feel the Lord’s presence in everything I do. This has really opened my eyes to
see the Holy Spirit moving in my everyday life. In the midst of this horrible
situation I have already seen the Lord’s promises so much.
- Danielle Eilers
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