Kenny Update--April 12th

Kenny, Jo and I meet with Dr. Lazarus this morning and had a long conversation on the results of yesterday's medical panel review. It was a blunt and honest conversation that we can wrap our minds around.

Kenny's tumor has grown between MRI images BUT he has clinically shown signs of improvement. I.E. - the double vision, eye movement and headaches are not an issue as they had been. The seizures have not returned since he has started medication. There is a possibility that the tumor grew before the 1st chemo session took hold and the latest MRI was performed. The MRI does not show the health of the mass, just that it is there. All agree that the 2 statements - increased tumor size but clinical improvement do not line up.

He has a stage 3 high grade tumor at the base of the skull. There are 4 options that are on the table today based on the medical board review.

1. Continue the current chemo treatments for an additional 3 - 3 week session. Followed by an MRI and re-evaluation.
2. Change the chemo treatments for a 3 - 3 week session. Followed by an MRI and re-evaluation.
3. Surgery and Radiation. The panel advised against both of these options as they believe the risk outweighs any possible benefit. There is a surgeon in Ohio that will perform very aggressive types of surgery that we can be referenced to should we choose. Normal and gamma radiation was not advised due to the tumor location and pervious radiation therapy he had. Should the tumor shrink then this option will be revisited. One additional medical panel has been scheduled to review proton radiation therapy that is being performed in another city.
4. Withdraw all further treatment and have hospice called in. This will give him an estimated 6 - 12 months at his current state.

Kenny, Jo and I sat down and discussed each of the options that are available and agreed that we will continue with the current chemo treatment for the next 9 weeks to determine if he shows any additional improvement. Again Kenny cannot do things the easy way. The doctor said that he has the rarest of rare type if tumor for his age. The statistical data is almost nonexistent but at the high end is roughly a 20 percent survival rate.

Kenny had blood labs drawn today and while is cell count is low, it is high enough that he MIGHT be able to skip a hospitalization this weekend. He did have a blood transfusion today and is looking better than he did this morning.

We are praying and waiting for what God has in store for us. Each day is a gift.

Prayer concerns are
Kenny’s cell count continue to increase rapidly from his last chemo session and we can skip a hospital stay
Wise counsel and decisions are made on Kenny’s behalf
Kenny continues to show improvement

Thank you for your prayers! This is difficult enough to go thru as a Christian and with the family of God surrounding us. How non-Christians deal with this storm of life we will never understand.
 

~Ken and Jo~