Kenny Update--April 16th

Today was a very busy but great day in Kenny’s cancer battle.

We spent the better part of the day at Riley Hospital downtown having a consultation with Dr. McMullen from the IU Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington, IN. Kenny is eligible for Proton Therapy and we were greatly encouraged by the meeting today. There may be a surgery to de-bulk (remove some of) the tumor and create a space cavity to protect the brain stem and some areas where the optical nerve runs thru. The additional goal would be to focus the radiation to a smaller base tumor. A specialized pediatric surgical group for base of the skull tumors that Dr. McMullen has previously sent patients to will be consulted with over the next few days at Ohio State University. Even if the surgery is not an option Kenny is still eligible for the Proton treatment however the surgery would decrease some high risk factors. There will still be chemo treatments that will need to continue at various stages of this process. There are a lot of items that need to happen over the next few short weeks.

We have been told that Kenny’s tumor and cancer is rare for his age. To put it in perspective this will affect about 50 kids in the US this year whereas there will be about 617 people who will be struck by lightning in the US. Truly there are days when being unique has its drawbacks. The statistical odds for treating the cancer successfully are still the same. Not great but he has a fighting chance and this is one additional treatment option that was not there last week. Fortunately the facility is located just a little over an hour from where we live. The next closest facility is in Pennsylvania.

Kenny has not had a fever as he usually does at this point in time and has been able to stay out of the hospital over the weekend! We know that he had a lighter chemo this last treatment but we are thankful that we have been able to skip one hospitalization this 3 week session. Blood labs were drawn late today and we are expecting that his white cell count to be in a safe range from infection.

Prayer concerns are
Surgical Team at Ohio State University is able to de-bulk the tumor. And I’ll ask for it now - with no side effects.
The “process” of the treatment continues to have God’s timing and we have patience.
As much sleep and rest as possible over the next couple of weeks. I can already see a VERY hectic 3-4 week stretch in the very near future before he will begin proton treatment.

We are thankful for
This additional avenue has been opened up for Kenny.
Those children and their families who have gone thru the Proton Therapy over the last 10 years. Having made this program more successful for us today.
Work has been flexible in my time off.
Your Prayers!

~Ken and Jo~