Brody's doctor has received confirmation that Brody does indeed have rhabdomyosarcoma. Brody will begin his new chemo regimen on Monday. The plan is still for Brody to go home tomorrow afternoon and return on Monday for chemo. If Brody does well with the chemo round he should only have to be admitted for 24hrs before returning home to recover. He will take 3 different chemo meds on Monday (vincristine, actinomycin-D and cyclophosphamide). These 3 drugs will be repeated in 3 weeks and Brody will take Vincristine every week. It is expected that he will be doing this for the next year. He will be evaluated at 12 weeks as to whether the tumor is small enough to remove surgically. Chemo will still continue after the surgery (studies show high risk of recurrence even if they think they got it all if they don't do this). Brody will also undergo radiation therapy following surgery to remove tumor. This will occur during weeks 12 through 24. During radiation therapy the actinomycin-D will not be given and MESNA will be given in combo with radiation therapy. After radiation therapy, rounds of vicristine, actinomycin- D, and/or topetecan and cyclophosphamide (with MESNA) will be given for an additional 15 weeks, making the total length of treatment about 40 weeks.
Brody has been diagnosed with intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma. The 5 year survival rate for this risk level following the regimen proposed is 70%.
Brody will of course continue to be evaluated along the way and his treatment plan will be modified to best suit his needs. He is by no means locked into the above described regimen which is the current standard of care for his cancer. I still have many questions especially concerning different options for radiation therapy (IORT vs. external beam for example). I also have several questions regarding stem cell rescue. Harvest his own cells and at what point and whether his cord blood which I saved and have stored in Florida could be used for stem cell rescue. Also, don' t know if they expect he will need stem cell rescue.
Actually, I have many, many more questions. I'll be rather busy this weekend searching answers.
Well, it's 9:00pm. Time to get Geordi and Jaden home and ready for bed. And, finish preparing the house for Brody's return home tomorrow.
So wonderful to hear Brody can go home, even for a short while. I know you guys are just glad to have a (relatively) definitive diagnosis and treatment plan... all subject to change, but comforting just the same. Yea for y'all, and take care. Wade
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful news!!! Hopefully they see a much better response to the chemo (now they know specifically which ones to use to combat that type of tumor) on shrinking that thing so they can get it out. If needed or if it will help I'm with you on the cord blood and stem cells, whatever helps Brody get better safely and faster I'm all for it!!!!! Would do the same for my kids without blinking.
ReplyDelete