Half Way Done

Before Round One of Chemo (Left and Right Eye).






After Round one of chemo (Left eye).




After second round of chemo (Left and Right eye). At the front of the left eye is some pigment and scar tissue, it is not a tumor. The tumor is a small faint line at the back of the scar tissue.







Drew has successfully completed his third round of chemo. It has been a long couple of days, but we have received good news that gives us the energy to keep pushing forward. The ear tube went in with no complications, hopefully preventing future painful ear infections. The best news - The chemo is working its magic. Dr. Olson, who is very cautious about giving optimistic news, was very happy with the effect the chemo is having on the tumors. One of the tumors in the right eye is gone and the other appears to be dormant. Dr. Olson will watch the dormant tumor for any activity over the next three rounds. Even better news in the left eye. The tumors have shrunk drastically again. The one tumor with vitreous seeding has not expanded. Dr. Olson thinks it is in fact regressing some. This is the area of highest risk for saving the eye. After round one of chemo Dr. Olson thought there was a 40% chance of saving the eye. He now feels there is a 70% chance of saving the left eye. He will watch the vitreous seeding closing over the next three rounds. Our hope is that is continues to regress. We couldn't ask for better news from this round. It has really given us the strength to get through this round of chemo.

Chemo days are long for us, and we are very exhausted. Let's just say we had some very interesting roommates this round. Quiet is not a word I would use to describe them, in fact it would be more like
obnoxious. Due to their confusion if it was a party house or a hospital, Drew did not get a lot of sleep last night. I was very close to giving some parenting and quiet voice lessons. Tony was sure I would have had them thrown out by morning. For those of you who know me, you understand the amount of strength it took to "bite my tongue". Maybe this experience is mellowing be a little bit.

All in all it was a successful round. Drew's eyes are a little puffy from the freezing and lasering, but he is in good spirits. We are starting some pain medication tomorrow and shots for the white counts. Tony and I were trained in the shots today, and feel confident they will help Drew feel better. Hopefully the pain medication will minimize the jaw/bone pain from the vincristine. We will wait and see. If Drew is still feeling good on Sunday, we will be in good shape. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for him.