Not A Happy Read...Again
Category: Life
Two weeks ago we got the results back from Darrel's batch on scans done in
mid-April. After all that he, and the rest of us, have been through, you'd
think that maybe we could be given some good news...but this was not the case
again! The December and January scans had shown that the cancer was still
growing, despite all the procedures that had been attempted. In March, Darrel
began taking a low dose chemo pill, as he could not handle a full I.V. round,
due to everything else that had happened (other blogs deal with this is more
detail). Although it zapped his energy from time to time, he seemed to be
handling it pretty well. Of course, this added to the utter dismay when Sick
Kids called with the results. Not only was there further "progressive" growth,
but new spots had formed up by his neck, and along his spine.
Given the devastating findings, and the fact that the chemo was having no
effect at all, we were given only two options: a) enroll him in any number of
experimental treatments; or b) keep him comfortable at home. Neither option
offers anything of hope or substance for Darrel for the long term. We have
been dealing with this for almost two years now, and though I don't want to say
there is nothing more we can do for him, regardless, that is the reality of the
situation at this time. An adult, under certain circumstances, could come to
the conclusion that helping to move cancer research along by being part of
these studies is a noble and selfless act and way to conclude their lives...but
we will not ask a 6 year old boy, who just wants to play every chance he has to
spend the rest of his life stuck in a hospital, being an over-glorified lab
rat! Any of the studies would have involved non-stop trips to Toronto, and
enough testing to drive anyone insane. The information and data would no doubt
be of possible benefit to someone down the road, but only more pain and
suffering for Darrel.
While it isn't proper to say it, our decision to keep him at home was made
a bit easier by what another boy we often seen at the hospital in Toronto had
been put through. "Adam", who also had neuroblastoma, had been continually
under-going more chemo for nearly five years. The drugs were keeping him
alive, but was it a Life? The chemo was slowing down the rate of the cancer
spreading, but it was at the same time ravaging the rest of his body. He was
nearly blind and deaf, and stuck in a wheel-chair, as he had broken a leg a few
years previous, and his body as not strong enough to heal itself. Many times I
had wondered how his parents could have allowed this to go on for so long, but
the thoughts change drastically when it is your child. Seeing what may and
probably would lie ahead for my son if we went that route, keeping him at home
seemed the much better of the two most unpleasant options presented to us.
The hospital has not given us a time-frame yet. I'm not really sure it
have that information would make things any easier or not. We have tried to
explain the situation to Darrel and the girls, but I don't think they really
understand, but I don't think I really comprehend everything myself either.
Darrel will be having his 7th birthday on May 26th. We are hoping to take him
to the Zoo and Canada's Wonderland if/when his health and the weather permit.
He is now deciding what he wants for his birthday, and what to ask Santa for at
Christmas. Hopefully, he will be able to get all his wishes for both, and be
able to have lots of time to enjoy the presents
Category: Life
Two weeks ago we got the results back from Darrel's batch on scans done in
mid-April. After all that he, and the rest of us, have been through, you'd
think that maybe we could be given some good news...but this was not the case
again! The December and January scans had shown that the cancer was still
growing, despite all the procedures that had been attempted. In March, Darrel
began taking a low dose chemo pill, as he could not handle a full I.V. round,
due to everything else that had happened (other blogs deal with this is more
detail). Although it zapped his energy from time to time, he seemed to be
handling it pretty well. Of course, this added to the utter dismay when Sick
Kids called with the results. Not only was there further "progressive" growth,
but new spots had formed up by his neck, and along his spine.
Given the devastating findings, and the fact that the chemo was having no
effect at all, we were given only two options: a) enroll him in any number of
experimental treatments; or b) keep him comfortable at home. Neither option
offers anything of hope or substance for Darrel for the long term. We have
been dealing with this for almost two years now, and though I don't want to say
there is nothing more we can do for him, regardless, that is the reality of the
situation at this time. An adult, under certain circumstances, could come to
the conclusion that helping to move cancer research along by being part of
these studies is a noble and selfless act and way to conclude their lives...but
we will not ask a 6 year old boy, who just wants to play every chance he has to
spend the rest of his life stuck in a hospital, being an over-glorified lab
rat! Any of the studies would have involved non-stop trips to Toronto, and
enough testing to drive anyone insane. The information and data would no doubt
be of possible benefit to someone down the road, but only more pain and
suffering for Darrel.
While it isn't proper to say it, our decision to keep him at home was made
a bit easier by what another boy we often seen at the hospital in Toronto had
been put through. "Adam", who also had neuroblastoma, had been continually
under-going more chemo for nearly five years. The drugs were keeping him
alive, but was it a Life? The chemo was slowing down the rate of the cancer
spreading, but it was at the same time ravaging the rest of his body. He was
nearly blind and deaf, and stuck in a wheel-chair, as he had broken a leg a few
years previous, and his body as not strong enough to heal itself. Many times I
had wondered how his parents could have allowed this to go on for so long, but
the thoughts change drastically when it is your child. Seeing what may and
probably would lie ahead for my son if we went that route, keeping him at home
seemed the much better of the two most unpleasant options presented to us.
The hospital has not given us a time-frame yet. I'm not really sure it
have that information would make things any easier or not. We have tried to
explain the situation to Darrel and the girls, but I don't think they really
understand, but I don't think I really comprehend everything myself either.
Darrel will be having his 7th birthday on May 26th. We are hoping to take him
to the Zoo and Canada's Wonderland if/when his health and the weather permit.
He is now deciding what he wants for his birthday, and what to ask Santa for at
Christmas. Hopefully, he will be able to get all his wishes for both, and be
able to have lots of time to enjoy the presents
RSS Feed
