Could Use Some Prayers And Positive Thoughts

Kruz

Kruz

New Member
My brothers only son (Drew 2-1\2 yo) is in Scottish Rite children's hospital, having a lot of tests done to determine what is wrong with him.. Blood\urine test showed he might have Leukemia. so a bone marrow test was done today to confirm this.
the results of this test now point to something worse. Neuroblastoma, which from what I read is not a good thing at all. he will be going through a CT Scan tomorrow to determine the how bad, and how much of the cancer has spread to other organs.
There is a slim chance that it may be something else entirely as more tests are done. (I am praying for this option).
my brother and sisterinlaw are frantic at this stage and could use some good thoughts sent there way.

(I'll keep you updated as I get more info).
 
Kruz

Kruz

New Member
Luis G said:
:(

So young, is there any known factor that could be behind this?
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its very rare, and is there from birth.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, a nerve network throughout the body which carries messages from the brain. (See a picture and description of the sympathetic nervous system on the Dr. Eric Chudler's Neuroscience for Kids pages.) Neuroblastoma is a solid, malignant tumor which manifests as a lump or mass in the abdomen or around the spinal cord in the chest, neck, or pelvis. Neuroblastoma is often present at birth, but is most often diagnosed much later when the child begins to show symptoms of the disease. A condition known as "opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome" can sometimes be a symptom of neuroblastoma. It is bursts of rapid and involuntary, chaotic eye movement in all directions. It's important to note that not all children with this syndrome have neuroblastoma. In the majority of cases (73%), neuroblastoma has already spread to areas outside of the original site at the time of diagnosis.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis of neuroblastoma can be complicated. It has been called the "great masquerader" because its symptoms mimic so many other diseases. Even a pathological study (biopsy) might reveal cells that can resemble other small round blue tumor cells, like lymphomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. Only a pathologist familiar with neuroblastoma can distinguish the difference (and neuroblastoma is rare). Other characteristics of the suspected neuroblastoma cells can be studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. In about 90% of cases of neuroblastoma, elevated levels of catecholamines or its metabolites are found in the urine or blood. Catecholamines and its metabolites include dopamine, homovanillic acid (HVA), and/or vanillylmandelic acid (VMA).
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SouthernN'Proud

SouthernN'Proud

Southern Discomfort
I'll do my part. Cancer is a bitch, one that kids should never have to face.

Hug the parents for me too. They can't be doing well.
 
chcr

chcr

Too cute for words
Yow.

Dara's an oncology nurse but whe won't do pediatrics because it tears her up too much. I hope things take a turn for the better.
 
MrBishop

MrBishop

Well-Known Member
I can send warm thoughts your way, if you'd be so kind as to pass them on. I had a close friend with a kid who went through lymphoblastic leukemia.. not fun, but he pulled through.
 
Mare

Mare

New Member
sending you and yours the healthiest prayers. There is a forum for parents and families, its cancerkids.org, you may want to check it out.
 
Spirit

Spirit

Kissy Goddess
Aw man. Tons of warm and positive thoughts coming to the little guy and his mom and dad and you. God bless.
 
Kruz

Kruz

New Member
*update*
Just got the results of the tests, he Does have Neuroblastoma and it is in stage 4.

Staging

The 'stage' of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread beyond its original site. Knowing the particular type, and the stage, of the cancer helps the doctors to decide on the best treatment for your child.

A commonly used staging system for neuroblastoma is described below:

* Stage 1 The cancer is contained within one area of the body (localised) and there is no evidence of it having spread. It can be completely removed by surgery, or there may be very small (microscopic) amounts of tumour left
* Stage 2A The cancer is localised and has not begun to spread, but cannot be completely removed by surgery
* Stage 2B The cancer is localised and has begun to spread into nearby lymph nodes
* Stage 3 The cancer has spread into surrounding organs and structures, but has not spread to distant areas of the body
* Stage 4 The cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes, bone, bone marrow, liver, skin or other organs
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These will be the treatments he will be getting starting Tuesday.

Chemotherapy

If the tumour has already spread by the time of diagnosis, or is indicated as being high risk by the tumour biology result, intensive chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is usually given as injections and drips (infusions) into a vein. Your child's specialist will discuss with you the type and amount of chemotherapy needed.
High dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue

If the neuroblastoma has spread to several parts of the body, or is high risk, high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue is used.

High doses of chemotherapy 'wipe out' the body's bone marrow (where blood cells are made). To prevent the problems that this causes, stem cells (blood cells at their earliest stages of development) are collected from your child through a drip, before the chemotherapy is given. They are then frozen and stored. After the chemotherapy, the stem cells are given back to your child (again through a drip). The stem cells make their way into the bone marrow where they grow and develop into mature blood cells.
Radiotherapy

If the neuroblastoma has spread to several parts of the body or is high risk, external radiotherapy may be given. This uses high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. External radiotherapy is given from a machine outside of the body. Internal radiotherapy may sometimes be given using radioactive mIBG. Radioactive mIBG is similar to the investigation used to diagnose a neuroblastoma, but uses higher doses of radioactivity to kill the cancer cells.
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we are going back to the Hospital tonight to see the little guy, and the rest of my family is on the way down from Buffalo. My Mom doesnt know the full details yet and it is really going to hit her hard.
I keep telling my brother that Drew is a strong little guy and he will fight it, but we all know poor success rate for this treatment.
 
Spirit

Spirit

Kissy Goddess
I don't even know them and I have tears. Please accept my deepest most humble warm thoughts and wishes for a healthy recovery for Drew.
 
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