Tue, 07 Dec 1999 15:45

Unexpected news

Hello family and friends,

Logan made it through his first week of brain and spine (left brain, right brain, spine) radiation without any major side effects. He has complained of a headache on three different nights; but, so far no nausea or burnt skin. A headache can be normal but also might indicate brain swelling. (The solution for brain swelling would be steroids which we would rather avoid if possible.)

Yesterday, we learned some unexpected news. Basically, his Doctor said that Logan's situation is causing too much of a technical challenge for them. So much so that they will be unable to boost the optic chiasm region in the brain as they had planned to do. (Some one has already spent 20 hours trying to plan this boost). She said that with the boost there was no way to avoid causing great damage to Logan, including blindness. So, they will not be boosting the optic chiasm. The radiation Doctor is greatly disappointed by this situation; but, I don't know whether to jump for joy or to be sad because this is what I have been praying for--for his hypothalamus to be protected. I don't know what God is doing with this one but, it is obvious to me that He is in control.

They will start the 'block' portion of his brain treatment tonight. This is when they radiate the entire brain except they attempt to block out any areas that were previously radiated in September (on the posterior fossa and area where original tumor was located). His doctor said that there is a 5% chance of causing blindness (even without the boost that was cancelled). She showed me the dose distribution on the computer overlayed on his brain. A one millimeter difference (he moves, table moves, mask on incorrectly, etc.) could distribute too much radiation to this sensitive area.

They also planned the 'boost' portion for his spine tumors yesterday in simulation. They will boost these areas with larger amounts of radiation than the rest of the spine in order to target the tumors.

It is now expected that Logan will be completely finished with radiation by Wednesday, December 22, 1999. (This is only 3 1/2 weeks instead of the 6 weeks we were originally told to expect.) Most likely he will be able to begin his bone marrow transplant very shortly after the 22nd. It may be that Christmas 1999 will be spent in the hospital.

Prayer Requests:

We need prayer right now for protection of Logan's eyesight and for minimal/no side effects from the treatment (brain swelling, nausea, skin burning, low blood counts). Also pray for wisdom and good communication for the doctors for the best possible treatment for Logan. Pray that Logan's good cells will be protected (especially his thinking part of his brain) but that the treatment would target and kill all cancer cells/tumors in his body. Continue to pray for good rest, nutrition and health for Logan. Also for the scheduling of family/friends willing to watch Adam for 5 day blocks (M-F) during the transplant from the period of end of December thru February 2000. Also, pray for the scheduling of a few friends/family who will be willing to sit with Logan in the bone marrow transplant unit (a few hours per week) to allow some breaks for me.

Thank you all for praying with us and for your practical offers of help,

Laura

"So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while." 1 Peter 1:6