A Tough Week of Bad News

We met with Dr. Zuckerman Tuesday morning before Zach's fourth round.  It has become increasingly difficult for Zach to swallow anything--even liquids.  Dr. Zuckerman decided it was time to do an endoscopy.  There were 2 scenarios--either the chemo was irritating the esophagus or the tumor had mutated and continued to grow in spite of the chemo.  Our appointment was set for Wednesday afternoon.  

I woke up exhausted Wednesday morning.  Neither Zach nor I could fall asleep Tuesday night.  Once I did manage to fall asleep a certain 5-month old (the guilty shall remain nameless) fussed most of the night.  Some mornings there just isn't enough coffee.  I had nearly talked myself out of going to bible study and talked myself into going to the gym instead.  I hadn't touched the week's lessons and I wasn't sure what good going would do for me.  After the week's events though I know realize what a mistake it would have been had I gone to the gym!  Today's lesson touched on Hebrew 11--faith in action.  "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1)  Has God ever knocked you over the head?  It feels a lot like a 2 x 4 and serves as a good reminder why making Him a priority is necessary when there are weeks like this one.

Wednesday's last minute endoscopy appointment couldn't have come at a worse day or time because I had already committed to teach a class at Skyview High School in the afternoon.  We are grateful to family and friends who pitched in to watch the boys and drive Zach to the hospital.  Due to miscommunication Zach arrived at his appointment late.  But that allowed me to get from Nampa to Boise just as the doctor began talking to Zach about the procedure.  Sadly the procedure found that the tumor in his esophagus has grown quite a bit and is now blocking 80% of the passageway. We decided not to make a decision regarding placement of a stent or a feeding tube Wednesday. We came home and tried to make sense of what we had just learned. 

Dr. Zuckerman called us first thing Thursday morning. By 10:00 we were at MSTI actively planning for radiation. The radiation will (hopefully) shrink the esophageal tumor. Zach will go in every day for 3 weeks of radiation. Dr. Kuhn, our radiation oncologist will then rescan to monitor how the tumor is responding.  Zach's body was "mapped" out today using a CT scan to prepare for the radiation.  3 weeks of daily radiation begins Friday.  Once the chemoball is removed Saturday I think that chemo will be put on the back burner for awhile.  

A PET scan is scheduled Friday morning and we will meet with Dr. Kuhn on Monday to get the results.  This scan is the one we have been waiting for!  It was originally scheduled for April but with the growth of the tumor it has been pushed up.   We will know if the lymph nodes have responded to the chemo or if there is a systematic problem. Obviously there is concern because the esophageal tumor has grown and the cancer might have spread beyond the lymph nodes as well.  It might be a long weekend not knowing!  I'm sure March Madness will help keep us busy :)

Zach has lost a significant amount of weight in the last 3 weeks.  The decision has been made to insert a feeding tube. This is pretty demoralizing for Zach but he understands the need.  The tube will likely be inserted Friday after radiation.  In typical dramatic and ironic fashion, Zach cracked a molar on a soft piece of food today at lunch.  We wrapped the molar up in a napkin and visited the dentist after Zach's MRI and a long day of (mostly) bad news.  I just have to laugh at that one!  

Our good news is that Zach continues to have a "beautiful and cancer-free brain"--those words coming from Dr. Kuhn. We are thankful for this news!  

 Game On!

 Zach after his endoscopy on Wednesday.

Thursday's CT scan to "map" out Zach's body for the radiation treatment.

 We can't end on a sad note!  I always wanted a thumb-sucker because they're so cute!  Remind me I said this when he's 5 and we are pinning socks to his hands at night.  

In closing, we remain hopeful and faithful regardless of what happens.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support.