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| Image from "The secret to finding miracles where you least expect them" |
The MRI was completed under sedation on March 7. The radiologist used the findings from this MRI, the aborted attempt in February (when we had to call a halt because Tom was in too much pain), the CT in January and compared all this data to the scans taken last May
There's still so much medical jargon I don't understand, but the essential gist of it is there is very little change since May 2011. The tumor on the right femur has only grown by 4 mm (about the width of a CD case).
The radiologist felt that the activity that they were picking up on March's scans was more to do with red marrow reconversion than with a malignant infiltration.
From what I can understand from my online searches our bone marrow gradually converts as we age, changing from red to yellow. However, under some conditions, it will reconvert back to red - conditions where the body and the bone marrow are put under so much stress i.e., cancer treatment, GCSF injections, high dose chemo and stem cell rescue, etc., etc.
Tom's Dr. has talked to an adult sarcoma oncologist in Calgary, who unfortunately has not identified alternative possibilities for treatment. He will now discuss with Edmonton, and see if there are any leads.
In the meanwhile, Tom continues to take one class at Luther, and pool therapy. He has recently been able to move his left knee for the first time in months, and regained some movement in his right foot.
The CT and the MRI's done this year reconfirm the extensive bone damage caused by the treatment and a lack of blood supply to the bone, not to mention the cancer itself. So the increase in movement doesn't necessarily mean he will regain the use of his legs, but it is an encouraging sign!
Our oncologist feels this is not technically a remission, because Tom still has cancer. For lack of a better word, he would call it a miracle.
And even though I am an analytical type of gal, I am A-O.K. with a fuzzy word like "miracle". But, considering Tom has had no official treatment since April 7, 2011 - almost a year ago - and that we already were forced to contemplate the very real possibility of his death... well, let's just say, I have become much more comfortable with fuzzy concepts.
Although it seems illogical to even dare to hope that Tom will regain his ability to walk, complete his education and live a 'normal' life, we are daring to entertain that crazy hope. Let's face it, even the fact that he is ALIVE is illogical, according to the doctors!
Maybe the only logical conclusion is illogical: miracles are possible!
So maybe we need to be a little less logical and a little more trusting, a little more ready to believe that miracles - big and small - are all around us. I know we have seen so much kindness and generosity throughout this journey that we have felt surrounded by the protection of God's blessings. So thank you all for that, and for continuing to support us and check in on us. Your friendship means a lot to us.
Praying for continued miracles,
Thomas' Mom
