Facing Another Setback

After just a few months in remission, we are sad to announce that Jayson's cancer has returned...

On Sunday evening, March 24th, as Jayson laid on the living room sofa, he asked his dad to scratch his back.  Afterwards, my husband began examining Jayson's back for any possible lumps.  He came across one and asked me to take a look at it.  I confirmed that it did feel like the skin nodules that he had when he was first diagnosed.  I then continued to feel around his back and found another smaller lump.

The following morning, we brought him in to see his oncologist to examine the lumps we found.  She said neither of the lumps felt similar to the skin nodules he had before and they were too small to do a biopsy on.  However, she ordered blood to be drawn to check his blood count.  She also ordered a PET Scan which was scheduled for Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday afternoon, his oncologist called with the results of the PET Scan.  The areas where we found the suspicious lumps at did not light up. However, there were 3 hot spots (areas of concern) that did light up on the PET Scan - a lung, a calf and right upper back near his shoulder.  His doctor ordered an MRI of his chest and back for the following morning.  Jayson had plans to go to Disneyland on Thursday with his older sister and some of their friends, so he was very disappointed when he found out he had an appointment for that day. However, I told him that I would take him to Disneyland after the appointment to meet up with his sister and friends.  We expected to be done by 10:30 that morning.

The MRI took a little longer than what we expected.  When he was done, we were told to meet with a pediatric surgeon for a possible biopsy the following day.  The surgeon examined the lump on his back and ordered us to go to get an ultrasound of the back shoulder to give us a better picture of the area.  After the ultrasound, we met with the surgeon once again and she sent us to the complete the paperwork for the surgery which was scheduled for 10:30 on Friday morning.  It was about 2 pm when we left the hospital and we drove straight to Disneyland.

On Friday morning, Jayson was taken to the operating room to get the lump on his back removed.  During the biopsy, Jayson's blood pressure went down and he was given medication to counteract this.  However, after administering this medication, his heartbeat went down dramatically and an EKG was immediately done. A pediatric cardiologist was called in to check Jayson's heart.  I was told that Jayson's body was sensitive to the medication given and had overreacted to it.  The cardiologist confirmed that Jayson's heart was strong enough for them to proceed with the biopsy.  The biopsy was completed  and the sample was sent to Pathology for testing. Jayson was kept overnight for observation and was given antibiotics to prevent an infection.  He was discharged Saturday morning.

On Wednesday evening, April 3rd, one of his doctors called to give us the result of the biopsy.  It was positive for cancer.  Our world was once again turned upside down.  After feeling a sense of normalcy for the past few months, we now have to go through all this again.

His doctor will be scheduling him for another bone marrow biopsy and a CT scan of his head to make sure that the cancer hasn't returned to his bone marrow or spread to his brain.  We anticipate this to be done on Friday, April 5th.  He then needs to get an MRI done this weekend on his leg, the other hot spot on the PET Scan.

Jayson took the news very well, much better than my husband and I.  Instead of us comforting and reassuring him, it was him who was comforting us and telling us that he'll be fine. I was just so amazed at how strong, calm and confident he was - quite the opposite of how I felt at that moment.  But... then again,  I shouldn't be so surprise because Jayson has always had the positive attitude and outlook. We should all learn from him.

So now, we have to face the reality that the cancer is back and Jayson will most likely be going through another round of treatments.  Although the break from the treatments has only been 2.5 months, we are grateful that we had that time to enjoy as much of a normal life as possible.  Jayson was able to return to school and be with his friends.  He also joined a catholic youth group during this time and got a chance to go on a weekend camping retreat with the group.  He's met many new friends and has enjoyed their Friday evening meetings.  It's great to see him so happy, socializing and enjoying life.

We will continue to count our blessings despite this devastating setback and we ask for your prayers for Jayson and our family.  Thank you and God bless you.