8 May 2002
Aidan had an MRI scan this afternoon, the results of which will indicate
whether the Topotecan has been effective in combatting the medulloblastoma
cancer cells.
If the results are good, he will remain on the protocol and continue
to receive Topotecan. But .. if the results are not so good, he will most
likely be removed from the protocol and ... we'll cross that hurdle another
day.
- Dad
10 May 2002
No news yet of the MRI from the 8 May or of the CSF flow scan from
17/18 April, although the latter should be in the clear; we would have
heard if results were adverse.
- Dad
14 May 2002
The good, the bad and the ugly ...
The MRI scan revealed tumours that had not diminished, but had in fact
grown marginally larger, although not by a large enough margin to cause
concern (yet).
Aidan will remain on the next stage of the Topotecan protocol, this
time receiving one dose per week for the next four weeks, followed by another
MRI to gauge progress
And so it goes round, just like before.
- Dad
25 May 2002
We had just returned from a screening of Attack
of the Clones when Trish uttered that now familiar litany, "Let's take
your temperature". Aidan registered over 39 degrees (Celcius). Not good.
Trish spoke with a nurse on the ward who made the now familiar request,
"Come in". So it was that Trish and Aidan spent Saturday night at the hospital.
Another child on the same Topotecan protocol as Aidan recently received
an infection in the Ommaya reservoir and/or catheter, requiring it to be
removed, and is now facing the weekly ordeal (IMHO) of a lumber puncture.
- Dad
26 May 2002
A day attached to a drip with anti-biotics has helped somewhat, but
the temperature is still up. Another night on the ward from Aidan and Trish.
- Dad
27 May 2002
Collected Aidan and Trish from hospital. The temperature had dropped
and remained low. Better yet, Aidan was able to spend the remainder of
the day at school.
- Dad
30 May 2002
Aidan left early for school to undertake cross-country running training
with his classmates. He has been chattering about cross-country training
over the months and participated intermittently in training, as hospital
visits permit. Today's practice may placate his mood for the weekly visit
to hospital for another dose of Topotecan, which is also the last of the
weekly visits; he will now be visiting bi-weekly.
- Dad
Last updated: 2-Jun-2002 |