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Erik Ludwinski Mary and Erik playing Bomber Man after a roast beef and mashed potatoes dinner!
PLEASE SEE ERIK'S NEW SITE! www.caringbridge.org/visit/erikludwinski
You can sign up for email updates....and see more photos... (The only difference in the web address is the “visit” instead of “mn” tucked in the middle!)
See the article printed in Nov 2008 about ERIK!
click on GRAPH to see Treatment and Response since 2nd Relapse
PLEASE PRAISE GOD FOR ERIK AND PRAY FOR HEALING!
Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
CLICK THE BARS below to expand or collapse the "extras"....Art Click on photo for more art! Video and photos See Erik's graduation slide show--or click for full screenClick PLAY below to hear Erik tell his story! Neuroblastoma Conference Chicago 2007 Erik's Disney Trip photos...courtesy of LUNCH FOR LIFE! SEE PHOTOSHistory Dec 27, 1991Erik was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma (cancer of the sympathetic nervous system) at 6 years old He was in remission and very healthy for 13 years May 12, 2005Erik was diagnosed with recurrent neuroblastoma at 20 years old in bone and marrow He was in remission for one year Nov 10, 2006Erik relapsed again at 21 years old in bone and marrow FRONTLINE TREATMENT (1991-1992) for high-risk neuroblastoma at Dana Farber and Boston Children's (right adrenal primary, bone+bone marrow packed, MYCN non-amp, 1p del, poor histology, diploid DNA): 9 rounds chemo, surgery, 16 doses radiation to abdomen, autologous bone marrow transplant, no retinoids or antibodies
TREATMENT FOR FIRST RELAPSE (2005-2006): two rounds dox/vin/cyclo and four rounds topo/cyclo at MeritCare Fargo, ND and U of MN. Erik was the world's first patient to undergo a stem cell transplant with head-to-toe total marrow irradiation conditioning (included busulfan, melphalan, and thiotepa) at University of Minnesota-Fairview in Minneapolis (Nov 2005). He was on high-dose 13-cis-retinoic acid (Accutane) for 6 months.
He was again in remission for one year
FOR SECOND RELAPSE (2006-2009): Nov and Dec 2006: two courses of hu14.18-IL2 antibody trial (Phase II), but progressed with skull, spine, pelvis, and femur involvement, and bone marrow biopsy showed 70% NB Jan 15, 2007: began IV irinotecan (2 weeks) + oral temozolomide (1 week) and had a miraculous response after two courses!!! Feb 20 & 21, 2007: scans dramatically improved, bone marrow biopsies clear!!! March 2007: one more round irino+temo April 26, 2007: scans were again significantly improved, only two light spots remain in pelvis, two light spots in spine, faint uptake in femurs, and small amount in marrow Mar 23 to Aug 15, 2007: no treatment July 31, 2007: scans showed five spots in spine, one spot in pelvis, femurs clear, and biopsy (right side) positive Aug 15, 2007:started new oral formulation of fenretinide (Phase I trial); completed 2 rounds Sept 24, 2007: scans show more progression in skeletal system, especially entire spine Oct 2007: two rounds of irino+temo with Celebrex Nov 2007: great improvement in scans again (few spots in spine, pelvis, femur) Dec 2007 and Jan 2008: two more rounds of irino + temo with Celebrex
Jan 31 & Feb 1, 2008: scans "borderline normal" with faint uptake remaining in marrow, and bone marrow biopsies clear!!! Mar & April 2008: two more rounds of irino + temo with Celebrex; also gallbladder surgery (2/21) and another hospitalization (3/29 to 4/1) for fever May 2008: PET/CT normal; bone marrow biopsy positive (NB<3 percent) on left side (right sample inadequate); start COMBAT (calendar) or see simplified diagram of COMBAT May 19--oral drugs Accutane, Celebrex, etoposide, temozolomide varied combos on 78 day cycle Aug 2008: PET/CT clear, and < 1 percent NB in marrow! Continue on COMBAT, 2nd cycle (3 months) Nov 2008: PET/CT clear, no biopsy performed (too difficult to obtain adequate sample); begin 3rd cycle COMBAT
Feb 2009:No biopsies; no PET/CT (CT of abdomen clear); HVA/VMA normal but slightly higher; start 4th cycle of COMBAT May 2009:PET/CT shows new spot in pelvis near right hip (SUV 5.8); bone marrow biopsies still positive with <1 percent NB; HVA/VMA normal but slightly higher; start 1st cycle of year 2 of COMBAT; --see graph with Treatment and Response since 2nd Relapse
Aug 2009: new skull lesion (4.6x1.5 cm on MRI), rt hip worse (cortical bone destruction), entire spine, lung nodule 0.8 cm and ill-defined liver spot. Started 2 wks oral irinotecan + 1 wk oral temozolomide; started 250 cGy x 13 days 3D conformal radiation to skull; started back to college. MIBG scan Sept 3 and consult with Dr Maris in Philadelphia Sept 9 Quote What Erik says about his cancer experience: "It took away my job, but it gave me better values. It took my hearing, but it gave me an appreciation for what I can hear. It took some of my feeling, but it gave me more compassion for others. It took my stamina, but it gave me a willingness to serve. It took away a lot of fun I could have had, but it gave me a love for life. It took my muscles, but it gave me a bigger heart. It took my spirit, but gave me a stronger one in its place. It took part of my life, but it gave me an experience I don't regret." Friends Please also pray for Anna, who is the same age as Erik and has neuroblastoma as well. She has been continuously treated for the past 7 years her website is www.annabanana.org
Also, urgent prayers are needed for Wyatt, Nick, Will, Sam, Peter, Paige, Andrew, Dalton, Mary, and many other friends fighting neuroblastoma and other pediatric cancers.
And please pray for those parents trying to keep going without their little ones: Lucas, Anna Meg, Tyler, Austin, Emily, Spencer and Joe (26), Janie, Katie, Max, Arden, Erin and Amber Dugan (carepages) among so many more.....
see organizations raising money for neuroblastoma research and other pediatric cancers
Magic Water Solving Kids' Cancer
Contact My Facebook page: Check out the PHOTOS in "view photos"...and PLEASE SIGN THE GUEST BOOK!
Psalms 31:7 "I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul."
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Journal
Saturday, October 24, 2009 10:59 AM CDT Please see updates on Erik's new site:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/erikludwinski
The older journal is stored here -- May 2005 to Aug 2009
You can click on:
"I want to receive Journal update notification e-mails"
at the top of the journal entry, and then you'll know when the site is updated!
Thanks for praying, Donna
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Fairview--University of Minnesota 500 Harvard Street SE Minneapolis MN 55455
Links: http://www.gosteve.org Erik's friend Steve--both were NDSU students when diagnosed with cancer in Spring of 2005 http://www.beebo.info/ned/nedwarriors.html NB kids http://www.nbhope.org/ NB research, information, conferences, and more
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