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Michael Jerome Diss Welcome to our childs Web page, this page has been created to keep our family and friends updated on Michaels journey, and to share our story with other families.
It was Oct. 18th 2002 when our lives would be changed forever. Michael came home from preschool with what we believed at the time was a puffy jaw, he complained of a toothache. After a routine trip to a dentist we were sent to Hackensack University Medical Center for a CAT scan so the Doctors could figure out what the swelling was from. The Doctors confirmed there was a growth in Michaels jaw but needed to follow up the next morning with and MRI to get a better picture of what they were dealing with. At no time during these two days did I think that we would be in for the diagnosis of our Four year old son having a malignant tumor. After his MRI we were notified by the DR. that this was no fatty sist or lesion it was a tumor and since it was a Saturday night there was nothing they could do for us until Monday when we went to see an ENT (Ear, Nose& Throat Dr.). Our pediatrician had set up an appt. for us to meet with a very reputable ENT on Monday Oct.21,2002. After our meeting with Dr. Respler we knew we were not dealing with some "minor" situation, and we would not know what we were dealing with until a biopsy was performed the next day.
Tuesday Oct.22,2002, Michael had a Biopsy on the tumor. We got that phone call that changed our lives on Wednesday October 23, Our most precious Michael was diagnosed with Stage III embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. He had a tumor that was malignant over 3 inches in his jaw, cheek, and back of his throat and they were going to try to remove this with surgery. The next morning Michael returned to Hackensack Hospital for another round of tests ( bone scan, Bonemarrow Biopsy, spinal tap, and blood work) that would give us some hope that the cancer did not spread and at this point this tumor was localized. They set his surgery for the next week.
On Thursday October 31,2002 instead of putting on his Spiderman Costume, Michael became a real life hero and started the fight of his life. He underwent a 10 1/2 hour surgery. The surgeons were very confident that they removed the tumor but would have to wait for the results of the margins to see if he would need radiation with his chemotherapy. Both surgeons Dr. Resplar and Dr. Rosen are blessings to our family for what they did for our child and are truly gifted surgeons. Michael spent 13 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with a trech tube to breath and a feeding tube to eat. It was like something out of a movie, and it had become our lives. Michael came home on November 13th 2002 with both the trech tube removed and he had started eating on his own. This part of our nightmare was behind us and the next battle was about to start the chemotherapy and the radiation. On November 20th 2002, Michael started what will be 47 weeks of VAC treatment both inpatient and outpatient and in Febuary he will have 4 1/2 weeks of radiation (23 days) along with the chemotherapy. We will share our journey with all of you as we go along and appreciate everyones prayers and support through this most difficult time. Michael is a courageous little boy and is putting up one hell of a fight.
Journal
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 4:41 PM CST
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!
Just a little note to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season and best wishes and Prayers that the New Year be wonderful! Mikey continues to exceed all of our dreams for him and we are looking forward to a healthy 2008 with friends and family around!
Love and Hugs,
The Diss Family
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Hospital Information: Hackensack University Medical Center/Tomorrows Children Institute
Prospect Street
Hackensack, New Jersey
201-996-2000
Links: http://www.tcikids.com Tomorrows Children Institue
http://www.mskkids.org Memorial Sloan Kettering
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