2 months, one new drug and an amazing answer to millions of prayers.

Sam’s cancer is shrinking away- the tumors in his lungs are drastically smaller: some gone, some just wisps!! The CAT scan Sam had on Thursday showed this amazing news, we couldn’t be happier and we know all of you are going to be just as excited when you read this too!

The last couple of months have been full of plans- Sam was less than a week away from having to go under the big ole’ knife and have a pretty invasive lung surgery, a first of it’s kind. But fortunately, because of the great improvement of the tumors and the fact that this new trial drug Sam is on is working so well they officially canceled his lung tumor-ectomy (that’s obviously not the technical name but it works).

He does get to have his central line tassel removed and a under the skin port put in, a cosmetic improvement he is thankful for- the tan lines will be much more normal without his tassels (once again, not the medical name for the thing).  That small out-patient procedure will be tomorrow, Tuesday June 2nd! Say a little prayer everything is not painful for Sam!

Sam’s loved this new drug he is on, it allows him to have a completely normal (haha) life. He even started running again, riding his bike, and playing golf! His energy levels are back to normal and he’s been able to do basically anything he wants! He got to meet the members of the band Cold Play not to long ago, thanks to CHOA. He had his 24th Birthday on April 10th… Last week, Sam, Abby, Logan and I went to 6 Flags. Sam, Abby, some friends and I are headed to the beach in a few weeks- a bonus of the whole no-surgery thing. It’ll be a great time for all of us to relax a bit and enjoy the summer time! As you can see, we are so thankful for all the advances in the cancer-fighting industry (is that what you call it?). The drug allows Sam to live his life, unlike the chemotherapy treatment he was on. It’s been such an answer to prayers to have Sam at as close to 100% as anyone gets.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the prayers and amazing things each of you have done for us! We couldn’t be more excited about this news and know the next time we update will be just as joyous, maybe Sam will update to bring more laughter (I apologize for not having my wit turned on today).

With love,

Cait Haygood