Mason Balsman Team Mason

Mason was first diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma in July 2014. He went through multiple rounds of chemo, radiation, surgeries, a stem cell transplant, and antibody treatments in a year and a half. In February/March 2016 his scans were stable except for one spot on his leg. In March he had radiation again and he also got his central line or as he calls it his "charger" removed and he got to go on his make a wish trip. He also got to go to Disney World. In May he was scanned again and his scans were still stable. That was great news we were so thrilled that Mason was going to be able to have a "normal" summer.  He got to go swimming almost every day and he enjoyed every minute of it. He even got to start kindergarten in August. Then in the end of August it was time for scans again. Mason was doing great and feeling great so we thought he was going to have more stable scans and be closer to remission.  Then the unthinkable happened we were told that Mason had relapsed before he even really achieved remission. The cancer was starting to spread. He had two new spots. They caught it early so the new spots were very small but there is no cure for relapsed neuroblastoma. Our only option is to try new experimental protocols until we find one that works. Fortunately there are multiple options available but none are guaranteed to work. He got his central line put in again and started treatment he following week. Six weeks later, in mid October, he got scans once again. The first experimental treatment we picked didn't work. He had new spots yet again. This time we were given two options: to stop treatment because the prognosis is not good or continue trying experimental protocols. Mason is still doing great you would never know he was sick just by looking at him. So we decided to keep trying. He is currently doing a chemo/antibody trial. He is such a fighter and always in good spirits. He isn't giving up and neither are we. Please continue to keep him in your prayers 🎗