Journal entry by Cindy Hartung —
Just wanted to post a quick update that the MRI of Chase’s lower spine came back clear. 🥳 We are incredibly relieved and thankful! These scans never get easier!
Regarding treatment many people have asked, “how many more treatments does Chase left?”. The simple answer is, we do not know. Chase’s cancer type, the way in which it has spread and the reoccurrence of it, make it extremely difficult to cure. This has lead us into some pretty difficult decisions on how to proceed from here.
Chase’s current chemo regimen (VIT) is not without side effects however, in comparison Chase has tolerated it fairly well. Chase needed to complete a minimum of 12 cycles. We had the option to stop at 12 or keep going. We have decided to keep going. Chase was involved in this decision. While Chase absolutely hates talking about his cancer and would much rather let us make all the decisions, it is his body and his consent is important especially the older he gets. These conversations are HARD! No parent ever wants to have to talk to their child about prolonged life expectancy vs. quality of life! 😢
Our goal is to always keep our heads balanced between hope and reality. The hope is that this chemo combination keeps the cancer away forever! The reality is that there are often reoccurrences of EWS on and after VIT treatment (or any of the relapse regimens for EWS). The scientists haven’t really figured out why VIT works for some patients and doesn’t for others. They also haven’t really figured out that if keeping their patients on it for longer time frames will prolong life expectancy or keep the cancer at bay. Since Chase tolerates VIT fairly well, we as a team have decided to keep him on it for now, until it is no longer tolerable or effective. We do know what are next lines of defense will be in the case that Chase has new cancer growth and they have harsher side effects.
We are always praying for a breakthrough in the sarcoma world and keep a close eye on clinical trials. 🙏 I’m pretty sure Chase’s oncologist, Dr. B, can predict exactly what I’m going to ask him next. Can y’all imagine that job?? So many hard conversations! He is our hero!
Thank you for praying with us, thank you for lifting us up, thank you for loving us! 💗
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