After Will‘s last immunotherapy treatment on 3/25 he had PET scan on 4/18. This was a BIG scan! It would determine if he was cancer free and ready to move on to transplant or switch to plan C. 

Side note: scan anxiety is a real thing for the whole family, and it sucks!! UGH!!!

Par for the course, another setback. His scan came back with a lymph node lighting up around the area of the other lymph node that was removed and biopsied. To say we were all mad and frustrated would be an understatement. HOWEVER, the oncologists told us that there was a possibility of what is called “ pseudo progression”. This is a side effect of the immunotherapy drugs used and happens about 15-20% of the time. And the only way to be sure would be to do another biopsy. So of course Will said let’s do it.  

Fast forward to April 26, he went in for biopsy #3 and waited for another 4 agonizing days for the results. And finally on April 30 (what happened to be my dad’s/his grandpa’s 76th birthday) we had the absolute best news! The lymph node was benign and no cancer was present!! It was indeed pseudo progression! 

Next step…stem cell transplant!!

Will will be admitted on May 23rd to start 6 days of chemo and then May 30th will be his new birthday as this will be the official stem cell transplant day. He will continue to recover and build up his immunity at Levine Children hospital for approx 4 more weeks.

While we wait for May 23rd to arrive, he will have one more immunotherapy treatment along with acupuncture and red light/infrared light therapies.

We’re on the homestretch!

I also wanted to say thank you from the bottoms of our hearts, to each and every one of you for everything you have done! The prayers, encouragement, chats, thoughtful cards and gift cards, fundraisers, bracelets, T-shirts, HUGS, food, and so much more have been overwhelmingly, amazing and beautiful and so much loved and appreciated!! Thank you thank you thank you! Love you all!!!