July 2, 2007 - We ask again for your prayers

The MRI showed that the tumor in Keira's chest is now a lot smaller than it was before chemo, but it is still there. This is wonderful news; however, it's not over yet. We have been talking with her doctors, who have been talking with other doctors about the next step, and the consensus is that surgery is needed. Here is our understanding:

1. For some reason, neuroblastoma tends to respond to chemo to a certain point and then quits responding. For this reason 4 more rounds of chemo might continue to shrink the tumor, but it will probably not make it go away completely.

2. Looking at the response Keira has already had to chemo, (i.e. the fact that in four rounds the cancer is gone completely from her bones and has shrunk considerably in her chest) her doctors believe that if the chemo could completely eradicate the tumor, it would have done it during these four rounds. The fact that some remains suggests to them that chemo will not completely wipe this thing out.


Because of these two reasons, our doctors are recommending surgery as the next step. We will be meeting with the surgeon and Keira's oncologists tomorrow morning (Tuesday 7/3) to discuss what the surgery will entail. Here is what we know right now: there are some significant risks with this surgery, and we are nervous. While chemo has risks, Keira handled it pretty well, and we already know what side effects it has, but surgery feels like this big unknown.

There are so many questions. How long will she be in the hospital? How much pain will she be in? Will she have permanant nerve damage? Will they be able to get the whole thing safely, or will they have to leave some in? Will we have to do more chemo anyway?

We have not committed to surgery and really won't be able to do that until after we have spoken with the surgeon and have a better understanding of what the surgery will be like for her. There is a real possibility of life-long side affects associated with the surgery. The whole thing is scary.

The surgery is scheduled for Thursday, July 5th. This is very fast, and we are grateful that we won't have to wait and give the tumor time to grow before she goes to surgery, but it also means we have little time to make this decision.

We are grateful that Keira has had such a wonderful response and is now at the point where surgery is an option for her. To look at her, you would never know that she was sick and had gone through chemo so recently. She is a testament to us of God's grace and goodness, that He has protected her to this point. Ultimately, we have to trust Him to protect her through the next step, and the step after that.... surgery, chemo, and whatever else she may need.

Thank you for your prayers, e-mails, and cards. We love knowing that she has an army praying for her and thinking about all three of us. We are so grateful for all your support.

Jason, Erin and Keira Grace