Clear with a Catch

Ari's MRI was clear.  We sat anxiously awaiting our oncologist to come review the results with us today.  Prior to her arriving, we met with and talked to nurses and doctors who we were sure knew the results.  They knew it wasn't their place to divulge the results, and we knew it was not appropriate to ask them to reveal anything they knew.  We just let it be the big elephant in the room.  Jenny and I, meanwhile, tried to read into everyone's words and facial expressions.  It wasn't the best idea.  Ha!

So, our oncologist, Dr. Becca, arrived with our nurse practitioner, Chris, to unveil the news.  They patiently waited for our wonderful nurse, Lily, to finish hooking Ari up to his IV infusion to help prevent a specific type of pneumonia.  The elephant grew in the room.  It was almost suffocating.  Dr. Becca sat down on the chair next to us and revealed that the MRI looked great.  We let out a huge sigh.  Then, these words came - "there's a small catch."  Small catch?  No, there shouldn't be a small catch after the MRI news.  She went on to tell us that his cerebrospinal fluid sample revealed 12 tiny abnormal cells floating around.  Usually, the abnormal cells would indicate cancerous cells floating around; however, Dr. Becca went on to inform us that they are not certain this is the case at this point.  The pathologist that ran the tests on the CSF had told Dr. Becca that he did not feel comfortable marking it as "positive" for disease because the abnormal cells could be a result of radiation effects.

Dr. Becca is getting ready to leave tomorrow for a national conference of pediatric oncologists.  She plans to talk with some of the other leading oncologists in the nation to hear if they have any input on treatment planning.  As of right now, the plan is to continue with high dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue beginning next Thursday.  Jenny will be staying with Ari in the hospital throughout the process.  I will be working a few days each week and coming up to the hospital for the rest of the week.

So, we have great news with a small catch.  But, we have great news!  Tonight we choose to celebrate Ari's MRI being clear.  We choose to celebrate continuing on with treatment.  We choose to celebrate life, today.  We also celebrate you, who are reading this post.  We continue to be encouraged by family and friends throughout this process.  Thank you for your prayers for peace and healing.  Thank you for taking time out of your day to think of our family.  Thank you for all of you who have sent packages, cooked meals, sent text messages, emails, and cards, and thank you for loving Ari even if you haven't met him.

This was yesterday right before his MRI.

The MRI machines were clogged up.  So, we found some time for a picture.

Ari was mostly smiles yesterday!