Day 4: "Very Treatable" (2008-03-17)

Today was a good day for our family.

Two simple words helped restore hope: "Very Treatable."


We had a team meeting with Braxton's doctors this morning. Four of us went to this important first meeting to discuss the diagnosis: Braxton, Brad (his father), Beth (his mother), and David (his step-father). There was a full team of doctors present as well: Dr. B (treating physician), an Oncologist Fellow, and a Resident.

The meeting began with a discussion of the diagnosis. For a family who had spent the weekend under the dark cloud of fear and uncertainty, the news from this meeting was good. Very good.


DIAGNOSIS:

Braxton has “Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma”

This is a type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma typically seen in pediatric patients.



WHAT WE KNOW:

What the medical community does NOT know is the cause of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The doctors cannot tell us what generally causes this type of cancer, nor do they have any real insight as to why Braxton has it.

But there are two things that the medical community does know about non-Hodgkins lymphoma:

1. They understand how the disease behaves; and
2. They know how to treat it.

PROGNOSIS:

The prognosis for a patient diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma is good. It is highly likely that, with proper treatment, the cancer will be arrested within 6-12 months.

According to Dr. B, this type of cancer is "very treatable."


WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

Braxton will be “staged” for full diagnosis of extent of lymphoma.

1. PET scan – will check body for highly active areas of glucose to identify where cancerous lymph nodes may reside.

2. Blood work - Braxton's blood will be checked to confirm cancer diagnosis and to check white and red cell counts.

3. Bone marrow aspiration & biopsy - the doctors will withdraw and biopsy some of Braxton's bone marrow to determine if cancer is present.

4. Spinal Tap - the doctors will withdraw some of Braxton's spinal fluid and test it for the presence of cancer.

SCHEDULE GOING FORWARD:

Braxton will return to the clinic tomorrow (Tuesday) to have the PET scan done and to have an echo-cardiogram. The PET scan will determine how pervasive the cancer is within Braxton's blood stream. The echo-cardiogram will make sure that Braxton is healthy enough for surgery and ensuing treatment.

On Wednesday, Braxton will check-in to the hospital for surgery. The doctors will insert a catheter-port under the skin on his chest. This port will be used for chemo treatments. While the doctors have Braxton in surgery, they will also perform the bone marrow aspiration and the spinal tap.

Braxton will stay in the hospital and doctors will administer the first round of chemotherapy. He is expected to have to stay in the hospital until Monday of next week.


+DH