8/31: Staying the Course

I finally got a chance to scan and upload the letters we received from Dr. Chang (the radiation oncologist) and Dr. Goodell (the pediatric oncologist), both from Lutheran General Hospital. Click on a bullet below, then scroll to see the letter and click on it to see a larger image and read their handiwork.

• As a reminder, Dr. Chang refused to treat Leo if we declined his radiation "therapy." He seems to honestly believe radiation cures cancer in the long-term. This was only July 7, 2006.
  
• Dr. Goodell seemed to care more whether we were neglectful of Leo because we refused his feeble attempts at "treatment." I wonder if he'd go for his course of treatment, himself, if, G-d forbid, he needed it. This is from July 14, 2006.
  

I spoke with Dr. Szymkowski today, who said that even though the 6% reduction reported yesterday was not uncommon, it was still very encouraging news. Leo's next MRI will be during the last week of September.

Regarding treatment, Leo started the maximum dose of both bags yesterday. For those keeping score, that's 210mL of A10 and 19mL of AS2-1, for a grand total of 229mL of antineoplastons per treatment. The A10 runs for 2 hours 48 minutes and AS2-1 now runs for 16 minutes. So out of every 4 hours, Leo gets 3 hours 4 minutes of medication.

Leo's mood seems to have been a little better over the past few days. His swallowing also seems better. We think those "symptoms" were really a cold he caught from Anna and Nina. Even thin liquids don't give him as much trouble. Speaking of the girls, they still get antsy when I drop them off at daycare in the morning. They insist on multiple hugs and kisses, which of couse I provide regardless whether I'll be late for the (late) train, but at least they don't cry anymore. When they come home, usually one of the first things they do is run over to Leo. Nina was trying to give him something to drink the other day and Anna brought him a blanket. He just smiles and laughs at them.

Leo and I made a deal. I told him yesterday that the doctors from Houston called and said that the medicine is helping him. He nodded in agreement. So I told him that when he gets better he and I will go to a store and buy a couple of big shovels and dig up (his favorite activity) the back yard. He nodded no, which surprised me. Then I realized that he wants to dig-up the back yard on his own and when I said that to him, he smiled and agreed. What a character.

Heard some good news about Leo's fellow warriors. Chase is home and doing better and James' infection seems to be under control. Hopefully everyone will end the week on a high note!