As test results begin to trickle in from the Pathology department here at Primary Children's Hospital regarding Amos' condition it is proving to be a bitter pill to swallow. As I explained in previous posts, the more common culprits where getting ruled out in the search and more rare possibilities were starting to become more plausible. Today the lead Oncologist came in to deliver his latest findings and it was very hard news to take. The leading suspect now appears to be a very rare form of Neuroblastoma called, Undifferentiated Neuroblastoma. In doing my best to understand the genius speak coming from the doctor's mouth, and some later translation from our nurse, it goes something like this: a typical Neuroblastoma is a more stand-alone tumor made of mature malignant cells that are more easily identifiable. Amos on the other hand has a number of lymphatic tumors that are made of relatively immature malignant cells that do not lend themselves to the typical indicators that doctors use to identify cancers. Hence, why the diagnosis has been so ellusive. That said, the current diagnosis, although much more definitive then anything else they have been chasing, is still not a complete diagnosis just yet. However, it is a clear enough picture to begin chemo therapy treatment tomorrow for him. The doctors have decided to go ahead with one of the three possible chemo drugs that will make up his "chemo cocktail", for lack of a better example, that is a more broad based treatment for the still possible forms that could become more clear with more test results and his reactions to the initial chemo therapy treatments. Rare forms of Sarcoma and Lymphoma are still possibilities, but as the doctor put it, "…the time has come to bite the bullet and begin some treatments and Undifferentiated Neuroblastoma is the most likely suspect."
^Since Amos was born we noticed that he has rather large feet. We have attested this to taking after the rather large footprint of his Uncle AJ. One of many traits we hope Amos retains from him. Now it seems a fitting metaphor as his gears up to kick Cancer's ass. Pardon my vulgarity, but I am a Wisco-kid with deep tradesmen roots, and that is just how we talk sometimes. Tomorrow Amos begins to battle the culprit. Our little samurai warrior has been given a weapon to fight, and tomorrow the battle will begin.
^We have been very fortunate that a good friend of ours here, Jenni Gudmundson, has a friend in the surgical team here at the hospital. Gary Jones has been so kind to not only schedule Amos' biopsy surgery to our liking, but also be by his side throughout that procedure and visit with us on a seemingly daily basis. He also comes with key suggestions on what to order from the cafeteria as well as what to avoid. Christine and I are happy to call him a friend of ours now in our own right, and I look forward to taking him to dinner one day with Amos in tow when this is all over. I cannot speak enough to the comfort that he has given us to have an "inside man" here with us.
^We have always suspected that our little boy was a talented youngster, but we did not know that included a balancing act to steadily perch toys on his head. His Grandpa Mike claims to have the skill of balancing many teacups on his head, and uses the trick often to try to impress young kids he encounters. Anyone who knows him surely knows that he is mostly all talk, but the efforts each time he starts putting things on his head is certainly endearing and the kids do seem to get a kick out of it every time. I guess the expression, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree", is applicable yet again. Plus the picture is just too adorable not to share here.
^Although the diagnosis is by far not the rosy one we had hoped for, Christine and I were preparing ourselves to be ready for such news. In his sleep today his little fist was clenched. I thought it was too cute, and another fitting metaphor for the coming fight. After I snapped the photo the luminous glow behind his little sleeping head also seemed like a sign that I should take as a good one, and perhaps one of the divinity of all the myriads of "thoughts and prayers" and the vast prayer chains that all of our beloved friends and families are sending his way. So thanks again to everyone that has come to our aid and support in all the various forms it has come. It all means so much to Christine and I, and we are certain the Amos is being touched by every last drop of it.
In closing this post I offer up what I am going to come to call Amos' fight song. The boss man at Telemark Skier Magazine, my very dear friend, and front man in the punk rock band the Riva Rebels, Josh Madsen, dedicated this one to Amos at one of his shows on his latest summer tour. Again, I will disclaimer it for a little vulgarity, but as I explained before, it is fitting in my nature, and his use of the "F" word at the beginning is something I rather support considering our current situation. I am an ardent music lover of many genres, and this one touched me rather deeply. It resonated not only because the dedication was offered up by my good friend, the lyrical message of family and loyalty, but also because the punk flare seems to be in lockstep with the aggressive stance we are going to take in forging ahead into the fight of our lives.
