Biopsy Result and Prayer Requests

April 22, 2014.

This morning, our whole family met with an oncologist in Sickkids and we had the following discussion with the biopsy result.

1.     Cassidy fought once, she needs to fight again. She has two known lesions. One is below her chest on the left side, made of cartilage cells which is part of the osteosarcoma (bone cancer cells). It is a very rare case and only less than 5 % of such situation. The other one is on her lung, most likely made of osteosarcoma cells based on calcium deposits on her left side.

2.     Neither lesion is aggressive for the time being and both can be removed with surgery.

3.     At the present moment, no chemo is necessary if there are no new findings. The surgery on her lung will not affect the lung itself.  While we are unsure of how exactly the surgery will proceed, and we will meeting the surgeon soon to discuss about it, and the surgery will be scheduled on the 2nd week of May.

4.     The recovery and rehabilitation time is estimated to be around 1 month. A close monitor of Cassidy's health issue will be followed up in the next three years.

Furthermore, Cassidy needs to go through a bone scan tomorrow (April 23, Wednesday) at 10:00 a.m. and an MRI (not scheduled yet) of the brain to ensure there are no other tumours, lesions, or otherwise abnormal developments. There will also be a scan on her other lung as a precaution.

By the way, Cassidy was very upset when the doctor told her that she won't be able to go for her swim meets in the next couple months and not until she is totally recover from surgery. However, it's such big relief and we thank God that there's no chemo at this time.

Please continue to pray for the following,

a.     Pray that the faith, peace, and comfort from God be with the family.

b.    May God use this time to strengthen us, trust in Him, and draw us close to Him.

c.    Pray that a thorough bone scan and MRI will be carried out for Cassidy and no more lesions will be found in her body.

d.     Pray that the surgery will be smoothly carried out and Cassidy will recover very quickly such that she can continue her swimming very shortly.