Update of plans

Here is the update, after discussing with the doctors, provided by Gor Gor Aaron:

We spoke with Dr. Baruchel about the next course of action today.  He talked about the various tumours in Cassidy's body and proposed 2 flexible treatment plans for Cassidy.

He first explained the nature of these new tumours. They were confirmed to be osteosarcoma, the same kind that had attacked Cassidy's leg.  Osteosarcoma is considered to be chemotherapy-resistant.  Dr. Baruchel told us that the chemotherapy that Cassidy had taken had no evidence of being effective. Although all the tumours except one in her sacrum were under control, he believed this control was mainly due to the radiation - to which osteosarcoma is also usually resistant.  Even during the chemotherapy, the tumour in her cheek was visibly growing until the radiation, at which point it stopped.  The same applied to the tumour that was trying to wrap around her spine.

Dr. Baruchel had also done some extra tests and found that Cassidy is not genetically susceptible to cancer - nor did she inherit any susceptibilities from her parents (who are also not susceptible to cancer).  The behaviour of this osteosarcoma was found to be very bizarre.

Next, Dr. Baruchel talked about a new drug called Abraxane, based on an earlier drug called Taxol.  Abraxane had been used effectively in adults, but there were very few cases around the world of Abraxane being used to treat paediatric cancer in children and teenagers.  Dr Baruchel himself had only seen 11 cases globally; there were none yet in Canada.  However, the side effects that had been recorded were less severe than those from chemotherapy.

Since Dr. Baruchel found the radiation to be effective, he wanted Cassidy to have radiation done starting Thursday until Monday to control a tumour in her sacrum.  However, he did not know how long the tumours would remain stable, which brought us to the two main treatment plans.

1. Continue with the 5-day chemo cycles that had brought unpleasant side effects and had no evidence of being effective during or after radiation, in hopes that the resistances of osteosarcoma sarcoma might be overwhelmed by higher doses combined with radiation - the conventional treatment.  Cassidy would remain in-hospital during these cycles.

2. Try Abraxane.  Taking quality-of-life care into consideration, Abraxane offered less side effects from the limited data that had been collected.  However, unlike chemo, Abraxane could not be taken during or immediately after radiation; the earliest Cassidy could take Abraxane would be September 9th.  Cassidy would only have to go to the hospital once every week for three weeks each month.  She will be able to spend the rest of the time at home.




We have a few weeks to decide, but will likely not try any more 5 day chemo cycles.  The radiation is certain because it has produced cancer-inhibiting results.  Right now the main decision is whether to try Abraxane, delay taking it, or to not take it.  After all, it is largely untested; Cassidy would be the first non-adult paediatric cancer patient to try Abraxane in Canada.

Please continue to pray for God's healing hand on Cass, and the wisdom, from God, for the doctors to carry out the appropriate plans.