Radiation to start tomorrow

We are truly living one day at a time and relying on God each day....

Originally, we had already scheduled to receive the new chemo round with the study drug today. However, last Saturday Cass suddenly felt heaviness and aching in her right arm. We needed to rush her down to Sickkids emergency for a detailed MRI investigation. The doctors confirmed that the heaviness and numbness was from the tumors on her neck (C5) that were not dealt with in the last radiation rounds. These tumours had grown larger in size and were compressing the nearby nerves that consequently caused the problem in her right arm. Cass now has difficulty moving her right hand; she could barely lift it 45 degrees above her body. Even though Cass was scheduled today for the new chemo with the study drug, these symptoms are a more crucial issue and need to be addressed right away. Hence, her oncologist decided to control the tumours with radiation immediately and cancelled the scheduled chemo for the time being. We are hoping that the radiation can effectively shrink the tumours so that Cass's right arm may be able to recover. If not, her oncologist was consulting Dr. Hopyan, her surgeon, to see if the tumours on her neck (C5) could be removed by surgery.
 

CT Scan and mask making in preparing for Radiation

Because of these unexpected symptoms, we went to Princess Margaret Hospital to meet the radiation oncologist and go over the necessary preparations. A mask was made again prior to the 5-day radiation starting tomorrow (Tuesday).  Anyway, the radiation appointment is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday to Thursday, 8:40 a.m. on Friday, and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. The radiation schedule will work fine for Cass because most of the appointments are in the afternoon. Cass still can attend her school before the radiation every day and just needs to leave the last class of the day a bit earlier in order to get to the hospital in time. Since the radiation will be on her neck this time, she may feel dryness, soreness, or even difficulty swallowing food afterward.

May we continue to lift Cass's treatments up in your prayers:

Please continue to pray for Cass that the radiation will be effective in shrinking and controlling the tumours on her neck; that her right arm's function will return to normal. Pray the side effects will be minimized. May God grant her strength to go to school while she is going through all her treatments.

Psalm 119:169-173 NIV
"May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts."