Updates of school and treatments

Cass has been working very hard to catch up on her school work after she had started her school in early September. She was so happy to tell me that she managed to finish most of her outstanding homework and write the tests for Unit 1 for her English, and Food & Nutrient classes. Because of her frequent medical appointments, she had to skip classes from time to time but she still managed to go to school almost every day. She thanked God for being able to arrive at school on a daily basis in her daily prayers. To me, I have got back to my work routine. I thank God for lots of amazing and loving people in my life. I could never say thanks enough for the great support from my boss and my colleagues at work, and the encouraging notes and refreshing little presents from friends and brothers and sisters from our church. Having Cass's friends dropped by to spend time with her was also always a big support to her, especially when she was struggling with the pain in her arm and her busy days with her school and Sickkids appointments.  All these acts and gifts had very special meaning to me and lifted up my spirit and Ca’s spirit in our daily lives. I thank God for the amazing people He has placed around us all the time.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

We met a new Spine Doctor at Sickkids yesterday (Friday). The doctor checked Cass's physical condition and her MRI. Then he said that the option of removing her tumours by surgery might not be viable since there would be too many other things that need to be taken into consideration for such a surgery, and there's too many that would need to be removed! Similarly, to do something through the surgery to improve the mobility of Cass’ arm may not be a good idea again for the time being. He said we would wait for another two months to see if her arm mobility would be able to recover. Instead, he said Cass should continue on taking chemo or radiation whenever we would need to control her tumours. Surgery should only be considered to be the last means since surgery could create some other problems to her.

Therefore we needed to go back to the discussion of whether we should take the study chemo drug. Cass' oncologist wanted her to start the new drug once her last radiation has settled for 21 days. By then, Cass will have a long series of tests and scans to do again before the use of the new drug. Papa Andy is still not comfortable with the new drug and we are praying for God's guidance for her next chemo. Please continue to pray for Cass, and God's guidance on her next treatment.

Cass was trying hard to lift up her right arm to post as the panda at the Orthopaedic clinic to meet with the Spine doctor

Cass at the cancer clinic