Sam Update:

Sam’s left arm (just below the shoulder) and left tibia (just below the knee) started hurting yesterday.  This is consistent with bone mets from his most recent November MIBG scan so it’s probably disease in the arm but I am withholding hope that the leg pain is from playing soccer. It hurts when we press on his leg and that’s usually not neuroblastoma in my experience with Sam.  I have started Sam back on germanium (an upcoming case study I’ll post) and it’s pretty phenomenal - his energy is much increased and I can always measure that by the resounding sound of his devilish laugh as he torments his two younger brothers.  We did small doses of prednisone and hydrocodone last night at midnight which helped to resolve the pain.  As of Sunday, Sam has not required any more pain medications which is a good sign and hopefully an indication that the germanium is working.  Tomorrow is a work day for Sam - 7:30am at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego for a blood check and potentially chemo (Vinblastine and Rituxan).

Helpful links:

The two links have been very helpful to me so if you are new to cancer, I would bookmark them:

www.acor.org - communities of cancer patients/parents

www.cancerdecisions.com - Ralph Moss’ weekly blog which always has interesting insight

Have a wonderful Sunday. Neil