Half way thru treatment, tumor half shrunk, boys half a year old...

We are half way through the planned chemotheraphy sessions and the MRI scan (done on Friday) showed that the tumor in Tighe's abdomen has been reduced in size by half. The volume is 50% of what it was when Tighe was first diagnosed in early December. After a comment by one of Tighe's doctors at a check-up last week, that he could no longer feel the mass in Tighe's abdomen by pressing on his stomach, I was secretly hoping the results of this MRI would show a significant shrinkage in the size of the tumor. It was very good news to hear today.
Although the size has been reduced by half, the tumor is still in his lower spinal column and this remains the biggest concern. The amount of tumor in the spinal column is also reduced (traversing 13mm across the column versus 18mm at the time of diagnosis) which is great, but we did get a sense from the doctors that this is still a big concern for them.
Some interesting comments/observations the doctor made today are as follows (btw, his doctor's name is Dr. Clare Twist, a rather cool name I think...)
-If the tumor wasn't still in the spinal column, she would probably stop the chemotheraphy treatment now and remove what is left surgically.
-There is a possiblity that after 4 or even 6 chemotheraphy treatments there will still be some tumor in the spinal column. If that is the case there are a number of options

• If the remaining tumor is small enough and is not likely to cause any problems to the nerve endings, and an examination of the biological make-up of the remaining tumor (after doing another biopsy) shows it to be non-aggressive and unlikely to grow again, they may just leave it there and monitor over time (months/years).
• If the remaining tumor is found to be aggressive they will continue to treat it with chemotheraphy.
• Surgical removal of the tumor in the lower spinal column will only be done as a very last resort. It seems like they really want to avoid this as there is significant risk to this type of surgery.

-She is happy with the reduction in the size of the tumor so far.

-She's very pleased with how Tighe is handling the treatments. He seems to be continuing his normal development even while going through all of this.

Tighe started his third round of chemotheraphy today. Gigi was at the hospital with him from early this morning until 10:40pm this evening. They just arrived home. He will be in the hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday as well this week.

Another interesting point to note about today is that the boys are exactly 6 months old (July 26 - Jan 26).

We are looking forward to the visit of Julia (sister) and Jane (niece) in mid Februrary. Their visit will coincide with Tighe's fourth (and hopefully final) chemotheraphy session. The other good thing about their visit, one which no doubt President Obama will be most pleased, is that Jane is coming armed with with a suitcase full of dollars to inject into the US economy. Stores such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, PacSun, Gap and similar fashion outlets will no doubt be beneficiaries of her custom.

Baptism, Christmas and a Birthday

Baptism - Auntie Rachel with Cian, Rosanna with Tighe and Auntie Nancy with Michael. Thanks for all your help!

Lots of helping hands. Sepp with Michael, Rosanna with Tighe and Linda with Cian.

Gramma and Papa visit Tighe in the hospital.

Princess Cinderella (aka Clara) was thrilled to have Tighe home from the hospital.



Daddy helps Clara put the star on the tree, purchased 5 days before Christmas.


Cian tries the exercauser for the first time.

Michael getting bundled up for a trip in the stroller. Mickey Mouse sweatshirt compliments of Catherine Kennedy. Thanks, Catherine!

Clara showing off her new red jacket from Ireland. Thanks, Auntie Christina!

On our way to Christmas Mass.

Clara loves Cian.

Clara cuddles with Cian in her new princess sleeping bag.

Clara and the reindeer, Michael, Tighe and Cian

A Christmas visit from Santa's little helpers, Rebekkah and Rachel Haun (9 months old).

Tighe loves his Grandma.

Becker cousins in Exeter (on top: Nicholas, Cian, Gramma, Jacob; on bottom: Lucas, Sarah, Jack, Lily, Clara and Joe Joe)

Sienna, Clara and Ryan getting ready for ice skating on Clara's 4th Birthday. Thanks Ann Marie for organizing!

Sienna, Clara, Ryan, Gigi and Ann Marie

Tinker Tighe at Clara's Birthday party. Isn't he so lucky to have Clara as a Big Sister?

Cake time! Clara's 4th Birthday Party

Cian, Michael and Tighe (5 months old)

Cian holds his own bottle

Daddy, Clara and the boys on a walk around Almaden Lake.

Clara pushes Cian on the swing for the first time.

Tighe tolerated his first round of chemo very well. The chemo was administered over 3 days, Dec 11-13, for a few hours each day. Unfortunately, during this time, it was discovered that Tighe's central line was infected. They removed the line (Broviac catheter) and had difficulties getting the replacement PICC line in. Fortunately, they were successful with their 2nd attempt and Tighe was able to go home on Dec 18th. We had a restful day back at home on the 19th and then it was time to get ready for Christmas. The tree was purchased on the 20th and the presents and cookie baking took place over the next couple days. Thanks to Stacy Balanay and her girls for entertaining Clara so we could go out and buy her Christmas and Birthday presents. We were very happy to be out of the hospital in time to prepare for and celebrate Christmas at home. We were very fortunate to have Gramma Marge, Papa Don, Grandma Dolores and Grandad Eddie with us for the holiday. Bryan cooked an awesome Christmas dinner which featured beef tenderloin. We all sat around the table and enjoyed the meal together while Michael, Tighe and Cian sat in their bouncy seats next to the dining table.

The day after Christmas, Clara, Gigi and Cian drove down to Exeter to join the family for a Christmas celebration at Sepp and Nancy's home. Bryan stayed home with his parent's, Tighe and Michael. Due to the special care that Tighe needed, it didn't make sense for him to take the trip. Gigi found in nearly impossible to choose between Michael and Cian, so she left the very important decision to Clara. Clara chose Cian because he is so cute. She loves all of her brothers but has no problem chosing a favorite at any given time. Clara had a blast in Exeter with all her cousins. Gigi also enjoyed the trip. It was very nice to finally see Sepp and Nancy's beautiful home and to see all the family. We enjoyed rides around the town in a horse-drawn carriage and a wonderful Christmas meal prepared by Rachel and Nancy. Thanks to everyone for all the help with Clara and Cian.

Dolores and Eddie left us to return to Ireland on Dec 27th after almost three weeks with us. Their help in getting us through those first few weeks was invaluable. We were very sorry to see them go and very grateful for their help and company.

Clara's 4th Birthday was on December 31st. With everything going on, we had little energy to do much advance planning. Fortunately, our very thoughtful neighbor, Ann-Marie, was thinking of Clara and wanted to do something special for her on her birthday. So she planned for Clara and a few of her friends to go ice skating. It was Clara's first time on ice skates and she had a lot of fun. We were so happy to spend the morning of Clara's birthday with Ann-Marie & Ryan, Michele & Sienna and Kate & Beck at the ice rink. The Saturday after her birthday, we had a party at the house with her friends. It was pulled together in just a couple days and had all the makings for a fun party, Tinker Bell bouncy house, pizza, Tinker Bell cake and friends. Thanks to Debbie and Michele for coming over before the party to help us get ready. We really couldn't have done it without you.

Life is definately very busy raising triplets, a 4 year old and taking care of Tighe as he goes through chemo therapy. Our biggest challenge is child care, but fortunately we have Tracey, Debbie and Mom. They have been a huge help with the babies when we've had to take Tighe up to Stanford for his weekly clinic appointments and chemo. We are also blessed with the best neighbors one could ask for. Our next-door neighbor, Debbie, organized for our neighbors to give us gift certificates to local restaurants so that we wouldn't have to worry about meals during this very busy time. Thank you so much to the 15 families that were so thoughtful and generous to participate and to the Haun's, Christensen's and Callaghan's who each brought us dinner over the past couple weeks.

On a daily basis, we have to give Tighe injections and flush his PICC line. Who would have known that we would have such responsibilities? Tighe hasn't gained any weight since the tumor was found at the beginning of December. He started out the smallest at birth but quickly passed Michael. Now, Michael is over a pound larger. We have increased his formula from 20 calories per ounce to 26 and are now giving him smaller bottles more frequently, all in an attempt to increase his daily caloric intake. We're struggling to get him to take 25 oz a day while Michael and Cian are taking over 30. If he doesn't gain weight by next week, then the doctor's would like to place a feeding tube down his nose. The last couple days have been better, so we're hopeful we can avoid that. Next week, they will do an MRI to make sure that the tumor is shrinking as expected. Tighe will have his 3rd round of chemo on Jan 26-28. This will be done over 6 hours each day at the hospital.

The boys have all rolled over for the first time over the past couple weeks. Michael was the first to do it with Gramma Marge. He rolled from front to back several times that first day. Cian followed a day later and Tighe did it yesterday. A week ago, Clara had fun at the park taking Michael and Cian down the slide with her and last weekend Cian went on the swing for the first time. He was all giggles and squeels of delight. They are very happy boys and we often get comments from people saying, "Do they ever cry?". Oh yes, they do and it's the most fun when they are all crying at the same time. :) They really are a joy!