An update on Tighe

It's been quite a while, and given today was a big day I think it's time to bring everyone up to date.

Tighe completed the fourth round of chemo two weeks ago and had another MRI scan today.

We were very hopeful that the tumor would have shrunk significantly and pulled back out of his lower spinal column. The good news is that the tumor did again shrink quite significantly, unfortunately however it is still in his spinal column. What this means is the cycles of chemo will most likely continue starting next Monday (3/9). Although this is most likely how we will proceed, we do still plan on meeting the doctors beforehand to discuss any other possibilities.
Dr. Twist did say that as soon as the tumor pulls away from the spinal column the chemo would stop and they would do surgery to remove whatever was left of the tumor. The possibility of doing the surgery even if the tumor is still in the spinal column is still there, though this is not the option the doctors want to pursue. Doing more chemo increases the risk of side affects associated with these drugs (the main one being hearing loss for Tighe). Doing the surgery while the tumor is growing against nerve endings in Tighe's spinal column brings the risk of a nerve ending getting nicked and Tighe losing some control over his lower extremities (bowel, legs etc). On the balance of things, I'd rather Tighe be the guy running around the soccer pitch having trouble hearing the referee's whistle rather than being the boy who is unable to run around that soccer pitch at all. So probably continuing the chemotherapy is the right decision.

On a positive note, it looks like the tumor has shrunk by more than 80% relative to it's size when Tighe was diagnosed. The measurements from the three MRIs so far are
Dec 10th 2008: 6.4x6.3x9.2 = 371 cubic cm
Jan 23rd 2009: 7.0x4.5x5.7 = 180 cubic cm
Mar 4th 2009: 3x3x5 = 45 cubic cm (approximately, the final report is not out yet)

So, how is the little lad doing? I would say very well actually. I really feel he's been looking strong and healthy and in the last week he has put on a significant amount of weight. I doubt there's a kid alive who smiles as much as him, he does seem to enjoy showing off those dimples.

Clara has been tremendous. She's asked to put up with a lot, and she does it like a real trooper. There was a really funny moment a few days back. Clara was holding a little ball which she knows she is not allowed to play with in the house. She assured her Mommy on a number of occasions that she was just holding the ball, she wouldn't throw it or kick it. Then it became too much for her. She did a drop kick that Ollie Campbell would have been proud of. It banged hard against the window in the kitchen and flew right across Gigi's face, missing her by inches. Before Gigi realized what had happened, Clara started running and said "don't worry Mommy, I'm going to my room" (where she gets sent these days for misbehaving). Gigi and I just looked at each other and laughed hard.

Michael and Cian are doing great as well. Cian said Da Da for the first time today. Michael is a very happy kid and an expert sleeper. All three of the boys had a bit of a cold in the last week but they all seem to be on the mend. They are all sleeping through the night now, going down sometime between 7 and 8:30pm and sleeping until 5:00am at least, but as late as 7:00am for Tighe and Cian. Sometimes we wonder if Michael would get up at all if we didn't wake him.

We really appreciate all the continuing help. Marge and Don are always ready to come and help whenever we ask. Julia and Jane were like experienced mothers when they were here a couple of weeks back. Erin and Brian Baillard (and Sophie of course) who collected Michael and Cian from Lucille Packard and looked after them for the afternoon when Gigi had to make an unexpected trip up there with Tighe last week. Debbie, Ann Marie, Michele, Lucinda, Stephanie, the Balanay's and too many neighbors to mention continue to help us out. And we now have our very own Mary Poppins, an English nanny by the name of Tracey Patrick who brings a bright smile and positive attitude to the house whenever she comes.

We are very much looking forward to the visit of Christina and James (my brother and sister) this Friday. They'll be a great help while Gigi's in the hospital with Tighe next week.

Thanks Gigi for posting all the cool photos yesterday. You can check them out below.