Yesterday, Tuesday, November 9, Ronan's condition was confirmed. He has a type of cancer known as embryonal sarcoma - a terrible, aggressive cancer. It is in his liver, his abdominal wall and his lungs.
Because it is in more than one place he will be receiving two types of chemotherapy - doxorubicin (dox-oh-ROO-biss-in) and ifosfamide (eye-FOSS-fa-mide) and not receiving radiation treatment or surgery. The chemo runs through an iv in his port-catheter in his chest. The chemo started Tuesday night at 8:00 and is going to run until Thursday night, after which he will have a bit of a break. A second round will begin on November 30.
Ronan knows he has cancer and that he is receiving chemotherapy and that he is going to be sick. He is comfortable and relaxed and able to read – one of his favourite things. In fact, for the first time in days he’s dressed – looking rather dapper wearing a new blue button-down shirt that mom, Ali had to run out for since his trip to Halifax was all pretty rushed allowing little time for packing clothes.
After Ronan’s chemo, he will be sick as a side effect of the treatment. By the end of week two – November 21/22 - he may be feeling well enough for the doctors to let him have a visit to Saint John for a couple of days. He’s also hoping to be able to catch the Harry Potter movie at the Imax in Halifax then.
Ali says they are hoping for signs that the chemo is working after the six weeks of chemo. Ronan will have to undergo all the tests again then. Joe and Ali are both proud of their boy for being so brave and having to go through so much.
That’s all for now. We will post these sorts of updates periodically so please check back often and don’t forget to post your greetings to Ronan and his mom and dad frequently.
Hi Ali, Joe & Ronan! I hope that today went well for you. Thanks for the update. I love the above picture Ronan, you are looking mighty handsome !:) I saw Malcolm today at school and gave him a tickle for you :) The girls are working hard at a gift box for you, it is being filled with many crafts, cards and letters. Even Annie is contributing. We miss you all very much and are praying for you morning, noon and night. We love you.
ReplyDeleteHey Ali, Joe and Ronan,
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to come visit next weekend with Angus, Sam and Mom. We too are hoping to catch the new Harry Potter movie too at the IMAX theatre. So excited!
Hope you had a good day today. I'm thinking of you all. :)
Love you!