We received Caitlyn's MRI results late yesterday. The test showed no enhancement of the tumor. This was a great relief after the last two MRI's were not what we had hoped. That being said, she is eligible for the trial with Avastin and Irinotecan. We will start this Monday. She will have an IV infusion every 15 days. Please pray that the side effects are manageable for her body and that this works for her.
As a lot of you may know we have been anxiously researching any and every treatment that Caitlyn may benefit from. We have been following leads that people are sending us. Here is where we are with that. Several people told us about Dr. Spetzler who operated on a local girl with an inoperable tumor. Her story was in the Daily Herald. We contacted the doctor and sent scans for him to review. He called us back to tell us he could operate on part of her tumor; but he could not remove the whole thing. Our doctor even talked with him. Unfortunately this is an all or nothing situation. Removing part of the tumor is of no use -- because the type of cancer is very aggressive and will only grow back.
We have also looking into a couple different clinics and institutes that claim to have a cure; but they show as much success rate as the clinical trials we are looking at. I do believe diet is a very big part in trying to cure cancer but it is easier said then done to get 20 different vitamins down a 5 year old. Or juicing 20 pounds of vegetables a day. We have to think about the quality of life and her happiness. She is so happy everyday and I don't want to take that away from her. We are working with a nutritionist to see if they can help us sort all of this out.
Thank you for all your support, prayers, and for trying to find a cure for our daughter. It means so much to know that people we know and don't know care so much.
Kara
