Do you want the good news or the bad news first? How about the bad ... We got the pathology report back today and Little Buddy indeed has cancer. Meduloblastoma, a very big word. He will need chemotherapy and radiation. We don't know yet if the cancer spread to his spinal cord or if they were able to get all of the tumor out, they need an MRI to see that and he is still just too unstable to be moved out of his room. One good thing is that the doctor said 75% of kids who get this kind of cancer do well and if they stay cancer free for 5 years they usually will have a long and healthy life. He did get a CT done today which showed a good amount of swelling has gone down in the brain.
Now the good news ... at 6:00pm Little Buddy opened his eyes and started making purposeful movements. He is squeezing our hands on verbal command now and responding to irritations, such as his tubes, he keeps trying to pull out his NG tube. They also have been able to pull out 1 Of 4 chest tubes and he is at 35% oxygen. He still needs the epinephrine to maintain his blood pressure and they had to give him some more clotting factors today but all in all he has made a huge step toward healing. And we are happy that he is being a little fighter.
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We're so happy to hear that Little Buddy is starting to respond! Thanks for the updates. Our prayers continue to pour out for you. - Timoteo
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news! One step at a time and this is a HUGE step in the right direction! Thank you for the update.
ReplyDeleteTears of joy....I'm still praying for miracles and that his journey on this earth will extend beyond his parents' years. Love to you all!!!
ReplyDeleteSue Pratt
Whew - Good news indeed. I know that chemo is no fun whatsoever, but what a blessing that he has hope. Our prayers are continually with your family.
ReplyDeleteKids are always much stronger that what we think they are. I'm glad about the news. We'll keep praying for you guys.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Wow, what a huge improvement. I am crying tears of gratitude. We continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers continually. We hope Little Buddy continues to improve like this. Chemo and radiation are never fun, but they have made vast strides in the treatments in recent years. Hopefully he will benefit from that. We will continue to watch for updates. David goes in to Salt Lake daily. If there is anything you need us to bring, just let us know.
ReplyDeleteHay buenas noticias y malas noticias. Las malas primero: es cancer. Se llama Meduloblastoma. Va a ncesitar quimo y radiacion. No sabemos bien todavia si el cancer se extendio a la columna vertebral. Vamos a saber hoy (miercoles), cuando le hagan un MRI. Lo mejor es que el doctor nos dijo que 75% de los chicos que tienen este cancer andan bien, y si logran pasar los primeros 5 a\os sin cancer, usualmente vive el resto de la vida ok.
ReplyDeleteLas buenas noticias: le hicieron un CT Scan en la cabeza y mostro que el cerebro esta bastante desinchado.
Tambien, a las 6 de la tarde ayer, el abrio los ojos por un momento y empezo a hacer movimientos voluntarios. Nos apreto la mano cuando le pedimos, y responde a molestias, como los tubos en la boca, etc. Tambien le sacaron 1 de los 4 tubos que tenia en el pecho para ayudar los pulmones y esta a 35% de oxigeno (21% es aire normal. Llego a necesitar 100%)
Todavia esta recibiento Epinefrina para mantelerle la presion y sus propios coagulantes no andan bien tampoco. Pero, considerando que hace 48 horas no estabamos seguros que iba a sobrevivir, ha hecho un MONTON de progreso.
Resulto que el peque\o es un luchador!
Holly, I am so sorry! I will be praying for you and your family. Let me know if I can do anything. IF your sister needs any babysitting I'm your woman. Traci
ReplyDeleteMy very best wishes for you and your family! I will keep you in my prayers, and am grateful for the bright spot of increased responsiveness that you have seen. May it continue!!
ReplyDeletehola soy vero prima de gerardo,queremos decirles que estamos siguiendo todas las noticias al dia,que tengan mucha fuerza que todo va a salir bien,todos estamos rezando por benjamin.los queremos mucho!!!
ReplyDeleteYay Little Buddy. We are all rooting for you. Jana, what a beautiful job you have done on the blog. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove, Marsha
We are praying for little Benjamin Blanco and his name is on the Temple Prayer Roll in Portland and Seattle right now. Our family hopes this little special spirit will recieve a blessed miracle and our admiration for his brave and courageous parents. Elaine Drennan (friend of Nancy Harrington)
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