More specifics on the CT scan results…

Eating ice cream at Courageous Kids Celebration on the floor

Carter being tickled by Mom

Two Big Cheeses

The good news is Carter only got sick those two times last night before going to bed. He slept okay, and we’re hoping the vomiting has passed. He is still gagging and nauseated, so we aren’t pushing any food. Today was his day to recover and rest before his two chemo drugs tomorrow. Then, the oncologist said there is a possibility of us going home tomorrow evening. This would be so nice!

We got a chance to ask a few more specific questions to the oncologist about the CT scan results. He said the tumor has probably shrunk about 40%!! Yes, it is still minimally on the right side, but it is no longer on top of the portal vein on the right side. This was one of the concerns of the surgeon we spoke with at UCLA. The oncologist also said he has never seen any less than 4 rounds of chemo before surgery. So, we know to plan for another round before making a surgical decision. And the oncologist said Carter’s tumor has regressed substantially and these are only results after two rounds of chemo. We are so hopeful we’ll be able to have resection surgery and not a transplant. The doctor said we could not have hoped for better results at this phase. Carter is doing great!!

Not to leave the super big brother out of the picture…Bennett is doing great too. We want to remember all aspects of this experience, so we have to mention Bennett too. He drew Carter a card for his birthday and wrote on it, “I ‘heart’ U”. I told him it was so sweet and he is getting so good at drawing hearts. He said, “Mom, don’t you remember Dada taught me the recipe to make hearts? You just draw a V, then loop it back around.” We will be so sad the day when his clever phrasing goes away, 4 is a great age. Yesterday, he had a swim lesson and Grammy and Auntie took him. He wanted to get there a few minutes early to play in the pool. Just as he took off his shoes, he yelped for Grammy, “I got shot in my foot!” Grammy ran over to see what happened and saw a bee lying on its back. She said, “Bennett, I think you just got stung by a bee.” Of course, as dramatic as he is he required immediate medical attention. Oh, if he knew what his little brother endures! They are both so precious though. Carter just has to be extraordinary in an unusual circumstance.

Mom got an ultrasound at her OB appointment today and the baby looks great. My doctor wanted to get everything checked out because of possible exposure to chemo, but the baby is growing just fine. The ultrasound tech was explaining each part of the anatomy as she was going over it. She showed the kidneys, and then I asked if she could show me the liver. She continued doing the ultrasound and asked why I wanted to see the liver, and I said, “Well, my two year old was diagnosed with liver cancer…” and I absolutely lost it. I was hysterically crying. I tried to contain myself and she was saying how it seemed so rare and asked what the chances were of getting it. I said, “One in a million…” and lost it again. As I was trying to look away and pull it together, I glanced in the mirror to my side and she was wiping down her cheeks. I made her lose it too. Sometimes it’s good to let it all out, and Matt and I never know when or where it will hit us.

Matt is forever grateful to his in-laws. Grandpa came by the hospital and brought lunch to Matt today while I was at my appointment. Then, Grammy came this evening to relieve Matt for the night and sleep with Carter. THANK YOU GRAMMY! We hope they have a good night sleep, and know Dad definitely will at home. Family is wonderful all the time, but especially at times like this!!