#Loganstrong

Two days into getting chemo Logan is feeling really good.  No nausea or weakness.  I’m sure as the week goes on things will change but Logan amazes me everyday with his strength.

I have been reading more about the next stage of the experimental treatment.  It is the MIBG therapy.  Not sure if I have posted this link before but this explains what Logan & family will be going through just after Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Progress in MIBG therapy…..

Check out all the different jewelry supporting #loganstrong! 

Logan & Mom did the 2 hour commute north this morning to start week of chemo to find out scheduling/communication was wrong.  Instead of doing his chemo Monday-Friday it is Tuesday-Saturday then a trip up Sunday to get a shot.  Frustrated…yep.

So unless something changes Logan will get the chemo drug Topotecan (same as he had in earlier experimental treatments) Tuesday-Saturday.  His counts will then tank to zero and will be very weak.  He is frustrated because he just started getting his hair back.  This drug unfortunately will make what little hair he has grown back fall out.

This past weekend we had a very relaxing weekend at Lake Chelan.

#loganstrong

After fighting traffic for 3 hours Mom & Logan arrived at Children’s to get his T-Cells harvested today.  As you can see from the above pictures he is doing great and continues to amaze us all with his strength.  He is unable to move his arms so it is a day of TV watching.  He was hungry for some popcorn so Kelly bought some and would lay it on his sweatshirt and he would extend tongue to eat them.  He thought that was awesome:).  They will harvest & freeze his cells to use at a later time.  We are going to head to Chelan for a quick get a way this weekend then on Monday he does a week of chemo to get ready to harvest stem cells.

#loganstrong

A little break from the hospital.  Logan & mom headed up both Monday & Tuesday this week for some blood work as well as test his veins for next weeks T-cell harvesting.  Wednesday-Sunday NO PLANS to visit hospital!  Logan is feeling great.  He has been eating well and spending a lot of time with friends and family.

Next week will consist of the harvesting/freezing of his T-cells.  It is a 3 day event (Monday-Wednesday).  They will put a large metal needle (not flexible) into his arm.  They will pull his blood out, run it through a machine, and back into his body.  The machine extracts T-cells which they will freeze and use at a later time when/if he goes through the immunotherapy treatment.

Most 13 year old boys should be stressed about girls, homework, pimples.  Logan has to worry about a large needle that could damage his vein.  Not fair…enough said.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers…….

#loganstrong

Mixed results. Positive bone marrow showing huge improvement. Organs and bones remain exactly the same. However, no new spots. So he is immediately off chemo until October 20th. As well as we will stop the experimental chemo as of tonight. Monday he will have an echo and blood draw. Free Until 12th when we will harvest T cells for much later use. One week of chemo with the only purpose to break down the body to harvest stem cells to use for MIBG experiment. Looks like he starts MIBG after Thanksgiving. So overall report is mixed. As we had already known and discussed with his doctor, neuroblastoma relapse doesn’t like to respond to chemo. So we are on to our next plan of attack.  FIGHT ON!

Logan continues to remain positive & strong.  Today I was able to bring him to his junior high and he was able to participate in planning a potential Halloween event that will help create awareness for childhood cancer.  The above picture is of him and his friend Carson.  It was awesome to see how much support he has from the kids/faculty at his school.  Logan sat through 3 planning sessions with approximately 60 kids and ALL of them were so excited to see him.

#loganstrong

This week will be a busy week of tests & scans.  Yesterday Logan had a bone marrow biopsy.  Today break at home.  Tomorrow CT Scan.  Thursday MIBG scan and meeting with Dr. Julie Park to go over results and what to do next…..

What to do next….

1.  If they see that the current treatment is actually causing the cancer to “go away” we will actually continue treatment another two cycles.  They do not anticipate this as the purpose was to slow down advancement.
2. If 1 does not happen Logan will go off of experiment pills.  He will then have an appointment in the next couple weeks to harvest some T cells & stem cells to prepare for another experimental through the Ben Towne Foundation.  Basically they will re-program his cells and make them super cells to fight the cancer.  Watch amazing video explaining this here.
3. While his T cells are being reprogrammed he will be doing another experimental treatment.  This is the MIBG treatment I mentioned in an earlier post where he will be put in a lead room for 5-7 days and be treated with radioactive medicine.  This is now schedule to start late November.

Logan continues to be our hero…he takes it all in stride.  Today in fact his school tutor (amazing teacher at Kalles Junior high, Billy Lane) comes over for the first time to go over school projects…..so technically today is first day of 8th grade for Logan!

#loganstrong

Logan & mom headed up to Seattle Children’s early this morning to check his counts as well as get a blood transfusion.  They received great news…Logan’s ANC counts (infection fighters) were at 284 and going up!  He also had no fever!  The blood gave him energy and he is feeling great.

Next week is full of tests & scans to see if his cancer has continued to remain contained.  We then meet with doctors to sign paperwork to take him off this experiment and move to another.

The next experimental treatment is an MIBG treatment.  Click here to read about it.  We are scheduled to start this at the end of October.

The above picture is of me and Joel McHale last night at the Ben Towne Benefit which when we left had raised more than 1.3 million dollars!  100% of all funds will go towards finding cures for childhood cancers!

#loganstrong

Last night Logan’s temp dropped to 99.8 and this morning he recorded a 99.4!  So Mom and Logan still home enjoying family time.

Tonight Kelly and I will be attending something we look forward to all year.  The annual fundraiser for the Ben Towne Foundation.  Please if you are unfamiliar with this amazing foundation click on the link provided.  You will be amazed at the progress/results and this is happening in Seattle!

We are all at home (Grandma too) and Logan has a fever of 100.  If it increases to 101 Mom and Logan head into ER.  His spirits are still great fever and all.  It’s amazing the smile he continues to keep even though he is still not feeling great.

Last night we had an amazing time at the Sounders game.  Thank you to the Austen Everett Foundation and the Seattle Sounders!  It was a great get-a-way for Logan as well as a great birthday for Grandma.

#loganstrong

Mid week update….Yesterday Logan’s ANC counts were at just 240 and going down.  Basically he cannot fight infection.  So any fever we go straight to ER and get admitted.  Today counts probably zero but he is doing great!  Mom and Logan went north to get blood at noon today.  Gave Logan energy as well as gave him color (no wonder Lance Armstrong got fresh blood between races;)).

Tomorrow Logan & family get a special treat.  We will be attending a private suite (germ free) with family at the Sounders game.  We were provided special parking and a private suite for 14.  Not sure who is more excited Logan or Dad:).  We are also celebrating Grandma turning 21 again.  She has been a great help here while visiting from Tucson.

I have had many of you ask for our address but of course I feel a little uncomfortable putting it on website.  Feel free to e-mail me anytime at jasonyewis@yahoo.com and I will provide.  Logan loves getting mail & surprises.

So I will wrap up this blog with love, family, friends….amazing.  Thank you!

#loganstrong,