The Next Challenge

We met with our neuro-oncologist today. She was very encouraged by Xavian's recovery from the surgery. Xavian's tumor is malignant and has been diagnosed as a PNET or primitive neuroectodermal tumor. I won't go into exactly what that is, I just know that it has something to do with primitive nerve cells in the brain and is somewhat rare.

Our neuro-oncologist has a chemotherapy protocol that they've used previously to treat this type of cancer. Due to the rate at which this tumor replicates, we'll have to start chemotherapy almost immediately, so Xavian will be starting chemotherapy early next week.

Right now, we're looking at 2 to 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Each cycle will last about a month and we'll spend 6 to 10 days in the hospital for each cycle. Our neuro-oncologist gave us a 40 to 50% chance of this treatment killing the cancer. There is about 20% of the tumor remaining that will continue to grow if not killed.

God will get us through this. Although faith is a struggle and wouldn't be faith without the struggle, and this is the scariest thing we've ever dealt with, I think I can speak for Cassie when I say we have peace and know that God is good and we are loved and protected. Something great WILL come out of this. I believe that with every ounce of my being and I look forward to seeing what that great thing is.

Keep the prayers coming!!