Coltrane update

Hello friends and family,

The Smith family is doing great!  We love being back in town and in our home.  We are so glad to be on the other side of the transplant.  Right now, we are seeing our Oncologist once per week for blood work and general check ups.  We are also in the process of setting up appointments with the Radiologist for radiation therapy.  We had a consultation with him last week.  He told us that for Neuroblastoma, they will give a "ridiculously low" amount of radiation over the course of twelve treatments.  Because of Coltrane's age, they will have to sedate him every time, which will be five days a week for two and a half weeks.  They will radiate Coltrane's abdominal area (where the tumor first originated) and also it was recommended that he have his temple area radiated as well (he has a very small, almost indeterminable bump on his head).  There are multiple concerns that we have from this news.  There is a possibility that Coltrane's height might be affected and part of his skull could be deformed.  Obviously it wouldn't be preferable for these side effects to happen.  The risk is too great for us to not have this done.  The other issue with radiation is when they have to put him to sleep every time.  The therapy is very precise and he must be super still.  We have to meet with the anesthesiologist about whether he will be intubated or be using an LMA.  The LMA would be the best because it only rests on top of the trachea instead of inside of it, which caused some major issues the last time he was intubated during surgery.  

Good news!  We will be able to go to church today!  We got cleared today.  His numbers are great, and his new immune system is doing it's job!  However, we will have to be very limited on the amount of contact we have with others, especially Coltrane.    So if you see us leave church early or try to leave in a hasty way, please know we still love you all, we are only being careful and heeding our doctor's orders.  :)  

Please pray for:

Coltrane to be completely healed

God's wisdom to be revealed to all of Coltrane's doctors

Coltrane to not have ANY negative side effects from his radiation therapy (stunted growth, increased risk of other cancers, deformed skull)

God to direct our parenting

Increased appetite

Thank you all for thinking and praying for our family.  We truly cannot express the gratitude we have for all of you.  God bless and see you all soon!

Love,

Justin,

Sonja,

Jack, 

and Coltrane the Homebody