After several people reached out today concerning Sawyer’s MRI, I realized I needed to post an update. As I mentioned in my previous post, this cycle (“cycle B”) is particularly hard on everyone, and especially Sawyer. He was able to start on time, but it brought all of his counts down quickly and drastically. By day 10 of this cycle, his platelets and hemoglobin had dropped where he needed multiple transfusions, his white blood cells were wiped out and he developed sepsis causing a 7 night hospital stay, and he was under observation for the possible “beginnings” of appendicitis. It was a stressful week to say the least. Thankfully we are home now, where we are continuing to administer antibiotics through his port. 

During the chaos of last week, Sawyer’s team was able to bump up his MRI while he was inpatient, and we received the wonderful news that scans continue to show no evidence of disease! We thank everyone who has sent love and prayers, and ask that you continue to do so. While we truly believe Sawyer will be fully healed, the reality of most pediatric cancers, especially brain cancer, is this is a lifetime diagnosis due to the probability of relapse. Once he is finished with treatment this summer, he will continue MRIs every 3 months. After 5 years of clear scans, he will be officially declared cancer free-a day that we can’t wait to celebrate-though yearly scans will continue. 

Sawyer has 3 more chemotherapy cycles left, meaning he is 2/3 complete with his maintenance chemo. Cycle 7 is scheduled to start next Wednesday, 3/25. Due to how his body struggled during this current round, there is a chance his counts will not have recovered enough to start. As much as we are all ready to complete chemo as quickly as possible, we will listen to Sawyer’s body and let it guide us. 

We have several friends with MRIs and tests this month, and we pray that they receive the new of clear scans. We love you all!

(Picture was taken less than 2 minutes after we arrived home. After not seeing Sophie for a whole week, I thought I would get the first hug. I don’t mind that I was wrong.)