SUPER NEWS FOR SUPER TY

Ty's MRI today showed significant improvement.  Lou and I just received the news back-to-back from our neurosurgeon and our neurooncologist, and I feel so excited and jumpy it's as if I've had 10 cups of coffee.  I am crying, laughing, biting my nails and practically peeing my pants :)

Ty's tumor shrunk, the compression on his brainstem is significantly reduced, his ventricles look smaller and there has not been any progressive disease or infection found in the rest of his spine.  We were warned prior to the MRI that we should be prepared in case the tumor looks larger.  Since radiation often works slowly and continues to work for up to 3 months post-treatment, we were told that when scans are done this early into radiation therapy, a mass might swell or become necrotic and the imaging can be unclear as to whether or not treatment is working (i.e. the tumor might appear larger when it is, in fact, dying).  The point of today's MRI was simply to rule out any glaring neurological reasons for Ty's continued headpain and nausea.  Not only were we able to rule that out, but we were given an added bonus of being able to report that the scan looks "really good."  Our doctors are pleased and we are beyond relieved. 

Next steps are still a bit uncertain, but we are definitely planning for two more rounds of chemotherapy (21-day cycles each).  Ty will have to have his shunt replaced beforehand, so we don't know what that means as far as how soon we can begin.  We will keep you posted on that.

THANK YOU for your continued prayers and positive energy.  And thank you for reaching out to us with words of support during these difficult times.  We are so blessed.  Keep it coming!!