First Post Treatment Scan Results

It's been an incredibly stressful two weeks!!  Cameron had to have a range of tests and scans over the past two weeks to determine whether he is cancer free.  Even though he has only just completed treatment, Neuroblastoma is known to relapse - it's the nature of this beast!  Thankfully, all of his scans have come back clear of Neuroblastoma cells!  We are still waiting for the results of the bone marrow aspiration and the urine analysis, but we are quietly confident that those will come back clear too.  He will continue to be rescanned every 3 months for the next two years and will see his oncologist once a month. 

Beside the stress of the actual scans, I was extremely worried about how I would cope taking both boys to the hospital with me - in the past, our dear friend, Leigh would watch James or we had my mom here or our awesome nanny, Ana, to help out with weeks like these.  Unfortunately, January is a busy month for everyone and all of our scans conflicted with the calendars of all the people who usually help us.  So I was on my own, with two potty training, busy toddlers.  Much to my surprise, it all went very smoothly.  James was an absolute star!!  He told me when he needed to use the potty, he sat quietly and watched videos while the nurses worked on Cameron, he never complained!  James is by nature a relaxed child, but I wasn't sure how he would cope with hearing Cameron cry when they put the IV in or how he would keep himself occupied for 5 or 6 hours while we waited around.  Cameron, as usual, took everything in his stride.  He is such an amazingly strong little boy.  He allowed the nurses to put the IV in with minimal fuss and played happily with the Child Life Specialist's iPad until it was time to go through for his scan.  He drank all of his contrast (a medicine that allows the cancer to show up on the scan) without complaining and was just an all round star!

I continue to be inspired by these two little people!  Cameron's strength and James' calm, patient demeanour leave me awestruck and I am thankful for everyday that I get to spend with these amazing children of mine!

This is truly a remarkable milestone, we have moved through the treatment stage to monitoring. We really appreciate all of the support we have received over the last 16 months. From an amazing medical team of doctors, nurses and technicians at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta to all of our family, friends, neighbours and colleaugues both near and far who have gone above and beyond to help us. From help with caring for James when our energy and time were spread so thin, to the meals and financial support that arrived when we needed it the most, and to the countless gifts and messages of encouragement from across the street and around the world that have kept us filled with hope. Thank you to everyone of you. You will never know how much you have touched our lives.