Chemo it is and more tumor shrinkage

We now have a plan and a path forward… and a 1st grader!

Carson was able to start 1st grade on Monday — and yes, of course we cried as we watched our girl walk without assistance into her school with her friends and without hesitation. Yesterday was her first normal day at school since March 31st!

Carson had another MRI last Thursday and we received a message from her oncologist that the tumor shows continued shrinkage. Praise Jesus! He said it has shrunk 20% since surgery, which could be swelling going down from surgery/ now seeing the true size of the post-surgery tumor or said there is a small chance it could actually be shrinking but this normally doesn’t happen without treatment. The tumor is still about 1.5 inches tall (height of an AirPod).

We received a call after today’s appointment that Carson was assigned to the standard care arm of treatment which is chemotherapy. She will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow night and have surgery Thursday morning for her port and also receive her first round of chemo. She’ll then have weekly chemo for a year.

We were able to talk with her a little about what’s about to happen. At first she started to push back with spending the night at the hospital but quickly turned it around when she started thinking about what she could pack and that she could watch Paw Patrol in Spanish again (one of her favorites during last hospital stay.. what a goofy girl!). We told her she’d get her mask on again like for the MRI but come out with a magic button on her chest that means she won’t have to get an IV each week. She remained chipper, said ok, and went on to play. We are VERY thankful, as we expected her to shut down like she has in previous conversations.

Each night we’ve been thanking God for her blob…and I truly feel peace with that prayer. I hate the idea of chemo but felt prepared to hear todays news. Our prayer in the waiting has been for the Lord to prepare our hearts and for his glory to be revealed through her blob. How special to witness prayers already answered and to think of ways prayers have been answered that we may not even know about.

Please continue to pray for our girl and our family as we enter into this next stage… especially as we head back to MUSC tomorrow night with pillows and toothbrushes and another surgery ahead.

Please also pray for us and continue to give us grace as we try to function in our family, friendships, and work while navigating this next phase.

Thank you for being in this with us 💜🦄