Mikey Update

Well...quit a bit has transpired since my last post so let me take a minute to get everyone caught up to date on what is going on with Mikey.

June 30: Mikey was discharged from the hospital and we took him to his Grandma's to rest for a few days before we travel back to Dallas.

July 6: Mikey, Wendy and Grandma get to fly to Dallas on a corporate aircraft thanks to Corporate Angel Network. They coordinate the use of company planes that have been made available to transport cancer patients. He really had a blast traveling in style. I however, got to drive back with Shelby and our dog Piper.

July 7: First meeting with the oncologist in Dallas. He reviews MRI images and all notes and reports from the hospital in Detroit. He takes Mikey's case before the tumor board for review.

July 9: Tumor board has meet and they are recommending a second MRI and second surgery. The second surgery is to be more aggressive in getting the tumor out. Their recommendations are in line with the findings of the tumor board in Detroit as well.

July 10: Big scare tonight! I was at work, when I get a text message from Wendy saying that Mikey had to have his first ambulance ride to the hospital. His pain became so severe that he was just about incapacitated, so the paramedics were called, an IV with morphine was stated and he was transported. Spent a few hours in the ER, pain got better and he was put on a steroid to help with swelling around the tumor, which helps a bunch with the pain.

July 13: Second MRI of the entire spine this time. Mikey does very well during the MRI. Poor guy had to lie there for 2 hours while they performed the various scans. He has to get another IV for the contrast to be injected, but we discover a great little tool that numbs the injection site by using compressed air to blow the numbing agent under the skin with no injection. Mike felt nothing at all during this procedure, so it is our new best friend when it comes to starting IV's.

After the MRI we meet with the pediatric neurosurgeon. He reviews the new MRI images and discusses the 2 options the tumor board came up with. 1) No surgery and just treat with radiation. 2)Surgery to remove most, if not all, of the tumor, followed by radiation if needed. He tells us that nobody on the tumor board thinks Option 1 is a good idea. So...surgery is scheduled for Aug 4.

Mike's medication are changed a bit and adjusted to manage his pain until we get to the surgery date.

So there it is...We are up to date...More updates to follow...