Rescans and Round 3
Miles’s Portland oncologist called on 3/16/21 with the results from that morning’s spine and brain MRIs at Doernbecher. Dr. Miller was pleased with the results and indicated three positive signs:
- There was no progression/growth in any of his tumors
- Tumors on his spine were less noticeable
- Overall his tumors were smaller - not by a large margin, but smaller is better.
Miles and Joy checked into the hospital in Medford this same evening in order for Miles to begin his 3rd out of six rounds of inpatient chemo.
In just a few days we will be halfway done with the grueling reality of chemo and Miles will be back home to his dad, his brother and his sweet Charlee girl.
Miles isn’t known as “Miles the Brave” or “Smiling Miles” for any reason. He’s simply a tough and happy kid. He was the kid I’d bring to see his pediatrician for a checkup and Dr. Johnson would ask “Do you know this kid has a raging ear infection in both ears?” We’d have absolutely no clue - because he never complained of pain.
He even fell a couple stories off of a tree fort at our friend’s house and didn’t bother to let us know until a casual dinner conversation started. Carter told us “He didn’t cry and we did the ‘concussion check’ dad - he was good.”
Since September and while enduring chemo and radiation he’s cried twice. Two times out of 100+ grueling sessions of either being scanned, poked, prodded, put in a mask and strapped onto a table, or taking in poisons that make grown men come to their knees.
The first time he cried - it wasn’t even because he was in pain. He simply cried because he wanted us to promise him we’d never have to go to back to Seattle and be apart as a family. Once I told him we will never have to do that again - he wiped his tears and said “I’m a warrior - warriors don’t cry mom.”
The second time he cried was today - 3/18/2021. It was just the two of us in the room. He always puts on a good face for the doctors and nurses - honestly for his dad and brother too. He was doubled over in pain and he wrapped his arms around my neck and just started sobbing. I told him that I was so sorry, but that we were getting rid of the cancer. He cried and asked “But why does it have to hurt so much?"
I hope that once we finish this adventure of killing his cancer - that we can be a part of a larger voice in our country and world. Considered to be one of the most advanced nations on the planet but we had to force (FDA Race for Children Act) LEGISLATION recently upon pharmaceutical companies for them to share their research with scientists in order to try to work to collaborate for a cure.
One of the richest nations in the world, but we only allocate 4% of our medical research budget to finding a cure for pediatric cancer - even though it is the number one killer of children in our country. Year after year.
You’re right Miles - WHY does it have to hurt so much. Warrior on kid.
#scottvalleystrong
#smilesformiles
#powertothemullet
#truegrit
#milesthebrave
