Day 87: Thomas Is Cancer-Free!

Duplicated on our CaringBridge site for permanent record here.

February 12, 2021, written by Mama

87 days in the hospital: 63 in PICU, 24 in the Oncology ward

Image source: https://www.whatnext.com/blog/posts/you-are-ned-great-what-is-it

All praise and glory be to God on this day as Thomas's MIBG scan shows No Evidence of Disease! This means that there were no cancer cells detected in the whole-body scan.

Here is the plan:

• Thomas will get to ring the bell when he transfers from the Oncology floor to Rehab.
• Thomas will go to In-House Rehab next week for several weeks.
• The great majority of Thomas's ongoing medical care for years to come will come from Gastrointestinal doctors and his Surgeons.
• Thomas will see his oncologist for check-ups monthly for the next three months. Thomas will have MIBG scans to check for relapsed cancer at 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and 24 months. There are no instances of Intermediate-Risk Neuroblastoma recurring after 24 months (but he could still develop an entirely new cancer due to all the radiation). 
• Already at three months post-treatment and looking at his labs, Thomas is considered "immunocompetent," meaning that his immune system is generally as strong as any other kids'. Also, all evidence (both studies and anecdotal evidence) is showing that pediatric cancer patients (even those in active treatment) navigate COVID as well as typical kids, meaning it is not a concern for them. Thomas's chemotherapy may have knocked out some of his antibodies to normal childhood illnesses (like the common cold, GI bugs) so we are forewarned that he might get a little sicker with common bugs in the next 6-12 months, but it has nothing to do with being immunocompromised--because he isn't!