Targeted Radiation

regular
BMT
Counting down the days towards the BMT
Author

Colin C.

Published

October 30, 2023

It is Day -15 as we count down the days towards Sam’s bone marrow transplant (BMT).

This past week

Treatment

Sam is currently in his targeted radiation phase, which is intended to directly attack the main mass of cancer in his body. Each day this past week we went to the BC Cancer clinic at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). During each visit the technician would use a mold of Sam to get him into position. The mold extends from below his shoulders up over his head and they use it to literally pin him to the treatment table ensuring that he is in the exact same position each time – thereby ensuring the radiation focuses on the intended area.

Sam is doing well with it all. Sam is now over thirty days away from the previous chemo-drug treatments and his strength is returning. He is a generally healthy young man, but with cancer. This is where we want him to be – as healthy and as strong as possible before starting the BMT.

So far the only side effect from the radiation therapy has been fatigue. It is different than chemo-fatigue which caused him to not have any energy, be nauseated, and caused brain fog. This radiation induced fatigue is the need to sleep, but once awake Sam usually has energy to go for walks and enjoy his life.

Visitors

We had a good number of family and friends visiting with us this past week. Not everyone got to see Sam as he is being very cautious about seeing people – he is also training Tina and I to do the same as we all mask up more and more. Visitors included:

  • Gram and Papa spent some great time with Sam prior to heading home this past Monday

  • Nana, now living in the area, was able to come by for the Thursday afternoon.

  • Uncle Kevin and cousin Kaden were able to be here for a few hours. I love it when Sam and Kaden have a chance to hang out.

  • Friday morning I had a great visit with Aaron W.

  • Friday afternoon we spent some good time, Colin with Rob, and Tina with Leanne D. They also delivered some great messages of support from our church family in Prince George – thank you all!

  • Yesterday evening we were able to get away from the RMH and spend the evening with family out in Langley – celebrating our nieces birthdays. We are so fortunate to have family close by.

Upcoming

Today Sam returns to his targeted radiation therapy. It highly likely that the impacts of this treatment will become more distinct with increasing levels of fatigue and potentially skin and esophagus irritation.

Next week after will be more difficult as Sam will have more intense treatments to condition his body for the BMT – all the gains that have been made in returning Sam to feeling healthy will likely be ripped out from under him. These treatments include:

  • Total body radiation
  • BMT Chemotherapy – intense chemo-drug therapy
  • Immune suppression drugs
  • The BMT transplant

See the previous post or The Plan for the details.

Victories and concerns

  • Thankful for friends who have chosen to meet regularly to pray for Sam. If you would like to join them talk with Beth H., Krista C., or contact the Westwood Church office.

  • It has been amazing to see Sam out from under the influence of chemotherapy. To see him return to strength of mind and to have capacity for more activity.

  • We have completed a major chapter in Sam’s treatment. With the completion of this last/ sixth round of chemotherapy we now pivot to the bone marrow treatment plan – this next treatment brings hope of removal of the disease but also anxiety about both the challenging process and the potential for long term side effects.

  • It is the beginning of flu season and covid is still out there. In the weeks ahead, as a family, we will be more cautious to reduce our risk of getting ill. If any of us get sick in the weeks ahead it will add challenges to Sam and the BMT process as he will be entering a phase where he has no immune system for weeks.

  • We are continually thankful for our medical teams here. They continue to provide incredible care. They are always open to conversation and answering questions. They have been incredibly pro-active and I am glad we are prepared for the next steps.

  • Thankful that the chemotherapy has been effective at initially reducing the cancer and lately keeping the cancer contained (as indicated by the PET scan). Thankful that these results allow us to move forward.

  • In preparation for the BMT there are numerous items that need to come together:

    1. Due to some timing and logistics we have had to change donors. We are thankful for this current donor who will provide a peripheral blood sample and is a good match for Sam.
    2. We are desiring that side effects both immediate and long-term would be limited. Ideally, that there would be no measurable side effects long term.
    3. The medical team has a huge coordination task ahead of them. From out meetings with them it seems all of the pieces are coming together, but with so many moving parts it is easy for things go wrong.

  • We are thankful for the support of family and friends. Thank you for your notes of encouragement.

  • There is always concern as the cancer remains. We long for the day when Sam is clear of this disease.