This post is difficult for me to write. Derek finished his first round of the clinical trial with Selinexor about three weeks ago. His scans were delayed because of the RSV that put him in PICU for 16 days. As his white count began to trickle back in and he began to recover from the RSV, his
lymphoma came roaring back, and we watched with dread as his face and neck quickly enlarged again. His MRI while still in PICU showed maybe a slight reduction in size of the masses over the previous scans two weeks into the Selinexor trial, but the PET scan showed just as much activity as before. So overall, there was no lasting or significant benefit for him, and Dr. Lacayo did not think repeating the clinical study treatment would do any differently. He suggested a two-week round of targeted therapy that he has used a few times in the past with mixed results. Depending on how Derek responds, it may be the last attempt to control the disease. Derek started this round Friday night, and so far, there has not been much change overall though it is a little early to expect it. The nodes in his neck and the mass particularly on the left side of his face have continued to grow, and the mass in his face is putting a lot of pressure on and around his left eye. An MRI from this past Monday showed the mass below his left eye was about 4 1/2 by 3 1/2 cm in size and is invading his socket. Because this course of treatment is not a study, we will be able to continue the treatment at Loma Linda, so at the end of the week when he has a one-day break in treatment, we are hoping to transition home to Loma Linda. Please pray that he will not spike a fever so that this is possible. We are facing the very difficult reality that treatment will end without the results we had hoped for, and we are faced with heartbreaking choices about continued treatment. We have not given up hope, and we trust that God will guide us in Derek's care as He has done in the past. We will see what God will do. We covet your prayers on our behalf during the difficult days ahead.
5 comments:
Oh heather, Vince, Kristin, and Derek, I'm so sorry to hear this news. Praying for God's comfort and His healing hand on you all. This has been such a long row to hoe for you all.
Abba, Hear from heaven and heal this family. You love them and know what is best. Our hearts are breaking and we long for heaven. Comfort and give Your peace that passes all understanding. We plead and demand that You heal Derek, Your plan is to give him success and hope for the future. We love You, Lord and trust in Your promise, that whatever we ask in Your name, we will receive. I claim that promise right now. You made Derek and You can heal. Please do it now. For Jesus sake and in His precious name Amen.
Praying for an amazing miracle and God's name to be praised.
Never a day goes by that Sonia, Lucas and I don't lift Derek and all of you up in prayer. We are Gianmarco's dad, mom and brother. May God bless you and keep you all.
We continue to lift Derek and you all in prayer every day. We are praying in earnest. Your friends from RI Camp, The Gallagher's Jeff, Nikki, Peter, Jack, Liam, Laura, and Teddy
As my husband said above, Derek and your family are in our prayers everday. I am at loss for words. God be with you all. Hugs and kisses.
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