MRI Results

Well, we met with the doctor this morning to learn the results of the MRI Mac had on Tuesday. It was not the news we had hoped for, but it may have been a little unrealistic to hope of a miracle that the tumor was all gone with no trace left of the cancer. We were surprised to learn the scan was a bit “inconclusive”. I didn't know that could even happen. It appears from what the doctor could see that the volume of the tumor has definitely increased. In other words, the tumor has grown since the last scan on April 20^th, but is still smaller than the original tumor at diagnosis. The doctor also said he saw black area in the tumor which may indicate an area in the tumor that is dead. We are hopeful that this is the case! His doctor is going to try to get a new drug for him to try that is more effective than the one now listed on his protocol. The major hurdle is cost. Apparently, this drug is very expensive so some insurance companies will not pay for it. This was probably the most disturbing thing I heard today. Who would have thought in one of the richest countries in the world this would ever be said to parents. The thought of Mac not getting the most effective treatments to help him rage this war against his brain cancer because of cost makes me sick to my stomach. His doctor is optimistic we should be ok with our insurance though.

So although the results are not as good as we had hoped they could have been a whole lot worse. Mac is home, happy, and thriving right now and that is the most important thing for us!