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ranant12 · 10-08-2009, 06:13 AM

I just got my appt. notice in the mail yesterday. October 19 I have to take my 16 year old son back to UMC childrens hospital in Jackson MS for his yearly MRI and meeting with the Neurosurgeon to see if there is any tumor actitivity.

When he was in the 7th grade (13 years old) he was diagnosed with a large tumor on his spinal cord (stage 2 diffuse fibrillary astocytoma). The next 2 years were a blur of surgeries and radiation treatment. He also ended up with severe scoliosis from the tumor and surgeries and had to have 3 titanium rods and 17 screws put in his back to keep his spine stabile. Through it all he was stronger than me and is currently walking (even though doctors are still amazed that he can), dating and driving like any other normal 16 year old.

He went into remission one year after the initial diagnosis and has been since then even though a tiny bit of tumor remained. Total removal was impossible due to the fact that the tumor had 'fingers' that intwined into his spinal cord.

Anyway, I know that this is all in God's hands. But, I still can't help being so nervous about the rechecks. This type of tumor has a very high chance of reocurrance and the 5 year survivor rate is only around 50%according to some medical sites I've seen. I don't talk to people around here because I can't stand to hear the same old qoutes like, "Why are you worried, just give it to God." "He's fine, don't worry." "He looks good, you are just worrying over nothing".

I KNOW that I can't control the out come of the visit, or whether this tumor will come back, but I can not help being worried.

I just need some prayers for strength and peace if ya'll don't mind.

Thank you,
Theresa and Brandon

10-08-2009, 06:13 AM	#1
ranant12 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 225	Cancer recheck time for my son. I just got my appt. notice in the mail yesterday. October 19 I have to take my 16 year old son back to UMC childrens hospital in Jackson MS for his yearly MRI and meeting with the Neurosurgeon to see if there is any tumor actitivity. When he was in the 7th grade (13 years old) he was diagnosed with a large tumor on his spinal cord (stage 2 diffuse fibrillary astocytoma). The next 2 years were a blur of surgeries and radiation treatment. He also ended up with severe scoliosis from the tumor and surgeries and had to have 3 titanium rods and 17 screws put in his back to keep his spine stabile. Through it all he was stronger than me and is currently walking (even though doctors are still amazed that he can), dating and driving like any other normal 16 year old. He went into remission one year after the initial diagnosis and has been since then even though a tiny bit of tumor remained. Total removal was impossible due to the fact that the tumor had 'fingers' that intwined into his spinal cord. Anyway, I know that this is all in God's hands. But, I still can't help being so nervous about the rechecks. This type of tumor has a very high chance of reocurrance and the 5 year survivor rate is only around 50%according to some medical sites I've seen. I don't talk to people around here because I can't stand to hear the same old qoutes like, "Why are you worried, just give it to God." "He's fine, don't worry." "He looks good, you are just worrying over nothing". I KNOW that I can't control the out come of the visit, or whether this tumor will come back, but I can not help being worried. I just need some prayers for strength and peace if ya'll don't mind. Thank you, Theresa and Brandon