Tumor Pathology

     Today we went to clinic to hear from Ethen's oncologist concerning the tumor pathology results. We were happy to learn that the tumor tissue was around 95% necrotic. In short, this confirms that Ethen's tumor tissue was very sensitive to chemotherapy, which we had already deduced from a comparison of the successive scans over the course of treatment. I won't go into the details of the pathology report, but it revealed that the 5% live tissue was interspersed through the main tumor (the mass above the right kidney). Because the tumor has been so responsive to chemotherapy, we are optimistic that the chemotherapy administered as part of the bone marrow transplant will destroy any of the remaining cancerous cells. This doesn't mean that there is no chance of relapse. We are very cognizant of this possibility. However, we are thankful for the good news today, and we thank God for his grace to Ethen and us in the process so far.
     Please pray for Ethen to continue making progress in surgery recovery. He's been progressing, but he has been in more pain and he has not had much of an appetite the latter part of this week. This is understandable considering the new G-tube, which has no doubt disturbed his stomach's involuntary muscle movement, and because of the surgical procedure, which involved moving his intestines around. Pray Ethen's digestive system can find a rhythm and that he will eat well and gain weight back. Lastly, please pray for our family as we make plans for next month. It's difficult to be apart from our two older kids.