Ethen Takes a Stroll

     Since the last update Ethen has generally done well. The week after surgery we kept a watchful eye on his energy level, which, though he had just had surgery, still seemed low to us. He rebounded after that and has gained considerable strength. He's now walking all over the house by himself.

(In the background you will hear Aloe Blacc's song, "The Man." While we find the insolence that lies behind the lyrics repugnant and undesirable, we like to dance to the song 😁 [edit: against my will, Christie demanded that I clarify that I am joking by the extremity with which I express my protest against Aloe's lyrics] We also think that Ethen is the man—you can say another person is "the man," right?)

     As for Ethen's treatment schedule, he has one more treatment of Accutane coming in a little over a week. After that he'll be done with the treatment protocol for stage IV neuroblastoma. After completing protocol Ethen will have a follow-up scan sometime in May. As long as he is clear we plan to enroll him in the DFMO test trial I mentioned in a previous post.
     Please pray that Ethen continues to gain strength. Pray he can start getting all the calories he needs through oral intake. Please also pray that Ethen's lungs can stay healthy. With everything in bloom these days, Ethen has developed some allergies, which could potentially be dangerous if mucus builds up in his lungs. We are continuing his breathing treatments, which seem to help.

(Though there could be plenty of reasons to be bitter this year, we are counting our blessings. We don't deserve another moment with Ethen, but we are rejoicing and thanking God to have him this year.)