Falling leaves...

H and Daddy did some raking today...

H really got into it....

Rub a dub dub 2 lil' monkeys in a tub...

And finally, an update on C after today's appt.: Spoke with Dr. Roger Packer (neurologist) as well as the neurosurgeon Dr. Myseros and our oncologist Dr. Chao with Children's National Medical Center, they are recommending starting the Dana Farber protocol next week after surgery to implant the ommaya reservoir (more brain surgery, a way to get the chemo to the brain directly) on Monday, and also another MRI as they saw a little spot in the same place on the other side of his brain that they are concerned with (possible 2nd tumor).

Because the cancer cells are loose in the fluid and we have potentially more than one tumor site, in a bad location and impacting nerve function, they reiterated that C is a poor candidate for surgery or radiation (no one location to attack).

The goal is to try the chemo for 2 months (switching from delivery into the spine then the ommaya reservoir every other week) and see if there has been any improvement. They said the high dose chemo treatment (children's oncology group protocol?) could be an alternative to consider if this does not show signs of improvement, or they may just recommend we let him go at that point.

They were quite up front about his chances being extremely poor due to his age and the inoperability of the tumor and potential spreading of the cancer. We appreciated that. We will also be doing the genetic testing ourselves and for our other child. In the mean time, just trying to enjoy our little family and not think too hard about the future.