What a week! Kyle started his third week of radiation with the sun shining and temperatures in the low 70's. While that may make some people yearn for summer, it makes us think of sitting in the sun on fall afternoons and watching Husky Football! How were Kyle and Nicolas able to help meet our needs? By playing catch with Husky QB Jake Locker at Husky Stadium on a balmy Tuesday afternoon. The joy on those boys face (Jake included!) is hard to describe. True to character, Nicolas and Kyle chased Jake all over the field. They played catch. They ran plays. They raced up and down the entire length of the field. After an hour and a half they had pretty much tuckered Jake out!
Wednesday Kyle had his weekly appointment with Dr. Olson at Children's. It was a positive meeting as we are always happy to hear that Kyle is handling his treatments like a champ!
Kyle and Nicolas then kicked off the weekend with a jam session with Recess Monkey before the benefit concert on Saturday at the EMP. They took turns on the electric guitar and the drums making up their own tunes as they went. We were all blown away by the amazing turn out at the benefit. So many friends from past, present and future! Thank you to everyone who drove in the rain, battle for a parking space and left with their ears ringing with the joyful rock and roll stylings of Recess Monkey. We are all extremely grateful for your generosity and positive thoughts. Kyle finished off the week sitting in his grammie's lap reading all the wonderful cards that his friends made at the benefit. Each one is special. The good wishes help Kyle rally for week number 4!
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This site is intended to serve as a source of information on Kyle's condition, current progress and as a community resource to focus all of our good thoughts, prayers and wishes for the best recovery.
CURRENT NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KYLE
current news and upcoming events for Kyle can be found at: www.kyleroger.blogspot.com
KYLE'S TREATMENT PLAN - FEBRUARY 2007
Kyle's treatment begins on Tuesday, February 20th. He will receive radiation for six weeks and participate in a clinical trial, PBTC-014. During the trial, Kyle will be given the experimental drug Zarnestra. The purpose of this medicine will be be to augment the radiotherapy and hopefully inhibit new tumor growth. You can read more about this clincial trial at: http://www.pbtc.org/public/PBTC-014%20Lay%20Summary.pdf
Kyle's oncologist, Dr. James Olson, is affiliated with Children's Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and UW Medical Center. You can read more about Dr. Olson at: http://myprofile.cos.com/JOlson22
Kyle will receive his radiation treatment at the UW Medical Center; all other treatment, including the clincial trial, will take place at Children's Hospital. During his treatment, Kyle and his family will be staying in Seattle.
Kyle's Diagnosis - Brain Stem Glioma
Definition: The brain stem consists of the midbrain, pons and medulla located deep in the posterior part of the brain. Tumors that arise along these structures are called brain stem gliomas. Most brain stem gliomas occur in the pons ("pontine gliomas"). The pontine tumors have a poorer prognosis than the less common midbrain and medullary gliomas. Incidence: Brain stem tumors account for 10 percent of pediatric brain tumors. The peak incidence is between ages 5 and 10. Clinical Features and Symptoms: Pontine brain stem tumors affect the cranial nerves, causing symptoms related to the nerves that supply the muscles of the eye and face, and muscles involved in swallowing. These symptoms include double vision, inability to close the eyelids completely, dropping one side of the face, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. The tumor also affects the "long tracks" of the brain, with resultant weakness of the arms or legs and difficulty with speech and walking. Symptoms usually worsen rapidly because the tumor is rapidly growing. Tumors arising in the midbrain usually affect only the nerves supplying the eye muscles. They also block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, causing increased pressure with headaches and vomiting. Tumors involving the medulla usually cause swallowing problems and weakness of the arms and legs. Treatment Strategies: Surgery is not generally possible because these tumors (especially pontine gliomas) are widely spread within the brain stem and can not be removed. Surgery may be possible in the few patients where the tumor is very localized. Radiation therapy has been the main treatment approach. Current Research: To improve the outcome of pontine gliomas, researchers are studying drugs that may enhance the effect of radiation therapy. For midbrain and medullary tumors, the new radiation techniques allow more localized therapy. Kyle will be taking part in the Phase II Trial of Zarnestra, also known as R115777. This drug belongs to a group of drugs calle farnesyl transferase inhibitors, or FSIs. FSIs are made to slow down cell growth.
1 comment:
Love the good news!
Stay STRONG
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