Boston or Bust!

The day has finally come! We have a plan for going to Boston! Dr. Liebsch called this afternoon and wants to begin Zoe's radiation treatment process on June 1st. In the past month there has been some talk of trying to surgically remove the remaining tumor in Zoe's neck and throat, but after much contemplation from various docs, the conclusion is that this will not be possible without major nerve damage....so radiation it is. Radiation won't eliminate the remaining tumor, but hopefully it will prevent it from growing. We'll keep praying for researchers to come up with some chemotherapy that proves effective on chordoma in the near future. That would be amazing!!!!

So, once we get to Boston, the plan is to do various scans and such so that Dr. Liebsch can map out a plan of attack, and then proceed with 8 weeks of radiation. He's hoping we can do this without having to place a central line in Zoe, meaning that Zoe will be able to do the treatment without any sedation. I have faith that she can do it, and Dr. Liebsch seems to be very patient and willing to work with her to make her comfortable with the process.

I'm excited that we have a plan, and that we'll be finished with radiation before the next school year begins. It looks like Zoe will be able to start first grade next year! She's been doing kindergarten from home this year. I'm also feeling very grateful that radiation will only take 8 weeks...I was thinking it would take at least 12 weeks. I'm very happy to be wrong!

Boston in the summer time...as long as Zoe's feeling well, we'll never be short of things to do. We've met some friends through the Candlelighter's program that have a 4 yr. old daughter that went through radiation in Boston, and they were very happy with her treatment, and raved about how fun Boston was. That's very reassuring to me. I've been a little anxious about being strangers in a strange land...with no car AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Zoe has been doing great lately. We recently got a membership at the local YMCA, and Zoe and her sister Sky have turned into fish. Everyday after school we are asked the same question in unison...."can we go swimming at the Y? Pleeeeaaaase!" Both of them are turning into excellent doggy paddlers. I'm such a proud mommy! I've also gotten back into swimming...the only sport I was any good at growing up, and I think I might even join the city team when we return from Boston. It's very therapeutic, and meditative to swim lap after lap after lap.

So, it's time to start getting ready for the next step. I think we're ready to get this done and over with.

Colleen