The Wilkins Way of Life: A Hard Day

Today was a hard day. For the first time a doctor told us he may not be able to cure Levi's cancer. That's never been a tangible option in our minds (though obviously we have considered the theoretical consequence of death due to cancer). This new reality comes alongside a rigorous treatment plan that does have the possibility of successful results.

Starting sometime next week (ASAP, pending insurance approval) Levi will begin what the doctor explained as "not easy chemo." It will be a 21-day cycle that starts with 4 days straight of infusions followed by 17 off days before beginning again. Each cycle will have more intense side effects as the drugs compound in his system. While taking this chemo regimen he will also be taking Mitotane, the pill form of chemo prescribed by the endocrinologist yesterday. Double chemo, yikes.

The chemo will be working to shrink his tumor, which is currently very close to a large blood vessel that supplies his intestines, making surgery risky. After two rounds of the chemo regimen he will have imaging done to see how the tumor is responding to treatment. If it's responding well then he will have another two rounds of treatment. At that point they will take another look at the tumor and either recommend surgery or another two rounds of treatment. The max is usually six rounds, due to the intensity of side effects. Levi may not even be able to endure more than four rounds, depending on how he's tolerating them.

The chemo should also work to treat the cancer on his lung, which will be monitored alongside the tumor shrinkage. Once the tumor is removed, the doctor will decide what's next. It's hard to estimate a timeline on all of this, but the best case scenario we can figure out at the moment is that he'll be through the chemo and surgery/recovery by about February.

The current plan is to do the first round of chemo in Houston so we can start next week (before we can get in to see the OKC oncologist). Then future treatments will be done at home, making this easier on all of us.

While the doctor may not be able to cure Levi, we know God can. Pray with us that He will.

The "before" picture. We were very glad to finally be at the appointment we've been waiting for. I didn't capture the after, but it's safe to say it wouldn't have been as happy.