Late Effects

Jordon is nearing two years post treatment.  Truly PRAISE THE LORD.  In November Jordon saw his oncology team.   He had an x-ray and blood work.  Final result-released from their care!!!!  This is an awesome milestone in his journey.  They released him to the care of what is called the late effects team.  This late effects team evaluates the dosage of all of Jordon's chemotherapies and determines his risk for certain health concerns in the future.  

Today we met with this team and with an immunologist/allergist (for about 3 hours).  Let me back up a bit.  When Jordon was 7 we had him tested for allergies.  He was allergic to nearly all of the common allergies-dust, mold, cats, grass, etc.  We treated him for a while with allergy shots till he decided he did not want to take them anymore (about a year). The reason we met with the immunologist is because he is still affected by a weak immune system and to have an updated allergy test.  To our surprise Jordon's allergy test shows that he has NO allergies (except for some medications).  He is no longer allergic to dust, mold, grass, NOTHING!  Not sure why, but they think either the short time he was on allergy shots helped or because his immune system was completely wiped out from chemotherapy and his histamine is no longer triggered by those allergens.  Weird if you ask me.  They said there isn't a lot of data out there so they don't really know the reason.  They also tested his immune system, and titers for his immunizations.  Those test will take up to 10 days to know the results.  The believe he may need to redo all immunizations because his immune system is like that of a baby-not developed.  I wonder if that means all those antibodies towards illnesses he had as a child will have to be rebuilt-like the flu, colds, etc.  

Next we met with the late effects team.  They are amazing!  While disconcerting that the same medication that saved Jordon's life may also cause him health concerns in the future, this team is supportive as they assess the risk of these medications and monitor kids for the rest of their lives.  His appointment was a very informative 2 hours.  They told us that they will monitor Jordon's heart for the rest of his life because of Doxorubicin.  For the next 10 years they will continue to do blood work because of some long term effects of Ara-C and Cytoxan.  

In a few months we will return and they will do some neuro test because of the chemo treatments he received in his spinal fluid.  This test monitor his ability to process things (they warned me this test takes 7 hours).  They will also begin physical therapy because of some neuropathy possibly cause by the Vincristine.  

I don't know how to express how truly blessed we feel.  We give thanks to the Lord everyday that our son has been cancer free for 2 years.  We also feel blessed to have the support of family and friends.  

We continue to pray that we never take for granted all that we have been blessed with.  Sometimes we go about our busy lives and when it finally catches up with us we just remember 2 1/2 years ago-our busy lives didn't matter. How quickly things can really change.