April 1998

Dear Family & Friends-

Medical Update

Remember that tumor that was about the size of a large orange? Remember those "experts" that told us not to expect the tumor to continue to shrink after each treatment? Well, those same experts can not feel the tumor at all anymore!!!!!!! Now what we hear are words like "remarkable" and "phenomenal" instead of "not likely" and "probably not." We are praising God!

Another CAT scan will not be performed until the end of May. When asked if the doctors were to do another CAT scan right now, would it be possible that they wouldn't see anything at all and they said yes because they are not feeling anything at all! They also said that even if they did see something on the scan, they wouldn't be able to tell if what they were seeing was dead cells or live cells. This information will not be known until surgery is performed and they can see inside. The reason another CAT scan is not being done at this point is because Sebastian's treatment would not change no matter what the results are. As many issues as the doctors disagree on, the one issue that they do agree on is four cycles of chemotherapy before surgery. Anything less runs the risk of not killing any young cells.

Sebastian's third cycle of chemotherapy was a little more challenging because he had to stay in his room for the whole week due to chicken pox exposure. He has continued to tolerate the chemo quite well and we have even been able to take him off of another one of his medications!

More Questions

One question that has come up about Sebastian's cancer has been how he got neuroblastoma. Recently there was a newspaper article that linked neuroblastoma to coal tar fumes. A small town in Central Illinois had four children contract neuroblastoma after a 1987 cleanup of an abandoned plant. Coal tar is used in some household products like shampoo and dry skin ointments. Prior to this incident, doctors believed neuroblastoma to have more of a genetic link versus any environmental factors. We do not feel that coal tar was involved in Sebastian's cancer and we are not aware of anyone in either of our families that had any childhood cancer.

Another frequently asked question is about where we stay when we are in Iowa City. Most of the time Mom and Spencer come and we stay right in the room and sleep on a fold out chair. Dad relieves us when he can. The staff at the hospital does a wonderful job of trying to keep us as comfortable as possible.

Do we have health insurance? You bet we do! The staff Steve's office have been incredibly patient, informative and helpful during the many calls that I make in order to piece this all together.

Family News

I got some grief over the last newsletter that did not include the other members of our family so here is the latest on them beginning with the squeakiest wheel first: Stephanie got straight A's on her last report card!! She remains busy and will be seen in the First United Presbyterian Church's production of "Thanks is What You Give" on Sunday, April 26 at 6:00. Steve Jr. is working hard toward saving money for that car he wants to be driving this summer-just some advanced warning for you! We would like to welcome Michele's husband Michael and his daughter Gabrielle into our family. They were joined together in marriage in Concord, New Hampshire and we are all very happy to pray for God's blessing upon them. Sam continues to experience every emotion to the fullest as he adjusts to all of the changes that have taken place in our family. Spencer is off of the charts! At nine weeks he weighs in at 16 pounds!! He is always Mr. Smiley -- at least when his brothers are not pummeling him!

What do We Need?

Wow! What a response to our request for postal stamps, phone cards and prayers! Our needs were overwhelmingly met and we thank you! The staff social worker said it best when she told us that we have had much more than any social service could ever offer us. So, because of the incredible generosity shown, we are quickly getting back on our feet. I honestly can't think of a single "thing" that we need.

We are, of course, in need of continued prayer. God has clearly been at work in this little body and we feel blessed to be able to praise Him for this. Specifically, the days between April 25 to about April 30, when his blood counts are low, pray that his body remains free from infection and that his blood counts recover quickly. Also pray for creativity and flexibility in our parenting skills with the rest of our children.

Thank you so much for coming along with us on this journey. We are truly excited about what God has in store for us as we travel through this adventure. Keep praying and we will keep you posted!

In God's Love,

Steve Sr., Tracy

Steve Jr., Stephanie, Samuel, Sebastian and Spencer Dockery

Michael, Michele and Gabrielle