Long overdue..

Sorry for the long delay in updates, everyone. The holidays really were busy
and enjoyable for Z, and we are all hopeful that 2013 will bring good things.

Last Monday we traveled to UVA for an MRI after a Z spent a couple weeks
with unusually high fatigue and agitation. Unfortunately, the MRI indicated that the tumor has progressed and grown slightly again, so the doctors are recommending we change the current course of treatment. We met with a radiologist at UVA that same afternoon to talk about the possibility of radiating the lesion, and met with the proton radiologist who treated Z in 2011 (Dr. Thornton) on Tuesday.

While doctors used to avoid "reirradiation", it has become much more common and is considered the most effective treatment against aggressive brain tumors, so it has become much more commonplace over the past 10 years. We are exploring other possibilities, as well, including other clinical trials, but radiation is definitely in the mix.

As always, there is some guesswork involved in every area of neuroscience, so Z's doctors are not 100% certain what they are dealing with and can't explain everything that's happened over the past 5 months. As frustrating as that can be, we try to take it as a positive because it leaves room for best-case-scenarios!
For the time being, z will continue to receive his infusion therapy as we explore all the treatment options.

Please continue to pray for Z and support him in
this tough journey!