Nerds

These are my nerds. The weather has been fantastic the last couple of days, good enough to be in shorts.

More Chess

Bennet took 3rd place out of the 1st graders, Mikal scored the biggest upset, and Tyson was the Kindergarten - 3rd grade Grand Champion. They did good today.

Chess

Tyson and Bennet both took 2nd place in their classes at the last tournament. They like playing chess. It might seem boring but it's actually really competitive and fun to watch. Their trophies were these pretty cool bobbleheads knights because it was at a school where the mascot is a dragonslayer. Cool for them.

Brooke Ice Skating

Brooke's taking ice skating lessons at Eagles with Sarah and Hannah...just loving it. Last month Bennet finally qualified for going to the state Chess championship tournament...yes, I have chess nerds. It's really good for them because it teaches them to think ahead.

I need to post some pictures...haven't lately.

Little more stuff...

Little bit about what's going on in the family. I need to take a picture of Jo with her new glasses that she doesn't wear.

Tyson and Bennet's 1st year of wrestling. They're not doing that bad but still getting whooped on by the more experienced wrestlers. Bennet wants to quit but we won't let him. He's not doing that bad, just when he goes up against more experienced guys he loses. Same with Tyson. Tyson has more fun wrestling but Bennet's getting there.

Brooke is taking ice skating lessons with Sarah and having a great time.

Good results for MIBG Scan

Jovee and Brooke were playing outside and Jovee decided to be brave; stood on top of one of the snow banks in our front yard then went a tumbling down. The result: some good scars to show.


Restaging Study, compared to 11/5/08

A whole body nuclear tumor localzing scan was performed.

FINDINGS: There is mild increased MIBG localization in the left supraclavicular and left mediastinum, stable to diminished compared to the previous MIBG study.

Scan of Abdomen and Pelvis: No abnormal MIBG localization.

IMPRESSION: Stable to mildly improved compared to 11/5/08 study and no new areas of abnormal MIBG localization.

SWEET!!!!

Jovee went to the pediatric optometrist and has to wear glasses. Her left eye is 20/40 and her right eye (where it's related to Hoerner's syndrome) is 20/50.

Good results for CT Scan

The CT Technologist was suprised the we didn't sedate her for the CT Scan. After the scan was done, she asked, "Is she always this perfect for the scans?". Jovee has always been cooperative and submissive when she has to do the CT. Yes, she's always perfect.

Not so fun getting blood draws.

Good results from the CT Scan, now waiting for the MIBG Scan that Jovee took today. Usually, if the CT's are good then the MIBG's are good. We're hoping.

Comparison from 11/4/08, 8/13/08, 4/8/08

CHEST FINDINGS: A 1.4 x 1.0 cm upper left paratracheal nodule previously measures 1.4 x .9 cm. A .0 x .7 upper right paratracheal nodule is also unchanged. The lungs are normal. No osseous (bone) abnormality.

ABDOMEN FINDINGS: A 7mm faint, ill-defined enhancing focus in the liver within segment 5 is unchanged. The liver is otherwise normal. The spleen, pancreas, and adrenals are normal. The kidneys and proximal ureters are normal. The colon and small bowels are normal.

PELVIS FINDINGS: The iliac and femoral vessels are unremarkable and there is no pelvic or inguinal adenopathy. No osseous abnormality. The colon and small bowel are normal.

IMPRESSION: No change in the appearance of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.

CT Scan of soft tissue neck with contrast:

In the region of the upper mediastinum just to the left of the esophagus there is a enhancing 15 x 10 mm nodule which is unchanged from prior chest CT Scan.

IMPRESSION:

Stable appearance to the enhancing nodule in the upper mediastinum just to the left of the esophagus.

Stable appearance to the left supraclavicular / lymph node Level IV soft tissue fullness.

Thanks for your prayers.

Family Pic

Excellent Results

Jovee had scans last Tuesday and Wednesday, November


MIBG Whole Body Scan:


Persistent increased MIBG localization is seen in the medial left upper mediastinum and at the left supraclavicular region. Tracer distribution is otherwise stable and unchanged. No new focal areas of abnormal MIBG localization is seen in the visualized portions of the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.


Little change since 8/12/08. No new areas of abnormality identified.

CT Scan Neck / Chest / Abdomen / Pelvis:

CHEST Findings: There is an enhancing, high left paratracheal nodule measuring 1.4 x 0.9 cm, previously 1.5 x 0.9 cm, and subjectively unchanged. This lies lateral to the esophagus. The mediastinum and hila are otherwise normal and there is no other adenopathy. The thoracic spine, ribs, clavicles, sternum, scapulae, and visualized portions of the proximal humeri are unremarkable. The lungs are normal. The trachea and central airways are normal.

ABDOMEN Findings: The liver and gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands are normal. The kidneys and proximal ureters are normal. The colon and small bowel are normal.

PELVIS Findings: The colon and small bowel are normal. The bladder is unremarkable. The muscles of the pelvis are unremarkable.

Stable, 1.4 x 0.9 cm enhancing high left paratracheal nodule lateral to the upper esophagus. Otherwise negative contrast enhanced chest, abdomen, and pelvis CT. Gastronomy tube remains in good position.