Q. Your kid has a brain tumor?? OH MY GOD!!
A. Yes, on both counts. Nathan was born with neurofibromatosis-type 1, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve endings throughout the body. Typically, they are benign fibromas, but they do occasionally get maverick-y and cancerous. We have known about Nathan's tumor for almost 5 years, so we were better prepared for the chemo news than parents of kids without NF would have been. You can go here for the back story.
Q. How is Nathan coping?
A. Remarkably well. When he heard the news in the oncologist's office, he reacted about the way you would expect. And then he washed his face, drank some water, and said, "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Can we go to Burger King for lunch?" He is possibly the most resilient person I have ever known, and he instinctively knows that this is the story of the next 18 months, not the story of his life.
Q. How is he being treated?
A. Every Wednesday for the next 18 months, Nathan will receive chemotherapy at All Children's Hospital in St Petersburg, about 30 minutes from our house. Treatment starts on Wednesday, January 12 at 10 a.m.
Q. Is he going to miss a lot of school?
A. Chemo is an all-day affair, so Nathan and Dan will be missing school every Wednesday for the rest of the school year. According to every medical professional we've spoken with, both drugs in Nathan's cocktail (vincristine and carboplastin - which both sound like characters from the X-Men, now that I think about it) are well-tolerated, and most folks are back to their regular routine the next day.
Q. Is he going to lose his hair?
A. It's possible. Nathan has one hell of a lot of hair, so it may just thin out, and that certainly would cut down on the "Comb your hair!"/"I just DID!"/"Well, do it AGAIN!" exchanges heard many Sunday mornings on our way out the door to Mass. Nathan will be able to wear hats to school if it becomes necessary, and he has his eye on one of Papa Landrum's old caps - it features the front and back ends of a catfish swimming out of both sides. Not distracting to the educational process at all.
Q. How can I help?
A. God love you for asking. First, say a little prayer for us, or send us some positive energy, or picture us surrounded by healing white light, or sacrifice a cloven-footed beast on your backyard altar - we don't judge, and we hear roasted goat is delicious. Ask the universe to treat us well in whatever way you feel comfortable. Second, go here to find out how the Conspiracy of Angels is taking care of us and to join up.
