Aidan’s Angels,

We have provided Aidan’s medical records and scans to many respected institutions and we have now received opinions from all of them.  The consensus is that Aidan is indeed experiencing progression or reoccurrence of the Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma that he was originally diagnosed with over two years ago.  That being said, the opinions were not unanimous.  At one hospital the Chief Oncologist and his Fellow were leaning heavily that the scans indicate progression, but the Radiooncologist and Radiologist were of the opinion that the scans did not show progression, but may actually be showing radiation necrosis or death of the cancerous cells.  With consideration that Aidan would experience essentially the same symptoms whether it be progression or necrosis, the suggestion was that a PET/CT scan would be more definitive and should be considered before proceeding.

I’m certain you can understand that we are now pinning our hopes and prayers on those two doctors that believe that it may not be progression.  We have not started any additional treatments or protocols, have not started any steroids, but have scheduled a PET/CT Scan for next Tuesday morning at Seattle Childrens.  Although the doctors in Seattle are relatively certain of their progression diagnosis and at first were very reluctant to proceed with the additional scans, they have now agreed with our requests and are working to add certainty to whatever the diagnosis ends up being.  Even with the doctors cooperation and agreement, the very best date possible at Seattle Childrens or any other hospital closer to home ends up being next Tuesday morning.

While it is very very difficult to watch Aidan’s symptoms worsen, the best thing for him is to be certain of his diagnosis before proceeding.  The waiting is painful beyond description, but we have been using the time effectively to plan a path forward no matter what the eventual confirmed diagnosis ends up being.  If our hopes, dreams and prayers are answered, we will ask that Aidan be once again administered the clinical trial medication that he was taking prior to the progression diagnosis and we will further ask that the steroids be okayed so that his symptoms will be relieved while his body takes care of the purging the dead cells and the swelling of his brainstem recedes.  If the progression diagnosis is confirmed, we will immediately be starting Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Irinotecan (CPT-11) and will additionally be pursuing treatment with Poly-MVA at the Envita Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

You all need to know that this extremely painful period we now find ourselves in has not shaken our faith.  Our God allowed Aidan two full years of symptom free stable tumor and Aidan used that time to become a beacon of hope and inspiration to the other children and their families that have been diagnosed with this most difficult of cancers.  It is our belief that our God is now nudging us towards the next step in the road to Aidan’s miracle and the end result will be that Aidan will continue to defy the odds, will continue to confound the naysayers, and will continue to help lead the way to a cure.  Our God has not forsaken us, but is now lighting the path for the road ahead.

Please join us in continued prayers for our remarkable little man,

Aidan's Family


PS:  To those of you that have stopped by Aidan’s Guestbook to leave him messages of hope and encouragement, we Thank You.  Your messages have provided Aidan and his family great support and comfort in the most difficult of times, and have confirmed to them that they are not in this alone.  Know your messages are being read and are being warmly received.  Thanks again.