A Decision Like No Others – July 20, 2008
| On Tuesday of last week Aidan had his consultation appointment with the Doctors at Scottsdale’s Envita Clinic. He then followed that up on Thursday with a appointment at Phoenix Children’s to reacquaint himself with the Doctors there and to get a his blood workup before this weeks scheduled round of chemo. The consultation at Envita went as well as could be expected but it also brought with it a degree of uncertainty that did not exist before the appointment. It was not the Doctors, nurses, staff, or the clinic itself which brought about the uncertainty, but it was an answer to one of the many questions that Tanya & Mike had brought with them. While there is anecdotal evidence that some Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) children have been helped with the infusion of Poly-MVA, Tanya and Mike were looking for reassurances that the Envita Poly-MVA infusions, in combination with Aidan’s ongoing chemo, had the potential to be “the answer” for Aidan. Other than to say “all children are different” and it is not possible to predict benefits, the Doctors were unable to describe any prior successes against DIPG tumors. In addition, the Doctors indicated that there is nothing unique about the Poly-MVA treatments at Envita other than they are administered via IV. In addition to the answers they had received at their consultation, Tanya and Mike spoke with some other parents whose children are currently or have been treated at the clinic. With the understanding that none of these other children were currently undergoing chemotherapy at the same time as the Poly-MVA, they were hopeful that the DIPG children’s experiences with the Poly-MVA infusions would provide some reassurances that the Envita Doctors could not. While the other parents remained hopeful that Envita was the answer for their loved one, they could not describe a direct benefit from which Tanya and Mike could build confidence. While this new understanding is not necessarily a show stopper, Tanya and Mike must now decide if the unknown benefit, diminished expectations, tremendous costs, and being so far away from loved ones is better than simply taking Poly-MVA orally at home or doing something else altogether. They have asked their families help in this decision by researching other options including finding a doctor closer to home that would be willing to administer the Poly-MVA via IV or searching out other possible alternatives to combine with Aidan’s ongoing chemo. For now, Tanya and Mike have made no firm decisions and have not yet enrolled at Envita. Instead, they are petitioning our God to help them weigh their options and for clarity in making a decision that would most benefit Aidan. Tanya, Mike, and all the boys will remain in Arizona at least until they have completed the next round of chemo at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. By then, they are praying that our God will have provided them the clarity and confidence to make one of the toughest decisions of their lives. | |
Progress Update The Zaugg’s were guests of Mike’s brother and sister-in-law since landing in Arizona until yesterday. The family needed larger accommodations so they moved into the donated apartment and they are quite comfortable with the additional space. They went out and purchased some necessities and groceries and are making themselves at home. Please continue your prayers for Aidan’s miracle and ask that our God guides Tanya and Mike to the right decisions, |
 Aidan Catching Some Rest |
Click here to RETURN to Aidan's website Miracles Happen Everyday... Why Not Aidan? |
Dear Zaugg Family,
We're thinking about you every day and praying for the Lord to guide you. You will make the right decisions, and the Lord won't forsake you. Aidan is already a miracle, and I am grateful that you've shared him with us.
Your friend,
Scott
Reply to this
Just wanted to let you know that I am praying for guidance for the Zaugg Family.
Reply to this
Our thoughts and especially our prayers are with you daily. Not only for Aidan, but your family as well.
Reply to this
Quiet trust prompts courage...keep trusting in the LORD of HOSTS
Reply to this
Praying for all of you. Just talked to my daughter, Kristin Freier, and we talked about how we can all help. It's
hard from a distance. Wish we could just knock on your door and spend a day and help you out. Just know that we care and are praying for a miracle. May God comfort you and you can feel his presence. We don't know why He allows this to happen; we can only trust that He knows what He is doing.
We love you all.
Bob and Suzanne
Reply to this