MRI results and cycle 2 planning

Bea had a follow-up brain and spine MRI this past Friday, and we were so encouraged by the results: it showed a reduction in the size and enhancement of the recurrent tumors in the surgical bed. This is an early indication that the first cycle of chemotherapy is having the intended effect. Importantly, there were no signs of new tumor growth, and some of the postoperative fluid collections have also decreased. Her spine MRI was completely clear (as expected). Our oncologist literally jumped up and down in excitement when she saw us :)

We’re now waiting for her blood counts to recover before her team can move ahead with the next steps: reinternalizing her shunt, placing her central line, completing ovary preservation, and then beginning Cycle 2 of chemotherapy. She has been neutropenic for 8 days and her counts remain at zero, so the priority is supporting her while her bone marrow rebuilds.

This weekend was an emotional one, as she lost all of her hair in less than 36 hours. She’s handling it well (better than us!). It was hard, but we’re already getting used to it and she’s still our beautiful Bea.

A small positive this week was a play date with a girl on our floor who also has cancer. They colored in the play room together (both masked of course). It was very cute and good to see Bea having some normalcy and playing with another kid!