Thursday, December 03, 2009

Andrew Smith Update.

 Below you will find an update on Andrew Smith.  The news is not what we had hoped for and we ask that you keep Andrew and his parents Shawn and Sandy, and siblings Steven and Charis Joy in your prayers!



On Sunday, November 15th, we arrived at the National Institutes of Health where Andrew was happy to be back under the care of his beloved Dr. Warren.  When we met with Dr. Warren on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 17th, she told us that the scans confirmed what we had suspected—that the tumor had progressed.  In fact the entire brainstem and much of the cerebellum are tumor.  There is also involvement of the thalamus, the hypothalamus and the temporal lobe.  It was surprising to see the scans and know that Andrew was awake, interactive, and free of pain.  In spite of the scans, Andrew qualified for the temozolomide/ABT-888 study, and we signed the papers in preparation to begin the protocol.

Over the next couple days Andrew made it clear both to us and to Dr. Warren that he no longer wanted to participate in the study.  Knowing that it was amazing that he was awake, eating small amounts of a wide variety of foods, and enjoying teasing Dr. Warren about the Celtics, we felt that as parents we could ask no more of him.

For over 25 months Andrew has been living in spite of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.  God has been good to us along the way.  We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from family, loved ones and strangers.  We have been blessed beyond measure with a caring medical team both at the NIH and in Lansing.

We are home at Sparrow and Andrew has been enjoying visits with some of the people he loves most in the world.  He has been spending time in the playroom, eating ice cream for breakfast, and enjoying the Christmas decorations that have magically appeared in his room.  (Thank you to the Michigan State Volleyball team and to the Michigan State Police!)

We have noticed subtle changes since the trip home on November 21st, but it has been clear to us since early Wednesday morning that Andrew is declining physically.  His time with us on earth may be measured in hours or days rather than in months or years.  We continue to rest in God’s loving care, to be thankful for the blessings in our lives, and to be grateful for the gift of Andrew. 

2 comments:

Susan said...

I will pray for this family not sure what to pray. I guess just for the Lord to give them peace.
Not really sure I understand the Lord's timing, but I do know I love Him and trust Him.

Debbie said...

Thank you so much Susan I know they appreciate it.