May 4th

The results of the PET and CT scans are very concerning to us. The "mass" that they biopsied after February's scan is still there, and worse, it is even bigger than it was. Drew's oncologist still thinks that the mass is a result of the refractures of rib #6. And, there it is, as plain as day, a new fracture. But, the pediatric surgeon is not sure that the "hot spot" is just symptomatic of the rib problem. Although it was biopsied in February, the results could be flawed because they only did a needle-guided biopsy at that time. What that means is that the center of this "mass" is not showing any cancer cells; but, a needle biopsy doesn't test the whole mass--only the center. Though Dr. Hajjar (the oncologist) isn't overly-worried, Dr. Thompson (the surgeon) shows more concern. And, that concerns us. For this to be a cancerous tumor, it had to start growing during chemotherapy, and that doesn't make sense. But, the surgeon explained that it could be a different type of tumor or even the same Ewing's tumor but now resistent to that chemo regimen.

They are going to schedule Drew for another surgery. This time to totally remove rib #6. Though we aren't sure how many times he's re-fractured the rib, it is for certain that the rib has been damaged to the point that it is no longer offering any support to his frame, and in fact, with the jagged edges, could possibly puncture a lung if Drew were to fall. While they are removing rib #6, they will take the whole "mass" section and do a regular biopsy to alleviate all our fears.