Tests

Today, June 3, 2014, we start the testing to see if Ethan’s cancer is in remission.

The testing will last two days. Day one we meet with Dr. Velez,  then MRI, hearing exam, eye exam and then back to Dr. Velez before we come home for the night. Day two we have a Spinal tap for a sample of spinal fluid to check for alpha fata protein levels (germ cell cancer indicators).

We expect things to be clear especially after having had the CT Scan last Thursday. It was during this visit that we learned the added symptoms he had been experiencing over the last week or two we related to taking to much Zofran (meds used to control nausea).

 We also learned that the area the tumor was located in also controls the nausea feelings we all have, and the Meds we have been taking are actually aimed at this part of the brain not the stomach. The new meds Ethan was put on this Thursday are also aimed at this same area (the brain) and have been making him feel much better but the main side effect has been drowsiness and thus he has been sleeping 16 hours a day again. At least he is eating well when he is awake.

There will be more discussions on this issue during the next two days because the ER Doctor has suggested the fact that both theses to meds are helping points to the possibility that there is damage to this area of the brain (nausea control). The problem (nausea) is similar to the eyes in that the stomach is fine as are his eyes, but the brain is telling him he is feeling nausea and struggling to interpret with signals form the eyes.