…and it’s cancer!” -Elijah Augustine

Today we celebrated Peter’s birthday. His was my shortest labor and lasted about 45 minutes. It was the only time my water broke at the beginning of labor, but I usually give birth about 45 minutes after my water breaks, so that part was normal.

It may be Peter’s birthday, but I feel like I got a gift, too. My gift was that of hope.

After Adam and I had a deep discussion last night and how we would time CAR T therapy and talked wistfully, wishing trials didn’t need a measurable tumor, but we know that Eli’s only measurable tumor needs to be radiated because of its location next to his eye, and because of it having caused him pain.

This morning I got a call from a doctor at Texas Children’s Hospital, who is running their CAR T trial targeting GD2. Eli is the first person with Rhabdomyosarcoma they have tested whose tumor is positive for GD2. Not only that, but they have found the T cells to be more effective when the tumor is radiated first. So, if all goes the way we hope, we will be heading to Texas to get us some cancee killing T cells.

We are still looking at a CAR T trial in Seattle, but we prefer Houston at the moment. They will send blood collection vials for us to fill and send back so they can start manufacturing T cells so they are ready when we are ready. They will also talk to our doctors about how to time radiation. There is a waiting period after stopping chemo, which we have to take a break from anyway, to do radiation. So, our trip isn’t imminent, but maybe in a couple months.

Adam has told me that my happy posts are always shorter than my not happy posts. I guess I could say more at this point, but I just feel happy, optimistic, and grateful for this tender mercy from God. I don’t know what the future holds, but today is a good day.