February 8th, 2008 - The Diagnosis
Today Cam has been moved from ICU to the kids? cancer ward in the RB Children?s Hospital. The swelling on his neck and chest is still causing some concern, as he is unable to lie down flat on his back without experiencing difficulty breathing, which also meant that he was denied a general anesthetic for his biopsy and marrow extraction, but he is so incredibly brave and strong. He is such a good kid and was in such good spirits for most of today. He looks so well that the oncologist jokes that he looks like a fraud. Unfortunately however, according to her all of the evidence suggests that if he had been left undiagnosed for another 3-4 weeks, we would almost certainly have lost him.
For the past couple of days we have been overwhelmed with good wishes, love and encouragement from family and friends, including many we didn?t even know we had. Cam received a teddy bear signed by his young kids? church friends, as well as a personalized scrapbook and a heap of goodies from a gang of well-wishers that seems to be growing by the hour. We?ve already lost count of the number of prayer chains our family is on already and so it seems so incredibly appropriate and fitting that if you?re 11 years old and you have got to get cancer, and you?ve been lying in a hospital bed waiting for 2 days to find out what you?re dealing with then Hodgkin?s Lymphoma is probably the type you want to hear you have.
Praise the Lord! This is precisely what Cameron has been diagnosed with today. 85% is the early stage prognosis for his beating this thing. Now it is not so much the disease we dread, but the treatment. We have also been informed now that the site of tumor/mass is such that it basically invaded the spaces between all of the organs in his chest such as lungs and heart, chest wall and so on – which has in turn placed an enormous strain on all of these organs. ?Now Cameron must undergo a new round of testing, most of which is aimed at establishing precisely which Lymph nodes are under attack by the cancer and precisely where these are located so that the treatment can be tuned/targeted accordingly.
This includes another bone/marrow extraction; an ultrasound on his heart, another ct scan and the important PET scan. Unfortunately he also needs to lie flat on his back for up to 2 hours for the PET, which lights up all of the nodes/cells that the medical team need to target, but lying down like this is still a very stressful position for Cameron, so he is also undergoing some treatment to try and relieve some of the symptoms that are preventing him from lying down comfortably for such a long period.
Sometime over the coming few days he will also be fitted with what the medical folk call a main line intravenous line, in anticipation of chemotherapy commencing in 4 days. That treatment is likely to make him feel quite unwell at times and loose his hair. Numerous other, more serious side-effects are also possible. Nevertheless, he is also likely to remain in hospital for another 3 weeks or so, with re-admissions for further rounds of chemo and radiation therapy lasting from weeks to days over the next 8 months or so.
We continue to call upon our Heavenly Father, praying for His healing and protection for Cameron in the name of Jesus Christ. Please join us in spirit as we stand before our generous and?loving, grace-filled?God and declare our faith in His almighty power to heal the sick and defend the weak; that?He may bring healing, peace and comfort to?all of those?who are suffering at the hands of this terrible disease. Amen.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Hello dearest Cameron we here in Austria are thinking of you daily keep strong young man it will all be okay. Manuella is coming to Australia in May/June and looking forward to go surfing or body boarding with you and your brothers, Kenneth will also be coming to Aus some time this year probably July. Take care and send us some fotos or tell your mom to post them on facebook. God Bless and sweet dreams. Lots of love Dee, Martin, Manuella and Kenneth xxxx
February 8th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Hi Cameron, we and many of our friends are praying for you. You are a wonderful boy and we strongly believe that you will get through this!! Lara and Bianca send their love and they are praying for you every day! Lots of love, Larey, Hennie, Lara and Bianca xxx
February 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Dear Cameron
Hello from South Africa. We are all thinking and praying for you here. We know that you are soon going to be home again looking out for your brothers!
Lots of Love
Andy & Chris
February 9th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Hi Cameron
We are sorry to hear that you are sick, but with the love and support from your family and friends around the world, sure you will get better soon.
Do you remeber Rebecca and Natalie from Marsworth? We used to come and play when you lived in Surrey. Rebecca said the last time she saw you, you filled her clothes with sand, and she had to travel home with very itchy pants!Maybe we will make it to Aus one day, and you can show Rebecca the beach near your house, but beware she may get her own back!!
Big hugs to everyone, love Linda,Alan, Rebecca and Natalie xxxx
February 9th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Hi Cam,
We are all thinking of you over here, especially “weeman”. From what we are hearing, you have been incredibly brave. We look forward to you taking over this website from your Dad. We Love you lots.
Ken, Shaz, Jade and Joel.
February 9th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
heya Cam!!
Sending u a biiiig hug!!! Thinking of you!!! I know you have the strength to get thru this, be brave and think positiv!! It’ll all be ok in the end!!
Will be in australia soon And will be taking u and your bros to the beach and do some exciting things!!
Love you lots
manuella
February 9th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Hello Cam,
Not from the Gold Coast but England. Here we are again,and we spent last weekend in Surrey.
We are thinking of you so very much and have been down memory lane many times whilst here Garsons farm, Lower Green Rd (our old house), Cobham rugby etc.
We are all so very sorry to hear that you are sick, and send you so many get well wishes, hugs and thoughts. We look forward to seeing you soon, and are cheering for you all the way!!
With lots of love
The Paines xxxx
February 10th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Hi Cam
We are thinking of you and you are constantly in our thoughts. We know you are going to beat this and we will all be there with you through every step of the way. We look forward to seeing you soon. We love you lots.
With love and kisses, Uncle Mark, Auntie Megs, Holly and Taylor xxxxxx