Sam Update 2

I received this update on Sam today from his mom, Susie. Please continue to pray for him and his family! They need all the prayers they can get...

The MRI shows that the tumor has spread to the spine and there may be some left in the brain - enough that would warrant a 2nd surgery if it is a tumor and not a blood clot - the doctors are not yet sure. Not sure when we will hear a decision on that.
Pathology came back yesterday -- it is medulloblasta (malignant). He will require 6 weeks of radiation, followed by 8 mos. of chemo, because this tumor always comes back without rad/chemo. It has a 70% 5-year survival rate with this therapy.
We won't know when the radiation will start until we know if there will be another surgery. At the latest, it will have to start 42 days following the initial surgery. One of us will have to get an apartment in Little Rock for the duration of the radiation and Sam will be out of school for a year (there is school in the hospital).
We do plan to do radiation treatments here, as there is a state of the art radiation facility here - one of a handful in the country. Chemo will take place in LR 3 days a month and the remainder back home (as long as there are no major complications)
We still don't know when we will come home - he needs extensive physical therapy - but we may be able to do it as an outpatient at home. We are hoping to know by the end of the day, but may have to wait for a consult on the 2nd surgery. Seems like everything is out of control! Good news is that he is eating better, adn brushed his own teeth (while the physical therapist held him up).
he had to have a CT scan while Steve and I was meeting with the oncologist because he tried to walk without help and hit his head on the wheelchair. I'm sure he feels even less control than we do.
Thank to everyone for your continued support, prayers, notes, gifts, everything. The oncologist heard about Sam before he even got his file because people who heard our story called the doctor to let him know about Sam!
Susie

I will keep you updated when I receive information. Just keep praying...God is hearing! He is working, we may not see it at this moment but he has a plan for Sam, and his family!