It is a reality captured in the Nationwide Insurance advertising campaign. What is not captured so cleanly is that it is not life we fear or its speed, but the ultimate reality that death stalks the road we travel, seeking to nip us at the finish line like Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhart Jr.
At our last entry things were going great. We had just returned from a family vacation and were excited to be getting back to a sense of normalcy. May 15 had Evan in for a 2nd PET/CT scan, and while we were concerned about a ‘warm’ area, it was not in the area that Mom & Dad saw as a slight thickening the size of a dime (~1.25 cm dia) under one of the skin grafts. We (parents & oncologist) determined to follow the course of wait and see. A month later saw the dime size had grown to nickel size (~1.75 cm dia.) The oncologist was called to arrange a consult with Dr. Marcus, the surgeon who had performed the wide margin excision. We saw Dr. Marcus on June 16, had surgery June 17, and today we learned the results of the biopsy/excision.
Spindle Cell Melanoma was back in the vicinity of the original mass that started the cascade of events detailed previously. We were also given the information that there was little doubt as to the certainty of the diagnosis as this mass was more uniform in cellular structure, and additionally that it had none of the genetic markers that would make it a good candidate for known positive outcome chemotherapies. Evan is too young by 8 months for the most promising therapy that it is understood to be so toxic that he would not survive the treatment, let alone the melanoma.
The medical consensus is a 2nd round of wide margin excision with a focus on wide margin of depth, especially the latisimus dorsi which had become infiltrated by this latest tumor; followed by some form of chemotherapy to be determined as information is gathered from pediatric cancer doctors from around the US.
While we know of the proposed course of action, this family is in need of two very important things: 1. Regardless of your faith, we need your thoughts and prayers that Evan may be healed, and that we might be strengthened for the fight to come; 2. Information, any and all information on Spindle Cell Melanoma presenting in Children with Nevi.
Thank you for your time and continued love, it means so much to each of us.
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6 comments:
To the Coleman Family:
I am so fortunate to know all of you. Do you have any idea what your friendship means to me? You are always in my prayers.
To Evan, my Hero:
I wrote a poem just for you. Unfortunately, I am not a poet, just your biggest fan!
E-V-A-N!
E-very time I see him I can't help but smile!
V-ery smart, Very handsome!
A-lways building a Lego creation or playing a computer game!
N-icest guy I know!
Ok, I know it's bad. I just want to let you know that I am so glad you are my friend!
Love,
Kendra
Dearest Coleman Family and Especially Evan,
We have been and will continue to keep all of you in our prayers, especially Evan.
We believe you are in the best hand possible your Dr.'s, Surgeons and God's.
In God's words Be Still and know that I am.
God Bless you all and love
The Back's
Greg, Patti, Joshua, Jodie, Jacqueline & Jolene
We continue to pray for Evan's healing and God's peace and comfort for all during this newest trial.
We also continue to pray that God will grant wisdom and direction to Evan's doctors...and his parents.
Be strong Evan and never forget how much we love you!
Love from Michigan,
John, Lisa & Courtney
Coleman family, though I have not met your children I do know you, Lizy and Paul. Lizy, I know you and Paul to be strong in faith and love, therefore I know your children are as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. May you find peace in your times quiet and prayer. God Bless you all. Janine Hepfner
Just wanted you all to know that I am thinking about you and praying for Evan and the whole family! My mom has always told me about the power of prayer and I truly believe your miracle will happen and you will all be so much stronger for it. love, Nicole (Lizy's friend)
I received a prayer request from Nicole(Lizy's mom) through another friend. I live in Baltimore, MD and I wanted to let you know that there are prayers of healing being sent up to the greatest physician in the universe on your behalf!
God bless you all!
Jen
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