Our First St Jude's Check-up

A little over a week ago we traveled to St Jude Children's Hospital for our first of many check-ups. The first year after discovering Dillan's brain tumor and subsequent cancer diagnosis will consist of check-ups every three months. (in the second year it could be moved to every four months) This check-up went well. Dillan's MRI showed no growth of the "rind" left on his brain stem and nothing changed in the outer areas of concern (there are areas surrounding where the tumor was removed that may be left over tumor cells or scar tissue-not sure at this point). Dillan had an eye exam and everything was ok, however, his examiner did let me know afterwards we shouldn't bother going to 3D movies right now. I thought that was an interesting side effect. Our second night there Dillan really wanted to go to Hard Rock and eat so Gammy, Dillan and I made our way to the trolly and headed there. The city of Memphis is so kind to St Jude's patients. We rode the trolly for free for our little outing since we did not have a vehicle (we were blessed with kind friends who provided us with airplane tickets). The staff at Hard Rock is super nice! Dillan could pick any table he'd like and get on stage to take a picture plus our sweet server gave us hot fudge sundaes! (I had to ask for a manager to report their kindness) Overall we had a good check-up. I still am unnerved when I see the original scans showing his tumor. This time Dr Wright, who is an exceptional doctor, showed me a scan of the original tumor completely pushing his brain aside and compressing it to a sliver. The only way I can think of to describe the way it looked is an orange-the tumor is the meat of the orange and his brain was so compressed and pushed out of the way it looked like the orange peel or skin. It is amazing he was not having symptoms! God is amazing is all I can think or say.

Dillan did not enjoy getting his eyes dilated at all and thought I knew it was coming and didn't warn him...

Good times at the Hard Rock in Memphis

We will return in April for our next check-up.