So this is what we know: Jonathan has a cancer of the bone called osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that produces immature bone and is most often found in men under the age of 25. The doctor said his cancer is stage 2B. I've done some research now online about Osteosarcoma and there is a chart that explains what the stage means.
Apparently this type of cancer is very aggressive, therefore we need to be as well. In our brief conversation with the surgical oncologist he explained what to expect for treatment. Jonathan will be admitted into the hospital for about 4-5 days every 3 to 4 weeks for a very high dose chemotherapy. This type of cancer spreads very easily and so they need to do whole body chemo instead of localized chemo. This will happen for about 4 months, and then he will have a surgery to remove the tumor and quite a bit of area around it. Because it spreads so easily they have to take a good portion of healthy tissue and bone just to ensure they are not leaving anything. So the surgeon said that they will probably have to remove at least half of his femur and most likely will also need to do an entire knee replacement. After the surgery, Jonathan will start the chemotherapy again. I'm assuming this is to kill anything that would have possibly broken off during surgery. I'm not sure if this will be as long as the first treatment or not.
We have an appointment on Monday to actually meet with the surgical oncologist and he is working on referrals to other oncologist and help us get set up with a plan. Jonathan is already pulling some strings with friends that are in the medical field for possible other doctors (potentially not local) that would offer us the best care. We want the best doctors! So the research begins with that... However it sounds like we can't wait long on finding a doctor and he needs to get going with chemo asap. So please pray that wherever we end up for treatment, it will be with the best people.
What can you do? First, I know I sound like a broken record, but we really do find comfort knowing that people are praying for Jonathan and our family. So please continue to do that. Second, I have a friend setting up a website for helping us out with food. When we get Jonathan's Chemo schedule etc. we will get that out to those of you who want to bring us dinner. I have a lot of questions for the doctors about the kids. I know that chemo really does a number on your immune system, and I'm not sure if there will be times even if Jon is home that he can't be around children. Let alone if we need to go out of town for treatments. So we may also be needing help in that area. Please also pray for us to be given wisdom on how in the world we are going to explain cancer to a 2 and 4 year old who wait for daddy to get home to play tackle football.
We know we are going to have a very long year ahead of us. But we also know God is bigger than Cancer and he knows the plans he has for us. Jonathan's mom gives each of her children and grandchildren a scripture verse when they are born. Jonathan's verse is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you" declares the lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." So we will continue to have hope, and have comfort that the plans are not of harm. With God's help, Jonathan's got this!
Thank you for the update, praying for you guys!
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