Background

Mason at World Cup Day, Academia Cotopaxi, Quito, Ecuador - June 2006

8/31/06

Our son, Mason, was diagnosed with a brain tumor on July 7th, 2006 in Ecuador, where we were living. We appreciate very much the concern and support of family and friends for Mason's well-being, and have established this blog as a resource for keeping everyone updated on his progress. We will try to update it as often as possible.

Mason was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor, which was successfully removed on July 10th by Dr. Neil Feldstein at New York - Presbyterian Hospital, after we were medevaced from Ecuador. Everyone at the hospital was wonderful to us - highly recommended. Mason spent a week at the hospital before being released. He endured temporary full mutism and imbalance for three weeks, before starting to speak again. This is a common effect from this operation, and was very frustrating for him and the rest of the family. Gradually, he has returned to normal with regard to speech, and almost normal with regard to balance and walking. His walking continues to improve and he even broke into a little jog the other day.

After the operation, we received the news that the cancer in the tumor had spread to Mason's spine and cerebellum. My employer, Peace Corps, very kindly offered me a position in Washington, DC, so after a short recuperation in New York, we travelled to DC to determine whether appropriate treatment was available for Mason. After ascetaining that it was, we relocated here in late July.

Mason is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Children's National Medical Center with a world-reknowned team led by Dr. Roger Packer, a leading expert on medulloblastoma management. The regimen is six cyles of nine days as an in-patient, followed by nine days out (but he has to go back in if he gets any kind of fever). He is currently in the hospital receiving his second cycle of treatment. After the third cycle, an MRI will be done to see if he is cancer-free. Whether he is or not, the treatment continues until the end of six cycles. He has had stem cells harvested, to be transplanted near the end of the six cycles to help him recuperate.

So far, Mason has tolerated the treatment relatively well. We are very proud of what a brave little boy he is. He very much appreciates all the wonderful cards and posters that folks have made for him, along with the games and toys.

We are also proud of the way that his big brother, Mateo, has handled Mason's illness and our sudden move from Ecuador. He did not even have time to say goodbye to any friends, and we had to leave our dog and two cats behind for now, although we expect to get them sent up in a few months. Our nanny, Francisca, will also be joining us in Washington, for which we are very thankful.

We are relocating to Arlington, VA, and will send out new contact info ASAP. We found a tiny, expensive three-bedroom house in this crazy real estate market, but at least it is very close to the hospital, Kirk's work, and Mateo's school (just one block). We move in on 9/15, just one day before Mason's 4th birthday.

That's it for now - more to follow.