Recovery from round 5 continues to go well and Peter is at home enjoying the company of his younger sisters. His counts are probably still dropping and will likely bottom out over the weekend, possibly requiring a trip to the hospital, but we’ll see.
For the past three months or so the treatment has mainly consisted of chemotherapy in various combinations. Now it’s time for the doctors to wield a winning combination of knockout blows. I’ve updated the schedule (finally) with more accurate dates.
Peter will undergo retesting in the days following Christmas. This includes bone and torso scans that provide a picture of the cancer (feeble, pathetic and retreating cancer!). Then Peter will start 2007 with surgery.
On January 2nd the surgeon will enter his abdomen for the first time since August 18th. That seems like a lifetime ago. There wasn’t a diagnosis yet. There was an abdominal tumor. That much was known. The disease wasn’t named and everything was uncertain.
Today we know the tumor is a result of Neuroblastoma and we know how to fight it. We know the tumor has been taking a pounding. The goal of the surgery is to finish off the mass by removing it entirely. If the procedure in August was chaotic and unnerving, this one should be filled with purpose and hope.
Looking past surgery, round 6 of chemo will be a doozy. This is the knockout punch. A couple weeks later, there will be a bone marrow transplant. The good stem cells that were harvested from Peter’s marrow will be reinserted.
That isn’t the end of the ordeal, but I’ve ventured too far into the future to write with any clarity, so stay tuned. 2007 holds heaps of promise for Peter Eigner.
We wish you all the best of luck! You are such a strong family. You guys can and will do this. We hope that you have a great Christmas. We think of you always.
Dan, Ann and Tate
To the entire Eigner Family our continued prayers are with all of you and we ask for special blessing for Peter and your entire family during this time and we wishh You and Yours A Blessed, Peaceful Christmas and pray for a HEALTHY Happy New Year.
Peter sounds like quite a fighter and we with only the best during his upcoming surgery and future treatments.
You guys are one amazing family. I have been thinking of you a lot lately and it’s strange just today I thought to myself (like I’d think to someone else, ha ha) that I bet August seems like a lifetime ago to you all. I remember that feeling. Holidays take on a whole new feeling and meaning when going through such an experience. It really makes you wish for different things and appreciate different things dosen’t it? I just wanted to say that we still say our guardian angel prayer for you every night. We never forget.
I think Tori (our daughter) and myself and a friend are going to give yoga a try on Sat. What a cool idea and if nothing else, I have a feeling we’ll get a few great laughs at our own expense.
Have a very blessed and Happy Christmas,
The Volkl Family
I am amazed and inspired at your family’s and especially Peter’s strength! Keep up the good work Pete, you’re going to win this fight 🙂 Have a very blessed happy Christmas and holiday season! Like Coach Z said, hopefully we’ll see you on the ice w/in the next couple weeks. I don’t think I’ve ever caught 4 fish at one time- even with a fishing guide for a Dad! You must be a natural PRO! Good luck heading into round 6…the prayers are non-stop!
Dear Peter sand Family,
Your determination and fighting skills are awesome. We are so proud of you all. 2007 will be a wonderful year for the Eigner family…a new start.
love,
Uncle Ed and Aunt roz
Dear Peter and family,
I have been checking your site daily and thinking about you and your family daily also. You are doing such a wonderful job in fighting this path thing you are remarkable!! The Duluth Lakers PeeWee A team is wearing your wristband with pride and honor. They are all fighting for you too! So you keep doing what the doctors and your mom and dad tell you to do and rest so you can stay healthy and the rest of us will pick up the part on the praying an supporting you! Sorry that you have the hard work but you are showing us all what a strong boy you are. I truly hope you and your family have a wonderful and blessed holiday season. I hope 2007 brings hope and great things your way. Keep the faith.
Merry Christmas Eigners
Nancy, Bryan, Jake and Abby Bushey
Merry Christmas Eigner’s
Peter~
Wow…. I had to stop and count on my fingers (Ok, so my mental math skills aren’t the greatest!! ) the # of months it’s been since the initial diagnosis. And, by golly, I counted 4 fingers!! Can you believe that four months has flown by already??!! I am excited (in a “let’s win” sort of way) for you to get the “BIG DOOZY” round of chemo…. it’s time to slam that pathetic, feeble cancer far, far away!! Rest well, Peter… we want you to be as strong as possible for the second surgery and the big bang round of chemo! Fight hard, sweet boy! We love you and think of you often! 🙂
Ellie and Kate ~ Thanks so much for spending the day with us yesterday! It’s always a treat to have the two of you at daycare! Ellie, Emily Clare had lots of fun playing dollies with you! We look forward to seeing you next Friday for the daycare Christmas Party! I am still waiting on word from the man in red for a final commitment…
Oh, and Peter – if you are in a state of health which would allow you to attend the party, too…. you are most welcome!! 🙂
With much love & happy thoughts~
Jenni
P.S. Emily has a “magic 8 ball” type of thingy hanging from her backpack. I decided to ask it a question yesterday. I said, “Will the Eigners eventually (and sometime soon) get to return to daycare?” Know what it said, “Odds are lookin’ good!”
Uncle Matt,
Thank you for doing such a good job with the updates. We appreciate it as does your family, i’m sure.
Peter and family,
Merry Christmas and a healthy new year. We will continue to pray for you.
Hey Peter, How are you doing? I’ve been busy this week watching your cousins Cole, Quinn and Van while Uncle Tito and Auntie Melissa moved into their new house. Buzz was in school so I didn’t have to watch him. I want to tell you a funny story about Cole and Quinn. I took them to McDonalds one afternoon to eat and play. They ate their nuggets and were ready to play so they headed up into the tubes. I could hear them giggling and chattering as they went through all the little tunnels. Pretty soon I heard them coming down the slide and out came Cole. Right behind him was Quinn but as he came out of the tunnel slide he didn’t have any pants on!!!!! Everyone in McDonalds thought this was really funny. A little boy offered to go up and search for Quinn’s pants. Thank goodness because I would have looked pretty funny crawling around up there. Your cousins are pretty silly little
boys aren’t they. Well sleep tight and give your sisters big hugs for me.
Love ya lots Gramma Mary
Hi Peter,
Just wanted to touch base! I look at the site everyday so I can keep myself in the loop to your remarkable progress. Auntie Meeses fills me in a lot too but I always make a point to see how you are doing. We are wishing you continued success with beating the monster. We know you will. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Amy, Robert and Emerson Gordon