out of the box..

Happily I report that Christi continues to feel exceptionally well. The Melphalan today gave her NO nausea. She munched on her Frosted Flakes the entire time while watching Krypto the Super Dog on Cartoon network. (4 episodes in a row-ahhhh summer vacation)

We had a nice meeting with Dr. Maris who is on the floor this week. He reported that Christi's bone marrow is still has disease. Each side has about 5% of the marrow space contaminated with Nueroblastoma. That bad news was coupled with the good news that her stem cells that were harvested in NY at MSKCC arrived safely and are free of disease which were recently checked at the lab in LA.

Speaking of LA, this treatment that we are doing this week was pioneered at Children's Hospital of Los Angelas. (CHLA) has been a huge engine of inovation in the world of NB. Dr. Reynolds is a giant in this business but has always taken extra special time to consider care options for Christi. He is just one of the team out there that is working to achieve the elusive cure of NB. So this week commences our "west coast" strategy for beating back the disease. IF BSO/L-Pam gives us a good response we will follow that up with Fenretinide.(another teatment strategy developed on the west coast) The latter could provide Christi a good quality of life with little toxicity, however, right now she just has too much disease to attempt it.

For the most part Christi was satisfied to entertain herself today. She enjoyed being off the floor for long periods of time-in the Conley Center. At 6:30 they broadcast BINGO to all the kids rooms. Christi was not content to just play in her room she wanted to go to the West Tower 5th floor playroom and see bingo live-so we did. Then since she wasn't winning she decided that maybe it would be more fun to be a bingo caller. So she did. Piped right into all the rooms was little bald Christi-Bingo Caller. Every good Catholic knows how to shout out B-9.

Corrine has taken this all in stride. She has a very impressive attitude that allows her to take every opportunity to experience the moment. (Evidenced by her willingness to try Chia Latte Bubble Tea tonight...)

Good night
Shayne