In all things.
Today, Brady had another bone marrow biopsy to be a baseline for the days ahead.
But tomorrow is the big day. So much weight lies within the moments, days, weeks, and months that follow.
Tomorrow at 11am, in a most anticlimactic way, Brady’s warrior T Cells will make their way out of the syringe, through the line, and into his body.
The entire process will take less than 10 minutes.
Months and months of waiting and preparation all to have this potentially life saving treatment administered in what will feel like the blink of an eye.
So many people have asked, why? Why does he need this treatment if the cancer is gone and they can’t find any within his bone marrow?
Well, that’s a great question. And one I honestly have had to talk myself through on multiple occasions.
So here is a lot of rambling…
So think of it this way, if you have an infection but don’t finish the course of antibiotics what happens?
Almost always the infection comes back worse because the weak part of it was killed off first but only the strong cells survive.
That’s the same thing that happens with leukemia.
When they did Brady’s bone marrow transplant we were in the same situation as we find ourselves right now.
The chemo and radiation irradicated, what we hoped, was every cancer cell possible. But there is no possible way to get every single one.
So the hope them is that Blake’s cells would take care of any remaining cells that had somehow snuck through all the ridiculously fierce treatments.
Unfortunately, Brady’s transplant failed because Blake’s cells were too much like Brady’s and didn’t see a problem with the leukemia when it reared it’s ugly headed and decided it was time to come back with a vengeance.
So why are we doing this clinical trial?
Well, because to put Brady through a second bone marrow transplant so close after the first one failed, feels almost like a death sentence.
And while he is in remission now, we know that there are still leukemia cells lurking around in his body.
Thankfully those leukemia cells have two proteins attached to them. CD19 and CD20. Brady’s new warrior cells have been intentionally trained to seek out any cells with those two protein makers attached to them.
So what does this mean?
It means that with his warrior cells on the hunt to destroy anything with those markers, there will be innocent cells lost in the process. All of our B Cells contain these two markers as well, which is why we needed them to recover so that we knew the warrior cells had something to attack.
And your b cells, well, they are your immunity cells. So it is likely, if the warrior cells do their job, Brady will never experience B cell recovery again.
So what does this mean? Well, it means it is likely that for the rest of his life he will need ongoing injections to help give him these cells that his body is unable to keep.
So why? Why do this treatment when they can’t find any cancer? Why not just wait and see if it comes back? Because science has proven to us that Brady’s cancer is so incredibly aggressive that if it comes back, it is going to be like a lion that hasn’t eaten in days.
It will come back so fiercely that it will only take days, not weeks or months, for the cancer to get to an untreatable level.
I was talking to a nurse a couple days ago about the amazing strides that have been made in medicine that have allowed kids like Brady another chance to fight.
Cancers like Brady’s, just five and ten years ago, would have taken his life in a matter of days.
So we are doing this trial in an effort to give Brady the best outcome possible.
To use the incredible intelligence given to these amazing doctors and nurses to beat a beast that used to take their pray down without even having to flex.
And we believe that being a part of this trial is literally going to help change the face of cancer treatments, especially in children, in the decades to come.
It is the chance to be a part of something much bigger than just ourselves.
It is the chance to spare all the future cancer patients from the horrendous side effects that come from the normal protocols they administer today.
It is the beginning of the cure of cancer as we know it.
So with all that science and answers to the whys out of the way, here is a cool tidbit from today.
We pulled out of the parking garage and we were discussing the incredible things that are happening through families just like ours. Families that have chosen to taken their broken roads and turn them into something beautiful.
Chris and I talked about how some families are using their pain and own battles to further cancer research to make life for kids like Brady possible.
Then Brady said, “just like we are using my cancer to help others with battle pups. God is using our story to help others know they aren’t alone.”
Yep. He sure is.
He he will do that for you too. No pain, no suffering, and no trial has to go unused.
It may hurt a bit. It may push us a bit. It may press us a bit.
But it can become something beautiful.
When Paul was beaten and put into prison he used that time to write some of the most influential letters of all time.
Can you imagine? Can you imagine being beaten, with wounds and cuts and bruises covering your body, but still writing about the goodness of the Lord?
That is strength in your faith.
That is confidence in the Lord.
That is the type of disciple I want to strive to be.
Strong and confident. Knowing that in all things God works for the good who love him.
In all things.
Two years ago before cancer invaded our child.
A year ago when he underwent the unimaginable leading to a transplant.
Four months ago when he relapsed.
Today as he prepares for another chance to live.
Tomorrow as we witness a scientific miracle.
He is with us. He is with you.
Every day. In every season.
Let your strength and confidence be found in Him.
Shields up.
Swords out.
In all things,
Kristin
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
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