Striking Back with Cody: Chemo

Friday, October 15, 2010

Chemo

Thursday Dr. Hayes-Jordan and her assistant Holly Green stopped in to check on Cody to see how he was doing

Cody started chemo on Monday. They are all very pleased and impressed with Cody's progress. Today, Friday, was the last dose for this round. He will be getting chemo for the next 6-12 months. This time Cody did really well with the chemo and so far really hasn't had any side effects. Lets hope the rest go as smoothly. He has to take the Oral Chemo and then then wait an hour and then he gets the IV for an hour. Since things went well and Cody is doing so good they are planning on heading home tomorrow. They have a long drive ahead of them and it will take them almost a week to get home but they are more than ready to get back.

The next round will be the first of November and will be done in Salt Lake City as an out patient and every 2-3 weeks thereafter. The feeding tube is still in and will remain in for a few more weeks. It will have to be surgically removed but one of the surgeons in Salt Lake can do that so they won't have to make a trip back to Houston for another month or two when radiation and the stem cell retrieval will be done.

So far things are going very well. Cody is starting to get tired of being away from home and can't wait to get back home and get back to "his old life."

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A little about the Cancer

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, also know as DSRCT, is considered a childhood cancer that is predominantly found in boys and young adults. It is an extremely rare, highly aggressive cancer that is usually found as masses in the abdomen. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor is frequently misdiagnosed which is why the prognosis remains poor. This is an aggressive, rare, fast spreading tumor.

There is no standard protocol for treatment but it usually includes aggressive Chemotherapy, Radiation, and Surgery.

A special thank you...

Russ and Janae want to personally thank their families for being so supportive. They wouldn't be able to do this without each and every one of you. There have been so many donations coming in and fundraisers being put together by members on both sides of the family. Thank you so much for all the love and support.

"You don't choose your family, they are God's gift to you, like you are to them" - Desmond Tutu

A big Thank You, also, goes out to the the Town of Winnemucca. The community has pulled together in so many ways to show their support it is overwhelming. Thank you!!!

Thank you to Connors Drilling and all of the employees. Connors asked the employees, Russ's co-workers, for a voluntary paycheck deduction that would go to Cody's Cancer Fund. A big thank you to all the many generous people who participated. Thanks to you a good chunck of money was raised to help with Cody's medical costs.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Striking Back with Cody Wristbands Awareness wristbands can be purchased at the HAMS in Winnemucca for anyone interested in showing their support. Family members also have awareness bands or know where to get them. 2 Brothers Communications Fundraiser 2 Brothers communications Verison Wireless 508 W Winnemucca Blvd. Ste B Winnemucca NV, 89445 (775) 625-2355 April 1st through May 31st 2 Brothers Communications will donate a portion of sales for ANY new activation or upgrade (no stipulations) to the families of Cody Nielson and Kylie Hilbish. Verizon Wireless has also agreed to match the donation with a contribution of their own.