Broke

Update:

Miles left school at midday yesterday.  His right (rotationplasty) leg felt suddenly sore while walking down the hall with his crutches. He made the correct diagnosis right away: fractured at the surgical site--even a little floppy. Thankfully, he's had minimal discomfort.  Dr. Thut and Webb saw him right away.  His x-ray shows the metal plate holding the bones together broke in half.
His leg was splinted and it's comfortable for him.  Miles is getting around primarily by wheelchair, with some crutch-assisted soft steps.

We are considering next steps for his right leg and everything else. Lots of discussions. Will update soon.

A Meniscal Tear Would Be Better

The World Series is the best of seven.  The contest is rarely expedient--an expected battle, with great performances, miscues, camaraderie, heartbreak, emotional ups, squandered hope, and sudden rallies.  Pick your year, remember your team.

Miles had some lingering left knee pain towards the end of football season. X-rays a few weeks ago were normal.  Got worse...got MRI...got results:
New tumor in left leg--upper tibia, lower femur, extending behind the knee. This is recurrence number two, and the third ineffective medical regimen. Osteosarcoma is a formidable opponent, leaving Miles and his team few options. Miles feels well however, his knee ache currently mild, and after assimilating information over the last few days, he is dressing for the game.

Here's the setting:
The intact leg is compromised with tumor.
There are new metastases in both lungs.
There is apparent spread to one rib and the left pelvis.
Leg surgery is not recommended unless we can demonstrate systemic improvement.
We have not yet discussed when and if lung surgery would be helpful.
Miles' oncology team at BCH/DFCI is reviewing options, and has shared the leading possibilities with us.
We hope to have a medical treatment plan in place next week.

But to be clear, there are remaining questions and more information to be gathered. Louis knows his brother's doctors are very concerned, and he knows his family and friends and doctors and nurses are rallying.  At the time of this posting, Louis is being drafted into the NBA (NBA 2K17 for PS4), and Miles is sounding pretty good on guitar.  Their bellies are full and it's Thursday.

Coasting

Miles officially finished his immunotherapy Thanksgiving day.
He feels well.  Imaging December 12.
Every day is Thanksgiving.  Leave an impression.

Cycle 3, good for me

Miles here,
The first half of my antibody cycle has been much, much better than the one before. I haven't pressed the button to receive my PCA (morphine) through IV that helps me control my pain at all. As usual, the nurses and doctors are fantastic and the support from my friends and family at home is even better!
In between cycles I've been playing football and we've had a pretty good start to our season. The team beat Souhegan Valley (Amherst) and we had a tough loss to Manchester, but we will see them again.
The Oyster River Football Program is doing a calendar raffle for the month of October. Tickets are $10 and you have 31 chances per ticket to win gift cards to local restaurants, salons, apparel retailers and cash prizes. The grand prize is $250 cash. To buy a ticket, text me at (603)923-8677 or email me at goldbergmiles@gmail.com.

Thank You, T-cells and Immunoglobulins

Eleven weeks after his right lower lung lobectomy, and with two cycles of immunotherapy in the books, Miles had his surveillance chest CT today. Result: negative.  No bad stuff seen.  No new tumor growth visible. Fantastic news for this great kid and all of us supporting him.  Positive attitude = strong immune system.

Guess who played nose tackle in the OR 7/8th grade football season opener yesterday.  Yes, number 41, Miles G, with a padded port and red cleats. And a win, to boot.  Nice work, team.

Miles appeared on the Dennis & Callahan Show, also broadcast on NESN, on August 29, to support the 2016 Jimmy Fund Telethon.  Here's the link:
Miles Jimmy Fund Telethon Interview 2016

Cycle 3 of 5 is about to start.  Onward.  Now get back to your homework, kids.

Dog Days

Miles completed his second round of Dinutuximab last week.  Unlike his first infusion, taken in the wake of lung surgery and a 3 week hospitalization, this round he was in front of the 8-ball, with good physical reserve.  The biggest potential side effect of this antibody immunotherapy is pain, which he had none of.  He used only a fraction of the pain medicine required the first time, and he was better than lucid the whole time. 

Special thanks to nurses Laura, Emily, Grace, and Carly--they, with other nurses and clinical assistants help Miles sail smoothly. 

So, he's back in the saddle for the last week of Summer.  Between treatment rounds, Miles did his vacation thing, not dissimilar from his buds.  He saw Coldplay at Gillette, caroused with his friends, swam at the lake, tended beehives, caught a gym-full of pokemon, and spent a week baseballing in Cooperstown.

You may have heard of, or even seen, the video produced by the teacher-friend team of Tregea & Schroeder.  Suffice to say its compilation of teachers' and friends' inspiring wishes is powerful and moving. Thank you all for keeping it real, and clearing a path.

Thanks to Becca and Tam for our first tour of the hive and its yield.

Becca inspects with a hand from Miles