Families

An Update on Chase

by Ellie Ewoldt
December 9, 2014

Three months ago we learned that, after a year and a half of no evidence of disease, Chase’s latest MRI showed new growths. Chase, who turns 5 on Friday, went for another MRI yesterday. His mom wrote this update after hearing the results. Learn more about Chase.

Chase looks on skeptically as his father attempts to assemble a Transformer in the waiting room.

As they await the MRI results, Chase watches his dad assemble a Transformer.

Today, I walked into a huge medical facility bay and stared down a gigantic white truck structure. The MRI.

Today, I watched my loving husband carry my darling son up into the structure as he spoke calmly and quietly, and Chase, red-faced and teary, clung to him and cried that he couldn’t — just couldn’t — do this right now.

Today, I stood in the bay as only one parent could go inside with Chase, and my heart ripped just a tiny bit at the sound of his screams and then it was silent but for the pounding of the machine. And I would learn later that though he screamed in the room, the minute the scan started, he became peaceful and still and stayed still for the whole test.

Today, as I held my breath and prayed for Chase in the sound of the machine, a man came up and introduced himself — the husband of a beloved proton radiation nurse who had cared for Chase nearly two years prior. What a small, beautiful world it is some days.

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Today, Chase descended out of the gigantic white structure, held his arms out to me and shouted, “Mom! You came back to me! I did it and I was SO brave!”

Today, we waited in quiet anticipation to talk to the neurosurgeon.

Today, we stood in the small exam room to hear that the growths, though changed and grown a little more, are considered stable.

Today, we talked of movies, and keeping up with small children and their energy as Chase went through the paces of touching his nose and myriad other normal things that may not always come easily to him.

Today, we heard that we get to wait to look again until January and enjoy our holidays and that we don’t need to think about biopsies or treatments right now.

Chase hangs an ornament on a Christmas tree

Chase helps decorate the family’s Christmas tree.

Today, we heard that January is most certainly a necessity and that at least one of the growing places on the MRI is still a concern.

Today, we talked about nobody having all the answers and how frustrating it is when we ask and the doctors long to reassure with decades of concrete research but can’t.

Today, we were reminded that if we see any — absolutely any — changes in Chase, we need to report them immediately.

Today, we chafed against the wait again and found our spirits wanting.

Today, we were given the day, and we’ll take it … moment by moment.

While Chase’s family waits for his next set of scans, you can do something to help all families touched by childhood cancer. Get involved today.

Get Involved

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