Ambiguous biopsy results

Max’s biopsy results were not as positive as we had hoped for.  Both scar tissue and a-typical cells were seen in the small needle core samples that were removed.  There are no clear answers to what this means except that the medical team feels that it puts Max at high risk that the cancer is not dead.  Dr Jenny did a lot of research last week, she also consulted with MD Anderson and they are both recommending that Max go on a low dose chemo regimen for the next year. 
   Over the past few months my research and philosophy has been in the opposite direction of chemo, more along the lines of immune boosters and immunotherapy.  At some point the body needs to be able to fight the disease on its own but at what point does it have enough power to do that?  Immunotherapy is making strides with several cancers; antibodies are being developed to light up cancer cells so that the body’s own white cells know where to attack.  Unfortunately for Max, the breakthroughs in science are not targeted at Rhabdo’s.  Rhabdo’s are too rare so there is no funding for research to help Rhabdo kids.  The standard Rhabdo chemotherapy protocols haven’t changed in 20years. 
  Many options are on the table for discussion; full resection of the tumor, more aggressive chemo’s, travel to other major cancer centers for clinical trials, gamma knife, more radiation, do nothing, increase the integrative meds…..lots of research ahead.
   Despite the hell that Max has been through this past 10 months he has continued to conquer every battle put before him.  This latest news is definitely a set back but nothing that we can’t come back from.  For each of us this journey touches our hearts in many ways; to me this latest news was devastating; to my parents, Max being their only grandson, this news really knocked the wind out of their sails and left them in complete despair; to Mark thankfully for Mark, he was able to look at this news with relief that the cells were not cancer, his positive outlook has once again helped me through a weak moment.  Its time to regroup and get ready for the next path in Max’s journey with cancer; it’s going to be a long week deciding which path to take.