Hello my name is Sara and this is my 17 year old Caleb. In August Caleb noticed a lump and we quickly had an ultra sound scan done after the doctor told us it was nothing. We got a call that was different than the calls we have gotten before. This time the specialist called us and said, we suspect it's cancer. Surgery was preformed on August 30th and confirmed the diagnosis.

Our hope was the surgery would remove all the cancer and we would just have to monitor with CT scans for the next several years but Friday at the oncologist visit we were taken into a different room then we had been in before. This one was big and had comfortable couches that reclined. The staff asked us several times if we needed anything to drink or a snack as they ran vitals and took blood. Part of me wanted to think we were in this room because he is in a wheelchair since his knee surgery 2 weeks ago but in my gut I knew this was the "bad news room".

Our doctor came in and said he didn't have any good news for us. We knew that there were 2 potential spots where the cancer had spread, the belly and the lungs. Both these areas were small and we needed to get the knee surgery done so we waited to see if these spots were inflammation from the surgery and would go away or if they were cancer and would grow. In the 5 weeks between scans, the spot in his lung has almost disappeared (the Dr was wrong when he said no good news) but the one in his belly grew 1.25X's it's size confirming stage III cancer.

So on Friday November 5th we will go to the hospital again for surgery #6. This one will be to insert a port into his chest. This will allow them to take blood, give medications and chemo without turning him into a pin cushion. After the surgery, we will be in the hospital for 5 additional days where he'll receive chemo each day. They'll manage his side effects and watch for any adverse reactions. We'll then go home for 16 days and repeat again and then once more. He's second round will be right after Thanksgiving and the last one ending days before Christmas. His body will be recovering in between cycles so there will be no getting together with family or friends this season.

Here's where we could use some help. Caleb will need some things for his hospital stay. Because he has autism, he's very sensitive to fabrics and textures and hospital gowns can be scratchy and uncomfortable plus chemo cause skin irritations and rashes. He'll need some pj's or looser fitting clothing so they can easily access his port. He's been growing his hair out for almost 7 years and will lose it with chemo, he'll need some beenies or head coverings as the scalp can get irritated and cold. Headphones or earbuds so he can tune out the noise of the hospital if it gets to be too much. Music is also his comfort when he's upset. I'll be there with him each day and will need to pay for meals which will add up quickly even if eating cheaply. We'll need other items as we go. Special lotion when he's home, special diet and supplements. The list will continue to grow. Any help will be appreciated. Love and good thoughts! #cancersucks