February 1, 2002 - April 13, 2008
In January of 2006, Lane began running a low grade fever and complained of a stomach ache. An exam was scheduled and revealed an ear infection. A few weeks later Lane began complaining of leg pain. One day he could walk, the next day he would cry each time he tried to stand. Lane's blood work looked fine except for some indication of inflammation and mild anemia. After six weeks of back and forth between good and bad days, we were sent to Children's Hospital of Oklahoma leanin toward a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Rheumatologist wanted to rule out any type of infectious disease, so Lane was transfered from Lawton directly to the infectious disease department at the Childrens Hospital of Oklahoma on Thursday February 23, 2006. The next morning an MRI and bonescan revealed a tumor was on Lane's left adrenal gland and several lesions on the bones throught his body. Lane was transfered to the Oncology floor that night, and scheduled for surgery and bone marrow biopsies for Monday morning. On February 27, 2006, Lane was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma (NMYC amplified), a very aggressive form of childhood cancer. The surgeon was planning a biopsy and removal of as much of the tumor as possible. A left nephrectomy and complete resection of the tumor was performed. Lane's bone marrow contained 90% neuroblastoma cells. Lane spent four nights in ICU and was given seven days total to recover from surgery. He began his first round of chemo on the following monday. Lane completed eight rounds of chemo and two high dose chemo treatments with stem cell rescue. The bone marrow biopsy and MIBG scans following transplant in February of 2007 showed the horrible disease continued to live in Lane's weak body. Lane was unable to tolerate chemo that is typically given at this point. After hearing this heart breaking new, we packed up and headed to Philadelphia to meet Dr. Maris. Doctors Mosse and Maris at Childerns Hospital of Philadelphia focus their research on Neuroblastoma. We were given very little hope due to the fact that Lane's body was extremely weak, and all the harvested stem cells were used during the first two transplants. The doctors at CHoP suggested trying a low dose of cyclophosphamide each day and Zomets treatments once a month to allow Lane's body to recover, in hopes of harvesting more stem cells some day. We began to think about Hospice care at this time, but lane began to feel better. We were able to control his pain more easily. The first scan after two months fo this treatment showed improvement. The following two scans showed Lane's disease was stable. In November 2007, Lane began to complain of hip and leg pain following a fall. An MIBG was completed which revealed new activity in Lane's hips. Lane's blood counts continued to be borderline, which limited options. However during the nine months of the cyclo-zometa combo more treatment options became avaliable. Lane was eligible for a study at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Lane recieved two cycles of ABT-751. Lane's disease progressed quickly during the eight week period. The MIBG showed new areas of activity on Lane's arm, knee, spine and possibly skull.Lane's platelet count dropped and his liver enzymes were elevated. We shose not to attempt any more chemo treatments at this time. the risk of Lane spending weeks in the Hospital without enjoying family and outdoors was too great for me. I have been blessed greatly by being chosen to love Lane with my whole heart. God has blessed me with wonderful parents. They have shown me every day of my life how to be a loving mother to Lane. I don't know how Lane and I would have survived the past two years without Nana and Poppa. Though the tough times, God has belssed us richly and given us the opportunity to form friendships with those who have cared for us and provided medical treatment along the way.
Lane went with Jesus on Sunday April13, 2008.
Gina Shatswell
