Jackson continues his daily IMRT treatments.  Radiation therapy is supposed to work by injuring the cells, or damaging the DNA of the cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.  The nature of the treatment means that the treatments do not show immediate results.  Our doctors indicated that they would not expect to see any indication on an MRI that the radiation is working until about six weeks after all of his radiation treatments have ended.  

Even so, Jackson did have another MRI last Friday—just sort of as a status check.  We received the results of that MRI this week, and the tumor is “stable,” meaning it has not shrunk, grown, or spread.  Keri and I took this as good news because while last Friday may have been too soon to see any positive results from the radiation, it by no means would have been too soon to see negative results.  There simply was no guarantee that the tumor would not grow or spread during the treatment.  The fact that the tumor has remained stable allows us to continue the focused-type of radiation that he is currently receiving.

It’s also possible that Jackson will have chemotherapy again following radiation.  Sometime in late-January, the doctors will decide whether they think he needs more chemo or not.

We hope and pray the treatment kills the tumor.  We also hope that if it does, that the tumor does not spread or come back.  We know Jackson is up against a stubborn opponent and faces tough odds.  But I know of no one more stubborn than Jack, and if anyone can beat the odds, he can.  Take a look at that picture!  That was Jackson six months ago, after brain surgery, and during chemotherapy.  Keep up the good work Jack, we love you!  And Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah to all of Team Jackson.