February 9, 2012

Dear Friends,

UPDATE: Mike and Alison received Michael’s final test results Tuesday afternoon from Cook Children’s in Fort Worth. The existing tumors in his upper spine and left eye have doubled in size over last 13 days, which is extremely alarming. The tumor in his spine has wrapped around his spine in a dangerous position. The tumor in his eye is on the border of his brain, and the doctors feel it will penetrate into the brain very soon if left untreated.

New tumors were discovered in the CT scan. One is in his middle spine, which has spread into his bones. One is in his left leg and there may be one small spot in his liver.

Michael’s oncologist called this an urgent situation, and feels that chemotherapy or radiation will take too long to have any effect on this rapidly spreading cancer. This means that the MIBG treatment in San Francisco and the 3F8 treatment at Sloan Kettering in NY are on hold. They have elected to do surgery on his upper spine, his middle spine, and his eye.

Michael will have an MRI today detailing the areas of concern, and the Malones will meet with the three surgeons on Friday. Alison and Mike will check Michael into Cook Children’s in Fort Worth on Sunday, and the first two surgeries in the spine will be on Monday. After Michael has had time to recover from this surgery, they will operate on his left eye. Clearly, there are many risks with these surgeries – paralysis and loss of vision. There is no way to predict the outcome until after the surgeries.

Michael will be in the hospital for two to four weeks, and Alison and Mike will take shifts each day so that someone is always with him. We do not know when he can have visitors yet, but we will let you know.

We are working on a meal calendar and will send out to the Dallas friends shortly.

Please keep the family in your prayers. Please also pray for wisdom and direction for the surgeons. Your support and friendship is what keeps the family going and is deeply appreciated. I will continue to send out updates when available. However, please do not hesitate to call me if you would like to check on the family.

In Hope,

Evelyn Costolo