Sunday, April 12, 2020

Happy Easter and Caroline is Officially 1-Year Cancer-FREE!!!

Although Caroline had her 12-month scans in early March, today (April 12th) marks the actual ONE YEAR Anniversary of No Evidence of Disease from her Stage IV, High-Risk Neuroblastoma diagnosis in 2017.  She is feeling great, and we've all been able to breathe a little bit more over the past 12 months.  Caroline is still taking DFMO, the clinical trial drug that reduces the chance of relapse in this type of cancer. That trial will end for her in April 2021.  We are very encouraged with both our results, and others that we follow on the study.  Thank you to beatnb.org for all the amazing work and support!

Thank you to everyone that has supported our family through this journey: our Franklin community, our amazing group of friends and neighbors, the Vandy staff and care team, local churches, our generous family, and all of the kind-hearted strangers (new friends!) from literally all over the world.  We could not have made it through this without all your prayers and assistance!

While we are beyond happy about Caroline's outcome and progress to date, we constantly think about the families that are still battling cancer every day, those that are just getting diagnosed today (especially during this dangerous time for immune systems and hospitals), and those that have lost a child to this awful disease.  Pediatric cancer is a scary, lonely and humbling experience for anyone that is touched by it, but we are doing our best to turn those thoughts and nightmares into action and progress towards advancing therapies and cures.  We have been actively trying to bring awareness and support to many of the organizations and professions that helped us, and many others, with cancer research and family support.

In March, Mark was invited to speak to 3 classes of Pharmacology students from one of the best Pharmacy schools in the country, Lipscomb University.  It was a great opportunity for us to share the Pediatric Oncology journey from a patient advocate's perspective, which is one part of the treatment protocol that cannot be taught in an academic textbook.  The students were very attentive and engaging; we appreciate that there is such a young and brilliant generation of future pharmacists entering the medical profession!

Additionally, over the last 12 months, Caroline and our family have participated in many fundraising and/or awareness efforts: for The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Make-A-Wish of Middle TennesseeThe Nashville Predators Foundation, Children's Miracle Network, Cooper Trooper Foundation, Angel Heart Farms, Love Your Melon, Brett's Barn, and BeatNb.  We are so grateful for every one of these wonderful organizations, and the incredible work they do for sick children and their families! **We've linked all their sites for more information and giving opportunities.

Many thanks for the love and support...and Happy Easter to all!
The Lantz Family

Easter through the years...2014-2020

Mark speaking to Lipscomb Pharmocology Students

April 12, 2019: No Evidence of Disease!