March Scan Results / Podcast

Caroline recently had her quarterly scans and tests to check for any signs of potential recurring Neuroblastoma disease. Fortunately, she still remains No Evidence Of Disease and will continue taking her DFMO maintenance medication daily!  We're so grateful for the continued thoroughness and diligent work from her medical team at Vanderbilt (and Levine).

Caroline and our family have some busy months ahead, as we are honored to participate in various fundraisers in TN and FL for Vanderbilt and the Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation.  We'll post updates and pictures on the blog in the coming months!

In other news: in April 2023, Margaret recorded a podcast for our friend, Jennifer Reid, who has worked hard for the past year to ink a deal with iHeart Radio to get her 'A Woman Like You' series officially off the ground. It finally launched earlier this year, and Margret’s episodes were just released.  You can check out Margaret’s 2-part episode (focuses on cancer and mental health) by clicking on the links below:

Click here to watch Part 1

Click here to watch Part 2

Thank for for the prayers and support.  We'll keep moving forward...
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong

#ftgf

IV for PET Scan

CT Scan

Prepping for biopsy

Post-biopsy

April 2023 - Margaret filmed the podcast during Caroline's 14th cycle...

Scan Results / DFMO Approval

We had a rather stressful holiday season that consisted of multiple visits to Vanderbilt and a trip to Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte.

• December 19th: Labs, CT Scan, PET Scan, Clinic visit and and a blood transfusion @ Vanderbilt

• December 20th: we received news that the PET scan was clear, but the CT scan showed a spot of concern on the bone in Caroline’s pelvic area.  After discussing with Caroline's medical team and a surgeon, we decided to move forward with a biopsy to rule out another relapse.  As an extra precaution, they also decided to do a bi-lateral bone marrow biopsy while Caroline was already sedated.

• December 22nd: Traveled to Levine Children's in Charlotte, NC for a Clinic visit and DFMO refill

• December 28th: Caroline was sedated for a bi-lateral bone marrow biopsy in her lower back and a CT-guided biopsy of the concerning spot on her right pelvic bone

• January 3rd:  After delayed test results due to the holiday, we received news that BOTH BIOPSIES ARE CLEAR of any cancer. 

After almost 3 weeks incomprehensible anxiety and fear, we are able to exhale a little and try and reset as we move into the new year.  We're so thankful for Dr. Smith and the entire medical team for acting so quickly to get us clarity!

On another note, we are thrilled to celebrate that after a decade, the FDA approved DFMO (now called "iwilfin") for maintenance treatment of Neuroblastoma.  Soon, the drug will be available for all doctors to prescribe anywhere in the United States.  Special thanks to Dr. Sholler, Pat Lacey and the entire BEATCC team for working with US WorldMeds and the FDA to get this done!  The approval of DFMO is the first pediatric cancer drug ever to approved without a double blind placebo study.  Click here to read all about the precedent-setting approval...simply amazing!

Wishing you all peace and health in 2024,
The Lantz Family
#carolinestrong

#ftgf

Walking herself back to surgery

In recovery, waking up from sedation

Leaving Levine Children's with DFMO!

DFMO - now called "iwilfin"