Not the News We Wanted to Hear…or Share

This isn’t the update we wanted to share—and honestly, we’re still a little at a loss for words.

Up until now, every test and scan Hutton has had since starting treatment has shown nothing but good news. Her initial rounds of chemo worked better than expected, and each scan since then looked just as encouraging. She’s been feeling great, more active, and we were beginning to see the “finish line.” Just one more 5-day chemo, followed by a single-day chemo, and then she would be done—aside from routine PET scans every 3–6 months for monitoring.

So when she went in for her most recent PET scan, we weren’t overly worried. We were focused on finishing treatment and looking forward to her returning to school. Unfortunately, life has a way of kicking you in the groin right when you aren’t looking.

Before her admission today, her doctor went over the scan results. It wasn’t the news we hoped for—or anything close to what we wanted to hear. As much as her Dr  tried to stay positive, he was honest, as he always has been, and said plainly: “This is shitty.”

The scan showed that the small spot in Hutton’s pelvis is still very active and has grown. Even harder to hear, there’s now a new area of concern in her lung that needs close monitoring.

For now, the plan is for Hutton to finish this current chemo regimen (this week’s 5-day inpatient session and the final 1-day outpatient session we already had scheduled). After that, in about four weeks, she’ll have another PET scan and MRI. Those results will determine the next steps.

To be prepared, we’ll also be meeting with a  doctor this week to discuss possible radiation. If the cancer is still active and growing, the next phase could involve radiation combined with another six months of more aggressive chemo.

We are asking—once again—that you keep Hutton in your prayers. Not just for her scan results, but for her whole self: her mind, her body, and her spirit. She was so close to the end of treatment, so close to getting back to “normal,” and this setback has been hard for her to hear.

Thank you for walking this road with us, for your prayers, love, and support. We’ll keep you updated as we move forward.