Toby has neuroblastoma, a very serious illness. He lives in park Slope with his parents and they are reaching out to the community for help in finding a new place to live. Visit their website for more information and ways you can be of help.
Neuroblastoma is a relatively rare cancer of
the sympathetic nervous system — a nerve network that carries messages
from the brain throughout the body. Each year about 600 children in the
United States will develop neuroblastoma. Generally developing in young
children, it accounts for half of all malignancies in infants. These
solid tumors, which take the form of a lump or mass, commonly begin in
one of the adrenal glands, though they can also develop in nerve
tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis. The adrenal glands,
located above the kidneys, are specialized glands that release
hormones which maintain blood pressure and respond to stress.
Toby’s family needs to find a new apartment to live in. They can’t stay in their current apartment due to environmental factors that are dangerous to Toby. Email louise_crawford@yahoo.com or leave a comment and I will get info to them. There are links on Toby’s website about ways that you can help Toby.
Toby made it home earlier this week. Initially, the transition back to home was a difficult one. Toby was particularly fussy, but today he had a better day. He showed shades of himself, playing on the carpet & engaging those around him.
This evening Toby was readmitted to Sloan because of a fever. As expected, his blood "counts" have bottomed out. Toby’s white blood cells & his ANC are zero, & for this reason, he’s unable to mount a significant response to infection (i.e., fever) & needs i.v. antibiotics.
Tomorrow, Toby’s saba & savta (grandparents) return to Israel. They provided moral support, cooked, cleaned, & shopped. They will surely be missed. Greg, Toby’s uncle, arrives tomorrow for the week.
On the homefront, Mooki & Stephen are still searching for a new apartment. If any of you have any news or suggestions, please let Mooki & Stephen know.
Finally, Fran, Heather, & Carie met today to make sure that everyone’s efforts to help out are maximized & coordinated.
Thank you all.