Immunotherapy #6 is Done and His Journey Is Nearing its End

The day has finally come when Theofanis will be undergoing his End of Treatment scans.

"End of Treatment." These are three words that we all have been waiting to hear and experience. Three words that bring unsurmountable joy for the Yianas family. Three words that equally frighten them.

Theofanis completed Immunotherapy #6 on August 5, 2012.
This was the easiest round of treatment since it solely involved taking medicine at home. For two weeks, he took two capsules twice a day of cisRetinoic Acid, also known as Accutane.  He dealt with extremely dry skin, chapped lips, and a bloody nose. But overall, and aside from tiring of his parents who were constantly chasing him with Aquaphor and Chap Stick, he managed rather well. Theo also began Physical Therapy to focus on rebuilding his strength and stamina, which was severely compromised because of the myriad treatments his body was exposed to. Now going twice a week and working with his physical therapist, Shelly, he's seeing steady improvement.

With the exception of a few scheduled clinic visits to Comer for check-ups, his hospital visits have been social instead of mandatory. He and his family attended the annual Comer Oncology Picnic where he got a chance play games and throw wet sponges at his beloved doctors. The Yianases also headed to U of C for a "Flashes of Hope" photo shoot to pose for an updated family portrait. NBC Weekend News was also on-site filiming for a feature story about this fantastic organization where member photographers donate their time and talent to capture moments in the lives of cancer families. Click on the following link to catch a glimpse of the Yianas kids during their photo shoot: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40153870/vp/48186160#48186160

Though still officially in treatment, Theofanis has been making the most out of his summer. He attended Vacation Church School and a couple of day camps, wrapped up his baseball season, and hung out with family and friends. He spent a lot of time with his sisters, Demetra and Sophia. And, he made frequent visits to see his newest sister, Christina at the NICU at St. Alexius. He read books for the Palatine Library Summer Reading Program. He headed down to his dad's hometown, Decatur, for an overnight trip. And, he tried to stay as cool as possible in the blistering 100+ degree F heat that overcame Chicago this year. With his central line still in, swimming though was still on-hold.

Then, some significant excitement surfaced at the end of July...when the world was celebrating the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Yianases brought home their newest addition! Yes, Christina, nearly 3 months old, was discharged from the hospital and was welcomed home for the very first time! She was still on a small amount of respiratory support, but the happiness and relief that the family felt overpowered the worries and concerns they had about managing her care with oxygen and monitors. It was a very happy day in the Yianas home. Everyone was finally together under one roof!





With Sincere Gratitude

Surprised with a bear bigger than
himself, Theofanis was excited to
be able to meet and thank these
inspiring and incredible students
of our Greek community!

Theo and his family had the opportunity to finally meet the ladies of the 8th annual Midwest Pan Hellenic Youth Ball Committee who organized a sold-out gala event held this past March. Students from Northwestern, Loyola, DePaul, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Chicago came together to support the Hellenic community and also honor Theofanis' battle against Neuroblastoma. Due to complications during Theofanis' second round of immunotherapy, Theo was hospitalized and the family could not attend the event. But this summer, he and his family were finally able to meet a few of the incredible women of the Pan Hellenic Youth Ball to thank them, their guests, contributors and supporters in person! Sincere and heartfelt appreciation goes to Vicky Karahalios, Angela Koumi, Eleni Loumbroukos, Vasiliki Mitrakos, Marina Stavrakantonaki, and Penelope Antonopoulos!


The Spot
On Tuesday, August 14th and Wednesday August 15th, Theofanis will repeat the tests and scans he took 15 months ago when he was diagnosed with Stage IV, high risk Neuroblastoma. He will undergo two MIBG scans, a bone marrow biopsy, a CT scan and an Audiogram. Scanxiety is at it's highest point right now for the entire family, as these are considered his "End of Treatment Scans." With these tests, Dr. Cohn will deliver significant news to the Yianas family--the status of Theo's disease...and what to do next.

With Faith, Love and Prayer He Will Win!
When Eleni told Father Andrew that Dr. Cohn had chosen August 15th to conduct and review Theofanis' scans, he said to her, "Panayia chose August 15th." And with those words, Eleni and Kosta were calmed. They were reminded of all the significant milestones in Theofanis' therapy and how they occurred on very important and holy days. They were no coincidences. And neither is this one. We celebrate the Dormition of our Theotokos on August 15th, a wonderful and important feast day of our Orthodox faith, honoring our Holy Virgin Mother of Christ. And on this day, Dr. Cohn will deliver the preliminary results of Theofanis' End of Treatment Scans.

Panayitsa mas, you've protected Theofanis throughout these past 15 months of cancer treatment, we pray to you to deliver us the news on your holy feast day that he is in remission, that he is cured of his disease, and that he is returned to health...now, always and forever.

In Memorium 
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2012/20120805-liu.html
 "I didn't get to say goodbye," teared Theofanis when Eleni and Kosta told him of the tragic loss of Dr. Donald Liu.

We would like to extend our most sincere sympathies to the Comer family on the heartbreaking, tragic and unbelieveable loss of Dr. Liu. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, as well as with his wife and children during this incredibly difficult time. He was a wonderful and kind man and a brilliant surgeon who performed miracles on so many children. We feel blessed that his talent and his compassion was bestowed upon our son, and we pray that his memory will be forever eternal.