The Boy's creatinine level, measured at .7 when he had the GFR, yielded the results that we got. The Boy's creatinine level, measured today, was .5, where it has been for a little while. With that level, the GFR number is more like 58, meaning that his function hasn't changed. EDIT: the fluctuation can be caused by not having eaten/drunk anything, which was the case that day.
The renal team might want a 24 hour urine. I'd REALLY rather not have him subjected to that, as the last time he did a 24 hour urine collection, it was a catheter and a pee bag, as of course he isn't potty-trained.
By the way, the title is an homage to my GPS.
If the GFR results reveal that The Boy has not suffered a drastic drop in kidney function, nephrology (the renal team) would have no problem with him continuing chemotherapy, at least from their end.
It is worth noting, as well, that a kidney transplant could not possibly take place until The Boy is a year off treatment.
Oncology, however, is also looking at the fact that even after a reduced dose, he took an extra week to recover. Extra recovery time can be expected when there is a fever or infection, but this time, thank goodness, we stayed out of the hospital. He needed extra time on neupogen and extra days to get the platelets back, although it was good to get through this cycle with "only" one transfusion. The doctor says that they can't reduce the doses of chemo agents too much and still feel that they are doing anything useful to fight cancer. Remembering that despite the fact that there is no physical evidence of cancer growth, chemotherapy and radiation are supposed to address whatever microscopic disease may be lurking inside the body.
With the possibility of less kidney damage, we will probably go through at least this "phase" which goes through chemo 17 and 18. These have carboplatin. Bad for kidneys. Bad for hearing.
We just don't know, but we trust our team.
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