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BALCAR-SMITH Arthur
PROGRESSIVE FUSION NEGATIVE RHABDOMYOSARCOMA (CANCER) [Fusion-Negative RMS / Fusion Negative RMS] UPDATES on Arthur's "Quest" for the "Holy Grail" are on his BLOG. "balcarsmith.bigblog.com.au" or Google "balcar-smith". Arthur BALCAR-SMITH our second of five children, who is six years old, is battling Progressive Fusion Negative Rhabdomyosarcoma for the third time since April 2004, in the care of Dr Geoff McCowage of the Oncology Unit of the Children's Hospital at Westmead (Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children) in Sydney, Australia. Arthur successfully commenced Chemotherapy for a third time in December 2007, and after successfully completing the inital three week cycle of Chemotherapy as an In-Patient and Out-Patient, without any short-term side-effects, has commenced Parent / Carer administered ORAL & INFUSION Chemotherapy @ home, for up to 12 months. Arthur recently successfully completed Targeted Radiotherapy (ie; 3 Beam - 45 Gy / 25 Days to the site of the Tumour) and General Radiotherapy (ie; 12 Gy / 10 Days to the Lungs). Arthur recently successfully completed surgery to remove a right post mediastinum tumour. (30mm - Right Rear Chest) Arthur previously successfully completed treatment under COG-ARST0121 - Pilot Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Tirapazamine combined with Multi-Agent Chemotherapy for First Relapse or Progressive Rhabdomyosarcoma using Tirapazamine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide and Etoposide, in June 2006, following the surgical removal of one progressive tumour in his right lung in October 2005 by Dr John Harvey. Arthur previously successfully completed treatment under COG-D9803 - Phase III Randomized Study of Vincristine, Dactinomycin and Cyclophosphamide (VAC) Alternating with Vincristine, Topotecan and Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Intermediate-Risk, Previously Untreated Rhabdomyosarcoma in March 2005 following surgical removal of two tumours in his right buttock and upper leg in August 2004 by Dr Paul Stalley and radiotherapy in September / October 2004 by Verity Ahern. Arthur's tumours have been collected and banked under COG-D9902 -Soft Tissue Sarcoma Diagnosis, Biology & Banking Protocol and at RAHC - Westmead. Arthur's Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) have been collected and frozen at RAHC - Westmead. Arthur in November 2006, was granted his wish to travel on the ("indi-cific") Indian Pacific Train by the Make A Wish Foundation of Australia and spent three days and nights crossing Australia from Sydney to Perth in a Gold Kangaroo cabin. Whilst in Western Australia, Arthur visited Rottnest Island, Perth Zoo and various beaches prior to flying home. Arthur got to sit in the Driver's seat of the Indian Pacific Locomotive at Cook on the Nullarbor Plain and drive the tourist train on Rottnest Island. Arthur has received accommodation, assistance and or participated in events provided by the following charitable organisations; Ronald McDonald House (Westmead), Cancer Council of NSW (Casurina Lodge) & (Relay for Life), Ronald McDonald Beach House (Fiona Lodge) & (Forster), Cure Our Kids, Camp Quality, Starlight Foundation, Keune Foundation, Variety Club, Redkite and NSW Police V.I.P. (RAHC - Westmead). Further, we acknowledge the assistance provided by the teachers and carers or both his local Public School and RAHC Hospital School. Finally, we acknowledge the activities provided by the leaders of the local Scout Group (Joey Scout). Arthur recently joined the Scout Association of Austalia as a Joey (ie; Junior) Scout. Arthur has started collecting cloth badges for his camp blanket (ie; Scouts sew cloth badges onto a blanket to "show off" to other Scouts) As Arthur's travel options are limited by treatment / medical isolation, any cloth badges from overseas or services (ie; national flags, scout, armed services, emergency services, space, medical or ...............) will be gladly accepted by Arthur and added to Arthur's blanket, a photo of which will appear on this web site. [Arthur BALCAR-SMITH PO Box 9 WOODFORD NSW 2778 AUSTRALIA] Arthur as a dual British - Australian Citizen has a right of residency and right to medical care under the NHS (UK) and Medicare and Medibank Private (AU). Email:
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