Other than continuing to be pretty tired, things were quiet for me, on the medical front, until the news surfaced about US Senator Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor. As the facts started to come out, it quickly became clear that his tumor type and location was very similar to mine (malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe)…with headlines screaming out at me about his awful prognosis of surviving only a short time. This was a challenge to my serenity around my own survival prognosis.
As the further information became public, it became very clear that a huge difference in his case vs. mine is that his tumor is, apparently, not in an operable location and mine was. What this meant, for me, was that the surgeon was able to remove all visible tumor and the continuation into radiation and chemotherapy, at the recommendation of the doctors, was to take of any tumor matter that was not visible. As of my last MRI in April (8 months after surgery), there is still no visible tumor. I am due for another MRI on May 28.
My son, David, has now reached the conclusion of his chemotherapy for brain cancer and his MRI scans are also clear of visible tumor. His tumor was also located in an operable location, and all visible tumor matter was surgically removed.
There were some wonderful family events over the last week or so:
1. My oldest daughter, Michelle, and her almost 4-year-old daughter, Karida, came to town to bring a friend from Dayton to Cleveland for medical treatment. We had arranged to meet them and David, his wife Christina, and 1 year old son, Aidan. Unbeknownst to us my youngest daughter, Leah, was in Dayton from Washington visiting her sister and surprised us by showing up at lunch, too. It was a wonderful having all three of my children and my two grandchildren together at the same time.
2. Over the weekend we drove to Pennsylvania to stay with my mother. We also saw my sister and her family. We went to church with my mother, and I thanked the congregation for their many prayers for my son and I and gave them an update on how we were doing.
3. My mother-in-law, Kay, arrived on the 22nd to stay a few days.
Unfortunately, I’ve now come down with a cold/cough/virus that has had me miss some work this week. My immune system isn’t fighting off germs like it used to.
4 comments:
The rest of the story…
We have been having a relatively crisis-free period, and that’s a blessing. I’m moving ahead quickly on finishing my next book as a result.
It was very strange seeing brain tumors so visible in the media, including Craig’s surgeon quoted on the front page of our paper. I hope that the visibility will result in people increasing their knowledge and maybe more research funding. And, it was hard seeing Craig so upset and both of us having to respond to many questions from people.
When we travel to Craig’s mother’s home, it really raises for us the challenges of Craig’s inability to drive. It’s only 2.5 hours away, but that’s still a long drive for me to do all the driving. And, when his Mom needs errands done (such as filling her tires with air this weekend), he doesn’t have the independence to run and do them. I have to be along. We are beginning to talk about the upcoming driving reassessment with the seizure specialist on June 2nd. Hoping the answer is positive and Craig is safe to drive, and yet knowing that the doctor may choose to be conservative and not allow it to happen. We are trying to be detached from the outcome and trust what is best for all to happen.
And, yay! My mom’s here to visit!
I was concerned about you all, and your state of mind, in light of the news.I'm so glad you are able to make the distinction between your own situation, and that of Senator Kennedy, or anyone else, for that matter. You have been following your path with such faith and focus. I'm so happy to hear good news of David, as well. I keep you in my prayers daily.
I was concern about you all, in light of the news. I'm glad you are able to make the distinction between your own situation, and that of Senator Kennedy, or anyone else, for that matter. I'm also so glad to hear good news about David, and that you all got to be together. That must have been so much fun! You are in my prayers daily.
Judy
Of course the media focus is upsetting. However, not only the location of the tumors is important, but I am sure age is a factor too. I hope the virus leaves your body quickly and you can continue to heal. Many prayers for you, my friend.
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