This is another post from Linda. Jamey is out of town for training with his work. We met with Dr. Salacz today after this morning’s post-radiation MRI. We received an excellent report. The flair on the left side of the brain that we decided to radiate does not show on the new scan. We will continue to monitor it, but this is good news for now. Also the original tumor doesn’t show any signs of recurring at this time. This is a good indication that the treatments have been effective so far.
We leave Saturday morning for North Carolina. We will drive down to Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach for some R&R, then return to Raleigh Monday morning for afternoon and Tuesday consultations. We return home Tuesday evening.
Dr. Salacz leaves tomorrow for a conference on brain tumors being held in New Orleans. We will consult after our meetings to determine if we want to make any changes to the planned treatment going forward.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
We apologize for not posting to this blog for so long. Jamey's schedule has been extremely busy and he has been traveling much of the time so this posting is from Linda.
I took my last radiation treatment on Monday, October 5. I am now in a rest period for two weeks, with the exception of my next regular treatment of the intravenous chemo, Avastin, which will be tomorrow, Friday, Oct 16. After the rest period, the plan is for me to go on much stronger doses of the capsule chemo, Temodar, for 5 days followed by 23 days of rest. This cycle is to be repeated for 6 months. The Avastin treatments will continue every two weeks during this time and for an undetermined period afterward.
Also, I am scheduled for a post-radiation MRI on October 20 and will meet with my neuro-oncologist, Dr. Salacz, immediately afterwards.
Derek and I will be traveling to Duke University Brain Cancer Institute for an assessment on October 26-27. Dr. Salacz is on board with this visit. You may recall that he recently did a fellowship at Duke. We will consult with Dr. Salacz after the Duke visit (and he will consult with them) to determine if we want to change any of the planned treatment.
I must admit that it is nice to no longer pace my day around the 2:15 radiation treatment, although I did enjoy seeing so many of you who volunteered as drivers. We are in your debt.
We made another trip to Mountain Grove in late September to celebrate my Dad’s 90th birthday. Vernon and Ginny hosted a party and we all had a great time! To top it all, Ben drove down with Addison (her first visit to Mountain Grove). It is hard to believe that she is more than 8 months old already.
My lower back is much better! After three visits with the pain management specialist and two cortisone shots, I am no longer carrying a pillow and ice bag everywhere I go. I have also been able to take walks, and am able to go most of 2 miles already. I have learned my lesson and am increasing the distances very gradually.
I have been able to go off many of the meds (am off all the pain meds) and am feeling much more like myself. Derek celebrates with me!
Thank you for all the prayers.
I took my last radiation treatment on Monday, October 5. I am now in a rest period for two weeks, with the exception of my next regular treatment of the intravenous chemo, Avastin, which will be tomorrow, Friday, Oct 16. After the rest period, the plan is for me to go on much stronger doses of the capsule chemo, Temodar, for 5 days followed by 23 days of rest. This cycle is to be repeated for 6 months. The Avastin treatments will continue every two weeks during this time and for an undetermined period afterward.
Also, I am scheduled for a post-radiation MRI on October 20 and will meet with my neuro-oncologist, Dr. Salacz, immediately afterwards.
Derek and I will be traveling to Duke University Brain Cancer Institute for an assessment on October 26-27. Dr. Salacz is on board with this visit. You may recall that he recently did a fellowship at Duke. We will consult with Dr. Salacz after the Duke visit (and he will consult with them) to determine if we want to change any of the planned treatment.
I must admit that it is nice to no longer pace my day around the 2:15 radiation treatment, although I did enjoy seeing so many of you who volunteered as drivers. We are in your debt.
We made another trip to Mountain Grove in late September to celebrate my Dad’s 90th birthday. Vernon and Ginny hosted a party and we all had a great time! To top it all, Ben drove down with Addison (her first visit to Mountain Grove). It is hard to believe that she is more than 8 months old already.
My lower back is much better! After three visits with the pain management specialist and two cortisone shots, I am no longer carrying a pillow and ice bag everywhere I go. I have also been able to take walks, and am able to go most of 2 miles already. I have learned my lesson and am increasing the distances very gradually.
I have been able to go off many of the meds (am off all the pain meds) and am feeling much more like myself. Derek celebrates with me!
Thank you for all the prayers.
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