Sorry it has been so long without an update; everything had been going well so there really was not a large reason to post. So lets start things off with the positive from my last MRI back in February . . .
Last February I had one of the boring, but needed, MRI update check-ups and results were very good. There was a change since the last MRI, but change was a very happy occurrence. Most of the veins that previously fed my brain tumor until it was obese had stopped operating. For once having veins that were useless was a good thing. The word from Dr. Wagner (my oncologist) was since I was yet to have an MRI with not-so-good results that my dates with the MRI machine would be only needed every six months if my next date in March went well. YES!
Now to flip the coin . . .
Today with the oncology doctor I learned that my tumor is very stubborn. Here is the good stuff:
"There is a postoperative cavity and encepalomalacia within the left temporal lobe including a moderate T2 hypersensitvity and the signal abnormality is largely unchanged compared to 2/9/15."
Translation: No change, brain is still doing well and the mutated portion is still showing no signed of being returned due to the very active bullying and beating previously in treatment
That was good news to hear, and made my husband and I happy since we had just finished a home inspection to be foster parents earlier in the week. (Clearly my husband has a brain tumor as well since we actually enjoyed the deep house cleaning that happened before that inspection). Anyway, here is the not so good news:
"However, there is one focal area of soft tissue signal (FLAIR hyperintense) measuring approximately 7 mm with in the postoperative region adjacent to the left temporal calvarium with dense enhancement, and both the enhancement and the size of the soft tissue abnormality have increased compared to prior studies. While there is no hyperfusion identified, the finding are worrisome for recurrence."
Translation: MRI doctors are really good at run-on sentences, and the spot where my tumor was removed is showing some signs that it might be rising from the dead. Crap.
This all means that the area around where the tumor was removed is doing great, while the area inside the cavity where the tumor used to reside is being its normal rebellious self. Apparently this jerk is a beautiful mutant on the outside, but a evil vampire on the inside.
On Monday my oncologist, former radiologist, and former surgeon will meet to debate/discuss what should be done next since I still do not have a tumor, but my brain is acting like there is one cloning itself in my near future. The option that have already been brought up are:
- surgery to remove the tumor birth canal (It would be a minor surgery with only very small scars since there is no viable brain tissue still in the area. Apparently lasers would be involved; now that sounds like they will be bringing in Cyclops from the X-Men - I would not mind that.)
- receive another dosage of radiation (This round would be more focused, and the concentration would be lower than previously given since the site they need to focus on is only 7mm as opposed to the original softball size "friend". At least I know that I can't lose too much more hair on the left side of my scalp)
- chemotherapy (Weight loss in my future and being forced to eat healthy? Not too bad!)
So, there is your update. I am completely planning on going with whatever plan the doctors recommend come the expected call on Tuesday. Here's hoping for mutant powers!
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