The Rest of the Story

Here it is, the rest of the story...for now.

The tumor on the brain is growing at a 50% rate, which means it will be 4cm by the end of Oct., 8cm by mid-Dec. and 16cm by the first of Feb. Tumors rarely slow in growth without intervention, such as radiation or chemo. So if we do nothing, we can expect this result, or worse, as tumors do sometimes also pick up speed.

All parties involved agree that we must treat the brain and the body simultaneously. The disease in the body is potentially fatal, the disease in the brain is eventually fatal. Getting the tumors to shrink in the body will be in vain if the tumor in the brain takes over, and vice versa.

Brian will go ahead with the Chicago treatment on Oct. 8th, followed by a craniotomy on Oct. 12th to remove all visible disease from the brain. The results after the June craniotomy were that there was no visible signs of melanoma, but probably microscopic because they did not take a wide enough margin. This decision was made not to take a wide margin, based on the fact that the wide margin would have cut farther into the part of the brain that affects the motor functions. Now that we are back to square one basically, we don't have a choice. He will again map Brian's brain to know what areas are affected, and suspects Brian will have continued or more likely increased weakness in his leg, maybe also in his face and mouth, and maybe in his arm. This was a very difficult decision to let them do this surgery, based on what Brian will have to deal with afterwards. There is a good chance he will be relying much more on the use of his wheelchair, either for a while, or permanently. But in the big scheme of things, these side effects are minor, compared to what they could be, and this craniotomy should not effect other bodily functions. A little boy can crawl up on Daddy's lap in a wheelchair to read books.

Another deciding factor...if we don't cut it out, the tumor itself will cause the same damage, or worse. The neurosurgeon would rather see damage done by surgery that was precise and controlled, instead of waiting to see what a tumor will do on its own...spread out in a different direction, grow fingers.

Next week will be a busy one for Brian. For all of you, I ask your continued prayers in great numbers for God's healing hands on Brian.

Enjoy each moment,
Jenni