In March 2005 Dad was diagnosed with a Grade III Brain Tumor (Anaplastic Astrocytoma). After Dad's diagnosis, surgery and treatment he was "cancer free" for 2 1/2 years. In September of 2007 he was diagnosed with reoccurrence and started a new chemo treatment plan. The Temodar treatments were successful and we were without any "measurable tumor" in January 2008. Dad remained on the Temodar as a maintenance plan until June. The Temodar treatment is great as far as Chemotherapy goes and Dad has been able to live a very comfortable life. He works 9 hour days, skis with the kids on the weekends and can enjoy life very comfortably.
This past June we were surprised to see that the tumor was breaking through the Temodar treatment and re-growing. We decided to move forward with a second Craniotomy and remove the tumor. This gave the doctors the ability to surgically remove the cancer cells from a portion of the brain we were not able to reach in 2005. The "awake craniotomy" was VERY successful and the doctors were extremely optimistic and very pleased.
Ten days ago our Neuro Oncologist was very enthusiastic to tell us that the pathology report came back very promising. The tumor tissue now tested as a completely different type of tumor and in fact a "better tumor" (there is such a thing). They believed that we always had this tumor type and that it was misdiagnosed in 2005. So therefore, we now had a Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma. Which has a better survival rate because of its better response to treatment etc.
This past week has brought a lot of surprises and changes. Dad started experiencing equilibrium problems and his motor skills were diminished. As this escalated he was admitted again to the Huntsman and the doctors ordered an MRI. The MRI revealed some very serious concerns. The tumor cells have now expanded beyond the original surgical cavity and are blocking the Cerebral Spinal Fluid. It is apparent from their size that they are very aggressive. The rate of growth in four weeks is alarming. One smaller tumor is blocking the 4th ventricle. This is very serious and life threatening.
The doctors immediately administered steroids to reduce the inflammation and a drug called Manitol that dramatically drains the fluid away from the brain. There has been alot of debate on whether they should surgically install a shunt in the brain to do a number of things. Mainly to increase the flow of the spinal fluid and inhibit the tumor blockage. Secondly, the ability to debulk the larger tumor that has grown in addition to this smaller tumor. The concern however is that this larger tumor is too closely involved in the motor skills function area of the brain. The largest hesitation for the shunt surgery is that it will interfere with the chemo treatment plan. The drug that is the first line of defense for this tumor is Avastin. Avastin cannot be administered for four weeks after surgery because of the irritation to the surgical wound. The opposite is also the case. If we start the Avastin we cannot undergo surgery until four weeks after it is stopped. This chicken vs the egg factor has been a dilemma. On Monday the Neuro team decided to watch Dad for 24 hours and see if the fluid reduction and the steroids can improve his abilities. If so, then we would decide to move forward with the Avastin and postpone the surgery option.
And so a priesthood blessing was given and specific prayers were now offered to help us understand which option was best. If Dad improved dramatically we could then know not to go forward with surgery. If not, then we would consider surgery. Yesterday morning was amazing. Dad woke up with a bang! He suddenly could walk, talk and utilize his right and left sides almost equally. The Neuro team was in the hallway reviewing another patients charts. Our friends were taking Dad on a walk. Dad being the "type A" personality that he is and combined with the steroids went charging by the Neuro team! They were dumbfounded and amazed and very happy! They later came into Dad's room and said, "Well, we believe we should move forward with the Avastin and postpone surgery". We are so glad the Lord helped us make that decision so easily because the surgery option seemed so daunting and we were struggling with what was in Dad's best interest.
Dad is now back on the Decadron steroids that we have worked so hard to avoid since they cause him to be manic. Well, so far so good. Dad is on four times the dosage of steroids he was on in 2005 and he is stable and doing well. No Mania! His dramatic progress in the last 36 hours has earned him the blessing of going home today! We are thrilled that our prayers have been answered.
As many of you can imagine, Brain Cancer is tough! Dad is in a very serious and delicate state right now. Our hope is that the chemo treatment will reduce the size of these tumors. When these lay dormant and come back they often come back with a vengeance. We are certainly experiencing that now. Dad's prognosis is not as hopeful as before. What we do know now is that his current treatment has had great history of success over a six month period of time. That is all we know. After that we move into a new territory of uncertainty and other treatment plan options. We are just taking it one step at a time. This disease has a mind of it's own. We remain positive and prayerful and trust in the Lord. We know the Lord helps those who help themselves and all of us, especially Dad, are working hard to do all that we can. There are no promises. Only the opportunity of exercising all of our faith and prayers and utilizing medicine to the best of it's ability. That we can do!
Our family has selected a scripture that strengthens us and expresses succinctly our faith and plan:
“Therefore, dearly beloved …, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” Doctrine & Covenants 123:17
We love you all and are so grateful for your faith and prayers.
