We went to the doctor this afternoon to get the results of the MRI I took yesterday. Although not conclusive, the GBM cancer appears to have returned in the same area as before the March surgery. The concern is a “high contrast” area seen on the MRI.
The doctor, a chemo oncologist, says that he is not certain of the origin of the “high contrast” area. He says it could be tissue damage from the surgery or tissue damage from the seven weeks of gamma radiation treatment. But, he believes the most likely origin is a recurrence of cancer. He suggests that:
(a) We meet with the original surgeon Friday (tomorrow) to discuss new surgery as an option;
(b) We continue the planned Phase II treatment previously scheduled for next week;
(c) We have an additional MRI done on 15 July to see if there is any increased growth.
Our other doctor, a radiation oncologist, says that the “high contrast” area of the MRI is most probably a new growth of chemo/radiation resistant GBM. She believes that the chance of it being damaged brain tissue is possible but extremely remote.
We are meeting with the surgeon tomorrow, but we are more interested in his recommendations than in surgery because he has already indicated that the risks of resection surgery were severe, threatening the normal functions in the eloquent (speaking, reading, writing) areas of the brain.
We will spend the next few days investigating our options. We will be looking at recently approved chemo treatments and also will consider participating in experimental Phase II drug studies at major cancer research facilities. We have already begun discussions with Duke University.
We will be trying to keep all of our options open until July 15, when the next MRI is scheduled and we’ll need to decide on treatment options.
We will try to post another blog as soon as we have had time to think over everything.
Your support these last few months has been absolutely wonderful. I love to hear from all of you, but for the time being, please e-mail me. I need a little time to absorb the bad news.
Love to all of you,
Michele
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3 comments:
I don't know if you or Robert or someone else from the family is reading your email or comments to the blog, Michele, but we're all thinking about you here in Sarasota and send our very best. I'll be in touch when Caroline and I are back in Austin on July 1st. Love to you, Jena
My dear Michele,
You're in my prayers every day. If there is anything I can do for you, I'm there, just let me know.
Much love,
Peggy
Michele - I am so sorry that the news you have gotten is not what any of us were hoping for you. I have decided, however, to insist on believing that the next news will be better. I just got back from my travels and was so hoping you and I could finally get together - but I don't want to disturb your need to have some quiet time to reflect and think about next steps. I will be checking in on you later in the week,however.
Love,
Vicki T. 415-9894 (feel free to call anytime!)
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