Well, as the title says, the news on Friday from the neurosurgeon was not what we were hoping to hear. Mom and Dad had to be at the Health Sciences Cancer Care ward at 10:00 am on Friday and after a short wait, they met with the neurosurgeon. They reviewed Wednesday's CT scan, and were told that it is for sure a cancerous tumor. It's called a 'butterfly' tumor, since it is on both hemispheres of his brain. Dad also underwent an EKG and more blood work on Friday.
So it's been a rough week, to say the least. Just when we think we'll finally find out all there is to know as far as treatment and what to expect, we find out there's even more tests needed in order to get it all figured out. Dad will be back at the hospital again on Monday to see an anesthesiologist. We're not 100% sure what they'll be doing. And hopefully on Tuesday he will be receiving a full-body MRI to check for cancer elsewhere in the body, as well as have a biopsy that afternoon on the tumor in his brain. If they can't fit him in on Tuesday, then the MRI and biopsy will most likely be on Friday. It's a lot take in! Once the MRI is finished and they have the results of that, then it sounds like we will finally have a concrete plan as far as treatment goes. Until then, we're hoping for the best, and trying to take things one day at a time.
It's hard to keep functioning normally when this is hanging over our heads. I think we're all feeling emotionally drained, and trying to figure out what exactly our new 'normal' is going to be. Mom has decided to use up her sick days at work, and starting on Monday she'll be taking the next three months off in order to help take care of Dad. The rest of us are still trying to juggle work and school, while spending as much time together as we can.
As far as how Dad's feeling, he says that he doesn't really feel different at all. He doesn't quite have as much energy as he did a few weeks ago, and he's been having lots of hiccups - a side effect from the cranial pressure on his brain. Who knew that pressure on your head could cause hiccups?!?!?
Anyway....please continue to pray for our family as we await more news of treatment and the results of the MRI. Until then...
Dana
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5 comments:
thank you for all this information, wow, quite a bit to take in....it must be so hard to absorb.
We will continue to pray for peace, strength and most of all healing.
if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call
Dear Gerald and Arlis,
What can I say ..... just that you are in our thoughts and in our prayers. We will keep checking the blog for information. Keep up the faith -- it is all we have.
Hi Gerald and Arlis ,
Prayer, love, music, and far away support- these we offer you at this difficult time. Dr. Brian Hardy, WYC parent of Stephanie- is an interventional radiologist at HSC- and works with the neurologists- so if you need some extra special support- find him- or we can find him for you. It's often good to know someone on the inside as it can help in unknown ways.
Give our love to Janis and all the family,
Andrea and Ed
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this crazy time.
Take care, and hug often.
We love you guys and are thinking of you by the minute.
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