The Latest News
Today we spent the morning with Chester's two oncologists, who gave us the report on the most recent MRI and checked in with Chester's overall progress. The results? That overall, Chester is doing wonderfully- his physical rehabilitation continues to go well, his speech is improving and he feel pretty good most days. Everyone that has seen him recently is commenting on how bright eyed and bushy tailed he is looking.
All of that said, the MRI report had some bad news. His primary tumor seems to be growing again. The December MRI did not show any signs of growth, but three month later it is starting to increase in size. Not much, which is good- the site has only increased in size about half a centimeter. This is still in the area where he had the tumor removed in August and where the radiation was focused, so they are unable to determine just how much of the white matter is swelling or scar tissue, and what is new tumor growth. But there does seem to be some additional infiltration of the tumor mass.
While it is never easy to receive news that a tumor is growing in your brain, Chester took it in stride. He registered shock, sadness, and now seems to be moving forward with the same determination and will to live as he has had for the past six months. We both agreed that how he feels on a day to day basis is our most important gauge of his wellbeing. We will be getting another MRI in three months and consulting with the experts at UCSF to see if there is any more treatment to consider. Meanwhile, he will begin his next chemotherapy round on Monday and will continue to envision predators gobbling up the tumor cells. We need those panthers to be more fierce than ever, swift and sure in their kill, precise and focused in their mission. Please join us in continuing to hold the intention of "no growth, slow growth" for his brain cancer cells.
We returned from the hospital to find his new bed delivered. Another generous gift from Jaime, a mechanical massaging bed! The mechanical lift will help him keep his legs elevated in the night and can also help him sit up with less effort. The bed is super comfortable and has a nice purring massage feature as well. Chester's first night sleeping on it will be the true test, but we all sense that it will be a big improvement over his futon that he has slept on for the past four months.
I am scurrying around trying to get the house organized again (after our crazy shifting of everything this morning to make room for the new bed while squeezing the futon into the guest room). I am at home for the weekend so Chester will have other friends staying with him. There most likely will not be another posting until Tuesday. But know that Chester is well-held, doing well and moving forward. From all of my research into Glioblastoma Multiformae, six months with only a half centimeter of new tumor growth is a HUGE victory, and hopefully means that Chester will be a longer-term survivor of this aggressive cancer. I am so in awe of his daily work at living, and know that the love and support from all of you out there is a major enabler for his daily survival. Thank you, and may we all savor each day of our lives, basking in the beauty of being alive together.
All of that said, the MRI report had some bad news. His primary tumor seems to be growing again. The December MRI did not show any signs of growth, but three month later it is starting to increase in size. Not much, which is good- the site has only increased in size about half a centimeter. This is still in the area where he had the tumor removed in August and where the radiation was focused, so they are unable to determine just how much of the white matter is swelling or scar tissue, and what is new tumor growth. But there does seem to be some additional infiltration of the tumor mass.
While it is never easy to receive news that a tumor is growing in your brain, Chester took it in stride. He registered shock, sadness, and now seems to be moving forward with the same determination and will to live as he has had for the past six months. We both agreed that how he feels on a day to day basis is our most important gauge of his wellbeing. We will be getting another MRI in three months and consulting with the experts at UCSF to see if there is any more treatment to consider. Meanwhile, he will begin his next chemotherapy round on Monday and will continue to envision predators gobbling up the tumor cells. We need those panthers to be more fierce than ever, swift and sure in their kill, precise and focused in their mission. Please join us in continuing to hold the intention of "no growth, slow growth" for his brain cancer cells.
We returned from the hospital to find his new bed delivered. Another generous gift from Jaime, a mechanical massaging bed! The mechanical lift will help him keep his legs elevated in the night and can also help him sit up with less effort. The bed is super comfortable and has a nice purring massage feature as well. Chester's first night sleeping on it will be the true test, but we all sense that it will be a big improvement over his futon that he has slept on for the past four months.
I am scurrying around trying to get the house organized again (after our crazy shifting of everything this morning to make room for the new bed while squeezing the futon into the guest room). I am at home for the weekend so Chester will have other friends staying with him. There most likely will not be another posting until Tuesday. But know that Chester is well-held, doing well and moving forward. From all of my research into Glioblastoma Multiformae, six months with only a half centimeter of new tumor growth is a HUGE victory, and hopefully means that Chester will be a longer-term survivor of this aggressive cancer. I am so in awe of his daily work at living, and know that the love and support from all of you out there is a major enabler for his daily survival. Thank you, and may we all savor each day of our lives, basking in the beauty of being alive together.
posted by Chrys Curtis-Fawley at 3:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home