Update on Carter's eye. He is healing fine. The patch came off yesterday. There should be no further complications. I am thankful!
As I sit to write this post I was reminded while driving home from Dr. Needles that ". . . those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 My appointment was at 9:30, yet we didn't get to see him till 10:30. I didn't mind for it was great conversation time with Dave. We hardly have time at home to connect. He shared with me work related stuff. It was good to chat and converse.
Now to the results of the Tuesday MRI. As you know Dr. Needles had this scan compared to April, June and September scans.
"Brain sequences again demonstrate postoperative changes of the superior anterior right frontal lobe, with surrounding T2 hyperintense signal around the cavity margin. This appears minimally increased at the posterior superior cavity margin, measuring 12mm (compared with 11mm 9/11/2007 and 7.6 mm 4/11/2007). There are no areas of abnormal enhancement. No other interval change is seen. The brain parenchyma, ventricles, cisterns, major arterial flow-voids, mastoid air cells, and paranasal sinuses are otherwise normal" - Whatever those are but thankful they are normal!
So in short, there has been a 4.4 mm increased change since April. Dr. Needles is wanting Dr. Forget, my neurosurgeon, to look into this for further consultation. The options are that it is just surgery / radiation scar tissue or the dreaded cancer regrowth appearing. Dr. Needles wants to be sure and find out quickly. When asked how he was certain in September that the "minimally increased white matter" was scar tissue he responded that we were only able to compare to June not the April scan. I am thankful that the April scan was available for comparison this time.
What to do from here? Wait! I walked over to Dr. Forget's office to hand a copy of my final MRI report from Tuesday highlighting the millimeter change to get the ball rollin' on this. Also putting a note about wanting further information from him as to what he thinks. Dr. Forget will be in contact with Dr. Needles and then myself. Dr. Needles will be looking to see if another test besides an MRI could be performed to narrow down the possibilities. He is going to contact a radiation oncologist (the one that reads the reports - I think that is their title). I asked about a PET scan. He said unfortunately they have not proven to be a good deciding factor with the brain. Dr. Needles also mentioned that Dr. Forget might consider doing a biopsy. I said "You mean opening me up again? I hope not." He said he hopes not as well as it wouldn't be his first choice. Dr. Needles did want me to have a MRI in January. I will schedule it some time on the 15th.
Pray fervently that is resolved sooner than later, wisdom for the doctors and the right action to be taken. Also for this change to indeed be only scar tissue from surgery and radiation as it "could be" per Dr. Needles. Pray that I continue to walk like I have walked before - in God's hands alone. Pray that fear will not creep in.
Thankful for many things today. No edema (swelling) in the brain per Dr. Needles. I have had a great year.
He's been faithful . . . He will be faithful now!
We will not be telling the boys of this change as no real conclusions can be made from today. I will let you know when we do. I am not sad, just indifferent.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing the information - I will pray for peace and a good report from Dr. Forget. God is good -
I am reminded of a kid's song - When I am afraid, I will trust in you. . .
Love to you -
Sara
I have not made it a habit of reading the blog but for now and then in the last several months. As thanksgining is just around the corner I think it is time to blog on. For God certainly deserves all of our thanks.
For those of you who have been watching the blog since last year at this time I would like to encourage you to blog on with one thankful praise this season. It would be so great to hear what you are thankful for.
With two in my family who were diagnosed with cancer in 2006, husband with bone cancer and daughter with brain cancer I am so very thankful for this year 2007. Each had a good spring and summer. The garden was planted by Poppy at the farm as usual. Always more squash then anyone needs. And Kate resumed her duties with a completely full summer keeping up with those rebel rousing boys.
While the news media centers on the shopping season I prefer thinking about how we all sit around in the late afternoon on Thanksgiving and talk. How we gather before the meal to share what we are thankful for. Our thankful time has no boundaries on age or subject matter. Sometimes it is that old car that has carried them one more year. Or that new baby who has joined the family, or the memory of the wife of over 60 years who cannot be with us anymore.
Despite all the hardships in life it is good to come together as a family, and as a country and set a day aside to thank God for his blessings.
As I think about pumpkin pie and Aunt Dee Dee's root vegetables I will be waiting to hear from all you bloggers of your thankfulness to God for his goodness.
This year there will be duckling, rabbit and venison along with the turkey. I thought the family needed to be shaken up a bit.
Gram signing out and trying to find all the fall tablecloths and those little pilgrim candles.
The Repperts
Marnie is thankful each moment that I have to be reminded of how Joyful the Lord is. Thanksgiving is the sweetest time in our home. Laughter of 14 (almost 15, Lydia is expecting her 4th:)) grandchildren running around PawPaw and being swooshed away by Granny. Always being able to pray together over each lovingly served meal.
One thing that I am very thankful for this year, is the CONTINUOS times over the last months that OVER and OVER God has given me this verse: "Do not worry about your life...Who by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for to morrow will worry about itself." Matt 6:25, 27, 34. And for this verse that sweet Amber has said every day for the last few weeks:
"Sing to the Lord. Praise his name; PROCLAIM his Salvation day after day". Ps. 96:2 THANK YOU LORD for your small children your PROCLAIM your name and your salvation!!!!!!
Kate, I am so thankful for you...
What a wonderful idea Soccer Gram! I am very Thankful for my job as it has opened my eyes to see what is really important. I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people that have reminded me that those little things we take for granted can be taken away. I feel blessed that I got to meet Kate...she has been not only been an inspiration, but a true messenger. Her ministry I witnessed while she sat in my waiting room spoke to me and now I chose to make a difference in the lives of the people I meet. I am also very thankful for my family and the time we have together; while my husband did get reactivated to the military for a year, he will not be going overseas!! Thank you Lord for family, friends, great memories and to creating new memories!
Stefanie
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