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Initial brain abnormal mass biopsy results back

mrmike08075
Got the initial biopsy results and new head CT scan results back

BTW a biopsy on the brain is somewhat unfun / uncomfortable

Talked with the neurologist and an oncologist for awhile

The now walnut sized abnormal abhorrent mass in my head (above brain stem / sub arachnoid) was a tumor - was a cancer at one point as much as 30% larger

It has now the size of a walnut and is now a calcified mass

The explanation given is that when I had radiation treatment and chemotherapy it stopped growing and shrunk - and now appears to be dormant with very little blood supply

I have follow up appointments with a neurologist expert and radiation oncology and they may do another or periodic scans of the head

There is an option of injecting chemicals into it

I have been advised that the shrinkage appears to have taken place within the last 8 months - and that it may continue or abate or could come back.

Even if it's dead the brain will try to expand back into the space - like a squeezed sponge once unclenched and that process may cause side effects

As of now they are not saying cancer - just abnormal finding of / growth in the brain

This may explain some of the cognitive dissonance and odd sensory afflictions I experienced during treatment

It may explain some of my ongoing issues as well

I am a bit numb and detached at the moment - this has been a difficult period for me

I assume a calcified inert mass is the best possible outcome

So I had a brain tumor - we accidentally treated it because we did not know it was there - it appears to be damaged and reduced - it could come back

Your thoughts would be appreciated - it's new territory for me.

I promised I would keep my status updates.

Mike
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Comments

20 comments

Date Votes
  • spasmcreek
    seems to be the better side of the possibilities....keep on keeping on
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  • AzAfshin
    Wish you the best Mike.

    And stop snorting walnuts [:D]
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  • mrmike08075
    So your in / on a surgical table reconfigured like some kind of easy chair but very low to the floor - local anesthetic and anxiety meds as well as radioactive iodine being pushed through an IV

    They shave a small patch of hair - an area behind your right ear and lower...

    The surgeon and a nurse are behind you in chairs - it's odd

    You are watching a monitor that displays shapes and colors and letters and numbers - the nurse asks you to tell her what's on the screen periodically

    Your supposed to let them know if you smell citrus or wood shavings

    Your head is locked in a halo vice and your hands are restrained

    It's cold - they play jazz music because it has no structure and does not repeat

    All for a biopsy - an arthroscopic procedure

    I felt like singing "Daisy" slowly

    Still have not processed the experience.

    I don't know much about this (see there must be something wrong if I act like I don't have the answers and facts)

    Twilight zone vibe

    Mike
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  • sxsnuf
    Not a doctor, (but I AM sleeping in a travelodge tonight).
    Sounds like better news than most of us were expecting to hear from you though pal.
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  • mrmike08075
    Perhaps it's selfish or self serving or a reward me moment...

    But considering what limited time I may have left in this mortal coil there has been an a paradigm shift in my patterns of speech and expressions - it's important for me to come express my thanks - to make clear how important your assistance or support has become - acknowledgement and paying it forward of you will

    Because those moments may be limited time offer events with family approaching dates of expiration - a window that is closing inexorably

    The senior oncology nurse advocate who called today to update me on test results was crying - tears of relief and joy - "the kids will have more of four time"

    So to you and to others - thank you.

    Mike
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  • diver-rig
    Hang in there, mrmike.

    Prayers from the Bryan clan in Iowa.
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  • NeoBlackdog
    All in all, given the circumstances, I'd say you're one lucky son of a gun, Mike! Prayers and well wishes still being sent your way.
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  • mrmike08075
    Seeing a specialist and a surgeon this morning and have a neuro consult...

    Will post an update later.

    Mike
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  • 84Bravo1
    quote:Originally posted by NeoBlackdog
    All in all, given the circumstances, I'd say you're one lucky son of a gun, Mike! Prayers and well wishes still being sent your way.




    I agree with that.

    Given what they could have said or come back with, I'd say that is about as good as it gets.

    I'm very glad you did not get worse news Mike.
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  • Sam06
    I would say that is a not too bad outcome.

    Are the Dr's going to remove it or leave it alone and monitor it?
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  • Doc
    Is there any discussion of removing it? Now would seem to be the time while it's dormant. The problem with cancer is that if even one cell is missed the cancer comes back.

    Brain tumors are unpredictable. Some folks go quickly. My friend's dad lived with one for 23 years but it was real bad the last year or so and he prayed to die.

    I'm sorry you have to go through this. We're thinking of ya and pulling for you, man.
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  • mrmike08075
    I am meeting with a surgeon (yes a brain surgeon - ironic) in 30 minutes along with a neuro doc and an oncologist...

    My understanding is that the sub arachnoid region above the brain stem may make removal an issue - it may be inoperable.

    I will learn more soon.

    Mike
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  • Sam06
    quote:Originally posted by mrmike08075
    I am meeting with a surgeon (yes a brain surgeon - ironic) in 30 minutes along with a neuro doc and an oncologist...

    My understanding is that the sub arachnoid region above the brain stem may make removal an issue - it may be inoperable.

    I will learn more soon.

    Mike


    I just looked up that area of the Brain and that is deep inside.

    Good luck dude, positive vibes sent your way.
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  • mrmike08075
    I could not sleep last night so I did some laundry - I decided to dress nicely for the excursion to the surgical offices so I laid out pieces of clothing that currently fit - ironed and pressed things - tried to put together an outfit and hung it all up...

    Showered and cleaned up the facial hair...

    Came out of the bathroom and Makaila just broke down in tears crying quietly...

    Mike
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  • mrmike08075
    The neurologist wants to gather together my complete file and review things with his team - a round table session

    I put on VR goggles and they place this mesh hat on you that has like 100 wire leads...

    The use sight and sound stimulus to see what areas of the brain light up - whether the responses are I'm the right places at the right times - looking for aphasia or cognitive dissonance and such

    Word association and pictured stimulus response - etc...

    Would be interesting if I was not frightened.

    Mike
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  • BikerBob
    As was said above, better news than it it sure could have been. Getting it accidentally treated saved, I?m sure, a lot of stress for you as they would have waded through different options and explained all the pros and cons to you. I?m thinking Someone had your back on this!
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  • mrmike08075
    I must admit to shame and fear.

    While previous courses of treatments and therapies and surgeries have left me stuck in a cracked empty crippled scared disfigured she'll for the most part aside from some mild cognitive dissonance on the worst days - and some aphasia after surgery my mind remained intact - I was still me inside even if a loathsome and shattered visage that many turn away from

    The thought of high powered lethal radiation lancing through my skull and cooking my brain like an egg frightens my and has caused vivid nightmares

    Being strapped down to the table in restraints - head locked in a vice - hands immobilized while they zip me is not a positive image.

    Combined with another round of high level oxilaplantin platinum based chemo does not put me in my happy place

    I am still working it over in my mind - turning it over in my proverbial hands - examination ongoing.

    Your support has been key in my survival so far - I wear it like a badge of honor next to the scarlet letter sewn to my breast.

    Mike
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  • 84Bravo1
    quote:Originally posted by BikerBob
    As was said above, better news than it it sure could have been. Getting it accidentally treated saved, I?m sure, a lot of stress for you as they would have waded through different options and explained all the pros and cons to you. I?m thinking Someone had your back on this!






    We all have your back on this Mike.

    Good thoughts, Prayers, and Positive thoughts coming your way Brother.
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  • kimi
    The news looks to be good, or better than what it could be, from my perspective. My mother died after having brain surgery due to a very large benign tumor.
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  • mrmike08075
    I don't claim to understand the calcification aspect - unless the chemo and restricted blood supply caused it to shrink and die...

    I would much prefer if they could remove it completely but the area involved seems to indicate it's inoperable or that the risk level is just to high even for an arthroscopic procedure

    I will do more research on the subject - I don't know much about it

    Perhaps one of you has had an experience of this type...

    Still kind of feels like a ticking time bomb in my head

    Mike
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