Brain scan results are in
I have been in the hospital for 8 days and they have done an intensive study of the abnormal mass in my sub arachnoid brain stem
They did a series of x-rays and 3 separate MRI's (with and without contrast) and a CT scan (also an ultrasound examination) in a two day period
Not only do they put your head in restraints but they have this opaque box that surrounds your head in close confinement
The series of 3 MRI's took approx 50 minutes and the device creates quite a racket - I must admit that with all I have endured having my head restrained in a box with my shoulders and arms strapped down is an unpleasant experience
As noted with and without iodine contrast and with a radioactive barium based dye delivered intravenously
The nature of the abnormal mass and it's location means that they cannot sample or probe or biopsy it - it's in a inoperable location
The experts have concluded that it was a brain tumor - and was once active and malignant (walnut sized)
It now appears to have shrunk and it appears to be a benign calcified mass - ie the radiation treatment and platinum based chemotherapy I received for my GI tract cancer was also effective on the mass in my head - reducing it's size and rendering in inactive and benign
So the rad and chemo I received inadvertently had a net positive result in shutting down and shutting off the tumor in my head
They still want an independent team to do an additional assessment of the scans and they want to monitor the area going forward
Had the tumor progressed or gotten much larger - or was allowed to continue along its invasive path of development it would have killed me - after rendering me blind and causing other disagreeable and unthinkable side effects
It's referred to as a widow maker and is fatal in 99.9% of cases - and usually does not respond to treatments and therapies
Blood work and lab results are clear of any cancer precursors or residual elements indicative of abhorrent growths or cancerous tumors
So while other things may finish me off and kill me this particular item will no longer result in imminent death
And they still will not yet allow me to go home
I said I would keep you appraised so here we are.
Mike
They did a series of x-rays and 3 separate MRI's (with and without contrast) and a CT scan (also an ultrasound examination) in a two day period
Not only do they put your head in restraints but they have this opaque box that surrounds your head in close confinement
The series of 3 MRI's took approx 50 minutes and the device creates quite a racket - I must admit that with all I have endured having my head restrained in a box with my shoulders and arms strapped down is an unpleasant experience
As noted with and without iodine contrast and with a radioactive barium based dye delivered intravenously
The nature of the abnormal mass and it's location means that they cannot sample or probe or biopsy it - it's in a inoperable location
The experts have concluded that it was a brain tumor - and was once active and malignant (walnut sized)
It now appears to have shrunk and it appears to be a benign calcified mass - ie the radiation treatment and platinum based chemotherapy I received for my GI tract cancer was also effective on the mass in my head - reducing it's size and rendering in inactive and benign
So the rad and chemo I received inadvertently had a net positive result in shutting down and shutting off the tumor in my head
They still want an independent team to do an additional assessment of the scans and they want to monitor the area going forward
Had the tumor progressed or gotten much larger - or was allowed to continue along its invasive path of development it would have killed me - after rendering me blind and causing other disagreeable and unthinkable side effects
It's referred to as a widow maker and is fatal in 99.9% of cases - and usually does not respond to treatments and therapies
Blood work and lab results are clear of any cancer precursors or residual elements indicative of abhorrent growths or cancerous tumors
So while other things may finish me off and kill me this particular item will no longer result in imminent death
And they still will not yet allow me to go home
I said I would keep you appraised so here we are.
Mike
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Mike when i was going through my head and neck cancer they made a mask out of warm plastic and molded it to my face and made a breathing hole for me. They did not make eye holes.
When i went in for radiation they tied my hands and legs down and bolted my head in place. I could move my head less than 1/16th of an inch.
Being tied up and stuff does not bother me. What i was scared of was throwing up and not being able to get the mask off of me in time.
Mike just keep on keeping on that is all you can do.0 -
Mike,so sorry you've had to go through this,but equally glad to hear the results of the test. Keep on keeping on. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
Mike,so sorry you've had to go through this,but equally glad to hear the results of the test. Keep on keeping on.
Yes Sir. Stay strong Mike. Thinking about you (as always) Brother.
-Ken-0 -
My brother passed from a Glioblastoma. By the time doctors figured it out, it was too late. God bless that yours worked out. 0 -
Mike, hang tough you are an inspiration to all LIVING humans. I for one understand what an immobile neck feels like. It can be terrifying at times when due to road construction or intersection angles you are forced to pull out into by braille, looking up is impossible unless my back will bend that far.
The news on the brain tumor creates hope in within my heart. I hope it does for you too. It is a very positive series of tests and the reports sound encouraging.
Keep on keeping on!0 -
Despite what trials and tribulations I have already been through the concept of brain cancer was troubling to say the least
If presented with the option of radiation being focused and lanced through my brain while receiving additional chemotherapy and hospice care I believe that I would have chosen the latter
The treatment regimen usually renders one blind and unable to speak
They did discuss the idea of seed implantation via tele operated robot followed by targeted bursts of radiation
There are no good options in the scenario
They have me on 3 separate high power antibiotics right now which necessitate anti nausea meds and anti vert meds
The infusion of these meds leave me shot and exhausted and make eating and drinking difficult and has disrupted my sleep cycle
I am burnt out
I want to go home
Mike0 -
Wish I could give you a hug, and make it all better Brother.
I'm sending good thoughts and Prayers your way.
-Ken-0 -
Good News.. sit tight they will release soon. 0 -
Its amazing to think of all they are able to treat and how far medicine has come in such a short period of time, but I would never have thought we would still be in a time where hour long tests where your head was in a box was required. You are going to have some sort of super hero power for sure before this is all over with.
You are amazing!0 -
Hi Mike -
A month or so you said you wished you were really making a difference. If 99.9 % of the people that have a tumor like your die from it and yours shrunk and crystallized, what they will learn from you may help a lot of other folks. So I think you?re making a difference!
Hang in there...0
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