Latest update on my brother
I have been sending out "Mikey updates periodically to the family and friends of Mike. This is the latest one. I removed comments. Please keep my brother in your prayers. He is stage 4 lung cancer, with mets to the brain and adrenal glands.
Hello family and friends,
A Blessed Christmas to all of you. Celebrate the Reason.
Friday Mike had his gamma ray (Stereotactic radiology) procedure on his brain. Martha tells me that the Dr. said there is an 80% success rate with this procedure, which is really amazing, considering brain cancer is a nasty thing to try to cure. The rays actually go into the cancer cells and explode them.Pretty kewl. University Hospital does over 2000 of them every year. UCLA hospital is the only hospital in the US that does as many, or more. We are very fortunate to have this hospital right here in Cincinnati, and very blessed to hear this success rate. The procedure will help him with his balance as well. The cancer was in a spot that affects motor skills.
The procedure itself did not take long; the preparation did. We (Mom, Martha, Mike, and me) arrived at the hospital at 6:15, Mike had another cat scan, and this was compared to the brain scan he had earlier in the week. The spot was 1", or 2 cm, and was exactly in the same spot he was bruised when he was in the truck accident 3+ years ago. The spot was the same size as it was when it was found, I just mis-typed in the previous message.
The hardest part dealt with the pain medication. Mike is allergic to methylparabem, which is a preservative found in many pain medications, as well as every day things, such as lotions, soaps, etc. It causes his heart to stop. The lydocaine they normally use as a local could not be used, so Mike had to wear his "Helmet" without any medications. Doesn't sound bad, but the helmet was metal, and was actually screwed to his head with 3 big plastic screws. Two on his forehead, one on the back of his head. .(Think Robo-Cop; the movie. That is what it brought to my mind) This helmet fastens into the table, and keeps the head stabilized. They finally found something to give him after a couple of hours that relieved the pain. During this time they were setting up the computer to run the rays. The actual procedure only took about 10-15 minutes.
After that, Mike was hungry, so off we went for a late lunch. I think we made it home around 3 pm. Long day. There is the possibility of some memory loss, but it will not be recent memories. I don't know about you all, but I have a few memories I would like to lose! There will also be some bruising from the screws.
Tomorrow is Mikes last day of radiation. Today was the last chemo day, and no, I don't think he lost his hair. He didn't have a ton of it to begin with, so it is a bit hard for me to tell. He will be re-evaluated in 1 month, and further treatment discussed, if needed. I don't think he will have more radiation, but could have another round of chemo. He is doing well, in better spirits, busy building computers for his family. I am glad to see that he is once more interested in life .
Then, the M&M's hit the road with Martha's parents for a well deserved Florida vacation! We expect them back mid to end of January.
Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Also, I received a few congratulation emails and electronic cards when I finished treatment, so if any of you are so inclined, email me and I will send you his address.
As we celebrate our Saviors birth, let us also remember the miracles we have in our lives; for me, that is all of you. I thank God for each and every one of you.
Hugs to all
Bren
Hello family and friends,
A Blessed Christmas to all of you. Celebrate the Reason.
Friday Mike had his gamma ray (Stereotactic radiology) procedure on his brain. Martha tells me that the Dr. said there is an 80% success rate with this procedure, which is really amazing, considering brain cancer is a nasty thing to try to cure. The rays actually go into the cancer cells and explode them.Pretty kewl. University Hospital does over 2000 of them every year. UCLA hospital is the only hospital in the US that does as many, or more. We are very fortunate to have this hospital right here in Cincinnati, and very blessed to hear this success rate. The procedure will help him with his balance as well. The cancer was in a spot that affects motor skills.
The procedure itself did not take long; the preparation did. We (Mom, Martha, Mike, and me) arrived at the hospital at 6:15, Mike had another cat scan, and this was compared to the brain scan he had earlier in the week. The spot was 1", or 2 cm, and was exactly in the same spot he was bruised when he was in the truck accident 3+ years ago. The spot was the same size as it was when it was found, I just mis-typed in the previous message.
The hardest part dealt with the pain medication. Mike is allergic to methylparabem, which is a preservative found in many pain medications, as well as every day things, such as lotions, soaps, etc. It causes his heart to stop. The lydocaine they normally use as a local could not be used, so Mike had to wear his "Helmet" without any medications. Doesn't sound bad, but the helmet was metal, and was actually screwed to his head with 3 big plastic screws. Two on his forehead, one on the back of his head. .(Think Robo-Cop; the movie. That is what it brought to my mind) This helmet fastens into the table, and keeps the head stabilized. They finally found something to give him after a couple of hours that relieved the pain. During this time they were setting up the computer to run the rays. The actual procedure only took about 10-15 minutes.
After that, Mike was hungry, so off we went for a late lunch. I think we made it home around 3 pm. Long day. There is the possibility of some memory loss, but it will not be recent memories. I don't know about you all, but I have a few memories I would like to lose! There will also be some bruising from the screws.
Tomorrow is Mikes last day of radiation. Today was the last chemo day, and no, I don't think he lost his hair. He didn't have a ton of it to begin with, so it is a bit hard for me to tell. He will be re-evaluated in 1 month, and further treatment discussed, if needed. I don't think he will have more radiation, but could have another round of chemo. He is doing well, in better spirits, busy building computers for his family. I am glad to see that he is once more interested in life .
Then, the M&M's hit the road with Martha's parents for a well deserved Florida vacation! We expect them back mid to end of January.
Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Also, I received a few congratulation emails and electronic cards when I finished treatment, so if any of you are so inclined, email me and I will send you his address.
As we celebrate our Saviors birth, let us also remember the miracles we have in our lives; for me, that is all of you. I thank God for each and every one of you.
Hugs to all
Bren