(no subject)
Tues 03-24-09
Tonia and I went up to Methodist Hospital where I had blood drawn, received an MRI, and reviewed the scan with my oncologist. I've had lots of problems with pain, numbness, motor skills, sleep etc... and since I've tried addressing many of these issues before I didn't expect to make any progress in further understanding the underlying cause of these problems or controlling them. Dr. Kew surprised us by recommending a couple doctors specializing in arenas that might shed light on the symptoms. In regard to the MRI, The cavity that exists where my brain tumor used to be has gotten considerably smaller. This is good in the sense that there is less pressure on the rest of my brain and plasticity is allowing a sort of "return to normalcy." The cavity is still showing enhancement lining the walls. The enhancement is either scar tissue, remaining radiation from my treatments almost two years ago, or cancer cells. This time around the enhanced matter looked larger but it seems most likely that due to the collapse of the cavity the lining just appears thicker. The doctor said she wanted to confer with the radiologists to be certain. After the appointment we picked up a copy of the MRI for my own records as well as another from sept. 18th.
Tonia and I then went to Chicken Kitchen where we met up with my high school friend Vivek. Tonia suffered through about three hours of discussion about our mutual friends and my frustration with doctors' lack of intellectual curiosity.
Tonia and I went up to Methodist Hospital where I had blood drawn, received an MRI, and reviewed the scan with my oncologist. I've had lots of problems with pain, numbness, motor skills, sleep etc... and since I've tried addressing many of these issues before I didn't expect to make any progress in further understanding the underlying cause of these problems or controlling them. Dr. Kew surprised us by recommending a couple doctors specializing in arenas that might shed light on the symptoms. In regard to the MRI, The cavity that exists where my brain tumor used to be has gotten considerably smaller. This is good in the sense that there is less pressure on the rest of my brain and plasticity is allowing a sort of "return to normalcy." The cavity is still showing enhancement lining the walls. The enhancement is either scar tissue, remaining radiation from my treatments almost two years ago, or cancer cells. This time around the enhanced matter looked larger but it seems most likely that due to the collapse of the cavity the lining just appears thicker. The doctor said she wanted to confer with the radiologists to be certain. After the appointment we picked up a copy of the MRI for my own records as well as another from sept. 18th.
Tonia and I then went to Chicken Kitchen where we met up with my high school friend Vivek. Tonia suffered through about three hours of discussion about our mutual friends and my frustration with doctors' lack of intellectual curiosity.