VERY GOOD NEWS!!

This is David and I when we spent the weekend at Russ and Chris' cabin a few weeks ago. We had a great time and so much appreciate being able to get away for a day. Thank you Russ and Chris!
Now for the good news. Today Abbie, David and I met with Dr. Colman, the oncologist, after having another MRI done last night. The news is: NO NEW GROWTH and even some reduction in the size of the tumor! David is on a blind study with the cancer drug Avastin which has been shown to be extremely effective in battling brain cancer. No one knows for sure if he is getting the drug or not, but today, the Doctor hinted that David must be on the drug because of the good results of the MRI. There will be another MRI in 1 month to make sure everything is going in the right direction and then hopefully we can go every 2 months for follow ups!!
David continues to work full time - which is amazing to everyone at the Cancer Institute. He works at the Temple most Friday nights when he isn't on chemo. He gets tired easily and takes naps quite frequently. He hopes to begin occupational therapy in the next few weeks and hopes it will help strengthen his right side and vision. He has 2 great hopes right now: 1) Go on a hike in the Uintas before the summer is over, and, 2) work with Mike, our son, on the new home he is building. The hike might be a little strenuous for him, but it looks right now like he might be able to do both!!!
We thank you all for your prayers, your good thoughts and wishes and your help as we continue to battle this Deathstar. Right now, it has pretty much been temporarily disabled - we just want to keep it that way!
We love you all and express our deepest appreciation
Janis.

My summer visit



Dad - irritated at the beeping & lack of diet coke in the infusion room

Well my summer visit is almost over.  Thursday was my last visit to the Huntsman for awhile, but Dad will have to keep going.  He had an infusion on Thursday and I wouldn't let Dad have his morning Diet Coke.  I did give in after the I.V. was started and ran up to the 5th floor and got him one.  I will miss seeing all of Dad's doctors, nurses, and PA's every month.  I will not miss the MRI days - because Dad hates them.  I didn't mind going up to HCI with Dad - I got lots of reading and sewing done.  I got to listen to Dad sing along with the songs I put on his iPod (He's good at Surfing USA and Wake Up Little Suzie)  and I got to spend a little time with Dad - even if all the beeping in the infusion room drives him nuts!  I love you Dad! 
Love,
Mel

Dad has another MRI and an appointment with Dr. Coleman this week.  Stay tune for details!

STABLE

That was the positive word of the day.



Dad's high school graduation
Marina High School

 After Dad's "inconclusive" MRI a few weeks ago, Dr. Coleman ordered some other tests and another series of MRI's to determine what exactly is happening to the Deathstar. 

First up was a PET scan.  The PET scan measures and determines the activity level of the brain tissue.  Active tissue shows up bright yellow.  The margins around the cavity where the tumor was removed showed up yellow, along with a little spot on the opposite of the brain.  In the final report from the technicians they determined that to be active tumor tissue.

Second, was a series of MRI tests which Dad did on Monday.  Not only did they do a regular MRI, but they also did a Spectroscopy MRI and a Profusion MRI.  The Spectroscopy measures the chemical composition of the tissue and the Profusion measures blood flow to the tissues.  The Technicians determined that there is nothing in the MRI results to suggest rapid new growth or an increase in concern.  They also said the results were consistent with necrosis, not new growth.

The two tests (MRI and PET scan) seem to be contradicting each other.  However, Dr. Coleman said that is actually really common.  He pulled up on the computer screen the "inconclusive" MRI from June and the one taken on Monday.  He went through them with us, comparing the two images.  And determined that combined with the PET scan he believes there is no evidence of new growth, that the tumor is STABLE.  That is the best news we could receive.  They will be watching more closely than we were originally told and will do another round of MRI's in the middle of August.

Dad has been experiencing some of the symptoms he had before surgery.  Sometimes the right side of his face droops.  He's bumping into things on that side again.  He doesn't feel as stable.  And he's also having a hard time staying asleep at night.  I have noticed a big difference in his symptoms when he actually gets good sleep, so the doctor gave him some medicine to help him stay asleep, and also suggested some melatonin.  They are putting Dad back on the anti seizure med to hopefully relieve some of the other symptoms.

Dad starts his 5 days of chemo, with a higher dose than last time in a few days.  When he's on the chemo he is extremely tired and doesn't eat much.  We feel that's a real blessing compared to what others go through when taking chemo.

When I think of the tumor being stable I see this image...

A good portion (in our case the majority) of the Deathstar has been destroyed, and treatments have been effective in preventing it from rebuilding!

Note from Dad:
Hello all of you blog followers, all of you friends and relatives. Abbie is just reporting on the latest update on my situation.  It is such good news we are pleased with the report!  I want to express my Thanks to each of you for your prayers on my behalf and the family.  And thanks for all the thoughts and kind words of encouragement THAT YOU HAVE EXPRESSED TO ME PERSONALLY.  It all makes a big difference.  It is hard to explain the feeling of knowing that so many people are pulling for you; it is a feeling of support that transfers to me as I have gone through this ordeal and is a real power that we can feel.  I express from the bottom of my heart my love to each of you.
Thank you all,
Dave