I went back to the oncologist today to get my results.
Good news- My bloodwork and Chest X-ray were good, one of the three brain tumors looks to have been destroyed.
Bad News- The other two brain tumors are still there(but smaller). They aren't operable. Having surgery to remove brain mets from malignant melanoma can be compared to the mythological being the Hydra. Cut one out, two more are likely to grow back in.
What's next? My doctor is looking to get me in a clinical trial. A combination of chemo and immuneotherapy but first I have to be off my latest chemo for at least four weeks. There is a clinical trial starting in Tampa next month. That's a 3.5 hour drive for me, but flying would be almost as time consuming.(North Carolina is another possibility for a clinical trial) I'm not ruling out flying for treatment.
The news has been feeling a little down. I should consider today good news, but I know the reality of survival for MM patients with brain mets. See where I go from here or one day at a time.
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Comments (7)
Sorry to here that mixed re... (Below threshold)1. Posted by civildisobedience
| March 11, 2008 9:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sorry to here that mixed result, but please keep hanging in there and keep fighting. Fighters like you are making a difference and are needed in these challenging times. Our prayers and hopes are with you and your family in the months ahead. God bless.
1. Posted by civildisobedience
| March 11, 2008 9:45 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 11, 2008 21:45
2. Posted by mikem
| March 11, 2008 9:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You are in my prayers. I've witnessed medical miracles in my lifetime and a spiritual miracle in my own life and I hope they combine to bring you through this to good health. God Bless you and yours.
2. Posted by mikem
| March 11, 2008 9:50 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 11, 2008 21:50
3. Posted by DJ Drummond | March 11, 2008 9:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bill, do you see more than one oncologist? My first oncologist told my wife that my only hope was immediate radical surgery - a 14-hour surgery to scrub my internal organs which would mean losing at least my spleen and gall bladder for certain, and a procedure which this guy had never personally performed before. He actually got his feelings hurt and became angry when I asked for my medical records to go get a second opinion. I had to quote HIPPA provisions to him verbatim to get them released.
Another look can sometimes make all the difference. In any case, hang in there guy, you've got friends and prayers.
3. Posted by DJ Drummond | March 11, 2008 9:52 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 11, 2008 21:52
4. Posted by HughS | March 11, 2008 10:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bill
FWIW, I second DJ's recommendation. I'm not a patient, but I have worked on some pharma transactions in corporate finance and via that experience I hear conflicting opinions from oncologists frequently....and that is putting it politely.
Get another opinion. As DJ mentioned, there may be hurt feelings, but they can and will get over it.
I'll keep praying for you.
4. Posted by HughS | March 11, 2008 10:14 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 11, 2008 22:14
5. Posted by Jim Addison | March 12, 2008 12:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sorry it wasn't all good news. My thoughts and prayers remain with you and yours.
5. Posted by Jim Addison | March 12, 2008 12:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 12, 2008 00:23
6. Posted by Maggie | March 12, 2008 12:41 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bill,
Look up on the news as positive. One
looks to be destroyed, and the other
two are smaller.
The Lord be with you, and keep you strong.
6. Posted by Maggie | March 12, 2008 12:41 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 12, 2008 00:41
7. Posted by scmommy | March 12, 2008 8:14 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sorry for the mixed news. You are constantly in my prayers!
7. Posted by scmommy | March 12, 2008 8:14 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on March 12, 2008 08:14