19 Dec 2008

We received Lynne's MRI report today and are thankful to report a 2mm decrease in the tumor mass on both axis. The enhancement I detected and reported earlier results from edema or swelling. The report states no abnormal enhancement patterns are shown. Needless to say, Lynne and I are happy with the news. Please keep us in your prayers.

Regards,
Darryl

17 Dec 2008

Lynne had an MRI today. We will await the radiologist and doctor reports but as I viewed the images and compared to the October scan I notice a small enhancement. No indication of aggressive growth appears to my untrained eye. I will post an update as soon as the official reports are received. Lynne and I appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We wish you a Merry Christmas and the best of the New Year.

Regards,
Darryl

25 Oct 2008

Lynne's MRI results from 15 Oct indicate a 2mm enhancement of the residual. The residual shows a change in shape but no indication of aggressive growth. The radiation oncologist recommends waiting for the next MRI to provide additional data for evaluation. MRI scans occur every two months.

Lynne's blood levels are stable but still on the low range for some readings preventing additional chemotherapy at this time. Lynne's blood levels are monitored on a weekly basis.

Please continue your thoughts and prayers on her behalf. At this point, Lynne and I are comfortable with the results.

Regards,
Darryl

19 Sep 2008

Lynne continues to do well at this time. Her blood levels are stablilizing following the last round of chemotherapy. Her next doctor appointments are scheduled towards the end of next month so expect some updates at that time.

Regards,
Darryl

28 Aug 2008

Lynne met with the oncologist today. Additional chemo treatments are delayed until her blood level stabilize. The levels are good right now but not suitable for chemo.

Regards,
Darryl

26 Aug 2008

Lynne met with the radiation oncologist who performed the gamma knife procedure in June. He compared the MRI scan performed in June to those performed in May and August. We are encouraged to learn that the August result is stable when compared to June despite the enhancement when compared to May. Lynne's neurological function is still every good. A portion of the enhancement is attributable to edema resulting from the procedure. The edema may take several months to subside. The next MRI will provide additional insight.

Regards,
Darryl

14 Aug 2008

Lynne received the written report from the MRI today. The tumor site shows enhancement but at this point we are unsure whether the enhancement results from the gamma procedure or recurrent cancer cells. She meets with the radiation oncologist on 26 August 2008. Additional information will be received at that time. Please keep Lynne in your prayers.

Regards,
Darryl

13 Aug 2008

Lynne had an MRI scan yesterday. We obtain the results tomorrow and hope for a good report.

Regards,
Darryl

17 Jul 2008

After a week of shots, Lynne's white count is back in the normal range once more. The shots not only improved the level but gives Lynne more energy.

Regards,
Darryl

15 July 2008

Lynne's blood level results on 8 July indicated a precipitous drop of nearly all tests. She began a series of daily shots to boost the white count. The shots appear to increase her energy level. She has another blood test today with results delivered tomorrow. We are hoping for increased levels. Her chemo treatment was post-poned pending recovery of the levels.

Regards,
Darryl

Relay for Life - Thanks Jamie

Jamie is a special young lady to Lynne and me. Jamie lives in Kansas now but we were surprised to learn that Jamie participated in a relay for life to represent Lynne.  At this point, I am unaware of all the details so I will just share some pictures and fill in the details if available later.

 

 

Jamie made Lynne a luminary for the event. Jamie and Jenna pose proudly.

 

A close-up of the luminary. The photo was taken during Lynne's rehabilitation following brain surgery.

 

 

The luminaries surrounded a track. The following photo shows the luminaries immediately after lighting.

 

 

Gamma Knife Procedure

This post provides a photo journal of Lynne's gamma knife procedure. The Barrow Neurological Institute performed Lynne's procedure. The gammaknife.org website provides a sample video of the procedure. The video lasts about eight minutes.

Frame installed with temporary measurement dome

Close up view of frame pin.

Leksell Gamma Knife

Gamma Knife control console

Doctor and nurse removing frame

19 Jun 2008

Lynne made is through her chemo for this month but her blood work shows that her white count is very low, so for the next seven days she will receive daily shots to boost the white count. The doctor also warned her to heed all the precautions associated with neutropenia, such as avoiding large crowds, frequent hand washing, and cooking foods throroughly. Lynne still experiences bouts of nausea, which may last upto three to seven more days. Lynne thanks you all for your thoughts and prayers. Lynne misses seeing everyone but hopes to see everyone soon.

Regards,
Darryl

17 Jun 2008

Lynne resumed her chemo last Friday after nearly a year of no chemo treatments. For three nights straight, we were up nearly half the night with her nausea and vomiting. She spoke with the doctor yesterday, who gave her a three day sample of a stronger nausea medication, which did the trick last night as she slept all night without any nausea and vomiting. She has one more night of chemo for this this month. Please keep her in your prayers.

Regards,
Darryl

14 Jun 2008

Lynne started the chemo maintenance last night. Four hours later, she experienced the dry heaves over the course of the next several hours. The experience was similar to the first night of the chemo last year. She is exhausted this morning. We hope that the subsequent 4 days are a little easier on her.

Regards,
Darryl

12 Jun 2008

Lynne met with her primary oncologist today who also confirms that her post gamma knife symptoms are normal. The oncologist is also restarting her maintenance chemo program. Because of the situation last year where the platelets dropped to critical levels and the stability of her MRI scans, the risk of chemo was not warranted. With the recurrence, the doctor, Lynne, and I believe the risk is worth taking. The doctor will monitor her platelet levels on a weekly basis to adjust as necessary. She will begin her chemo tomorrow. Your continued prayers are welcomed. Also, Lynne and I appreciate the comments you leave to the blog posts.

Regards,
Darryl

11 Jun 2008

Lynne has been extremely fatigued since the gamma knife procedure. She jokes that she is wearing out the carpet between the bed and the couch. The fatigue lasted longer than we expected so she called the radiation oncologist who reported that her post surgical symptoms are normal. Each patient responds differently depending on the individual circumstances but the symptoms should subside after two weeks. She was comforted to know that the situation was normal.

Regards,
Darryl

5 Jun 2008

Lynne underwent the gamma knife procedure today. The doctors used additional contrast for the mapping MRI compared to previous and were pleased to determine that they could distinctively see the area to target. The ability to improve targeting increased the optimism of the effectiveness of the procedure compared to the assessment on Monday. We are indeed thankful for the prognosis. Lynne meets with the oncologist next Thursday to discuss resuming chemotherapy. We appreciate your prayers on her behalf and ask you continue to remember her in your prayers.

Regards,
Darryl

2 Jun 2008

Lynne met with the radiation oncologist from Barrow Neurological Institute who will participate in the Gamma Knife procedure that Lynne will undergo on 5 Jun 2008. The Gamma Knife provides non-intrusive brain surgery and uses 192 beams of radiation. Each beam is relatively low power but when all beam are concentrated at one point the power increases to levels suitable to destroy rouge cells. Since in Lynne's case the enhancement is not clearly defined, the Gamma Knife will not provide perfect results but will help with the larger portions of the enhancement. Lynne meets with her primary oncologist on 12 Jun to discuss chemotherapy options. In Lynne's case, chemotherapy is the systemic treatment. In previous chemotherapy treatments, Lynne suffered from depleted platelets. That issue in conjunction with stability in the MRI scans over the last year, chemotherapy was discontinued. With the enhancement, chemotherapy becomes a primary treatment option.

Regards,
Darryl

30 May 2008

Lynne met with the neurosurgeon from Barrow Neurological Institute. He explained the Gamma Knife procedure that she will undergo on 6 Jun 2008. He also described the current condition of cancer, which appears to be recurring. The enhancement is small and difficult to detect with MRI. With the start of the seizures, the indication is more certain that the enhancement is related to recurrence rather than swelling. During our research we often read that the cancer is fast recurring but without a definition of fast. The neurosurgeon stated that on average this cancer recurs between 9 to 15 months. Lynne is 16 months away from the initial detection of the tumor. Your continued prayers and thoughts on her behalf are appreciated.

Regards,
Darryl

27 May 2008

Lynne has experienced fatigue since the seizures began and the adjustment of medication. Lynne met with the neurologist today who stated that the medication does cause fatique and typically last two weeks while the body adjusts to the new levels.

Regards,
Darryl

25 May 2008

Lynne experienced several seizures between noon and 3pm. The last seizure was concerning enough to take her to the emergency room. The doctors once again increased her anti-seizure medication and added another to the regimen. The drastic adjustment in the medication has the side-effect of increased fatigue. Lynne was released at around 9pm.

Regards,
Darryl

24 May 2008

Lynne's CT scan was normal. The doctors were looking for bleeding or a mass but no evidence was present. The doctors believe the medication adjustment was the proper course of action. Lynne also learned that the medication also causes tiredness, which alleviates her concern about the tiredness she experiences. Your continued prayers on her behalf are appreciated.

Regards,
Darryl

23 May 2008

Lynne experience a seizure this morning. She called the neurosurgeon who ordered a CT scan. Her neurologist also increased the seizure medicine. Lynne also experience a seizure yesterday that was less severe. Lynne's CT scan is complete and we are awaiting results from the doctor. Lynne is feeling well now. Lynne's seizure medication was originally prescribed as a precautionary measure due to the brain surgery. She has not had a seizure since the one she experience last year that was caused by the tumor. I will post additional information as we recieve it.

Regards,
Darryl

May 13, 2008

Lynne met with the neurosurgeon and received a much more encouraging report of the most recent MRI. The enhancement is minimal. Her physical exam was unchanged from her last meeting with neurosurgeon about six months ago. The surgeon offered an opportunity to explore Gamma Knife technology at the Barrows Institute. Lynne is obtaining the necessary referrals to get a consultation with the radiation doctor at Barrows. Lynne and I are both relieved following five stressful days.

Regards,
Darryl

May 8, 2008

Lynne received a call from the oncologist who stated the MRI report possibly indicates some areas of concern and recurrence of the cancer. The report will be faxed to the neurosurgeon for an interpretation. Please keep Lynne in your prayers as she awaits further details.

Regards,
Darryl

May 3, 2008

Lynne is still doing very well. With the abundant rain in the valley this past winter, she is suffering some from allergies due to increased allergens. She has not suffered from allergies in the past but this year the allergies have caused some headaches and fatigue. She is scheduled for another MRI on May 6, 2008. We are hoping, praying, and expecting good results.

Regards,
Darryl