14 Jul 2010

Lynne was taken to surgery on schedule this morning. The surgeon shared the results of the MRI taken on Monday. The tumor has invaded the motor strip, which increases the risk associated with the surgical outcome. Lynne was offered the option of an aggressive or non-aggressive surgery. The risk of the aggressive option is paralysis on her right side. The benefit is longer life expectation. The reverse is true for the non-aggressive option. Lynne and I prefer and agreed to pursue the aggressive option. With the aggressive option, the need for rehabilitation is a near certainty. We will know more after the surgery and much more within the next couple of days.

We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers.

Regards,
Darryl

7 Jul 2010

The Barrow Neurological Institute tumor board recommends another brain surgery followed by additional chemotherapy. Lynne is anxious but prepared to undergo her third brain surgery, the fourth when including the Gamma Knife treatment. She is scheduled for pre-operative work on 12 Jul 2010. The pre-operative work includes a functional MRI, blood work, and an appointment with the surgeon. The functional MRI maps brain function to provide a guide to the team during the surgery. On 14 Jul 2010, she starts admission and pre-operative procedures at 6:30 with the surgery scheduled for 8:30 in the morning.

As always, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Regards,
Darryl

29 Jun 2010

Lynne, Jessica, and I met with the neurooncologist at the Barrow Neurological Institute. We discovered that Lynne does not qualify for the clinical trial mentioned last week because this is the fourth recurrence for Lynne. The protocol for the trial dictates that the treatment only be applied at the first recurrence. The doctor outlined several other treatment possibilities but wants to review the images from all MRIs since her last surgery in September 2010 to evaluate the extent of the recurrence. I copied and mailed the disks today. The doctor will review and present his additional findings to the tumor board next week. We expect to hear something more in the middle of next week.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers on our behalf.

Regards,
Darryl

22 Jun 2010

Lynne is scheduled to meet with the oncologist at the Barrow Neurological Institute next Tuesday, 29 Jun 2010. We will have additional details about the proposed clinical trial after that appointment.

Regards,
Darryl

16 Jun 2010

Lynne and I met with the neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute yesterday. The surgeon confirms that the MRI indicates recurrent tumor. The surgeon suggested a clinical trial. Based on the trial description, I presume the clinical trial is a treatment using Cotara. Lynne’s survival to date places her in a small group of only 5 to 10% that survives glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) for more than 3 years. As a result, a continued aggressive approach is recommended. The tumor enhancement is small but all standard treatments have been used. This recommendation goes before the tumor board on Friday to reach a collective consensus on the approach and to ensure that Lynne meets the stated criteria for the clinical trial.

 

Cotera is a radioactively-tagged antibody that is injected through two catheters into the tumor bed over a two-day period. The theory is that the tagged antibodies attach to the cancer cells to deliver the radiation, while avoiding healthy cells.

We will learn more on Monday, 21 Jun 2010. I will post an update to provide additional details as we receive them.

9 Jun 2010

We received the radiologist report from Lynne’s MRI on 2 Jun 2010, which indicates evidence of nodular enhancement and a thin rind of enhancement along the entire periphery of the tumor resection cavity. No evidence of midline shift is present indicating the cancer has not migrated to other parts of the brain.

The neurosurgeon and tumor board of the Barrow Neurological Institute also reviewed the report and images and confirm the recurrence of tumor. At this point, I believe the enhance is minor. Lynne and I will meet with the neurosurgeon next week to determine future steps.

Your continued prayers and thoughts on her behalf are appreciated.

Regards,

Darryl

24 Apr 2010

Lynne is doing very well and has been for the last few days. I don’t remember the last time she was up at 5:00 am but she was awake this morning and feeling pretty chipper. She made her way to the hobby room to make some cards. A couple of weeks ago, she was prescribed a new medication that did not agree with her and she spent a few miserable days. She is scheduled for her next chemotherapy treatment this next Wednesday.