Showing posts with label anaplastic astrocytoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anaplastic astrocytoma. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

An update...

Dear Reader:

So, it has been several months since my last post.  Prior to Christmas, I was having some headaches that were rather persistant.  I made an appointment with my oncologist to determine whether or not to bring my scan forward or not.  We both agreed to keep the scan in January (it was TODAY actually) and to try varying my meds as perhaps I was experiencing 'rebound' type headaches and minor migraines.  I'm happy to report that these ideas seem to have worked. 

I had my first MRI at the "four month" interval today and will be seeing my oncologist bright and early tomorrow morning.  Please keep me in your thoughts/prayers tonight.

In other news, I'm working on the actual committee for our local Relay for Life this year.  American Cancer Society does such an excellent job in so many key areas and is one of the few organizations that funds RESEARCH for cures.  I've begun my fundraising efforts for the event and would like to challenge those reading my blog to donate either to a local charity or to my relay event using the icon below.  Awareness is only half of the battle.  Funds are needed more now than ever and with the twists and turns that the economy has taken over the past few years, a lot of non profits aren't receiving donations on the order that they were pre-2008.  I know we're all feeling the pinch financially, but please do consider donating.  If we all gave ten or twenty dollars, the dream of funding research to speed up the search for cures would become a reality and many of us (both those of us battling cancer and those around us who care for us and help us throughout our journey) would benefit.  Here is the link to donate. Please, give if you can. Together we can end the senseless cruelty of cancer. I will post an update tomorrow after my oncology appointment! Hope there are still people out there reading my blog! :-) Stay well, friends.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Back to "normal" for now

Well, thank you all for the prayers and positive energy that's been sent my way...my MRI showed a slight decrease in one side and stability elsewhere...my oncologist said that he saw scar tissue and no evidence of any active tumor in the residual mass area on the scan.  Also, those of you who've had post treatment MRIs know that hopefully they begin to show black areas of air/fluid in regions previously occupied by mass...another great sign that things are moving in the right direction.  I feel so blessed.  When comparing the post op MRI from last year with this one, for the first time I was able to see a golf ball sized space--the resection cavity--from which my neurosurgeon removed as much as possible (75-80%) last April...up until this point there has been inflammation and necrotic tumor tissue in that area....please continue to get in touch if you or a loved one are facing a similar situation...it is so helpful to talk to others making this same journey...also nice to know people are reading.

In hope,
Michael