Positive Reports from Neurosurgeon and Radiologist

I saw Dr. Linda Liau December 5 and the Radiologist (Dr. Yamplowsky) the following week. Let's take the radiologist first. He basically told me what I already knew - that they thought the cancer was gone; and that there was just that one little questionable area to keep an eye on. But it was great to get that confirmation; Dr. Yamplowsky was the only doctor that even mentioned that "non-specific" region at all.

Now, on to Dr. Liau. She was very positive. She said she recommended another 3 months of chemo treatments, solely as a precaution. She said that 6 months - up to a year - was sort of the UCLA "standard," provided the patient tolerated the drug. So, that means I'll do my next round immediately after the holidays (if my oncologist agrees), then three more months after that.

She offered to write prescription for occupational therapy (to improve my handwriting, which she said was often the last thing to come back) and "cognitive therapy" (a sub-set of speech therapy) to help clear up my thinking a bit more. Of course, I said 'yes' to both!

I really like Dr. Liau. She's very calm, positive, and has a pleasant sense of humor, which was definitely on display in this office visit (I guess humor would be quite out of place in my previous visit). The first thing she said was, "My, but doesn't everyone just look so ... normal!"

She also was the only doctor that actually reviewed the films of the MRI. She showed me a couple images of the cavity that used be the 'home' of my tumor. I'm glad it got an eviction notice from Dr. Liau!

It IS Good News!

I had an appointment with my oncologist on Friday, and he said: "You are no longer on my worry list!" He told me the report was almost as good as I could expect, and not to worry about the non-specific finding - it was probably just a result of the healing process.

He said there was no physiological cause for my symptoms - leaving the possibility open that they are psychological, or are the result of some subtle damage they can't see. If the latter, he said the overwhelming number of his patients continue to experience improvement for up to a year, so there's good warrant for believing I'll also improve.

He gave me the names of some counsellors who specialize in treating cancer patients, and one appears to be a provider for United Healthcare (I'll know for sure Monday).

Meanwhile, I'm still going to see my neurosurgeon, Dr. Liau, on Wednesday. I'm sure she'll give me a good report as well, but I want to discuss my continuing symptoms with her.

My intention is to try to work through some of the confusion-related issues by returning to work part-time, starting Monday.

MRI Results - Appears to be Good News!

I picked up the MRI report today, and it looks to be good news! I'll know more tomorrow when I see the doctor, but if I'm reading it correctly (and I think I am), it's very positive. There's only one questionable spot where they have to keep a close eye on, but even that was "non-specific" (i.e., it was tiny and unclear).

Thank you for your prayers! They appear to have been answered!

MRI is Done! Now, it's all over but the waiting...

After a slight delay (and a change in venue), I got my MRI done yesterday at about 3pm. I was scheduled to be at Tarzana MRI at 10:45am, but I was literally laying on the table, about to go into the MRI, when the nurse came in and showed me a little instruction on the physician's instructions - "To be read by Dr. Bash." The nurse explained that Dr. Bash only works out of another facility! Fortunately, it was very close and they had an opening at 2pm. I felt better when I learned that Dr. Bash specialized in reading MRIs of the brain.

I made arrangements to pick up the films and Dr. Bash's report to take with me Thursday. I'm scheduled to see my oncologist on Friday, and Dr. Liau the following Wednesday.

Pending the results of the MRI, I *may* return to work on a more frequent basis as early as next week. I'm still experiencing some effects of what is aptly termed "chemo-brain" (even though my oncologist tells me the chemo treatments don't cause that particular side-effect) - that's why he upped the date of the MRI. But, if I'm ever going to ride this horse again, I'd better at least try to get on!

New MRI Schedule

My oncologist's office staff rescheduled my MRI. It's now on Monday, November 26 at 10:45AM. There's now a new venue, too: Encino-Tarzana Medical Center.

So, in the end, we picked up about 2 days! Yeayyy! But, this is what the oncologist wants, so I'm not complaining!

I'm scheduled to see the oncologist again on the following Friday, to find out the results of the test.

I'm also on the last day of the chemo treatments. About the same results this time - maybe a bit milder.

Rescheduled MRI?

I met with my oncologist today and he wants to up the date of my MRI. The reason for the new date is that I'm manifesting some new symptoms, or rather some occasional older symptoms are recurring more frequently.

I'm having trouble concentrating. The odd thing is that the tumor was nowhere near my cognition center - it was located near the speech center. The oncologist wants to review the films from the new MRI to see if it's edema (swelling) in my brain, or something of more serious concern.

Please pray for a favorable outcome, that it's just a little swelling (which can be controlled with medication).

Meanwhile, the doctor cleared me for another round of chemo treatments (he says there's very little chance my symptoms are a result of these treatments). Please pray that the third round (of four) goes smoothly.

Next MRI is Nov 28

My next MRI is scheduled for November 28. That will be a HUGE milestone! I return to UCLA for the MRI and the follow-up reading on Dec 4.

I will probably undergo my third-round of chemo that same week.

Please pray that both go well, but especially the MRI. Please pray that there are no signs of the cancer, and that the report will be absolutely clear on that point.