Big Week
Brain Tumor Treatment, My Story May 27th, 2008
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Just a really quick post this AM. This is a big week for me – I could really use your prayers. Today I have my standard 60-day MRI. Tomorrow I’m having a PET scan. For those that don’t know, a PET scan looks at a brain tumor from a metabolic perspective instead of anatomically which is how an MRI views the tumor. It produces a 3-dimensional image or map of the tumor and detects what is called a “tracer” which is in the form of a radioactive isotope that is injected into your blood. In my case, the tracer, if my brain tumor is highly active, will race to the tumor and the results of the PET will show “high metabolic activity”. Glucose is in the tracer and if my tumor is in a state of high metabolic activity, it will feed on glucose. Therefore, the tracer will “pop” on images where this is taking place. This is the easiest way I know of to explain it!
When I had the PET in March 2007 the results indicated “relatively low metabolic” activity which was consistent with a stable or low grade tumor. Of course I found out in June when I had surgery and a biopsy that my tumor was a grade 3 oligoastrocytoma so the low matabolic activity was more due to stability than a low grade tumor as grade 3 is a high grade tumor.
I did something to my back over the past several days so I am NOT looking forward to laying on these tables for an hour at a time over the next several days! They aren’t the most comfortable in the world, particularly considering you have to remain very still. Here is a picture of the PET equipment to give you an idea.
On Thursday I meet with my Neurosurgeon and Neuro-oncologist to review everything. So, a big week indeed. I always have some anxiety when I have scans - but I turn it all over to God. This isn’t my plan here and if I took it all on myself I don’t know where I’d be today. But even still, it makes me feel anxious re: results is all, particularly because the MRI is here and now. The PET is tomorrow so I won’t worry about that one…
So if you think about it and are reading this, a short prayer about positive results would be much appreciated. Your support has been great!
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Hope today has been a great day , I know you were a little feeling a little stressed about the meeting …Reading you makes me admire you in an indescribable way , you look at it all with a positive attitude that is amazing , You are a source of inspiration , giving yourself the way you do , with your ups downs with ALL of you , leaving life at the fullest , lots of hope
Hope your scans and meetings went very well — that everything is boring and stable (boringly stable?) — that the tumor metabolism is sluggish and inert.
Lots of *hugs*
You have a wonderful grasp of the health challenge your facing. Thanks for giving the electronic world a crash course on the advances in medical technology.
I think you’re very brave and have a great attitude. Your post balances the medical, emotional and spiritual evenly, covering all your bases. Please accept my well wishes and the support to move forward on this journey with grace.