Happy New Year
My Story 1 Comment »It’s hard to believe that an entire year has passed again. 2010. It seems like yesterday that it was 2009 and we are celebrating the new millennium. For us, this year has been a year of challenges and frustrations but more importantly it has been a year that we have had many good times that we really try to focus on. Living for today every day throughout the year can be challenging as you know that it’s the right way to live for us.
Having a GBM is not the end of the world. In the beginning you do feel that there is so many other people in the world that have their own issues and you realize that you are not unique as the brain tumor survivor nor are your family and friends. A good case in point is my coworker who was just diagnosed with a brain tumor about a month ago. Yesterday when I was at the oncologist’s office very nice receptionist who I’ve gotten to know told me that she’s been diagnosed with MS. I feel for both of them she told me that she wanted her old self back I completely understand this feeling. But in time you realize you have to go on. And we do.
In February of this year I had a recurrence. This was 4 Months after my second surgery in October, 2008. That led to gamma knife surgery in March. Typically, when you have a recurrence, the next recurrence (if it occurs) becomes even shorter from the last. Oh no! Statistics! Well, put those to rest by reading this post. I had Gamma Knife in March and then started an experimental treatment called DCVax Brain in April. Read the Sacramento Bee article to learn more. I continued with Avastin and a drug called Valcyte. The only time I came off of this regimen is when I was hospitalized for a bad respiratory infection called Haemophilus influenzae. I was very neutropenic. Since then I’ve contined back on the same drugs. Seizures? Rattling for sure but part of the territory and God walks beside us through all of this.
So guess what?! 10 months since the recurrence in February, more than twice what our so-called stats indicate. I’m ready for anything because we have God. It’s not about me. This disease and all others are of an earthly nature. Our God is a loving God who doesnt wish harm on anyone but in the beginning we sure were angry with Him – and let Him know it. He’s big enough to handle that though.
Our prayer for the New Year is to live day by day and remember that this is not our plan. We are doing everything possible to address the problem. And, as God guides us down this road that He didn’t create, He is putting opportunities for treatment options, people in our lives, support frameworks and so much more. Nothing is by accident. I’ve seen it in my life and others.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year and here’s to a healthy 2010…
Cheers
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