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Quote of the Day:

The great art of life is sensation, to feel that we exist, even in pain.
- Lord Byron
Aug 23

MRI Results – 8/19/09

MRI, My Story 3 Comments »

Before I left for Tahoe, I had an MRI as a recheck just to ensure I wasn’t experiencing any growth.  Sometimes an MRI is a result of a patient being symptomatic of course.  As you may have read, I had a fairly significant seizure so it was necessary.  My last MRI was July 12th which showed a reduction in size when compared to the May scan.  This MRI came back showing further shrinkage and it was done a little more than 30 days later.  The tumor cavity has further collapsed, showing that cancer cells are being killed off.  This is great news!

Several theories.  One is certainly my use of DCVax.  I started this in April and it may be moving in a very positive direction.  I’ve discontinued my use of thalamid – this was 45 days ago.  I want to see if that’s necessary.  I’ll know in the not-too-distant future.  The [...] Continue Reading…

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Aug 14

Seizures

Seizures 4 Comments »

I took a week or so off here.  Lots going on.  On Wednesday, I went to attend Rachael’s great Aunt’s funeral and literally, when I sat down in the pew and it started, a seizure began.  Most of my seizures haven’t amounted to much since July of 2007 after my first craniotomy.  They are pretty small in intensity.  As we stood to sing Amazing Grace, it came on stronger and I had to sit.  I took an ativan and waited about 5 mins.  No relief.  I took another – still wasn’t subsiding.  So, my Father-In-Law helped out of the service.  I wanted to be in the car with the air running.

 Rachael came out and after a total of 45 mins elapsed, I made the call to go to the ER.  I was there from about Noon to 6pm.  They IV’d ativan and morphine since my left arm had smacked [...] Continue Reading…

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Aug 03

Treatment this Week

Brain Tumor Treatment 1 Comment »

I’m back on track this week after the great MRI I had showing low or no bloodflow in and around the tumor as well as some shrinkage.  I’ll have appointments on Wednesday to resume Avastin infusions every other week.  The avastin really agrees with me well so I typically don’t have any problems.

An area I have been working on lately is my gratitude list.  It’s condensed – there are so many items but I have gone over this multiple times on my own and with my son, Aidan.  Simple things – a house to live in, food on the table, cars to drive, clothes to wear – private school for Aidan.  Some of these items we just take for granted but when you step back and look at the world, many of these are luxuries.  I can recall when we attended Saddleback Church in Southern California and Rick Warren [...] Continue Reading…

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Aug 01

Sacramento Bee – Canadian turns to Sutter for DCVax

Brain Tumor Vaccines No Comments »

A good article ran this morning in the Sacramento Bee.  My neuro-oncologist, Dr. Wu and the rest of the Sutter team that have been handling my use of this experimental vaccine are now in the process of evaluting another patient who has come to Sacramento from Canada to undergo treatment using DCVax.  As the piece notes, this is only the second compassionate use case in the Sac Region – mine being the first.

It’s my prayer that the vaccine provides Johan Kruus and his family hope.  There is always hope and I can identify with what I’m certain was a long emotional process in obtaining the vaccine.  The company needs funding to conduct more trials.  It’s fundamental business – particularly if they are funding compassionate use. 

I have spoken to numerous brain tumor survivors about DCVax and the funding issues.  One in particular, Paul Gibbs, is aggressively pursuing some answers to [...] Continue Reading…

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Jul 31

My Previous Post

Brain Tumor Vaccines, DCVax 2 Comments »

My last post, regarding the healthcare system, was posted very carefully.  Of course, it was related to politics!  This will always pull some people’s strings.  Case in point  

I received one very long-winded comment from a  gentleman who was obviously very passionate about his position.  In the spirit of maintaining the mission of my site, I’m removing it and keeping the site on a steady course.  A lesson?  Perhaps.  I suppose I should have known.  A total distraction.  It’s a good thing I have a spam filter, otherwise a lot of people could have potentially jumped on it. 

Enough of that.

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As for me, I’m doing pretty well.  My gait is not so well at the moment.  Therefore I’m being fitted next week.  The company that created my first brace is going to do this one – I’m looking to employ a different material – perhaps carbon fiber or something that is strong yet pliable.  Walking a few blocks with [...] Continue Reading…

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Jul 27

Prayer Requests – New Feature

Blog, Christianity No Comments »

Over the past several years, I’ve been in touch with a countless number of survivors, caregivers, friends and family who have had prayer requests.  I wanted to provide an area here where you could make  prayer requests.  There is also a tab at the top of the site.  It’s set up as a running “comments” section. 

Regards,

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Jul 23

MRI Results – July 2009 – WOW!!!

DCVax, MRI 10 Comments »

In a word, WOW.  If you’ve been reading my blog for some time, you know that we’ve had our share of not so positve news over the past few years.  We’ve learned to live each day (and are still learning) in the face of this disease.  However, this scan shows that the power of prayer, advances in experimental treatments and the tenacity of researchers, doctors and others in the medical field can yield results.

 I will cut to the chase first.  Here is a shot of what was on the monitor in clinic when we talked. 

From left to right, we have the March 30th scan (2 weeks post Gamma Knife), the May 7th scan and then Monday’s scan, July 20th.  Look at all of the enhancement in the first and second scans.  The second, however, does show some evidence that some cells are dying in the center of the tumor.  [...] Continue Reading…

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Jul 10

The Power of Today

Brain Tumor Treatment, Inspiration 8 Comments »

How many times do we focus on the future and worry about the future.  As a brain tumor survivor, I struggle with this all the time.  I know many other survivors do.  Caregivers and family members alike have the same problem.  Much of this is human nature.  A great example is when an MRI scan is approaching.  It’s nerve wracking!  It’s difficult not to look at that date on the calendar and start wondering about the outcome of the scan.  Starting a new therapy – chemo.  How do you cope?  Seeking out people who have gone through it.  How will I do this?  Surgeries?  For me, my tumor is on the motor strip.  I was told I wouldn’t walk again.  I walk.  The goal, however, is not to catapult myself into tomorrow – nor is it to dwell on yesterday.  It’s staying in TODAY.  The moment.  The power of [...] Continue Reading…

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