Good stuff!

My frame of mind this morning can be easily described to you as we were about to leave the doctor's office at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in Commack. As many people have experienced in an office like this, there is the paper covering that gets put over the exam table and is changed between patients. When I got up, the entire paper covering was covered in sweat from me leaning on it. I felt a little embarrassed, but there wasn't much much that was gonna change the good mood that I had been put in.

We met Dr. Nolan. He is a neuro-oncologist and seems like a great doctor and person, very thorough, with sound answers to all of our questions. He basically told us that what I had/have is the best case scenario of brain tumors. I had a grade 2 oligodendroglioma, which is a benign tumor. This is the lowest grade for this tumor in an adult. The grading system has to do with how much the cells are duplicating. Dr. Gutin has removed nearly all of the tumor and at this time, I do not need any additional treatment to the remainder of the tumor itself.

I will begin regular MRI scans every two months for the next year. For those of you who have been reading all of these posts, you'll know that the MRI machine and I have had some disagreements as of late...I may have even promised myself that no matter what happens to me I'm not going back in! Well, that's kind of crazy, so I guess we are going to have to have a hear to heart and reconcile our differences or at least co-exist for the time being. At least I will be doing the scans at Slaon, so I don't have to go back to that evil one at Long Island Diagnostic. Assuming the scans come back with good results, the second year the time in-between will be increased.

One of the things that Dr. Nolan told us that was surprising was that if and when the tumor starts to grow again, the first thing they look at is if the tumor can be removed again surgically. I think we assumed that I would be put on a radiation or chemo treatment first. In any case, the doctor follows all of these types of cases very closely and all of his patients that are similar to me do very well.

He said there is nothing dietary or otherwise that I can do to slow down the growth. He said I should live my life the exact same way I was and we will keep an eye on it. There is a genetic test that is being done on my tumor to check some chromosomal stuff and I don't remember what the deal was with that, but when the results come in, I can ask him to tell us that again. I think it has to do with the cell mitosis.

Sue got toask her question about my bad moods again! Lucky for me, Dr. Nolan said exactly what Dr.Gutin and Patsy said...that it could be months before that gets better and to be patient. He said that I should stay on the Kepra (anti-seizure) medicine for about six months, but if it's becoming a problemin my lifestyle that we could move that up earlier. He also suggested taking aa of my day's steroid dosage in the morning so that I can start to sleep at night. I wish I knew that earlier!

So, the bottom line is that, I'm gonna be OK and I'm ready to start living again! My focus today has definitely shifted somewhat from thinking moment to moment to a little bit into the future. When should I go back to work? How should I ease into it? When should Sue go back to work and will I be ok on my own all day. All of this is great stuff! I cancelled my PT appointment for this afternoon because I just didn't want to be insie for 90 minutes s instead, I took a very long walk. When I came home I tracked my roue on mapmyrun.com and I learned that I walked over 5 miles! Unbelievable.

I'm looking forward to another beautiful day tomorrow. Dad is coming over and we are going to mow the lawn together...it's one of my favorite things to do...it fulfills that anal-retentive side of me! Thanks for your continued prayers and support, they have obviously been heard and answered. I have a lot to be thankful for and I look forward in the coming months to look or opportunities to give back in many ways. I don't know how this will manifest itself, but I am a changed person forever and I want to serve in any way I can. Praise GOD!!