Wondering

So Mayo never said this to me … [go figure – they didn’t tell me a few other things too] … but I have to wonder if my first tumor should’ve been classified as a grade 2 astrocytoma with anaplastic features. Parts of my tumor were heading for a grade 3 when they did the biopsy; Grade 3 and anaplastic are interchangeable, from my reading. The location of my tumor also fits the description.

http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/anaplastic-astrocytoma/

"Other common sites for anaplastic astrocytomas include the part of the brain that contains the thalamus and hypothalamus (diencephalon), the lower area of brain near the back of the neck that controls movement and balance (cerebellum), and the spinal cord. Tumors in the diencephalon region may cause headaches, fatigue, weakness of the arms and legs, vision problems, and hormonal imbalances."

We’re way beyond that now, but it still makes me wonder.

Fight like Hell.

KJ Gets Cooked Low & Slow

Yesterday was my first infusion of Avastin. Besides it taking Pharmacy an hour to formulate the drug and get it to me, the infusion was cake. I had to get labs drawn to start the day; I’m glad I didn’t have to do much pleading to get her to just put in an IV and draw off that. One stick day – FTW! [It’s sad when I have to measure a good day by how many times I got stabbed.] I needed an IV because my port isn’t ready for use yet, but it will be by the next time I get an infusion. Once Pharmacy finally got the drug to me, it was smooth sailing. I was able to be in my own little bay, lay on a bed with a warm blanket, and take a nap while the Avastin was pumped in. Piece of cake!

Today I got to take off my bandages from the port placement. Hurray for a normal shower this afternoon! [And holy bruises – yeesh!]

This evening begins my radiation treatments. The last time I saw my radiation oncologist, he confirmed that cooking me low and slow won’t change the radiation nausea or fatigue. I actually have good anti-nausea meds this time, though. The Zofran is ready to go before I get radiated tonight. My appointments won’t always be in the evening, but it was the only space available since it was a quick decision to change my treatment timetable. I’m hopeful that I won’t be as sick this time. I will be the queen of naps. That’s okay, though; the boy kitty and I have our afternoon couch nap routine down.

Let’s burn the Bitch to the ground! Fight like Hell.

[I'm terrible at selfies]

Battle Plan - Phase 2: Burn the Bitch to the Ground [Revisited]

On Wednesday, we found out that the bitch tumor was not methylated, so chemo would not work for me. Today, I had an MRI and met with my oncologist and radiation oncologist. The bitch has shown signs of regrowth – not to the same size as before, though. Oh, and she’s trying to spread to another part of my brain again. Bitch. [My radiation oncologist has assured me that radiation will stop her meddling.]

I have a CT scheduled for tomorrow to make a map for radiation. I finally get to have imaging done without getting injected with contrast! I will have my super sweet Jason mask made tomorrow, too. I start radiation on the 30^th for 5.5 weeks (M-F with weekends off].

I will also be receiving a drug called Avastin, in conjunction with my radiation treatments. Avastin is given intravenously and inhibits the bitch tumor from growing by blocking her ability to find new blood vessels. I will receive infusions every two weeks. Because of the frequency of my infusions and my crappy veins [thanks, gadolinium], I will be having a port placed on Monday. My doctors are both very positive about my prognosis; I’m an ideal candidate for success on this treatment protocol.

On a more fun note, I’m going to be helping the Carbone Cancer Center and UW Hospital promote “Beat Cancer” buttons [with proceeds going to research and patient services]. The website isn’t live yet, but I will post the link when it is ready. Buttons will also be sold at football games. N. and I will be sporting the buttons at Saturday’s game against Troy.

Fight like hell. 

Got a Lime in My Coconut

We met with my neurosurgeon Dr. Baskaya and his nurse practitioner this morning to go over surgery particulars and pre-op items. I also had my sutures removed from the ETV surgery last week.

#BigASSBrainSurgery is scheduled for the 18^th at 7:10 am. We will check-in at the hospital at 5:30 am, right as the surgery unit opens for the day. Surgery will last approximately 5-6 hours, depending on how much of the bitch tumor dr. baskaya is able to safely remove.  I will be in the neuro icu for at least a day, possibly all 5 days, but it will depend on how I’m recovering and if there is room/need for me on a general floor.

Dr. Baskaya will remove approximately a 5cm by 5cm piece of my skull for surgery. My skull will be reattached with titanium screws and possibly a plate or titanium mesh. From What I can determine from my latest mri report, the main bitch tumor is roughly the size of a lime [last time it was a small plum]. However, this time she brought friends that are trying to jump the bridge [corpus callosum] to the other hemisphere of my brain. Dr. Baskaya will try to remove as many of the friends as safely possible.

The goal of the surgery is to safely resect as much of the bitch tumor as possible. Any tissue removed will be sent to pathology to determine the best possible treatment route. Any bitch tumor tissue that dr. baskaya does not feel that he can safely remove will be left and later evicted by the chosen treatment method.

We are very confident in dr. baskaya’s abilities to safely remove a large portion of the bitch tumor and friends.

Fight like hell.

Battle Plan

After several appointments with UW doctors/surgeons and with my neurologist from the Mayo Clinic, we have decided on a battle plan to subdue the bitch tumor.

I am scheduled for a craniotomy surgery on the 18th to remove as much of the bitch tumor as safely possible. Minimally, I will be at the hospital for 5 days to recover.
From there, UW will do pathology to determine what the treatment plan will be [chemo, radiation, etc., which is dependent on the tumor composition/genetic markers].

The good news is that we have a lot of treatment options that have shown successful data and results in other patient cases.

We're still hopeful that the bitch tumor is a grade 3 tumor, but signs are pointing to the naughty c word glioblastoma. The treatment plan for a grade 3 or grade 4 are likely similar. We actually have more available options if pathology proves it is a grade 4 glioblastoma.

We are confident that this battle plan will give us the best prognosis. First and foremost, we need to understand what type of tumor I now have so we can apply the most effective treatment option.

For most of you, you know that I have a certain amount of ... passion [RAGE]. Bitch tumor best be ready because all of that rage is being directed precisely on removing her unwelcome ass from my head.

FIGHT LIKE HELL.

Bring It On!

Bring it on, Bitch Tumor. I can & I will!