It is easier for me to share with you a recent email sent to our family members about my current condition. I sure appreciate your letters and all of the things that you do, and keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. Here is the contents of the email:
Dear Family,
Yesterday we traveled to Seattle so that Janae could have an MRI scan and to visit with her two doctors. Following the scan we met with both of her doctors together to discuss their assessment of her current scan. They felt that all of the 8 tumors were about the same size including the largest tumor. This was good news in that this largest tumor has appeared to stop growing. However, of greater concern is the continued large size of the inflammation and of its protrusion throughout her brain. Her symptoms seem to be about the same from the pressure the inflammation is creating on all of the brain, and specifically her speech and word retrieval sections of her brain. She has had continuing problems with her speech and word recollection. This pressure from the inflammation is still causing a shift of the midline of the brain of about .3 inches, pushing the midline of the brain and ventricules to the right side. The doctors both felt that this might be a good time to try Avastin, a drug which has been available for about 4 – 5 years. They feel that this may help significantly reduce the swelling (inflammation). Dr. Chamberlain has used this on about 15 patients over the past few years and said that about 75% of the time people have had good results, the other 25% of the time there really haven’t been any measurable results from the drug. However, like most drugs of this nature in up to 5% of the time there can be serious side effects such as stroke, heart attack or even death. We decided to continue as we are, since Janae is not currently threatened with the growth of the tumor or more increase of the inflammation, for the time being. We are going to consider the use of this drug to see if it might improve Janae’s quality of life and visit with the doctors in 3 more months when we return for another scan. It was good to visit with both doctors at the same time so that we could get a read on how they feel about her progress, situation, and their recommendations.
The doctors both believe the continuing large amount of inflammation is most likely evidence of continued treatment effects from the radiation involved in administering the Gamma Knife treatment. Janae and I believe it could be the result of the Gamma Knife treatment and also the effects of the alternative treatment that she has been pursuing since October last year. The doctors concur that it is most likely the result of the body fighting the cancer and the inflammation is the result of this continuing fight in her brain. The alternative treatment would be using this same process to kill the cancer cells and inflammation such as we are seeing is evidence that it is attempting to rid her brain of the cancer cells.
We felt good after meeting and reviewing the scans with Janae’s doctors. We feel they are very qualified and care about Janae and really want her to have the best care and the best quality of life. It is great to receive their support. They both felt she looked and acted remarkably well. Janae is doing quite well in spite of all that is going on in her brain. She continually amazes me as to her ability to continue with many things she wants to do in her life, when many with her condition would emotionally be checking out and just sitting around and wasting away. Even in light of not feeling well she still tries to be involved with our family members and being a good mother, wife, and homemaker. We know that much of her good results are from the many prayers and kind thoughts provided by all of you, our family, and friends. We appreciate these so much. We love you all,
Calvin and Janae
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