I am nearing the end of my treatments. I am going to start my final chemo treatments soon. These are 6, 5 day treatments, spread over 6 months. The prognosis has been great so far. My follow up scan looked great according to my Doctors.
I resumed classes a little more than a month ago. I love my schedule and teachers. Mostly I love being back.
I'm not sure if anyone is still following this blog. But for those of you who are keep others posted and watch for updates regarding my completion of treatment. I will also be doing some fundraising in the future, so watch for that.
thanks everyone
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Taking a break
Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I finished with my radiation treatments on December 17. I won't really know how effective those treatments were for about 6 months. I am now on a break until late January. At that point I will most likely continue with some chemo therapy. These treatments will be for one week periods over 6 months. I have been taking these treatments everyday while doing my radiation so hopefully this will not be taxing treatment.
I responded as well as anyone could have anticipated to the treatments. The only thing that would make it apparent to most that I went through this is the lack of hair on my head. I'm told that the first time it grows back it will likely be a different color /texture. Interesting part of that is that I didn't lose it all over so I may have two tone hair when it comes back.
I still plan on returning to law school in January.
I want to thank everyone for their support and concern. My radiation treatment flew by and that would not have been possible without the network of people who helped me.
I responded as well as anyone could have anticipated to the treatments. The only thing that would make it apparent to most that I went through this is the lack of hair on my head. I'm told that the first time it grows back it will likely be a different color /texture. Interesting part of that is that I didn't lose it all over so I may have two tone hair when it comes back.
I still plan on returning to law school in January.
I want to thank everyone for their support and concern. My radiation treatment flew by and that would not have been possible without the network of people who helped me.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Test Results came back
I got my test results back this morning and the news was good but not spectacular. I was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma tumor. For those of you who are unfamiliar with tumors. The grade of the tumor indicates the severity. The most aggressive and dangerous tumors are typically grade 4 tumors.
The most important thing to hear as far as I was concerned was that the tumor was not what is called metastatic. This means that the tumor originated in my brain and did not spread from another location. It also means that that the probability of this tumor spreading to another part of by body is unlikely. The bad news is that this is considered a fairly aggressive tumor. The good news is that while it is an aggressive tumor it is relatively slow growing and my doctor feels that he got all of it during surgery.
I will have to undergo some secondary treatment. This is not entirely unexpected. I will have to undergo chemo therapy as well as radiation therapy. While surgery may have been the riskiest part of my treatment, this will be the most difficult.
My doctor and I talked about a lot of things, but what was most important is what we did not have to talk about. I am dealing with something that is difficult but we did not have to talk about "how much time I have." That's because I can, and will come through this just fine. My doctor has dealt with more severe tumors than this and his patients usually survive.
The timeline we did discuss was how long it might be before I am able to get back to school. He thinks that I will be able to resume spring classes. He anticipates that I will be able to choose if I feel I am ready to resume.
Unfortunately discussing this is a little difficult for me right now so I don't want to talk about it over the phone. It makes me sound like I am having a much harder time with this than I really am.
I told members of my family that I didn't take too much time to wonder why this happened to me. The answer has always been obvious. This happened to me because I can take it. With the overwhelming support everyone has shown me throughout this experience, I am only convinced further that we can take it.
The most important thing to hear as far as I was concerned was that the tumor was not what is called metastatic. This means that the tumor originated in my brain and did not spread from another location. It also means that that the probability of this tumor spreading to another part of by body is unlikely. The bad news is that this is considered a fairly aggressive tumor. The good news is that while it is an aggressive tumor it is relatively slow growing and my doctor feels that he got all of it during surgery.
I will have to undergo some secondary treatment. This is not entirely unexpected. I will have to undergo chemo therapy as well as radiation therapy. While surgery may have been the riskiest part of my treatment, this will be the most difficult.
My doctor and I talked about a lot of things, but what was most important is what we did not have to talk about. I am dealing with something that is difficult but we did not have to talk about "how much time I have." That's because I can, and will come through this just fine. My doctor has dealt with more severe tumors than this and his patients usually survive.
The timeline we did discuss was how long it might be before I am able to get back to school. He thinks that I will be able to resume spring classes. He anticipates that I will be able to choose if I feel I am ready to resume.
Unfortunately discussing this is a little difficult for me right now so I don't want to talk about it over the phone. It makes me sound like I am having a much harder time with this than I really am.
I told members of my family that I didn't take too much time to wonder why this happened to me. The answer has always been obvious. This happened to me because I can take it. With the overwhelming support everyone has shown me throughout this experience, I am only convinced further that we can take it.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Results
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. There really hasn't been anything ne to post. Today I was supposed to get my results at my follow up appointment. Unfortunately my pathology report was not ready today. It was a real bummer. It looks like I won't be driving for a while, so for those of you wondering what it is you can do to help. Rides will be highly appreciated for the next few months. I will update the blog the minute I get the report.
Thanks again to everyone who came out to my fundraiser. It was better than I could have ever hoped for. It meant more than you can understand to see how many people I have supporting me.
Thanks again to everyone who came out to my fundraiser. It was better than I could have ever hoped for. It meant more than you can understand to see how many people I have supporting me.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Since I have been home things have come along nicely. My body feels stronger everyday. I know I have said it already but to this point everything has gone better thah anyone could have imagined. As of right now I think the time line is fairly uncertain b/c recovery has been quicker than most could imagine to this point. I have a follow up appointment in two weeks which should shed some light on the situation. Right now there are not a whole lot of answers excpet that the first, most difficult step, surgery, went very well.
All visitors are welcome to come by just give some notice so that we can make sure I can give everyone some time while they are here. When you do visit feel free to structure it anyway you want. I realize that you guys are the ones with things to do. I really have nothing to do right now but sit around and heal. I think at some point today I may try to stop by Spalding to watch my cousin's football game. I think that happens at around 3.
If I don't answer phone calls i is most likely b/c I am with someone, and as I said, I like to try to make sure everyone gets to see me when they are here.
Thanks for keeping up with my status everyone
All visitors are welcome to come by just give some notice so that we can make sure I can give everyone some time while they are here. When you do visit feel free to structure it anyway you want. I realize that you guys are the ones with things to do. I really have nothing to do right now but sit around and heal. I think at some point today I may try to stop by Spalding to watch my cousin's football game. I think that happens at around 3.
If I don't answer phone calls i is most likely b/c I am with someone, and as I said, I like to try to make sure everyone gets to see me when they are here.
Thanks for keeping up with my status everyone
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Short update
Been making big strides today. My hair almost looks normal all things considered. Sorry I have been slacking on the entries. I'll make a longer entry for tomorrow with some interesting stuff. Just really tired right now
Sunday, September 28, 2008
ANd I'm Back
I just arrived back at home. I might be capable of talking to people starting tomorrow. Please call before stopping by. I'll admit I am not very entertaining right now. Good to be out of the hospital. Thanks for all the support through the surgery. Looking at me right now is not easy by the way. My head is stapled together right down the middle.
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