Here We Go Again

Results from yesterday's brain MRI were not what I had hoped they would be...but they were not as bad as they could have been either.

I have a new tumor on my brain measuring 7mm.   It is located on the margin of the left lateral ventricular and appears to be a regrowth of one of the original lesions.

No, this is not good news.  And, no, I am not totally surprised, as I knew, statistically, that this was eventually a virtual certainty, and that I have been very fortunate to go a year with no regrowth.  Nonetheless, I was becoming pretty convinced by clear scan after clear scan that I was going to be Don Alvaro's miracle, a dream I am not planning on giving up no matter what the medical evidence says.

And it could have been much worse.  If I had a lesion measuring more than a centimeter, or if I had more than six lesions, according to my previous radiation oncologist I would not be treatable, so I am actually counting my blessings that this is at least something we can attack.

I am seeing a new doctor tomorrow, a brain-specific radiation oncologist, and we will decide what to do about this pesky growth. I have no idea what is coming down the road for me in terms of treatment.  Could be gamma knife radiation, could be chemo, could be craniotomy, I really have no idea.  I pray that whatever it is will not be too awful and that I don't lose any more cognitive function, since I have far less to spare in that area than I used to!

Is it impossibly vain to add that I hope I can keep at least most of the bush residing on my head that I have so labored to grow in desert conditions?  Gray and frizzy as it is, it is mine and I am fairly inclined to keep it.

So, I will keep you posted (Get it?  Posted?  Ha ha!) after I see my new doc tomorrow.

Keep praying and know that, truly, though I am acutely sad for my family to have to experience more of this, I am at peace and always, always trust that God unfailingly gives us what we need.

(Whether we want it or not!)