Sorry for the delay in posting - we have been meeting with a series of different doctors this week, gathering opinions re: the best next step in tackling the remaining tumor. -More to come soon after we finalize decisions, but overall it was a really great week.
The oncologist we met with Wednesday said it is amazing that dad does not have signs of Melanoma in any other part of his body - he said he is a really rare case (in a positive way). If we can tackle the remaining tumor and ensure all signs of melanoma in the brain have been decimated, since there are no other signs anywhere else in his body, dad could essentially be in "remission." We may still explore preventative treatment options when we get to that point, but otherwise it would just be a case of monitoring closely (every 2 months).
It's actually a blessing that dad had the episodes/symptoms that he had - otherwise he could have gone much longer with the two tumors in his brain, allowing the chance for the melanoma to spread further before diagnosing/treatment.
The oncologist also said it's a "good time to have melanoma." He said as recent as two years ago, there were not any drugs approved by the FDA to treat the disease - now there are 2 and several research-based treatment options. He also made it sound like we are on the verge of seeing more advances in options - Thank God for technology, research, donations and amazing doctors!
I will post again soon, but I will leave you with this: We were having a serious conversation with the Oncologist and in chimes Dad with "well........ if the Cardinals can do it, I can do it!!!" typical dad - love it. Thank you all for the ongoing support - please keep up the comments, they really keep Dad motivated!!!
