Not so hot news

Well, we didn't get the results we were hoping for today - our little break from treatment was short and sweet and the ugly C has returned. Dad received his MRI results this afternoon. Although the sites where he had his craniotomies and radiation look clear and good, he has a small tumor in a new location in the back of his brain. It's much smaller than the last two (8mm) about the size of a pea, but melanoma again nonetheless.

Things could be much worse, there could be several or the tumor could be much larger, but we were just hoping for clear results. Dad and Mom seem to be doing ok - Dad put his fighting gear on in full force again thankfully and already has gamma knife radiation (powerful, spot radiation) scheduled for this coming Tuesday. He wants to get it over with so hopefully is is able to enjoy a trip to the ozarks over the forth of July weekend and Austin's wedding in Hawaii coming up at the end of July. The doctors think because of the size of the tumor, completing gamma knife surgery once should tackle it - we'll see...we hope so.

Also met with the oncologist today and we will likely be moving up his whole body scan date to make sure there are no other tumors in his body - big prayers for this. There is also talk about having Dad start the chemo pill, Temodar, which was the "preventative" option I've been talking about. It's one of the very few drugs that doctors think crosses the brain barrier. It does have a few side effects, nausea and fatigue but supposedly they are very mild and tolerable. The BRAF drug is another option, but it's unsure if that drug crosses the brain barrier and studies show that drug only working for a period of 6-8 months on average, so we are trying to save that option if possible. We'll find out more about this next week after the gamma knife surgery.

On a side note, Dad's leg/hip is gradually feeling better and he is having less pain. He was able to sleep much better last night than he has in a while.

Please send some extra prayers that the gamma knife surgery takes care of this tumor and that there are no other tumors in his body.

Thanks for all of the support.

The Dreaded Scan Day is Here

Hi Everyone,

I got home late last night from Orlando, traveling for business this week - I wasn't able to post earlier in the week as anticipated. Dad's epidural went well last Friday - he actually had a few hours pain free and was ecstatic. The pain returned later that night and he has been having it off and on since Friday evening, but the doctors said the epidural could take 2 weeks or so to fully kick in, so we are still hopeful it will help elevate the pain.

Big prayers this am, the dreaded 3 month MRI scan is today. We should know the results by this afternoon and I promise to post when we know. Praying praying praying that all looks clear - we're preparing for Austin's wedding in Hawaii and I know Dad (and Mom) could really really use the trip away.

Will post again this evening - until then, here's a photo from Father's Day last weekend!

Hope you are all having a good week!