A Long, Overdue Update

Hi everyone! It's been pretty much same old same old around here and I was away for a little while. I told you all that my sister, Marie, had a strapping baby boy! That was very exciting! A little too exciting since she had to have an emergency C-section and there was NO time for ANESTHESIA. She is obviously a very strong woman! Both are doing well. Jean and mom wondered if I might be able to go. I asked my ras-onc, Dr. Kane. I think Dr. Kane's thought was "once she starts radiation, she won't be able to go anywhere for awhile, and it'll be good for her to see her sister and new nephew." So I decided to go. Off the 5 of us went--mom and Jean with Benny and Jakey. Jean has and Expedition with 3 rows of seats, so I sat in the 3rd row. Motion back there wasn't great, but it weas much better than sitting in front where I could see road motion and lots of light. The trips down and back weren't awesome, but I made it and it was well worth it to see Marie and Matthew! Lots of baby snuggle time. As my mom put it, with all that has happened in our family in the last couple of months, she thought I needed to see Marie as much as Marie needed to see me. Here is baby Mattthew...
How could that face not be therapeutic!

Isn't he so cute! Handsome little guy! Well, here is the update as I know it on me...

I've been doing pretty well. Headaches haven definitely gotten better. My incision/scar is continuing to heal, more each day. I was at a church conference this weekend with my mom. I got a message from the rad-onc's office that they want me to come in form my first radiation treatment at 11am on Monday. He originally said they have to do a second set-up before the first treatment, so the first actual treatment may not be until Tuesday. I'm a little confused, so we'll keep you posted. Please pray for no side effects--that all normal brain tissue will be spared, no fatigue, no hair loss, no skin changes, etc.

I haven't seen the neuro-onc at U of M again, but I got a call back from her nurse. We finally have all 3 path's back. I haven't seen the reports myself, but from what I've been told on the phone, none of them show grad 4 cells. Praise God! The bulk of the tumor was grade 2, with some grade 3 changes. Tumors are treated like the highest grade of cells present, so they call it a grade 3 (anaplastic) astrocytoma. Dr. Rogers at U of M is recommending radiation initially without chemo, but chemo following radiation. I haven't gotten to speak with her yet, and of course, it's ultimtely our decision. Pray that they do not feel chemo is necessary.

I think I covered it all. That's all I know for now. If there's something new after apppointments the next couple of days, I'll reupdate. Thank you for your continued support! Love,

Laura