The Results Are In

During the past three days there has been a flurry of activity with scans, lab tests, and doctor visits. I'm happy to report that the news is generally good and we will be able to move forward with the next phase of treatment quickly.

• The large tumor in my brain is 25% smaller. In addition, there is no swelling around the tumor. This means we can now proceed with radiosurgery (more details later in this post).
• The two small tumors in my brain are about 50% smaller. If these were the only tumors, we would likely wait and watch for further reductions in the size of the tumors. However, given that treatment will done on the large tumor, we will likely treat the small tumors as well.
• There were no new tumors in the scan this week!
• CT scans of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed no cancer!
• There are still blood clots in my lungs that will "dissolve" over the next several weeks. I am on blood thinners and have oxygen if needed, but in general it is a matter of waiting for improvements in energy and stamina.

Given the status described above, the focus now is back on the brain tumors. We want to move quickly while the large tumor is smaller and there is no swelling. On Wednesday August 4, I will undergo Stereotactic RadioSurgery, specifically targeted at the three tumors in my brain.

• Stereotactic is the technology used to aim the radiation. The tumor must be precisely located and the head completely immobilized so that the high-dose of radiation is delivered to the proper location.
• Radio describes the external beam radiation that delivers a high-dose during a single session to shrink/destroy the tumor.
• Surgery is a misnomer, as there is no actual invasive surgery with a scalpel. The term is used to describe the precision with which the radiation is applied to destroy the tumor.
• The overall process requires set up and new scans in the morning, very detailed planning to deliver the proper dose of radiation to the proper location, and finally the radiation treatment itself. It is done as an out-patient procedure, but will likely take 6 - 8 hours in total.
• The only pain from the procedure is related to the device used to fully immobilize my head. Recovery requires only a day or two and then we will be back to focusing on the blood clots.

Following this procedure in early August, the next round of scans will likely be in late September or October.