April 29, 2010

We went for another appointment today where we met with a new neurosurgeon, Dr. Harshbarger. We also saw Dr. McFadden who is a neurologist, as well, I believe. Dr. McFadden did an exam to look for any indications that she was having symptoms and said things looked very good. He was very nice and spent some time talking with us. Dr. Harshbarger, on the other hand, is the first person we've interacted with at the hospital since Mom began receiving treatment that I wouldn't recommend anyone else go see. His bedside manner was atrocious and after listening to him talk for about 20 seconds, I decided he wasn't actually talking to us, and he must have just been talking to hear himself talk. He didn't attempt to explain anything that he was talking about, nor did he make much effort to answer the questions we asked. At one point Mom tried to ask something and he just continued talking. He kept referring to "GBM", and when she finally asked what GBM was, he just plainly said, "that's your cancer," like she was some sort of idiot. Fifteen minutes earlier in the appointment I had already decided that I didn't like him and when he so coldly responded to Mom, I was ready to kick him in his arrogant face. I interjected to tell him that Mom had an astrocytoma and we'd never heard mention of GBM. He flipped through her chart and pointed to something in there and said, "it's right here, GBM," then continued to tell us their Gamma knife machine was being updated and that we should seek a second opinion with UPMC in Pittsburgh because he can't do the procedure until June or September. So, I'll have to do some research about GBM and post some information later because the "neurosurgeon" didn't bother to elaborate any further.

Anyway, from what I gathered from the appointment, (aside from wanting to begin looking for a new doctor) the lesion that wasn't responding to the infusion treatment is in the same location of her brain that the initial tumor was removed, I'm going to refer to it as Adam (as in the first man). There is a small dark spot, about the size of a nickel where the Adam tumor was. From this tumor location there are two additional spots or "offspring" where the Adam tumor is re-growing. The second tumor that has popped up since brain surgery last year (Eve) is responding to the infusion and has shrunk dramatically since January. We were able to see comparison MRI scans from January and April and it does appear that the initial lesion, Adam, has sprouted new growth (Cain and Abel), and at a rather rapid pace. This was information that Dr. Torres shared with Mom and Dad at the last appointment earlier this month. Cain & Abel are growing in the sensory area of the brain and can cause seizures or sensory symptoms, but are in a location that would allow for physical surgical removal. Eve is growing very near to the motor area of the brain. Because of the risks associated with surgery in this area, it is not a preferred option. Refer back to the blog following that last appointment to see why surgery is not a good option right now.

According to Harshbarger, there isn't research to show that Gamma knife treatment is effective in treating the type of tumor that Mom has, but he felt that it certainly was a good option to try. Dad finally got him to shut-up long enough to ask some questions and get clarification about how we should proceed. Because Mom has recently re-started the Timidar to treat the unresponsive sections of Cain & Able, we will be waiting until the MRI next Friday to make any decisions about Gamma knife treatment. Say an extra prayer that Cain & Abel have been responding to the Timidar and that we won't have to bother with the Gamma knife or Harshbarger. I had a very bad feeling about him and don't feel comfortable letting him lay a hand on Mom, let alone with a high concentration of radiation aimed at her brain.

Please know how much we appreciate what each of you are doing for our family during this time. Mom is holding up pretty well and keeping herself occupied by making thank-you cards. The first 21-day course of Timidar ended on Tuesday and she handled it well. She didn't experience too many side effects, or if she did, she didn't let on. She's been spending a little more time resting than she did at the beginning of the Timidar, as it seems her energy is depleted from all the treatments . This suits Dad, Axle, and I just fine as we're all up for some relaxing when we get home anyway. Our shopping trips aren't quite as long as they used to be either, which also suits Dad just fine.

Infusion tomorrow morning. I will try to continue posting information as I get it. It's a busy time of year at school and I'm trying to make this a priority, as well. I don't want Phyllis or Joe to get upset with me. Thank you for everything!