Here we go again…

Well, we had David’s MRI. It could have gone better, but it could have gone a hell of a lot worse. The tests came back inconclusive once again. So, no matter how they come at this damn spot….they just can’t figure out what the hell it is. It could be after effects of the radiation that lasts up to a year and tends to inflame the wound and surrounding scar tissue, it could very well be cell necrosis…which is old dead cancer cells and good cells that were destroyed from the radiation…or it could be the beginning of cell activity. Which is very bad. That would mean that there is cell growth and the beginning of tumor activity. But they can’t determine exactly what it is.

The doctors gave us a choice. We could wait it out and see how it progresses or doesn’t progress in the next couple months or we could go in and figure out exactly what it was. The doctors, who are extremely pro-active, felt it was best to go in and check it out. If it’s nothing…that we can move on and Dave will heal from the surgery…but if it something more it is much better to catch it now, when it is a few cells before it blows up into a tumor. It would be much harder to manage than a few undefined cells.

We have a new surgeon…who kicks butt. He’s not only got a great bed-side manner and sense of humor. But he’s good. Very good. Everyone says he’s the man we want. He specializes in Malignant brain tumors and epilepsy and tends to do 2-3 surgeries a week in the temporal lobe…which is where he will be going in on David.

The surgeon said that if David was 60 or 70, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But he’s young and healthy…and one hell of a fighter, so they believe it is definitely worth it. This doctor tends to map the patients brain before he goes in to determine inactive areas and dormant areas before the surgery begins, which was not done in our previous surgery. And this time they will actually be removing a portion of Dave’s temporal lobe including the suspect tissue as well as a little extra to be sure. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Not really…but if it keeps him healthy, that’s all that matters. The doctor says recovery will be longer on this one that his previous surgery, but the surgeon doesn’t know David and what he’s capable of. I’m guessing he’ll bounce back faster than expected and wow them all…as usual.

David’s surgery is scheduled for Monday the 25th, exactly one-year from the first one. How crazy is that? He’ll be going in at 7:30 and be under for 3-4 hours. So…here’s where we’re at. I can’t believe we’re about to go through this all over again, but at least this time it’s on our own terms. Wish us luck and everyone’s prayers, wishes and thoughts are appreciated.