Bad News
I had an MRI at UAB today. The scans reveal abnormalities that are likely to be either treatment effects or tumor growth.
Treatment effects — The clinical trial is relatively new. Maybe this is just some harmless byproduct of the treatment. (They figure this out as they go.) Maybe it’s no big deal.
Tumor growth — Very bad news.
In order to consider a treatment we must determine what exactly is going on. This means surgery — another craniotomy, similar to the first time.
If it’s a tumor then I’ll be removed from the ICT-107 clinical trial. I would be eligible for some other interesting trials. I would likely begin receiving Avastin (an intravenous chemotherapy). But while they’re in there, surgeons would attempt to remove as much tumor as possible, which is supposed to be good news in some desperate way.
I suppose the best (and less-likely) outcome would be to find that it is just some unexpected, unharmful stuff which can be removed and studied at great benefit to the medical community (or great profit for the trial sponsor).
I’m going to sleep for 14 hours now. I’ll get in touch with Emory for further consultation tomorrow and keep you posted.
But before I go, I want to mention that I know it’s been a long time since I published an update here. I have composed one hundred of them, but none I felt needed to be shared. Today’s post was going to inform you that, rather than post all the time about how well I’m doing, I was only going to post if something bad happens.
Well, I’m right on schedule.
9 responses to “Bad News”
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Meal Train
Sign up to bring us a meal via Meal TrainMEALTRAIN WAS A VERY HELPFUL RESOURCE FOR US BUT NOW IT HAS EVOLVED INTO BRINGING US SPECIFIC UNCOOKED INGREDIENTS BECAUSE of the wtict diet we are on.This is just as valuable to us though..
A glioblastoma journey 
We are thinking of you both and sending positive thoughts!!! xoxo
Well we’ll be praying for some awesome new find that’ll make the trial sponsors rich, and you famous. Sorry you’re going to have to go through the surgery again, friend. We will be praying for a quick recovery.
We of course do not know each other. My family has been also on a glio journey. I will be sending you the warmest thoughts.
My Drs and I have been expecting nothing but bad news from my tests and been getting nothing but good. Hope the same is true for you.
Peace and strength to you and Tina. We are bringing it strong for both of you!!
Wow – you get MRI results immediately? What area of the brain? Is it an isolated growth?
MRI results are immediate. Abnormality was shown in the same spot as the previous tumor, which is typical of tumor regrowth. But the MRI doesn’t provide definitive data. Surgery is the best option for finding out exactly what’s going on.
I can’t imagine the personal turmoil that you and Tina are going through. But, I do know that you are both loved and that your private universe of friends and family are sending nothing but positive energy and emotion your way. We love you both.
Just want to let you know that I’m out here and sending positive, healing thoughts your way.