Same place I had my bio-chemo!
Had an MRI yesterday because I had some numbness in a couple of fingers and part of my face.
Yep, you guessed it. My melanoma has metastasized to my brain. So I have a really ugly tumor in my thalamus and right on my brain stem.
Cool huh?
This stuff is so fun. I just love skin cancer!
After the test results came back last night, I checked into the UW hospital this morning and spent the day getting poked and prodded by neurologists, neurosurgeons, radiology oncologists and I am not sure how many others. They showed us the MRI views of the tumor (ugly bugger) and, after much hemming and hawing and several meetings, and getting the same initial workup from 4 or 5 different specialists, they came to the conclusion that its inoperable. Its to close to to much important stuff in my brain.
Well maybe not important in a world changing way, but its nerves and gray matter that I am kind of attached to!
So its sounding like I get gamma knife radiation treatment.
http://gammaknife.org/
Kinda cool.
I will make sure I get pictures with frame bolted to my head!
There is a good bit of swelling that they are going to try and get under control with my favorite thing, Massive doses of steroids. Woo Hoo! Because I have not swelled to the size of the Hindenburg yet...Maybe soon.
Oh and the radiation can cause swelling too. And its more steroids to make that go away, maybe as long as a year. Although at this point it does not sound like I should be making plans that far out. Which by no means should you take that as that I am giving up. Hell I have already lived well beyond average for melanoma with this many tumors. Speaking of which, I still have to have a full CT to see how the rest of my little blackened lumps are doing. With any luck they are still stable or, gasp, dare I wish? Shrinking?
Hopefully they will do the CT tomorrow as they are not going to let me out of here until after my "surgery" next week, seems like a good idea, since I will be here anyway.
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I am so sorry to hear this. I know you are scared, but I am glad you still have your fighting spirit. I can hear it in your words. I will be praying for you and all that you will go through.
ReplyDeleteNow, go radiate the hell out of it and if you swell up like a balloon, we will have a parade and cheer you on.
Tina
Well, SHIT! That's all I've got. I pray your treatments continue to buy you precious time with your loved ones. Cancer sucks!!
ReplyDeleteWell shit brother! Lets take a road trip to the Mineral Dump, drink some JD, shoot some rats and howl at the moon.
ReplyDeleteWhile you are not in my prayers (you know my problems there), you are in my toasts.
jimb
Mr Anonymous said it all.
ReplyDelete"Well shit brother!" If anyone can pull this off Johnny, YOU CAN. Show us how it's done. I had planned to visit you yesterday (Saturday) in that famous place (7SW) but it appears you had already checked out. I should know by now to check your blog first.
Me thinks you like the staff of the Tides better, Ayyy Matey!