Bittersweet

Yesterday was a Bittersweet day.

We got the call from Dr. M (Oncologist) about the results of the MRI.  They still want to pursue surgery as the next step.  Summary below.

1. The surgery on December 17th didn't remove much of the tumour.  (contradictory to what the Dr. C, the surgeon had said - but now confirmed with the MRI.)
2. I don't know quite how to explain this - but will try.  The 'mass', while no longer putting pressure (and shifting the brain stem) is now pushing the other way - the tumour (or perhaps brain too?) is pushing out of the hole in Stefan's head where the surgery was.  A picture tells a thousand words:



Post Operation MRI - taken January 27th - note the protrusion on the right.

3. So, the oncologist would still like to do surgery, for the following reasons:
    -  to debulk the tumour (obviously this wasn't really done the first time around, and it's still really big)
    - debulking as much of the tumour as possible means a better prognosis
    - to get a larger sample for pathology (brain tumours can have different types of tumour - the larger the specimen - the better we know what it is and how to treat it)
    - radiation causes swelling, right now with the size of the tumour, it doesn't leave much room for swelling, that could be dangerous.
4. There was no neurosurgeon at the doctors meeting Friday (when they were reviewing the MRI).  Obviously a neurosurgeon needs to be consulted before we decide on surgery.
5. When I spoke to Dr. M and voiced that Dr. C had been insistent that no more surgery could be done, he said:
   - Dr. C needs to review the post operative MRI before he can say
   - if Dr. C still says no (since some doctors are more conservative then others) - we can look into a second opinion.
6. I asked - should I be concerned that there is a chunk of my husbands brain/tumour getting pushed out of his skull?  (ie. should I be sending him out in a helmet from now on?).  No, it's a slow growing tumour - so no emergency here, but he shouldn't be playing rugby
7. We now have an appointment with Dr. C on February 15th.  I don't know how we will be able to wait that long.
8. We will probably make an appointment with Dr. M next week as well just to go over what we learned today.  (I would also like to see about seeing another surgeon sooner - might as well get that second option now)
9. I was impressed that Dr. M told us this over the phone, to both Stefan and I separately, and we didn't have to wait a few more days to find out at an appointment.

So - not the greatest news.  I found out at work, so was a bit shaken and left early.  I know Stefan is frustrated as well.  It was also hard for him to hear it with me not being with him (as the designated note taker and question asker).  It will probably be a wait for surgery, and then it's another at least 6 week wait after surgery until they can start radiation.

I did say bittersweet day - the sweet part was two very dear friends arrived from Whitehorse yesterday for the weekend.  It was nice to have them to talk to as soon as I left work.  We had a great evening together (with Stefan!) and hit the casino - it has been quite a while since we had a night out that didn't involve the ER!  I have some girl time planned tonight while Stefan will be 'watched' by his parents!