We have a little bit more hope for more time. dr_mom_mcl had a talk with a neurosurgeon and an oncologist today, and she found out about a semi-experimental treatment that can be used in tandem with the radiotherapy. It’s supposed to have only minor side effects, and could help to shrink this kind of tumour. Consequently, the doctors said that there is some possibility that the tumour could be shrunk in such a way that it would become possible to surgically remove part of it - not all of it, since the tumour is invasive, not encapsulated, but the more you can shrink it the more it’s supposed to help. Right now the tumour is considered inoperable, so Mom thinks it’s fairly remarkable that the doctor even mentioned surgery as a potential.
This wouldn’t be a cure, but it may be able to give him some more time and better quality of life during that time, provided it works. At any rate it’s somewhat encouraging.
Boy, I’ve been afraid to check on this thread. I was hoping for good news, but afraid it wouldn’t be here.
The only good thing I can think of is: Experimental treatment + radiation = superpowers+ miracle cure in all the comic books I read as a kid.
Here’s to wishing your Dad a comic book plotline.
[sub]just hope he doesn’t turn into the Hulk[/sub]
matt, you are getting excellent advice from your doctors. Quality of life is everything, no amount of bedridden hours can match lucid and active participation. The brain’s vascular structure makes invasive surgery seem akin to rebuilding an engine while it is running. New methods using directed energy (cyclotron) beams frequently have much less impact than surgery.
Best of all, our exponentially increasing awareness of genetically targeted medicine makes possible fantastic strides. New techniques use the increased growth factor hormones in a tumor to direct medication exactly at those specific sites. Special new anti-inflammatory drugs should help deter runaway growth patterns. Here’s a link to non-steroid based anti-inflammatory drugs.
You have whatever sort of hugs I can type into this screen, I can’t do any better because of location. You are obviously keeping well abreast of all that is happening. That sort of situational awareness will grant you real peace of mind. Please consider recording your father’s reminisces of life. Any sort of journal would be of immense value. Thanks for letting us know what’s been happening. You have my best wishes at all times.
That is an excellent idea. I know he’s always kept journals, and I don’t want to tax him (especially in view of how shaky he is right now with expressing what he remembers and with names) but I’ll definitely keep it in mind for after the treatment when he may be more himself.
I should also come back on what I said about Wayne at the top of this page, since he is the one who put Mom in touch with the specialists I mentioned she saw today.
Damn, matt. That’s rough news. Let’s hope the experimental treatment has some effects: with a bit of luck, your father may have a few years of good quality life left.
I’ve thought long about what else to say, but I honestly can’t think of anything. It’s such a slap in the face, hearing it, isn’t it?
I came to help Mom get him to the hospital yesterday for the second of his radiation treatments. I was staggered by the difficulty he was having. I won’t go into it, but it was really hard to take. I only hope the radiation and drugs give him some improvement.
Dad took a turn for the worse last night. He was very hot, had a stiff neck. while they were trying to deal with that, this morning he had a seizure. dr_mom_mcl and dr_neighbour_lady got him to hospital. i got up there at about 9 AM (after about 3 hours sleep the night before). stayed there all day with various of dad’s friends, as well as Ulterior, aunt_mcl, mr_aunt_mcl, and cousin_mcl. We were, well, basically saying our goodbyes because he’s in a coma and it doesn’t look so good.
This afternoon they brought him to the Neuro, where apparently he has the best doctor in the city. Reviewing the scans, he apparently figured it might not be the infection we thought it was, and could be something to do with just the tumour. So that could be hopeful, though slim.
It’s so hard when you’re all cried out and all there is to do is sit and be bored out of your mind. you just feel numb. the neighbours came and brought their kids, who were very interested in the proceedings, which it amused and distracted me to explain to them in kid language. that was good. also the other uncle_mcl flew out here from Thunder Bay.
god. mom, aunt_mcl, everyone is just so shattered and mainly by now just exhausted. i’m at their place and gonna have some dinner; mom will come by later and eat, then go back to the Neuro and stay with dad tonight. (they have a cot and everything.) then we probably spend tomorrow in hospital too.
There’s probably nothing in this world harder than seeing someone you love suffer, and being absolutely without any power to do a single damn thing to influence what’s happening.
When it gets too hard to bear, just visualize that you have this geeky 55-year-old man you’ve never met in the flesh standing invisibly alongside you, with one arm over your shoulders, trying his best to comfort you. Because in spirit, I am there doing that.
And you have “a great cloud of witnesses” – the folks here who know and love you, from around the world – there in his hospital room with you – crowded, isn’t it?! – trying our best to give you the strength to persevere under all this.
My thoughts, my prayers, and my love are with you in your suffering.
Take some time to write all this down – the exercise of putting feelings into words and getting them down on paper will help you work your way through the strain – don’t post it or anything unless you feel you want to – and don’t hold anything back. It’ll help get it out – and in the future, when you want to remember, you’ll have a record of what you felt and said.
I’m so sorry to hear about this. Please take good care of yourself and your Mom. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers to She who watches over us.
– trying our best to give you the strength to persevere under all this.