Medical Update {Sept. 14}
Friday, September 14, was an MRI day for me. Every two months for the rest of my life I will probably have a scan of my brain to see if a tumor is growing. We know that the Glioblastoma cancer cells are in there, but we want to make sure a new tumor is not growing. The Great News from yesterday is another clear and stable MRI scan! Again, we do not think I am healed, but this clear scan is the good news. When we looked at the images with the doctors yesterday, they were very happy. No changes, it looks clear, no tumors. Going into this appointment I had little to no anxiety, which was a nice thing. I would imagine that as we go longer and longer these MRI tests will get a little more scary. But for now, we feel really good.
The oncologists also check all kinds of other things like my blood, a physical exam, lots of questions. Dr. Harrison is very, very pleased with how I am doing. She smiles continuously throughout my exam. The research nurse said I was a 100 out of 100 on the performance track. They are not saying I am healed. That rarely happens with Glioblastoma (GBM). But this is good news for now.
In addition to the MRI, blood work and physical exam going well, I feel pretty good. I am a bit fatigued most days. I am working 80% time at church, trying to spend good time with my kids and Amy, and trying to get good times listening to the Lord and sitting.
Bottom line: I feel great about a very positive MRI and report from the doctors, but know that we are still sober and humble about the long-term journey ahead.
Let me remind you of our 6 strategies with which we continue fighting this GBM:
Strategy #1: Lots of honest prayer. Asking Jesus to heal me, asking Jesus for strength to suffer well in the midst of the storm.
Strategy #2: The Keto diet. Some think that if we starve the cancer of glucose, it will not grow. I am needing prayer for my attitude of missing out on all my favorite carbohydrates like bread, pasta, cookies, pizza, potato chips, Dr. Pepper…..
Strategy #3: Chemotherapy taken orally 5 days every 4 weeks. Temazolamide is my yummy
chemo drug. (joke) It has little to no side effects - Praise God! This lasts till April 2020.
Strategy #4: I get an IV Infusion of an experimental trial Immunotherapy drug every two weeks in Houston. I will fly there every two weeks until May 2020.
Strategy #5: I have had my legal limit of radiation treatments, 30, completing them in May 2019.
Strategy #6: Keep on training for triathlons; swimming 6000 plus yards weekly, riding 75 miles weekly and a couple long walks.
Overall, I’m doing really well. We very much appreciate your prayers and concern. When we receive texts and messages we really like that.