Chemo Starts Tonight

My yearlong course of Chemotherapy starts tonight. I had an MRI today, blood work, and we met with my Oncologist today. The MRI looked fine and the lab tests are normal so I am clear to start the Temodar tonight.

What's Going On...

The Chemotherapy arrived in the mail. Josh's yearlong course begins on Tuesday, May 27th.

It's kind of ironic because today is the first day that he has NOT napped since starting Radiation.  

The Chemotherapy will cause fatigue.

He just started feeling well enough to start on a home improvement project. It started out to be a little fixing up in the office but has turned out to be a major project. A lot more than he expected!

We haven't been updating the Blog lately. I'm not sure why Josh hasn't, but I know that I haven't because after our last visit with his Neuro Oncologist, I felt discouraged. Every time we go there, I come out feeling like I got blind-sided with a punch to the gut. This time, we were told that because the tumor has grown into the Motor Cortex, it is probable that Josh will have right side deficits in the future. We knew that the tumor had reached this area and that it was unsafe to surgically remove anymore of it but, I had not expected to hear this bit of detail. I understand that the purpose of  Radiation and Chemotherapy is to slow the growth of the tumor that was left behind. But still, after surgery, 6 weeks of radiation, and a year of chemo, it's scary to hear that this is still the prognosis. He went through and is going through all of this and still...

So, that's why I haven't felt up to an update.

Amazingly, Josh has been doing well. Aside from the news from the doctor and feeling exhausted, his mood is good. He's keeping active and hoping to take a trip before he starts back at work. By the way, his hair still hasn't started growing back. 

I keep waiting to see a Blog post from him.

I remember this stuff...DO NOT Touch!

 

Radiation Mask - Smash That Mask! (Video)

Stanford Brain Tumor Support Group

I've gone to more than my share of brain tumor support groups. I haven't really been that much the last few months because of that last few months because of schedules issues but I do get a benefit from it. Just hearing the group talk about how they deal with seizures, or their tumor gives me a great perspective. 

The only heart wrenching thing is the sheer number of "turnover" in the group. I sometimes feel bad that I have so far, and continue to be, so relatively unaffected by this horrible disise. 

I went tonight to touch base with all those in the group that I haven't seen in awhile. I'm not sure if this is a good thing but the support group has grown quite a bit since the last time I have gone.

The facilitators of this group, Sharon and Joanie are kind enough to hold this meeting every month. Sharon is a retired UCSF nurse and Joanie is a retired Kaiser nurse. The support group is hosted by the surgeon who has opened my brain a handful of times, Dr. Chang. 

It was nice to catch up with some old friends and I hope to return to this group regularly once I am through my recovery.

What's Up...

Jett takes a swing at the mask

Some friends gathered and celebrated the end of my radiation treatment with me this weekend. And, my radiation mask was hung like a pinata. The kids had fun smashing it with a bat and it finally broke. The next birthday party we have I plan to just hang up any plastic item from a tree, give the kids a bat and let them go. It was hours of fun for the kids. 

I was surprised with a special performance by both Adam and Enzo. Lola made a "pin the tail on the brain tumor" game. It was great to relax and celebrate. 

Thanks for all the support Team Mick received. As of now, the 2015 Brain Tumor Event raised over $400,000 which will help fund brain tumor research. Thanks to those who were able to join us for the walk and for all of the generous donations.

This Friday, we're meeting with my Neuro Oncologist to discuss my chemotherapy plan. And, in a couple of weeks I am scheduled for my first post radiation MRI.

I'm still tired and taking naps during the day but the worst of my recovery is, thankfully, behind me!!!

Kids having fun on the trampoline

Adam 

Lola

Enzo

Walking Today to Honor & Remember