Ed had an appointment with his neurologist, Dr. Mitchell, today. This was a regular office visit to check up on his progress and Dr. Mitchell had not seen Ed in probably four or five months as we had to cancel his last appointment due to not feeling well and not needing to be out in the pouring rain.
(Picture: What a Glioblastoma Multiforme tumor looks like. Lots of 'branches' come off of the main 'body' of the tumor and grow outwards into surrounding brain tissue. When the tumor is is cut out, the little strand like projections are so small they cannot all be removed. Therefore, a new tumor can start from a tiny strand left behind. The drug Avastin cuts off the blood supply to the tumor (and hopefully the strands) and the drug Irenotrecan stops, or at least inhibits, cell division...preventing cancer from growing at all or not as fast.)
Dr. Mitchell had not seen the results of Ed's last MRI, done August 3rd of this year. I loved the look on his face as he read it. He looked puzzled, then shocked, then just amazed. He read part of it aloud, then starting reading to himself, his mouth moving. He finally looked up and said, this is amazing. I've never seen a GBM patient have a reduction in tumor size before. It is unheard of. I have never seen this happen with a patient.l It is what you would call, a miracle. During our conversation, he said the word 'Miracle' two or three times. Me and Ed were smiling. You rarely get this type of reaction from a doctor.
Next, down to business. I told Dr. M of my concerns that the dosage of Lyrica Ed was taking was making him weaker, more confused, less able to speak. Dr. M reassured me that Ed has not 'topped out' on the dosage tolerable for Lyrica. He said yes, the symptoms do sound like common side effects resulting from taking Lyrica. However, he feels that Ed needs to stay on this drug and on this dosage. He said that with time, the side effects will lessen and the good effects (no pain, no seizures) out weigh the bad effects. He said there are other drugs used to control seizures, but they would have the same side effects as Lyrica. Also, Ed is approved to receive patient assistance with the drug Lyrica. Applying for patient assistance for other drugs could be time consuming and perhaps frustrating. He strongly urged we go with his recommendation to stay with Lyrica and wait for the side effects to lessen and/or subside. We agreed.
Other highlights of the visit; Ed's blood pressure was good, his blood work good, and Dr. M put him through several little 'tests' (raising his arms shoulder level, holding his arms up with his eyes closed, I noticed Ed's right arm would lower while doing this test...wish I had asked what that meant), touching his nose with his index finger and then touching Dr. M's finger. Some type of neurological assessments, maybe to determine presence of stroke? I am not sure. I should have asked.
Dr. M is a good man. In the past, he has told us he prays for Ed and also his statement. . .' this is a miracle', shows he is a good Christian man. I trust his judgement and treatment decisions. He shook our hands and told Ed to come back in six months. That tickled Ed. So me and the 'Miracle Man' took off...cruising down Hwy 316 towards home, happy once again to have received a 'good report'.
P.S. It is a miracle that Ed's brain tumor has been reduced. We can say it is because of the chemo drugs Avastin and Irinotecan and the care he receives from his doctors, family and friends. I know though, that this miracle is a result of God's grace. He has listened to Ed's prayers and everyone who has prayed for him. God is the only person who can bring about a miracle. All the glory goes to God!
(Picture: What a Glioblastoma Multiforme tumor looks like. Lots of 'branches' come off of the main 'body' of the tumor and grow outwards into surrounding brain tissue. When the tumor is is cut out, the little strand like projections are so small they cannot all be removed. Therefore, a new tumor can start from a tiny strand left behind. The drug Avastin cuts off the blood supply to the tumor (and hopefully the strands) and the drug Irenotrecan stops, or at least inhibits, cell division...preventing cancer from growing at all or not as fast.)
Dr. Mitchell had not seen the results of Ed's last MRI, done August 3rd of this year. I loved the look on his face as he read it. He looked puzzled, then shocked, then just amazed. He read part of it aloud, then starting reading to himself, his mouth moving. He finally looked up and said, this is amazing. I've never seen a GBM patient have a reduction in tumor size before. It is unheard of. I have never seen this happen with a patient.l It is what you would call, a miracle. During our conversation, he said the word 'Miracle' two or three times. Me and Ed were smiling. You rarely get this type of reaction from a doctor.
Next, down to business. I told Dr. M of my concerns that the dosage of Lyrica Ed was taking was making him weaker, more confused, less able to speak. Dr. M reassured me that Ed has not 'topped out' on the dosage tolerable for Lyrica. He said yes, the symptoms do sound like common side effects resulting from taking Lyrica. However, he feels that Ed needs to stay on this drug and on this dosage. He said that with time, the side effects will lessen and the good effects (no pain, no seizures) out weigh the bad effects. He said there are other drugs used to control seizures, but they would have the same side effects as Lyrica. Also, Ed is approved to receive patient assistance with the drug Lyrica. Applying for patient assistance for other drugs could be time consuming and perhaps frustrating. He strongly urged we go with his recommendation to stay with Lyrica and wait for the side effects to lessen and/or subside. We agreed.
Other highlights of the visit; Ed's blood pressure was good, his blood work good, and Dr. M put him through several little 'tests' (raising his arms shoulder level, holding his arms up with his eyes closed, I noticed Ed's right arm would lower while doing this test...wish I had asked what that meant), touching his nose with his index finger and then touching Dr. M's finger. Some type of neurological assessments, maybe to determine presence of stroke? I am not sure. I should have asked.
Dr. M is a good man. In the past, he has told us he prays for Ed and also his statement. . .' this is a miracle', shows he is a good Christian man. I trust his judgement and treatment decisions. He shook our hands and told Ed to come back in six months. That tickled Ed. So me and the 'Miracle Man' took off...cruising down Hwy 316 towards home, happy once again to have received a 'good report'.
P.S. It is a miracle that Ed's brain tumor has been reduced. We can say it is because of the chemo drugs Avastin and Irinotecan and the care he receives from his doctors, family and friends. I know though, that this miracle is a result of God's grace. He has listened to Ed's prayers and everyone who has prayed for him. God is the only person who can bring about a miracle. All the glory goes to God!
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