Neuro Surgeon visit #1

Alisa and I visited with Dr. Nathan today for about 40 minutes. He was very informative and was able to answer a lot of questions for us. The big news of the appointment was not great. The assumed glioma is definitely in my motor cortex. He indicated that he would not recommend at this time a resection (removal) of the tumor, because it would very likely affect my motor function on the left side of my body. For now his advice is to do a biopsy of the tumor and have a pathologist determine the exact nature of the tumor. Then, conversations with the neuro-surgeons and neuro-oncologists will determine what we do next. Dr. Nathan indicated that they will likely do some form of radiation treatment.

We also discussed some of the more cutting edge medical treatments and were excited to find out that there is a Gamma Knife in Utah. This is a precise piece of equipment that can destroy cancer cells with radiation, but with limited effects to the surrounding healthy tissue. Other options include interactive brain mapping that involves awake open brain surgery where they remove tissues little by little and actively test the patients motor function. As long as they give me a valium or two I could probably enjoy this. Makes me wonder if brains stink? This procedure is only done at the University of Utah from what I gathered. The name Dr. Schmidt came up as a specialist.

So with another appointment on Thursday, we will wait and see what Dr. McDonald has to say. Dr. Nathan indicated that he has great respect for him and that he expects his diagnosis to be similar.

So this is kind of a bummer. We were kind of getting our hopes up that they would do the biopsy and get a pathologist on standby to confirm and then the surgeon would resect the tumor. This is pretty much a no go now, as he indicated that even a partial removal may affect motor function.

I am working on positivity right now. I have had cold symptoms for about 9 days now, and it is really a drain on my state of mind. I need to get active, but it is hard when your head feels like it weighs 50 pounds. I have really cleaned up my diet and my body may be registering a state of detox and that could be causing the cold symptoms. No chew, no soda, no sugar, nothing artificial, lots of fresh veggies, vitamins, tons of water and green tea. Cocoa, acai, blueberries, mortmorency cherries, flax seed and fax oil, wild caught salmon.

I need to get some confirmation of when I can drive too. If I am on Dilantin, I should be safe from seizures. Having to be chauffeured is really lame. So I will get this all figured out soon. I am nervous, but being really aggressive about fighting this. I really appreciate everyone's prayers, support, love and friendship. I promise my next post will be either better news or the usual happy go lucky Snowman. Just a little frustrated right now.

I have an appointment with Dr. Nathan on 2/10 and with Dr. MacDonald on 2/12. Hopefully they agree on a course of action and I will go with the one that feels best. For now I am researching ways that I can create an environment that is resistant to carcinogens and gives me the best chance to avoid future complications. IE a strong immune system.

You guys are awesome. I hope that I remember to pray for myself as much as you are praying for me. Please keep my wife in your prayers. She is a great woman, and has been through enough without me complicating things.

Be prepared for a weirder version of me, as I will be making a lot of changes (some of which will make a difference, some of which will not) in order to ensure that I stay here.

By the way, if this sounds a little goofy... I am on Dilantin, which in 4 days of use, I am convinced is the worst drug ever. Groogy and dizzy without the euphoric effects of alcohol.

Skizing

OK- that was kind of creepy. I decided to start a blog to help keep people informed of what is going on and, when I entered my email address, it said I already had a blog and took me here. I remember being desperate for a title and naming it "Snowmen Have Brains." This must have been during the summer, as that was the only time in my life where work was so slow that I would actually spend time blogging. I never did anything with if, but here is a good opportunity.

I am the Snowman, so named by my friend The Beezer. I also respond to the following nicknames: The Snowish One, Broseph, Ry Guy, Frosty, Daddy-O. The association of the brains is a serious coincidence. As you probably know, I found out that I have what is probably a brain tumor on the right side of my head above my ear. So while Snowmen have brains, this Snowman has a brain tumor.

Based upon my research and what I have been told by neurologists and radiologists, the most likely diagnosis is that I have a Low Grade Diffuse Glioma. As I have researched this further, for my demographics, symptoms, and the MRI reading, it is likely a low grade diffuse astrocytoma (seems to be a subcategory of Glioma). The good news is that it is in an area that is near the surface, and while all brain matter is important, this is not directly affecting critical brain function. It is close to my motor cortex for the left side of my body, but does not appear to be affecting that area of brain as I have complete control of my faculties.

I have an appointment with a Neurosurgeon on 2/12 and will know more later. The anticipated prognosis is that a biopsy will be ordered, and pathologists will confirm what specifically I have. From there, the docs will make suggestions ranging from tumor extraction, to chemo, to radiation therapy or a combination of these treatments. Glioma's are normally difficult to remove completely and will likely be something I will have to follow up on and/or combat in the future. There is a small chance that this could be plaque related to early stage multiple sclerosis, however it does seem to be a small chance.

Due to the seizures I can't drive for the time being, and the anti-seizure medicine Dilantin makes me a little dizzy. As my Grandma Zelph used to say, "Godfrey, I'm havin a dizzy spell!"

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I am going to make it through this and we will have a huge party when I am on the mend. I love you all very much and I look forward to seeing you soon.

I want to thank my friends Dan Richardson and Tony Passey who were with me when I had my seizure and helped me get medical attention. I gave them quite a scare.

Also, my wife Alisa is a rock star. I am trying not to stress her out, as she has enough on her mind and in her belly. I will post more later.