Happy Holidays

• Tuesday, December 23, 2008 9:27 AM, CST
Happy Holidays to all of you. I originally planned to send out the link for this web page last month, but Michael and I chose to wait until we had more information from his doctor.
Yesterday Michael had a new MRI scan. Unfortunately the news was not what we wanted to hear. In spite of the ongoing treatment, the cancer has spread. For those who don't know about this type of tumor, Glioblastoma, you can remove a significant part of the tumor during the first surgery, but the tumor does have tentacles that are not always detectable. Eventually those do begin growing, which causes there to be other growths in various parts of the brain. This recent scan confirmed that this has occurred. The main symptom that has been evident for Michael has been an increase in small seizures. His doctor has added a secondary medication to help manage this symptom.
Given this recurrence, the next question is where do we go from here. The doctor would like to find a new clinical trial that Michael can consider, yet there are no appropriate trial openings at this time. His doctor feels that while the Avastin has not kept the tumor from growing, it has most likely slowed it down. For this reason, although Michael will no longer participate in the clinical trial, he will remain on the Avastin. Michael will also be given a change of chemotherapy. He will now begin taking Lomustine, known as CCNU. This is still a pill form of chemo, which we hope will also help stabilize the tumor.
Needless to say we have felt the emotional blow of this bad news. We feel wounded, but will persist in fighting this cancer. Please keep Michael in you thoughts and prayers. Please send him your supportive messages through this web page, and remember that we cherish all of you.
Love. Dan

Happy Thanksgiving

• Tuesday, December 2, 2008 10:22 PM, CST
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. As with last year, we are continually challenged, but also quite blessed. In October we celebrated two very special occasions, Mike's 1 year anniversary of being a survivor of this cancer, and our exchanging of vows. A year ago we were blind-sighted by this diagnosis, and didn't quite know what was ahead for Mike. Our hopes were high, but the prognosis was low. What a unexpected joy to be standing on top of a beautiful hill, one year later, professing our love and commitment to each other through our wedding vows. Truly we are blessed.
It is also with a tone of concern, that we provide all of you with an update of Mike's condition. His most recent MRI was on 11/26/08. At that time Mike's doctor shared with us that there may be a new tumor growing in his right temporal lobe, just below his initial tumor. Without getting into too much detail, and medical jargon, his scan showed evidence of some pressure or swelling in that area of the brain. Mike will continue to receive his bi-weekly treatments of Avastin, and return in one month for another MRI. The doctor hopes that with another month of treatment he will be better able to guide us in what direction to take Mike's treatment. If it is decided that this current medication regimen has run it's course, there are a number of other medical trials that Mike can benefit from.
Of course we are approaching this period with concern, but also with a great amount of optimism. If the cancer wants a fight, let it be warned, we are warriors.

Michael's Story

Michael's Story

As you all know, Mike was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme stage 4, brain tumor, in October 2007. Although he has had a great year since his initial surgery, Mike's journey continues. We will use this site to keep all of you up to date on his condition.
You may also leave messages for us. We would love to hear from you.