Lamar Blinked

Last night Henry stopped eating after 7pm, anticipating the anesthetic required to endure a three-hour full spinal MRI. Following our blood test at the clinic, we arrived for the MRI to discover that the order was only for a cranial scan and that no anesthesiologist was scheduled. By the time one could arrive it would be too late for a meeting with the surgeon. We proceeded with the shorter cranial scan that did not require sedation (and was all we really needed anyway). Once again, however, Henry was denied food and had to endure a procedure (access to his porta-cath) for no reason. Henry did great with the thirty-minute MRI and we then went to the neurological center to meet the surgeon, who gave us a quick assessment after a brief view of the MRI results. More information will come following a complete analysis.

In a nutshell: the tumor has shrunk about 30%. This falls right where we had been led to expect/hope for; no one believed in a chemo miracle that would shrivel the ependymoma to nothingness. The goal was to shrink the tumor for easier surgical removal, and that was achieved. Perhaps more important, the scan suggests the possibility of some consolidation of the tumor. That would mean the tumor is pulling itself together in places and, perhaps, pulling away from some brain tissue. That would be an enormous benefit to the surgery, and increase the chances for removing the tumor without damaging parts of the brain. This effect, however, will only be confirmed during the actual surgery.

The remaining tumor consists of two parts connected through a small chamber. The first should be easier to access and easier to remove. The second is in a more precarious place, and positioned next to the brain stem. The small connection through the chamber may exist in a "blind spot," that may not be visible during the surgery, and removal in that area only confirmed by a post-surgery MRI.

Follow-up therapy still plans to include standard radiation for several weeks. Another possible follow-up therapy is the "Gamma Knife," which sends multiple, simultaneous low doses of radiation carefully pinpointed. Where these low doses converge a larger dose is created, causing a high application of radiation at the target with minimal effect on the surrounding areas. This technique is best for recurrence and tumors smaller than one centimeter.

For now, we still await the scheduling of the next surgery. Our surgeon wants to make sure that Henry is fully recovered from the chemo and is considering around November 1 (subject to discussion with the oncologists, radiologists, his own surgical schedule, etc.).

The absence of an earth-shattering miracle has left us somewhat less than elated. However, we received no bad news, just the sober reminder of the reality we face. And the good news, that the treatment plan is working, is very good news indeed.

We had a lot of prayers, positive vibes, and wonderful thoughts coming to us all day today from family, friends and individuals who have been so concerned and dedicated to supporting Henry's progress.

We really could not do it without you.