A Good MRI

Yesterday morning, bright and early, we saw both Drs. S & B, who remarked how well the surgery had gone, and in what good post-op shape he is in. While obviously pleased with the results, Dr. S stopped short of declaring it gross total resection (GTR) until the post-op MRI confirmed. Henry had the MRI about 8:30 AM. We didn't hear anything for quite a while, but the nurse in the ICU figured that the surgeons probably had taken a look at it and suggested that if anything really bad and/or immediate was on the film, that we would know, otherwise we would hear at morning rounds.

Late afternoon we were waiting for a room to be free on the main floor, and as soon as that happened we were released from ICU. Henry is in quite good shape, although quite uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. He has some trouble swallowing, but not as severe as after his second surgery. He is, not surprisingly, quite weak and wobbly on his left side. Also not surprising, he is very cranky.

Thursday morning, both surgeons dropped quickly by separately, and both said that the MRI showed no trace of tumor. While we of course rejoiced at this news, we remained guarded: after all, we had heard this before. We were scheduled to meet with the radiologist at St. Jude at 1PM, so we thought then we would learn about a confirming MRI that would occur after post-op swelling had gone down, and that would certainly precede any radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy is a critical component of the treatment. Even with GTR, it is established fact that cells would be left behind and that, while not technically tumor, could easily grow and reorganize and cause a more malignant recurrence.

We had a long, concise meeting with the radiologist (Dr. M; we feel like second grade and the Alphabet People...), and Lo, and Behold: indeed it has been classified as Gross Total Resection!

[We pause here for the requisite dancing in the street...
OK, we now return you to our regularly scheduled post]

With no further followup MRI, there is no need for delaying the radiation. Since St. Jude has treated more cases of ependymoma than anywhere in the world, we feel it best to continue the treatment here. Mama will shoulder the responsibilities in Memphis, while Dad holds the fort at home and plays tag team as possible.

It will be a logistical nightmare to figure out how to fit this 6-and-a-half week treatment into our lives, but we don't question for a minute the imperative and wisdom of this choice.