02/26/10 2:30 p.m. AZ time
Bri just called to let us know the treatment plan coming out of her consultation with the chemotherapy dr.
· Continue with the pinpoint radiation . . . 2 or possibly 3 more sessions.
· A couple of weeks after the final pinpoint treatment, tests will be run to determine if there’s any cancer growing anywhere in her body, including the head.
· If cancer is detected, chemotherapy will resume, similar to last year’s protocol. The chemo dr. said any cancer in the brain will require a modification to the mixture of drugs (cocktail) that would be administered. Treatment of cancer in the brain is more trial and error than cancers elsewhere in the body.
· Lots of monitoring and testing are anticipated over the next couple of years.
The chemo dr. told Bri that resumption of chemo treatments would result in side-effects similar to those she experienced last year – nausea, chills, neuropathy, fatigue. Not the most exciting outlook, but Bri and the dr. prefer the side-effects of chemotherapy over those of full radiation of the brain. Full radiation would cause hair loss and possible cognitive impairment within 1 yr. It’s unknown whether such impairment would be temporary or permanent. No one wants to gamble with brain cells.
Bri will return to the radiologist next Thurs., Mar. 4, for an evaluation. She might have her next pinpoint radiation treatment on the 4th or it might be scheduled for the next week.
This morning Bri felt great. Her head was a little tender . . . understandably so, but overall she felt wonderful. She was feeling no detectable side-effects from yesterday’s pinpoint radiation treatment.
She’s on steroids to control swelling of the brain. The steroids hype her up and make it nearly impossible for her to sleep, but she tries to cope as best she can, sleeping when her body will allow. We don’t know how long she’ll be required to continue taking steroids.
Teri is available to travel and stay with Bri and the family for any period of time, at any time.
Eric’s parents, Larry & Joan Stephen, are with the children. They encouraged Bri & Eric to get away for the weekend. Bri & Eric are currently traveling north to Merced, CA to visit with some dear friends.
Please keep Eric in mind as you remember Bri. His employment is stable at this time, but we know he’s concerned about any potential loss of employment and loss of health insurance. His employer and the employer’s health insurance carrier have been wonderful. Loss of good health insurance would be catastrophic.
We have absolute faith and confidence in the Lord and the blessings that have been pronounced for her complete recovery, nevertheless, your ongoing faith, prayers, fasting (when you can) and temple worship with her in mind are needed and deeply appreciated. Since radiation and chemotherapy are both traumatic and destructive to the body, we pray and expect that any such treatments will be short-lived, that her health will be fully restored in the very near future.
Rick
Today's test is tomorrow's testimony.
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