Saw the Dr. yesterday ...

[msuscottie]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your messages asking about my appointment yesterday. It was actually my follow-up appointment to my 6-month MRI after my second surgery. I still have a "small but substantial" piece of tumor in there, but it has not grown since my last MRI which was the good news. The not-so-good news was that my Dr. is 99% sure that it will grow again in my lifetime and suggest that I have Gamma within the next 6-months to halt any potential growth. I asked if it hurt anything by waiting to see if it does in fact grow and he said "potentially, because it will be bigger if it's growing which would require a higher dose of radiation."I'm not really sure what to do. If I can avoid any further treatment, I want to, but I also don't want this getting to a dangerous size again. I see my other Dr. on 12/1 and am going to wait to see what he says. If he says the same thing then I might have to do it. Ho-hum .... 2 brain surgeries and I'm still not done. Getting frustrated.

On a brighter note, I was in the newspaper today. Check it out!

http://www.journalgroup.com/index.php?id=1940

[tatianne]

glad to hear that the little bugger didnt get any bigger...in my opinion you got some good news.
Weigh your options, its your body and you need to do what you think is best for you.
Wonderful article by the way, a lot of individuals are going to become aware because of it.
Good to here your doing well, and that baby of yours seems to be getting cuter and cuter.
All the best
T

[Kilroy1976]

You've already had two surgeries, so why not just take the radiation hit now and be done with it? The surgeries have probably already created any treatment-related problems (tinnitus, etc.) that the GK would...

[Crazycat]

Hey Scott,

  Didn't see this until now. In the photo you look perfectly healthy! I'd never know that you'd been through the AN dilemma!

Paul

[Patti UT]

Ya Paul,
 that's the problem, we all look so normal on the outside. little do "they" know the nightmare going on insdie. 

Scott, wht a handsome dude you are.  I am so sorry about your delima. it just isn't fair having to face yeat a third treatment. My heart goes out to you and your family. What an ordeal. YOU and the others as always are in my daily prayers.

Patti UT

[Denise]

Sorry, Patti, bu "we" don't all look normal.  My facial paralysis is extremely obvious especially when I talk.  Sorry to be a downer, guess I am having a bad day!
Denise

[Palace]

Hi


Would Cyberknife be better for you than the Gammaknife, next time? 



Palace

[msuscottie]

Thank you for the nice comments, but if you notice in the picture, I've mastered the "no-smile, smile." If I smile for real my face looks all out of sorts, so I just sort of squint my eyes and it looks close to a little smile. That's about th only photo of me taken in the last year that I'd even allow to be used in the paper. It's not all roses, so don't think I got off the hook or anything. 

[stein78]

I say get it done and over with!  But I understand why you would be hesistant, nothing about any of this is fun.  Congrats on the news article, it's a great thing that you are doing.

[Patti UT]

Sorry All,
  Didn't mean to offend anyone. I do realize some of us  with the facial paralysis don't "look" totally OK. I was VERY fortunate and I think many of us "look" OK, so people think we are OK.

Patti UT

Thinking of ya Scott

[ppearl214]

Hi


Would Cyberknife be better for you than the Gammaknife, next time? 



Palace

was thinking the same thing Palace as fractionating the radio-treatment, since Scottie has been through SO much, would be easier on the surrounding healthy tissue for post radio "recuperation" of any possible hits...

Scottie, GREAT pic and article on you!  Let me just say this.... not only am I SO proud of you... but you have (like so many here) demonstrated such resolve and strength and courage.  I am so thrilled to know the Scott... and send huggles for wellness. I so want you (and everyone here) well.

Hang in there...
Phyl

[msuscottie]

I feel so loved   

[Obita]

Hi Scottie:

I am so sorry you need to make another decision but.....why not get it done and over with?  Then, you can get on with your life.  Are there any residual tumors that do not grow?  Is it realistic thinking it might not?  I have never done research on this so I do not know the answer.

Congrats on the no-growth news.......at least you have time to decide.

Yes, you are loved and a very handsome man.   

Kathy