Henrys Brain. This is going to those few you who have have expressed some concern about my recent brain surgery and who, as far as I can tell, have yet to connect with me on Facebook (although you might have). Those who have contacted me on Facebook will find this post in my timeline. First, off, thanks so much to Larry for keeping everyone up to date on my adventure in his humorous, positive and succinct way. I hear that some readers actually thought that I was writing what you saw over the past three days. Not true. The last you have seen from my keyboard was posted early Tuesday morning in the admissions waiting room of the Methodist Hospital, and these are my firsts words since then. Also, know that nothing I say here is secret or confidential. Spread it around as you think it appropriate. My only hope is that it doesnt wig anyone out. Here is a recap of Chapter 1. On April 1, in conversation with a friend, I found that I had lost all fluency in speech. Not that I didnt know what to say, just that I couldnt say it. That, and other mental problems arose in the following weeks. In checking with my doctors, I found on Thursday that I had a tumor in my brain (right parietal lobe, for you neuroanatomists), and that it had to come out, soon. Here is a recap of Chapter 2, details of which are in Larrys posts over the past three days. I went under the knife on Tuseday morning at Methodist hospital under the competent hands of Dr. Jordon Jude. He removed what he could of the tumor, leaving the rest of my brain intact and some inconsequential injury to my jaw. Since then, my mental problems have largely abated (I think, but what do I know?). Since Im walking, talking, and acting normally, I was sent home, in great relief. Im in little or no pain despite 3 hours on the operating table. The tumor was sent out for analysis at some pathology lab since no one seemed to know what it was made of. Chapter 3. The ever cautious Dr. Jude took an MRI early yesterday morning to check on the results of his surgery. He also sent an oncologist, Murani Beerman, in to see me about the results. Here is what I know. 1. Dr. Jude was successful in removing about 95% of the tumor, which he and Dr. Beerman consider a pretty damn good result. 2. The tumor is isolated in the brain. It didnt come from someplace else. This is very good news since it means that other parts of my body are not afflicted. Of course this depends on how one feels about the other parts of my body. 3. However, it turns out that the 5% of the tumor still in my brain is still important (depending on how important you consider my brain). This tumor is a type called glioblastoma. Glioblastomas have all sorts of stuff in them and they grow like crazy. They are like weeds. (Google them, if you like.) So, if I am to have a brain (and, who knows, maybe I would be better without one), something must be done to eradicate the 5%. 4. The best weedkillers in this case appear to be radiation, maybe chemo, and maybe gene therapy. It could be that one of these will work and the planet will be stuck with my brain for a good long time. It could be that one will work for a bit (say 3–5 years). Or it could be that my brain will, after some time, turn into a biodiversity zone for cancer cells. I return to the doctors in a couple of weeks and start to work on this problem. Ill also seek other opinions. The situation is too uncertain at this point to make any predictions, and philosophizing is surely immature (as it probably always has been). Until, then, please know that I appreciate your love, concern, thoughts, prayers, and whatever of that ilk you choose to offer. I may not answer all your messages or respond to all your Facebook comments, but I love them all, whether or I like them or not. I will keep you up to date as long as my brain is capable thereof, but I may have to turn that chore back over to Larry or someone else. hh
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 00:01:25 +0000
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