Things I Miss…(+ health update)

Health Update: (I hope to not have to do too many of these anymore) As I posted earlier, I’m back at home and resting comfortably following my latest surgical adventure.  The surgery appears to have been a success, with no recurrence of the infection that got me here (nor the tumor that started the whole thing). 

Of course, recovery from brain surgery (albeit, a minor form of it) never comes without it’s kinks: I ended up fighting off a bout of walking pneumonia last week, and have had the usual issues with a rapid change in medication.  Thankfully, there are still a few weeks of summer vacation left before I have any real responsibilities to carry out.

 Now, as I figure out what my body’s capable of after a year of 3 major surgeries, radiation, chemo, and a lot of pills, I hope to be able to transition away from an existance centered around doctor visits and health updates, and towards other adventures (like working in a middle school while taking Graduate level classes online.  Hmm.  Chemo doesn’t sound so bad anymore…).  Your notes, encouragements, prayers, & support have all been appreciated of late and always.

OK, on to other less-important pursuits…

 

“…You have a brain tumor.”

…and so ended that version of Phil Davies.

Exactly one year ago today, Saturday, I had that MRI scan, that answered a lot of questions, but stirred up many, many more:

Phil's brain, top view, reversed (MRI image)

Here’s the long version of the story, if you’ve got nothing better to do on a beautiful July weekend: http://felipebeach.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/an-ordeal-to-remember-in-review/

I’m not going to pretend to be particularly poignant or eloquent as I write this way past when I was hoping to be in bed.  However, this dubious milestone just occurred to me the other day, leading me to some thinking…

 

Blatent Shamelessness, Vol. I

Thursday’s Health Update – thanks so much for all the prayers & encouragements!  I’m happy to report that my healing process is very encouraging; the past 3-4 days have found me feeling leaps-and-bounds better than the previous 3-4 days.  Currently, I’m back at my own place, and feeling a bit stronger every day. 

******

 

Phil Update (Easter Edition)

But, first, many thanks to my roommate, Greg, for his updating my webpage during my hospitalization (plus his general assistance and good-guy-ness all around). 

Alright, so where’d I last leave you?  Oh, yeah, last Monday AM (4/6), awaiting a pathetically-delayed phone call from UWMC which would schedule a consult with my neurosurgeon.  Long story slightly shorter, I eventually got my Oncology Nurse good & mad about things (you do NOT want an experienced, savvy nurse mad at you), and I had an appt. for Wed. by that afternoon.

Given the overall casualness of all concerned up to this point, my vision was that I’d have the doctors poke at my head, say “We can take care of this right here,” then they’d drain some swelling, and send me on my way with a Band-Aid.  In actuality, within minutes of peeking at the weird swelling on my head, both my neurosurgeon & his associate said, “That’s infected.  We’ll need to admit you.  Now.” 

Very odd, wandering out to the waiting room to tell your ride, “Umm, go ahead and take off.  I’ll just stick around here for a few days or so…”. 

 

Let’s Play, “How Many Doctors?”!

OK, I’ll start!

The week before last, I finished off a round of chemo (#4 out of 6 monthly cycles), and began having some complications shortly thereafter.  Specifically, I was driving to work one day, and begun having petite mal seizure – feelings, which hasn’t happened since my surgery last August.  Five minutes at work only made things worse and, by the time I was able to get into the doctor later that morning, I was having full-on petite-mal seizures and kinda freaking out in general.  Wednesday, 3:00 pm.

 

The Latest…

Well, that’s what I’d like to know, too!  I’m awaiting the results of my latest brain MRI, checking to see if the infamous brain tumor has reared its ugly head again.  I was all set to get the results yesterday; however, I was given the wrong appointment day, so now we wait until Monday.  That’s OK; more time to prepare for the worst, and hope/pray for the best…

Speaking of preparing, people ask me what I’m doing with this constant knowledge that these tumors generally try to reoccur, and do so with a vengeance.  I tell them the following:

 

Brief Update – 12/11

Alright, cancer treatment fans, here’s the latest on my brain tumor treatment.  This past Tuesday, I had my first of many MRI’s (to be repeated every 6 to 12 mos.  for the next 5 years or so), which yielded no new tumor growth.  What they did find is what my oncologist called “enhanced activity,” or signs of increased bloodflow around the scar tissue area, which is pretty normal, but still something to keep an eye on. 

Next up:  I now begin my follow-up chemo, which will consist of a monthly five-day stretch, taking double my previous dose of pills, over the next 6 mos.  I have absolutely no idea how my system will react to this dosage: I might be just fine, I might be a shaking, puking mess.  We’re just gonna tackle one little issue at a time, ask the people around me for grace and flexibility, and remember how amazing God’s been to me in 2008.

 

Calling For a Proper Sendoff

             

Pictured is my mask from radiation therapy, one of many colorful souvenirs I got from the past 4 mos., along with a huge stack of paperwork and a pretty gnarly scar.  Now, here at the end of all things radiation-related, I need to find something really cool to do with this particular item.  It’s a mesh plastic, somewhat pliable, and very lightweight.  

So, let’s have it: what are your best ideas for what to do with my radiation mask?  Please leave your comments below (or contact me directly, if you’re too shy).  Thanks for your creativity!

 

An Ordeal to Remember, In Review…

This is the Cascade Brain & Spine Center (Bellingham, WA)…an ominously-named medical facility.  I used to drive by this place and think to myself, “Wow,  I hope I never have to make use of their facilities.”  Hmm…

 

Update – 10/24

Here’s a few pics of what my daily radiation treatments look like (thanks, Justin, for the pics — click on pictures for larger images). 

(Driving chart is below, though I don’t need anyone else to sign up for any days.  Thanks everyone!)  A few side effects are starting to kick in this week, as I’m sleeping a bit more, and have finally given up on my hair (which was starting to get pretty patchy around the area of treatment).  All in all, I’m doing great, and just grateful for each of you, and for how good God’s been through this whole process.  Have a great weekend!