News from Hopkins Oncologist, 10/18/2012

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October 18, 2012

Gentlefolk,

We had our first visit with the medical oncologist at Hopkins today as a follow-up to the finding of malignant cells in the tissue that was removed from my brain last month.

We talked about several options, but at this point he didn’t feel that we had enough data to recommend, or start, a treatment program.  His team, including my neurosurgeon, will talk further, and make a recommendation following my next MRI in early November.

Basically, the previous surgery was quite complete, and the amount of cancerous  tissue found was so small, that there is not really a target to aim at, either medically, or with radiation. (or surgically for that  matter).  There could be some medical treatments called for even if the tumor does not reappear, but that will all pend the reading from the next MRI.  At the moment this is considered good news.

We really like Dr. Grossman, not that we didn’t like our previous oncologist, but Dr. G seems to have a good perspective, and we really like his approach (don’t do anything just to do it.  Don’t do anything that removes down the road options unless there is good reason for it to be done).

While we did talk about some experimental treatments that might involve the National Cancer Institute in DC, many of the options could be administered by the medical team in Wilmington.

While it’s a bit disconcerting to have the can opener of Damocles still poised over my head, it is somewhat reassuring also that a sense of urgency seems to be not too high in their minds.

We will continue to look forward to months and years before son of tumor appears, even as we know that at some point it will reappear and more urgent options will be necessary.

In the meantime we are basking in the glow of the recent visit of my Australian cousin Bob and his wife Robyn, looking forward to hausmusik at Casa Zora coming up, and a visit to the Roswell Stevens at Thanksgiving.  Plans are underway for our church choir’s visit to Prague and Salzburg next year and a golfing outing to Oregon in the late winter or early spring as well.  Life will go on.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. It really does  make a difference to know you are in my corner.  I continue to recover from the recent surgery, regaining strength and endurance daily.  Mind you, a glass or two of wine at dinnertime doesn’t hurt either.

All for now.

Blessings to all.

Ross