Skip to comments.
Thread 3: Prayers Requested for MrConfettiMan and His Family
self
| September 5, 2001
| Joe Vitale (MCM)
Posted on 09/05/2001 1:03:09 PM PDT by MrConfettiMan
Hi, everybody. I went to see my family doctor (who happens to be an oncology expert) this morning to discuss the results of the pathology report on the tumor removed from my brain two weeks ago (see the earlier threads linked below). Unfortunately, he didn't have the final, written pathology report in his hands as it was still being reviewed by a world-class doctor (who looks at brain tumors all day) at Johns Hopkins.
He did tell us what he expected to be in the final report. He said it was likely to be designated as a grade 2 - astrocytoma by the final pathology report. This is considered a low grade, malignant tumor (there are four grades in all...the higher the number...the more malignant). As previously mentioned in an earlier thread, their recommendation would be that I follow-up with radiation therapy.
The doctor said there are 3 items he wants to attend to during the next three weeks. 1) He wants to read the final pathology report. 2) He wants to present my case to the Hopkins Neuro-Oncology Conference for feedback. He teaches at Hopkins and I got the feeling this conference was held on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. 3) He wants me to meet with a radiation therapist in the next week or two. After we get these items out of the way, we're going to get back together and discuss treatment options. He told us there was no danger in waiting a few weeks to make some decisions as the tumor was very slow growing.
My friends, while this is certainly not the greatest news possible, I truly felt relief after leaving the doctor's office. The report could've been much, much worse. The results of the full-body (chest, abdomen, pelvis) CT scan showed no cancer anywhere else in my body. I'm going back to work on Monday (three weeks after having the first symptoms show up and two and a half weeks after brain surgery!) and will be taking it one day at a time. I remain extremely positive and upbeat. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. With hope, I can begin to put all this behind me (well, as "behind me" as one can) by Thanksgiving.
Answers to some questions we asked the doctor:
What does the full-body CT scan miss?
Little to nothing.
What are the chances of this tumor coming back?
50/50 (I wasn't too happy about this answer. :)
How often will I need to be rechecked?
CT or MRI scan - at least once a year. Office visits for blood work - 3 to 4 times a year.
Will the radiation therapy cause other types of cancer?
No.
Will the radiation therapy make me sterile?
No. (Hey, we don't have any kids yet!)
How likely is the tumor to come back at a higher grade of malignancy?
Very unlikely.
What are some of the side effects of radiation therapy?
Hair loss, reduced energy levels, nausea
What are the chances of this spreading to other areas of the body?
Very unlikely.
TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151 next last
To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten,A Navy Vet,A+Bert,Abundy,afraidfortherepublic,AGreatPer
.
To: AKA Elena,Alamo-Girl,an amused spectator,Angelwood,AnnaZ,Anthem,AppyPappy
.
To: Atticus,Attillathehon,basil,Betteboop,betty boop,Bigg Red,billbears,Billie
.
To: Billthedrill,BlessedBeGod,bmwcyle,Bob J,BornOnTheFourth,BufordP,bvw,Campy
.
To: Carolinamom,cav68,CFW,Chaos,CharlotteVRWC,ChaseR,chs68,Clinton's a liar
.
To: CommiesOut,conservaDave,Coop,coteblanche,dalebert,DB,deadhead,DeSoto,dittomom
.
To: Diver Dave,DooDahhhh,Dubya,duckbutt,Dukie,Ed Condon,Ed_in_NJ,eddie willers
.
To: eloy,ELS,eureka!,Exit148,exit82,Explorer89,flaglady47,flanew,FR_addict
.
To: Fred Mertz,Freedom'sWorthIt,FreedomWarrior,freefly,Frohickey,Fu-fu2,GEC
.
To: Geezerette,gieriscm,gonzo,Gracey,Great Dane,Gritty,Guenevere,henbane,holden
.
To: Howlin,Interesting Times,Irma,ironman,Jeff Head,Jefferson Adams,Clarity
.
To: Jimmy Valentine's brother,Joe Driscoll,JohnHuang2,JudyB1938,Justa,JustAmy
.
To: MrConfettiMan
"I remain extremely positive and upbeat. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers." You are in my thoughts and I hope and Pray everything will turn out for the best. BTTT!
14
posted on
09/05/2001 1:08:22 PM PDT
by
ChaseR
To: jwalsh07,kayak,KC Burke,kcvl,Keyes For President,kristinn,lepton,Libloather
.
To: little-e,Lizzy W,LoveMyRC,LurkerNoMore!,M Kehoe,maestro,Mama_Bear,maranatha
.
To: Marie Antoinette,Marylander,MasonGal,Matchett-PI,mewzilla,Mikerow,Militiaman7
.
To: MrConfettiMan
Hang in there, and prayers on the way.
18
posted on
09/05/2001 1:09:26 PM PDT
by
Chaos
To: MinuteGal,Miss Marple,MissAmericanPie,Molly Pitcher,mombonn,mountaineer,muggs
.
To: murdoog,Mustang,ncpastor,Nick Danger,NMC EXP,nutmeg,OldFriend,Osinski,OWK
.
To: MrConfettiMan - GET WELL SOON MR CONFETTIMAN - WE ARE THINKING OF YOU!
BTTT for our Dear Friend MrConfettiMan!! BTTT!
21
posted on
09/05/2001 1:10:29 PM PDT
by
ChaseR
To: Paradox,Patriot,Patriot1,Physicist,PoisedWoman,ProudGOP,pubmom,PunxforChrist
.
To: r9etb,Registered,RevNan,RJL,Rowdee,Salvation,Saundra Duffy,Seeking the truth
.
To: silverwoman,Snow Bunny,Southflanknorthpawsis,spectre,ST.LOUIE1,Chick-with-a-brain
.
To: MrConfettiMan
I said a prayer.
25
posted on
09/05/2001 1:11:23 PM PDT
by
t-shirt
To: StarFan,STD,StormEye,SunnyUsa,SUSSA,SuzanneC,SW6906,Swede Girl,Syncro
.
To: TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!,Taxman,Teacup,tet68,Texas Mom,tgslTakoma
.
To: The Thin Man,ThreeOfSeven,tinlady,Tinman,TroutStalker,truthkeeper
.
To: Two Thirds Vote Aye,Uncle Sham,usconservative,Vets_Husband_&_Wife,wattsmag2
.
To: MrConfettiMan
Thank you so much for the update! I am lifting you up in prayer to God on a regular basis now. I shall continue to trust God and Praise Him!!! for your healing.
To: MrConfettiMan
I pray you start getting better, and that you and your family find strength and courage ...It sounds very hopeful to me.
Ashland, Missouri
31
posted on
09/05/2001 1:12:57 PM PDT
by
rface
To: WillaJohns,Wilum,WolfsView,YaYa123,The Media never lie,bea,fleebag
.
To: Vermonter,c. l. coffman,Thinkin' Gal,Donna Lee Nardo,Congressman Billybob
.
To: MrConfettiMan
Thank you for the update and for remaining upbeat. I will continue to remember you and your family in my prayers.
34
posted on
09/05/2001 1:13:24 PM PDT
by
Atticus
To: monkey,blackbart1,ClancyJ,rface,SuperLuminal,anymouse,Chong,Ff--150
.
To: MrConfettiMan
The results of the full-body (chest, abdomen, pelvis) CT scan showed no cancer anywhere else in my body.Extremely good news. My dad died of a brain tumor and the doctor believed it started elsewhere. That seems to be common. They didn't look because there was no point. He had the fast-growing, inoperable type. After the radiation treatments, my father improved somewhat so it must have a pretty good impact on that area.
You don't have kids yet? You ain't no Italian.
To: amom,HiTech RedNeck,HateBill,The Shrew,Mark,Amelia,GregB,ladyinred,xJones
.
To: MrConfettiMan
I appreciate the update....
Bless your heart, you are amazing!!
And an inspiration to many!!
Prayers continue Joe.
Comment #39 Removed by Moderator
To: LoneGOPinCT,cyn,ethical,Ms. AntiFeminazi,Jim Robinson,justshutupandtakeit
.
To: MrConfettiMan
May the Lord's healing touch be upon you, MrConfettiMan ...
41
posted on
09/05/2001 1:14:57 PM PDT
by
Pegita
To: MrConfettiMan
Sorry to hear about your ailment. Glad to hear it's not as bad as it could have been. I'll be rooting for you out here in Glendale. Take care.
To: MrConfettiMan
So sorry that the doctor made a guess about the 'final' report. Prayers to you and your family. Think Lance Armstrong........he has two babies since his cancer treatment. Your Freeper family will keep you in their prayers....
To: MrConfettiMan
Thank you so much for letting us know what is happening. I'll keep praying for a good report and your strength and spirit to be sustained, God bless you.
44
posted on
09/05/2001 1:16:41 PM PDT
by
pubmom
To: MrConfettiMan
With your positive attitude and continued prayers I'm sure you'll beat this.
To: MrConfettiMan
Prayers on the way again. You WILL beat this!
46
posted on
09/05/2001 1:17:39 PM PDT
by
ironman
To: MrConfettiMan
I will continue to pray for complete eradication of any malignancy.
To: MrConfettiMan
Hope things go well with treatment. Praying for you. God bless.
To: MrConfettiMan
Strength
49
posted on
09/05/2001 1:20:16 PM PDT
by
OWK
To: MrConfettiMan
...Johns Hopkins.Best wishes, friend. I hope you have better luck with the "experts" at Johns Hopkins than my dad did. They botched the followup process after his prostate removal ... and he's now fighting for his life.
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson