update 10/24/09

Sorry for the lack of updates, but we needed to shut off our Internet service for a while, and then things just went to hell...

On Monday of this week, I noticed something was wrong while I was driving to the bank and grocery store. I wasn't sure what it was, just driving was difficult. Started to notice I was dropping things and running into doorways and walls. Walking up or down steps took more concentration than normal. I am due for CT scans Nov 3rd at MDACC, so called my Dr's nurse, to see if he would order a brain CT at the same time 3 days with no response, so I decided it might be a sinus infection with inner ear involvement, so called Kelsey SEYBOLD, AND MADE A WORK IN APPOINTMENT FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS 9:45 AM. daughter and son-in law dropped me off, as they had errands to run. Got there, found out appointment was let go for no-show cause it was for 9:30. Dr said come on anyway(thank-God) She asked what symptoms I was having, did some simple neurological tests, (think sobriety) I failed the walk toe to heel, and a couple of the closed eyes ones, so she orders a stat, in house brain CT scan. The scan showed a golf ball sized tumor in my right pariatal lobe, with milky looking fluid around it. She sent me to MDACC Emergency Center, with written notes on her,and CT findings. Now, she never mentioned the tumor, just fluid/swelling. As I was waiting in the lobby for my ride, I red the reports, so was all by myself when I found out my cancer had spread. I called my husband, who was working in Galveston, and not due home till today, to meet me at MDACC Emergency. Got there about 1:00, Again just dropped off, as they needed to be able to pick-up grandson after school, but husband was in route. Shortest wait ever at this location.After a quick evaluation, They started an IV, and ordered an MRI of my brain, cause, being digital, there is more resolution. I was checked into a treatment room in the emergency center, and calls were sent out to neurology. They started me on IV steroids to reduce the swelling, but because they didn't know what the neurosurgeon would want to do, they wouldn't let me eat. I had breakfast about 8:30 Am, and didn't get a chance to eat again till 10:30 that night. I say a picture of the MRI, and it looks like I have a golf ball embedded in the upper right side of my brain, with about a hand sized milky cloud surrounding it. it is treatable, more so than what is in my lungs. more options. To be continued. off to research the preferred treatment...