We are Home

OK.  Blogger stopped working on my iPad, so I haven't been able to update in the last few days.  Here's the highlights in reverse order.

We are home!! We were released Thursday night.  He will be using a walker till he his no longer dizzy.  He is on steroids, seizure medicine, and pepsid to keep both the others from upsetting his stomach.  We are sleeping in our own bed, and Molly and Lily are no longer lonely.

Thursday before we left, we spoke again to the neurosurgeon, Dr. Felton.  He let us know that the "after" MRI showed that he removed about half of the tumor during the biopsy.  He says the loss of peripheral vision in his left eye might get better as the swelling goes down. Again, removing the tumor surgically is impossible.  He described it as being like "sweeping up sand" - you can never get every last grain.  And any grains that remain grow into tumors again.  But the tumor can be poisoned!.

Which brings us to Wednesday night and our first meeting with our medical oncologist, Dr. Paul Anderson.  He was wonderful - nice, funny, and very upbeat.  He and Chip got along very well.  He said he would be giving him a treatment that is 2-3 years old, the drug trials were held here in Lubbock, and it had a very good "cure rate." (WOW - that makes us hopeful!) It is in pill form, and has very few of the side effects associated with chemotherapy.  We cannot begin any chemo treatments for 2-3 weeks, until his brain heals from the biopsy surgery.  We will eventually hear from Dr. Shalaby, who is the radio-oncologist, to discuss radiation therapy.

Again we are very grateful for the outpouring of love and support.  It has been amazing to me to see everyone from SPS come and visit Chip.  What a wonderful work family!  He was exceptionally excited and happy to see everyone.  Please continue to call and visit.  It's really good for him.

One last note.  The tumor and surgery is affecting Chip is some very interesting ways.  He is much more emotional - prone to tears and eager to tell everyone of his love for them.  He is also very VERY talkative.  He has not watched a second of TV - he moves from me to Mom to Dad, talking and telling stories.  And of course, his thoughts are turned to God.  He is grateful for everyday with his family.

Waiting on Doctors

We are still in SICU and Howard (henceforth known as Chip) is finally resting. His head still hurts a lot. We are waiting on his neurosurgeon to release him into a regular room. We are waiting for an oncologist to introduce himself even. We know nothing new.

After the Biopsy

I am posting on this blog to update everyone on Howard's status. It is really a busy time. This is the fastest way to communicate. I hope you all understand. Please comment below.

Howard had a biopsy on the tumor in his right frontal lobe. Dr. Felton opened his skull and (in Howard's own words) "proved there was a brain there after all." It is cancerous. They took out a big piece, but due to its size, type, and location, it will not be able to be removed totally.

We are in SICU tonight. He has a bad headache - they broke his skull and all - but he is receiving good drugs and is feeling better by the hour. Hopefully we will be in a regular room tomorrow. Hopefully we will see an oncologist tomorrow. We're ready to hear the next step.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Please share this blog with others as appropriate.

Love, Howard and Vicki