Tuesday, October 25, 2011

(posted by Greg)

Monica, Marley, Jesse and I met with the oncologist today to review the results of yesterday's MRI.The term the Dr. used was "mixed bag". Apparently, the area where the tumour had been removed looked good. However, he noticed something which could be a tumour in an area deeper in her brain which had been noticed before the radiation and which was the object of some of the radiation treatments. He wants Monica to come back in 8 weeks (this will be a Merry Xmas!) and to have another MRI at that time to see if it is growing (and how fast). Apparently, there is another drug which they might prescribe if it is a tumour. However, they will not use this drug until they know for sure what they are looking at (there is at least some chance that it could be scarring/swelling from the radiation.) because this particular drug can have serious side effects.We are supposed to monitor Monica and let him know if, in the interim, she develops any symptoms.

The Dr. examined Monica neurologically and, all in all, she seemed to do ok.

Monica took all this quite well. However, in the last few days she has had some limited re-occurrence with "catching" her right foot occasionally when she is walking. So, I think, despite her outward reaction, she is worried. (She mentioned that she thought she could notice some right side weakness when the Dr. was testing her).  Later in the afternoon Monica skyped Daniel and was telling him about the visit to the the Doctor. Daniel's reaction to her explanation triggered an emotional reaction in Monica and she started to cry (something which she has not done a lot of so far). It is hard to see her cry-difficult to find the right words (or any words for that matter) or actions to console her.

As I have said before, our daily routine and Monica's present state of health "lulls" us into forgetting the nature of the struggle she is engaged in. A visit like today's is a kind of sobering reminder of that situation and the need to make sure that every day we have our priorities set correctly.