Today we finished moving Mike's stuff out of his Oak Park Apartment. It was difficult, such finality to it. Nicole and her parents helped us, as did Justin, and we appreciate their help greatly.
This evening, at 6 pm, the The medical school is having a memorial service for Michael at the hospital chapel, which I believe is in the basement of the hospital. We are taking some pictures from the funeral service in WV, and a few more. Hopefully, Michael's doctors will be there so we can thank them for their incredible care of Michael.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Day
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends!
Here's a bit a Michael trivia that you probably didn't know:
Michael Brewster Davis is 14th generation from Elder William Brewster, who said the first Thanksgiving prayer in Plymouth after sailing over on the Mayflower.
Bruce
Here's a bit a Michael trivia that you probably didn't know:
Michael Brewster Davis is 14th generation from Elder William Brewster, who said the first Thanksgiving prayer in Plymouth after sailing over on the Mayflower.
Bruce
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Loyola Service
The Loyola Stritch School of Medicine will be holding a memorial service for Michael at Loyola's chapel at the school.
The date is Monday, November 30th, at 6:00 pm.
Bruce
The date is Monday, November 30th, at 6:00 pm.
Bruce
The Rainbow
The rainbow which appeared when Michael left us begs to be retold. So here it is.
When Mike passed away, Barb wanted a prayer said. The regular ministers were not at hospice, so two african-american nurses came in to pray with us. One of them read from the King James bible, which happens to be our favorite. She read the 23rd Psalm, which is also one of our favorites.
Then, as we held hands, including Michael's, she started to pray. As she prayed, her momentum built, and the more enthusiastic she became. Now, we Presbyterians rarely get excited about much, except eating, so as the second nurse sprinkled in Amens and Hallelujahs, that wonderful nurse sent Michael to heaven in grand style. It was just what we needed.
Than, as Jon looked out the window in wonder at the beautiful, full rainbow, she shouted, "Oh, Lord, Jesus is taking Michael to Heaven!" She ran from the room and made all the staff go outside and look.
Jon and I went outside to see the rainbow in all it's glory, and as it started to dissipate, I saw a flock of birds fly right through the center off into the distance. Michael never did anything half way. He let us know not only where his spirit was going, but that there was going to be a lot of fun and happiness there. Amen
Bruce
When Mike passed away, Barb wanted a prayer said. The regular ministers were not at hospice, so two african-american nurses came in to pray with us. One of them read from the King James bible, which happens to be our favorite. She read the 23rd Psalm, which is also one of our favorites.
Then, as we held hands, including Michael's, she started to pray. As she prayed, her momentum built, and the more enthusiastic she became. Now, we Presbyterians rarely get excited about much, except eating, so as the second nurse sprinkled in Amens and Hallelujahs, that wonderful nurse sent Michael to heaven in grand style. It was just what we needed.
Than, as Jon looked out the window in wonder at the beautiful, full rainbow, she shouted, "Oh, Lord, Jesus is taking Michael to Heaven!" She ran from the room and made all the staff go outside and look.
Jon and I went outside to see the rainbow in all it's glory, and as it started to dissipate, I saw a flock of birds fly right through the center off into the distance. Michael never did anything half way. He let us know not only where his spirit was going, but that there was going to be a lot of fun and happiness there. Amen
Bruce
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Directions to Visitation and Services
For those coming to the visitation and/or services, here are the driving directions to the Teays Valley Presbyterian Church.
Directions from Charleston:
Take I-64 West to the new exit #40. Go left at the end of the exit ramp onto Rt 35 South.
Go 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Teays Valley Road (light).
Go 1.2 miles - past Scott Teays Elementary, past Beechwood Estates. Teays Valley Presbyterian Church is on the right.
=========================
From Huntington:
Take I-64 West to the new exit #40. Go right at the end of the exit ramp onto Rt 35 South.
Go 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Teays Valley Road (light).
Go 1.2 miles - past Scott Teays Elementary, past Beechwood Estates. Teays Valley Presbyterian Church is on the right.
Directions from Charleston:
Take I-64 West to the new exit #40. Go left at the end of the exit ramp onto Rt 35 South.
Go 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Teays Valley Road (light).
Go 1.2 miles - past Scott Teays Elementary, past Beechwood Estates. Teays Valley Presbyterian Church is on the right.
=========================
From Huntington:
Take I-64 West to the new exit #40. Go right at the end of the exit ramp onto Rt 35 South.
Go 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Teays Valley Road (light).
Go 1.2 miles - past Scott Teays Elementary, past Beechwood Estates. Teays Valley Presbyterian Church is on the right.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Michael's Obituary
Michael Brewster Davis
Michael Brewster Davis, 27, of Scott Depot, WV, passed away on November 18, 2009 after a long illness. He was born December 2, 1981 in Salt Lake City to Barbara and Bruce Davis.
Michael graduated in 2000 from Winfield High School, and in 2004 from Colorado College with a BS in BioChemistry. He spent the summers of 2004 and 2005 in East Timor volunteering at the Bairo Pite Clinic, located in one of the world’s poorest regions. It was a very rewarding experience and his time there solidified his desire to become a physician. In 2005, Michael enrolled at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago.
In January, 2007, in his second year at Loyola, Michael was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. For almost three years he battled his disease and enriched the lives of all those he touched. He retained his sense of humor and loving spirit throughout his illness. Michael’s final days were spent at home and at Hubbard House Hospice.
Michael is preceded in death by his grandfathers Frank W. Davis, George W. Berry, and his grandmother Frances W. Davis. He is survived by his parents, his sister Katherine Anne Davis, his brother, Jonathan Richmond Davis, his grandmother, Ethel Berry, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A special thank you to the many people who sent stories, pictures, and prayers through Michael’s blogs.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 am at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church in Scott Depot, followed by burial services at Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, November 20 at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church.
Michael told us that in lieu of flowers, he would like donations to be made to the Bairo Pite Clinic in East Timor. The web site is http://bairopiteclinic.tripod.com.
Checks may be made out to:
Medical Aid East Timor
C/O Stokes
PO. Box 3382
Madison, Wisconsin 53704-0382
Michael Brewster Davis, 27, of Scott Depot, WV, passed away on November 18, 2009 after a long illness. He was born December 2, 1981 in Salt Lake City to Barbara and Bruce Davis.
Michael graduated in 2000 from Winfield High School, and in 2004 from Colorado College with a BS in BioChemistry. He spent the summers of 2004 and 2005 in East Timor volunteering at the Bairo Pite Clinic, located in one of the world’s poorest regions. It was a very rewarding experience and his time there solidified his desire to become a physician. In 2005, Michael enrolled at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago.
In January, 2007, in his second year at Loyola, Michael was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. For almost three years he battled his disease and enriched the lives of all those he touched. He retained his sense of humor and loving spirit throughout his illness. Michael’s final days were spent at home and at Hubbard House Hospice.
Michael is preceded in death by his grandfathers Frank W. Davis, George W. Berry, and his grandmother Frances W. Davis. He is survived by his parents, his sister Katherine Anne Davis, his brother, Jonathan Richmond Davis, his grandmother, Ethel Berry, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A special thank you to the many people who sent stories, pictures, and prayers through Michael’s blogs.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 am at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church in Scott Depot, followed by burial services at Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, November 20 at Teays Valley Presbyterian Church.
Michael told us that in lieu of flowers, he would like donations to be made to the Bairo Pite Clinic in East Timor. The web site is http://bairopiteclinic.tripod.com.
Checks may be made out to:
Medical Aid East Timor
C/O Stokes
PO. Box 3382
Madison, Wisconsin 53704-0382
Dear, Sweet Michael
Michael peacefully passed on to the Lord this morning.
Amazingly, one of the nurses read the 23rd psalm and said a prayer, then Jon looked out the window, and there was a beautiful full rainbow. Michael went out in style. Just amazing.
Our current thinking is to have visitation on Friday, with a service on Saturday. I'll post the final arrangements.
Thank you all again for your wonderful messages, thoughts, and prayers. They have been an endless source of joy to learn what a positive difference Michael made with so many people. You have touched us the way he touched you. Thank you.
Bruce, Michael's dad
Amazingly, one of the nurses read the 23rd psalm and said a prayer, then Jon looked out the window, and there was a beautiful full rainbow. Michael went out in style. Just amazing.
Our current thinking is to have visitation on Friday, with a service on Saturday. I'll post the final arrangements.
Thank you all again for your wonderful messages, thoughts, and prayers. They have been an endless source of joy to learn what a positive difference Michael made with so many people. You have touched us the way he touched you. Thank you.
Bruce, Michael's dad
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday at Hospice
Michael spent another night peacefully, although he is more restless lately. He remains responsive to our touch and still appears to understand us. Mike does indeed to continue to surprise.
Apparently the link to his East Timor page can't be copied and pasted to your browser. Try typing it in, and the search engines point you to the right page.
If you are trying to get to his FaceBook wall and can't find him among the 500 other Michael Davis folks, try emailing a comment, and I'll send you his email address for searching. It's his Colorado College alumni email, for those who have it.
Barb and I spent the night at home, while brother Jon stayed the night. I went to my regularly scheduled tennis lesson today, and the pro wore me out. It feels good to be physically spent. I hit the balls terribly, but it was satisfying to abuse them. Better than kicking the dog.
It's hard just waiting. Michael is on his own timetable, so we just keep telling him we love him, that we will be here with him, and remind him again and again that his short life has made an amazingly positive impact on many, many people, evidenced by your kind and inspiring messages.
Bruce
Apparently the link to his East Timor page can't be copied and pasted to your browser. Try typing it in, and the search engines point you to the right page.
If you are trying to get to his FaceBook wall and can't find him among the 500 other Michael Davis folks, try emailing a comment, and I'll send you his email address for searching. It's his Colorado College alumni email, for those who have it.
Barb and I spent the night at home, while brother Jon stayed the night. I went to my regularly scheduled tennis lesson today, and the pro wore me out. It feels good to be physically spent. I hit the balls terribly, but it was satisfying to abuse them. Better than kicking the dog.
It's hard just waiting. Michael is on his own timetable, so we just keep telling him we love him, that we will be here with him, and remind him again and again that his short life has made an amazingly positive impact on many, many people, evidenced by your kind and inspiring messages.
Bruce
Monday, November 16, 2009
Surprises
Mike continues to surprise. This morning I found a site on which he chronicles his East Timor trips.
http://mysite.verizon.net/mb_davis/
Bruce
http://mysite.verizon.net/mb_davis/
Bruce
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday at Hospice
Today, as it has been all week, was a beautiful, sunny, crisp fall day.
Michael was about the same. He seems to be the most "talkative" in the morning when we all get up. He really moves his arm around and fiddles with our hands. He likes the mouth moistener brew they make here and touches his mouth when he wants us to swab some more on. His IV, which was in his hand, finally had to come out, so his meds (swelling and seizure) are given subcutaneously - under the skin in fatty tissue. I apologize if I misspelled that.
Bruce's sister and her husband drove up from Georgia on Saturday, and will probably leave tomorrow. Michael's sister Katie drove back to Chicago today to get back to her architecture classes. Brother Jon is hanging in there with us. Looks like Bruce's brother Tad will come in from Colorado later this week.
Of course we don't know how long Michael will hang in with us, so we take every moment to tell him we love him and are with him, hold his hand, and just be here. The hospice folks continue to be amazingly compassionate and attentive.
Thank you all again, and I hope these posts help keep you informed. Your messages mean everything to us, and to Mike. The tagged photos in FaceBook are great as well. We love seeing Mike having fun with his friends.
Bruce
Michael was about the same. He seems to be the most "talkative" in the morning when we all get up. He really moves his arm around and fiddles with our hands. He likes the mouth moistener brew they make here and touches his mouth when he wants us to swab some more on. His IV, which was in his hand, finally had to come out, so his meds (swelling and seizure) are given subcutaneously - under the skin in fatty tissue. I apologize if I misspelled that.
Bruce's sister and her husband drove up from Georgia on Saturday, and will probably leave tomorrow. Michael's sister Katie drove back to Chicago today to get back to her architecture classes. Brother Jon is hanging in there with us. Looks like Bruce's brother Tad will come in from Colorado later this week.
Of course we don't know how long Michael will hang in with us, so we take every moment to tell him we love him and are with him, hold his hand, and just be here. The hospice folks continue to be amazingly compassionate and attentive.
Thank you all again, and I hope these posts help keep you informed. Your messages mean everything to us, and to Mike. The tagged photos in FaceBook are great as well. We love seeing Mike having fun with his friends.
Bruce
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Saturday at Hospice
Saturday at Hospice.
Michael is about the same. He is communicating through his hand and squeezes, points his pinky, and moves his arm from time to time when he wants to tell us something. Mostly it's to just hold our hands. We are constantly letting him know we are with him and love him.
He has a guardian mouse with him, and Haagen Daas, his stuffed black and white cow which he got when he was about eight.
Mike's sister stayed the night and declared that the towel dispenser is haunted. Apparently it's a very hygienic ghost, and it spits out towels at random times to remind us to wash our hands.
Mike' mom loves your messages, as does Mike and the rest of his family.
Bruce
Michael is about the same. He is communicating through his hand and squeezes, points his pinky, and moves his arm from time to time when he wants to tell us something. Mostly it's to just hold our hands. We are constantly letting him know we are with him and love him.
He has a guardian mouse with him, and Haagen Daas, his stuffed black and white cow which he got when he was about eight.
Mike's sister stayed the night and declared that the towel dispenser is haunted. Apparently it's a very hygienic ghost, and it spits out towels at random times to remind us to wash our hands.
Mike' mom loves your messages, as does Mike and the rest of his family.
Bruce
Friday, November 13, 2009
To Hospice
Hi, all of Mike's friends.
Today, a bed opened up at the Hubbard House Hospice in Charleston, WV. We moved Mike there this afternoon. It is a wonderful place with wonderful people. We can even take the dogs up there to visit. We certainly will.
Mike is comfortable, and I know is thrilled to hear all your messages. They mean a great deal to Mike and all of us..
Bruce
Today, a bed opened up at the Hubbard House Hospice in Charleston, WV. We moved Mike there this afternoon. It is a wonderful place with wonderful people. We can even take the dogs up there to visit. We certainly will.
Mike is comfortable, and I know is thrilled to hear all your messages. They mean a great deal to Mike and all of us..
Bruce
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Not much new
Michael slept peacefully last night. Michael's little brother, Jon and I slept at home with the doggies. Mike's big sister Katie and Barb stayed with Mike at the hospital.
Mike is still on an IV for hydration and swelling meds. Hospice would probably disconnect the IV. So we're trying to come to terms with that and decide if that's what Mike would want. It's very hard.
Bruce
Mike is still on an IV for hydration and swelling meds. Hospice would probably disconnect the IV. So we're trying to come to terms with that and decide if that's what Mike would want. It's very hard.
Bruce
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
This is Mike's dad. Yesterday, Michael would not wake up.
Mike is in the hospital now. The docs said that the swelling and tumor pressue have squished his brain stem. This is the reason he is largely unresponsive. He is breathing on his own.
Michael was clear in his desire not to have any measures taken to prolong his life. He did say that medicine for swelling and other stuff like that is ok. He was put on a high dose of medicine to try to reduce the swelling. Cognitively, Michael was always pretty good. Hejust had trouble getting what he wanted to say out.
This morning, after about 10 hours of the medicine, the nurse came in and told him she was going to take his blood pressure. Michael raised his arm for the cuff! So we (Mom & Dad) think that the reduced swelling has helped some, and that he still understands what's going on. He is unable to open his eyes, though he blinks when we touch his face. We don't think he will recover, but it's important that we stay with him and continue talking to him.
Hospice is coming in this morning to talk to us about options, home care or at their facility, which is supposed to be very nice.
I'll keep you posted as we know more. Thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers.
Bruce
Mike is in the hospital now. The docs said that the swelling and tumor pressue have squished his brain stem. This is the reason he is largely unresponsive. He is breathing on his own.
Michael was clear in his desire not to have any measures taken to prolong his life. He did say that medicine for swelling and other stuff like that is ok. He was put on a high dose of medicine to try to reduce the swelling. Cognitively, Michael was always pretty good. Hejust had trouble getting what he wanted to say out.
This morning, after about 10 hours of the medicine, the nurse came in and told him she was going to take his blood pressure. Michael raised his arm for the cuff! So we (Mom & Dad) think that the reduced swelling has helped some, and that he still understands what's going on. He is unable to open his eyes, though he blinks when we touch his face. We don't think he will recover, but it's important that we stay with him and continue talking to him.
Hospice is coming in this morning to talk to us about options, home care or at their facility, which is supposed to be very nice.
I'll keep you posted as we know more. Thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers.
Bruce
Monday, September 7, 2009
This was cool.
This is Michael’s mom. I am speaking for Michael. He decided that it would be best if I type for him. The words are entirely his own.
“Back in July, my leg started hurting. I talked to Dr. Barton about it and he diagnosed me with a blood clot, I think. And so I went home to West Virginia and the pain tended to go on up my leg. I was on Lovanox. Despite that, he gave me hydrocodone for the pain. Then when I got back, he did a something and a surgeon placed a net in my leg. He left me in the hospital for 3 days. He took me off the Lovanox and I started feeling better.
My voice tended to go down and hence it was hard for me to communicate. Hence my mom is doing all this. My mom can type; apparently I can’t. I can’t type with just one hand and even then that’s hard.
Thanks for all the cards you’ve sent me. I appreciate it.
Mom & Mike"
“Back in July, my leg started hurting. I talked to Dr. Barton about it and he diagnosed me with a blood clot, I think. And so I went home to West Virginia and the pain tended to go on up my leg. I was on Lovanox. Despite that, he gave me hydrocodone for the pain. Then when I got back, he did a something and a surgeon placed a net in my leg. He left me in the hospital for 3 days. He took me off the Lovanox and I started feeling better.
My voice tended to go down and hence it was hard for me to communicate. Hence my mom is doing all this. My mom can type; apparently I can’t. I can’t type with just one hand and even then that’s hard.
Thanks for all the cards you’ve sent me. I appreciate it.
Mom & Mike"
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Favorites and friends
Unfortonutaly we are unable to be queen of the table. So, our plan is to make mom who is much better at typing. Sorry for the delay... she's still in Denver.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
We'll try to make to brief
I think I'm going to make the brief. For various reasons, and the biggest reasons is the i cant communicate.
The best way the to is by one of the the one following
exit3141 - chat/video - aim
mbdavis029 - chat/video - skype
michael.brewster.davis@gmail.com - email
Typacally up here from 8:00 - 10:00 PM
More up here later
The best way the to is by one of the the one following
exit3141 - chat/video - aim
mbdavis029 - chat/video - skype
michael.brewster.davis@gmail.com - email
Typacally up here from 8:00 - 10:00 PM
More up here later
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Heres a better unite one
"Hi Mike,
I sent this email out to a few of your friends, because people have been asking about how you are doing. Your mom said it would be okay. Here's the email just so you know what we're saying about you.
Hope your appointments went well today.
Josie
Hi Friends,
This email is hard to write. Our friend Mike has been sicker lately, and he was recently was hospitalized at Loyola to have an IVC filter placed for DVTs. He has been spending the majority of his time in West Virginia these days with his family, though still gets all of his care through Dr. Barton at Loyola.
He thinks the world of all of you and could use your encouragement now to help him get better. We want to as many of you as possible send him get well cards to West Virginia. His mom's special request is that the cards are light and funny--nothing serious. His address is:
Mike Davis
306 Beechwood Estate
Scott Depot, West Virginia 25560
He is asking for privacy, and strongly prefers that people refer to his blog as the primary source for keeping up with how he is doing. http://mike-c-gbm.blogspot.com/ Please call Chris, Anstadt, Christine, and I to answer additional questions.
I hope you all are doing well in your own endeavors.
Josie
This email is hard to write. Our friend Mike has been sicker lately, and he was recently was hospitalized at Loyola to have an IVC filter placed for DVTs. He has been spending the majority of his time in West Virginia these days with his family, though still gets all of his care through Dr. Barton at Loyola.
He thinks the world of all of you and could use your encouragement now to help him get better. We want to as many of you as possible send him get well cards to West Virginia. His mom's special request is that the cards are light and funny--nothing serious. His address is:
Mike Davis
306 Beechwood Estate
Scott Depot, West Virginia 25560
He is asking for privacy, and strongly prefers that people refer to his blog as the primary source for keeping up with how he is doing. http://mike-c-gbm.blogspot.com/ Please call Chris, Anstadt, Christine, and I to answer additional questions.
I hope you all are doing well in your own endeavors.
Josie
Friday, July 31, 2009
An newest postest
So hopefully this'illy be a newest posts. Apparently i give too much weight or somethat that. I will have to give somethings new later like that.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Really, really... long times...
Monday, June 8, 2009
Seeing as how it's been a month ++
Well.......... I suppose you've been in a dire need of an update. I'll try to make this brief, cause I'm only typing with my left hand.
First, let me say congrants to the people who graduated yesterday. Woohoo!!!
Secondly, I did a terrible thing back in may had a headache right after the chemo started. A call to Dr Barton sent me into the ER to make sure there wasn't any. He noticed the size of the lump was getting bigger, but we were just a few days onto the chemo. So, he waited. A month went past, my physical standing continued to decline, and he ordered another MRI. Expecting to tell me the worst, he set up an appointment shortly after the MRI. Fortunately for him and me, the shrinkage in my head came down. Some of the imparaments have disappeared, some have decided to stay (only typing with the left hand), either way, the thing aint growin'.
All the best,
m
First, let me say congrants to the people who graduated yesterday. Woohoo!!!
Secondly, I did a terrible thing back in may had a headache right after the chemo started. A call to Dr Barton sent me into the ER to make sure there wasn't any. He noticed the size of the lump was getting bigger, but we were just a few days onto the chemo. So, he waited. A month went past, my physical standing continued to decline, and he ordered another MRI. Expecting to tell me the worst, he set up an appointment shortly after the MRI. Fortunately for him and me, the shrinkage in my head came down. Some of the imparaments have disappeared, some have decided to stay (only typing with the left hand), either way, the thing aint growin'.
All the best,
m
Thursday, April 30, 2009
More and... well more.
So, Dr. Barton saw me the following thursday (this was a while ago) and decided this was all good. He was mostly right, and I've been on the accutaine since then. Now, I'm on about a half a million drugs, all of which I'm on.
Then again my dog did just have puppies! The at home at least!
Then again my dog did just have puppies! The at home at least!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
MKay... quick update
So Dr. Gilbert told me to take accutane, temodar, and avastin. The first two because they'd help the tumor and the last on because it'll help the cyst. That started last saturday. Monday I woke up with a huge headache so i went into the er for the first time in years. The problem was the accutane, we think, so I'm stopping that until thursday, when I think I'll have an appt with Dr, Barton. In the meantime, I have plenty of narcotics!
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Plan... now at least
Our plan is to go down to see Dr. Gilbert (neuro oncology) and Dr. Lang (neurosurgery) for the next few days at MD Anderson. We'll see if they have trials that sound legitimate to me.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
after dr b
Hmmm... So it turns out that Dr. B didn't really know anything at all, but then again, neither does anybody in the rest of the world. (If you think I'm being facetious, I'm not.) The tumor IS bigger; it IS pressing on the other half of my brain; and it ISN'T giving most of the effects you'd expect. (This is part of the reason I'm so confused... or is that confusion a portion of my symptoms?!!?!?! -- AH!)
Okay. So Dr. B did say the most effective things he knew at this point were his knowledge of the people doing trials. I have run out of things to do here at Loyola. He told us about neurooncologist Dr. VDAGERereaaASDggher at Duke (I'll try to get that later) and Dr. Gilder/ Gilber/ Glildablater neurooncologist at MD Anderson as the range comes into play. Meaning, one tends to take on more aggressive trials and one tends to take on less aggressive trials.
So, sometime in the next few weeks, we'll go see them. And some brain surgeons to see if they want to take a whack at my head.
That's where we are now. Yup.
m
Okay. So Dr. B did say the most effective things he knew at this point were his knowledge of the people doing trials. I have run out of things to do here at Loyola. He told us about neurooncologist Dr. VDAGERereaaASDggher at Duke (I'll try to get that later) and Dr. Gilder/ Gilber/ Glildablater neurooncologist at MD Anderson as the range comes into play. Meaning, one tends to take on more aggressive trials and one tends to take on less aggressive trials.
So, sometime in the next few weeks, we'll go see them. And some brain surgeons to see if they want to take a whack at my head.
That's where we are now. Yup.
m
Thursday, March 26, 2009
ah the bloggg...
My poor blog... left all alone to rot in this silly remote corner of the internet where few people wander and zillions of programs play for my stuff. Sadly I've largely left it alone for a while, but since I just had an MRI and the point of the whole thing is to keep you up to date on all of that... so here I go... although it's reaaally late here.
I had the MRI about 10 days ago. I got the images myself immediately, but didn't yet have them "interpreted" by the neuroradiologist. The neuroradiologist saw the thing as did most of the other physicians and their interpretation is that the cyst is smaller but the tumor is slightly bigger. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this in my appointment with Dr. B last Monday. He honestly didn't know what to do either and promised to do research into what is out there. (This may seem disappointing to some, but he didn't claim to know what he didn't and he just got back from vacation. Two facts that I did like given his ignorance on the day of my appointment.)
Anyhow, so this coming Monday, our plan is to see Dr. B again and hopefully he'll be more clear, be the news good or bad.
That's all,
M
PS... Congrats to Laura and Matt tomorrow night!
I had the MRI about 10 days ago. I got the images myself immediately, but didn't yet have them "interpreted" by the neuroradiologist. The neuroradiologist saw the thing as did most of the other physicians and their interpretation is that the cyst is smaller but the tumor is slightly bigger. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this in my appointment with Dr. B last Monday. He honestly didn't know what to do either and promised to do research into what is out there. (This may seem disappointing to some, but he didn't claim to know what he didn't and he just got back from vacation. Two facts that I did like given his ignorance on the day of my appointment.)
Anyhow, so this coming Monday, our plan is to see Dr. B again and hopefully he'll be more clear, be the news good or bad.
That's all,
M
PS... Congrats to Laura and Matt tomorrow night!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
AMAAAAAZZZZINGGGGG!!!
Yes, yes indeed I had an excellent time at the inauguration. I have never been so excited for me and my Dad hanging out, squashed in lines for sooooo long in the freezing, but thank God, dry weather. Either way, it was a blast, and I know my Dad would say the same.
I talked to the peops about the MRI's and they generally felt the same way that I did. That is, the cyst is shrinking and everything else we're not exactly sure about. So, onward we go with the Avastin as we did before. So there ya go.
Oh yeah!... and I've started selling my pictures! Shortly (meaning as soon as I make it) I'll have a website for you to go to look at and perhaps buy the pictures.
Unfortunately, I'm going to end on a down note. A high school friend in her maiden name, Amy French, lost her brother and father recently. May God be with them all.
I talked to the peops about the MRI's and they generally felt the same way that I did. That is, the cyst is shrinking and everything else we're not exactly sure about. So, onward we go with the Avastin as we did before. So there ya go.
Oh yeah!... and I've started selling my pictures! Shortly (meaning as soon as I make it) I'll have a website for you to go to look at and perhaps buy the pictures.
Unfortunately, I'm going to end on a down note. A high school friend in her maiden name, Amy French, lost her brother and father recently. May God be with them all.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Late as late can be...
I'm sorry I haven't been updating this as quickly as I have in the past. One could venture a guess that my health is declining or my brain ain't workin well... but you'd be wrong. In actuality, I'm sitting in my aunt and uncles house outside of Washington, DC, preparing to spend the next two or three days in the city. We have, thanks to Mom, some excellent parade route bleacher tickets and a radio so we can listen to the address. Very exciting. Tuesday should bring some excitement irrespective of the # of seconds we actually see the new President, if at all.
Really, I just got an MRI Friday and the cystic part continues to get smaller. I haven't actually talked to my physician about that, so it's a little dangerous for me to talk to you about it, but hell, it looks good to me!
m
Really, I just got an MRI Friday and the cystic part continues to get smaller. I haven't actually talked to my physician about that, so it's a little dangerous for me to talk to you about it, but hell, it looks good to me!
m
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