Thursday

Dad's dinner was never so well deserved.

Today he passed his swallow test, with flying colors I might add. His reward was dinner - real dinner. Although he'll still have his feeding tube for supplemental nutrition for an undetermined amount of time, this is a huge step forward.

(This is a picture of dad with the flowers Jose and I sent him. He even called me yesterday to say thanks!)

Mom reported that the rest of his day was filled with equally-positive progress. He cycled on the exercise bike, walked more (with the walker, but that's only for balance until he's completely steady), worked out on the therapy stairs, and took a shower unassisted. Still do not have a definitely date for release, but one doc eluded that it might be sooner than we think!

In case anyone needs a quick recap of dad's history with oligodendroglioma, here it is. (Plus there's some info on the 2nd surgery that is pertinent that I keep forgetting, so if I put it in writing it will be more permanent.*)

1987/1988- Dad suffers a gran mal seizure and a growth is found on an MRI. Watchful waiting is followed by a few more "incidents" and marked growth on MRI. 1st craniotomy successfully removes all of oligodendroglioma grade 2.5, followed by several rounds of radiation therapy. Seizure meds required for years. He recovers so well that the brain tumor becomes an afterthought.

December 2004/January 2005- Onset of somewhat uncontrollable seizures leads to discovery of "area of enhancement" on MRI (growth). 2nd craniotomy reveals only scar tissue and some other damage to surrounding tissue as a result of previous treatment, but no tumor recurrence (leading us to assume that this was an unnecessary surgery that unfortunately had lasting effects on dad). Light therapy and seizure meds continue for about 1-2 years.

*I recently learned from Dr. Neuro Oncologist that the scar tissue that had grown into old tumor cavity- which we thought was harmless- was actually quite troublesome and in most cases always needs to be removed. It can cause nearly as much trouble as a tumor recurrence, pressing on delicate tissues causing seizures and other problems.

Present- Onset of left side weakness and uncontrollable seizures led to status epilepticus "coma." MRI again shows new "area of enhancement." Emergency 3rd craniotomy performed to remove source of seizures, which, left untreated, would/could have caused permanent coma/brain damage. Pathology shows recurrence of oligodendroglioma grade 2.5, although no further treatment is scheduled at this time. Seizure medications and therapy to continue indefinitely.

(I'm also recapping all of this info here in case another family affected by oligodendroglioma is out there searching the Web for information and could learn something from our experience.)