More info

The brain fluid issue is called subdural hygroma, I think. Here's what I found online. I read that it can arise as a complication from craniotomy. I will be glad to hear from Dr. next week how they plan to treat this. Oye.

Tonight I set up our (faux) Christmas tree. It reminded me of the many times I went with dad to cut down our own tree, an Oregon ritual. That was always fun. Once we got it home, it was dad's job to put it in the base (for which he had invented his own system that included rocks, a two-by-four block and a drill!) and put on the lights. Of course, being the perfectionist that he is, the tree was always very solid, perfectly straight and lit precisely and evenly!

All Clear

MRI today showed no new growth. Dad's in the clear. Dr. said that they're a little concerned about a build-up of fluid around the brain, and will discuss with the tumor board at Barrow. We'll know more about that next week, but she said not to worry about it too much. Rehab staff reports that dad has regressed a bit in the past few weeks. Dr. today said that may be due to the fluid issue. The important thing here is that there is no new tumor. WHEW.

On another note, I feel like my postings are reducing dad to his tumor- meaning I need to honor him for the man he is, not just a brain tumor victim. We all have wonderful stories and memories of dad, so I'd love to share those, if you're willing to share them with me. I'll start.

My dad has always been one of my biggest supporters. Maybe back in the highland dancing days his support came across in a way that didn't really translate well with a child, but as I grew, and we grew closer, he showed me how much he cared for me by caring about the things I was doing - choir, pageants, Irish dancing, PR, PSU, etc. He was my "date" to my inauguration into Golden Key National Honor Society. He wrote me my own rap song and left it for me backstage at Miss Oregon. He came to church (I know!) to hear me sing. He even attempted to learn to dance at one of my Irish dance lessons at the Irish Bank (poor mom!). And once he sent me an email from Tucson after I had a breakup that was a want ad that he wrote for me....to find a new boyfriend. It was really funny, but the greatest part of it was that I could tell that through his humor he seemed to really understand me and was proud of me.

Now I want to hear from all of you. I want to collect thoughts on my dad so Jenny and I can understand him better, and so we can celebrate dad for being more than just the "guy with the tumor!" Email me at darcyrd@hotmail.com.

First follow-up MRI is tomorrow at 2pm MST. Appointment to evaluate results with Dr. Neuro-onlcologist with follow immediately. Dad's a little nervous, but we're confident everything will continue to be Okey-Dokey. :)

Chicken soup....sort of

Dad fell again yesterday. Although he was not injured, it was discouraging for him. He sounds a little down, so since I can't be there to give him a hug or make him some chicken soup, I'm sending my Ava's sweet laughter to cheer him up. I love you dad. Keep up the good work. :)

Lucky Lowell

Even though I am sad for the ways in which my dad (and our family) has suffered because of his brain tumor, I am continually reminded through my interaction with others with brain tumors that dad is in reality extremely lucky, or blessed, or however you want to characterize it.

Being a part of the Brain Trust's on-line support group for people affected by oligodendrogliomas has been eye opening....and this is a group only for this certain type of tumor, not all brain tumors (ie the really bad one, GBM - glioblastoma multiforme). Dad is the anomaly of this group. No one (that I'm aware) is a 20+ year survivor. At times it's hard for me to be a part of this list because, quite frankly, it can be very scary and depressing. But I'm understanding more and more how fortunate dad is. Fortunate to only have a grade 2.5 tumor (on a scale of 1 to 4, 4 being the worst and fastest growing). Fortunate that the tumor is/was "close to the surface" in the frontal lobe (in that it didn't invade the areas that control his ability to speak, understand speech, walk, hear, etc.). Fortunate that he had seizures to indicate that something was growing (sometimes people are asymptomatic and the tumors aren't found until it's too late).

This glass is definitely half-full.

And, more importantly, I'm pretty sure dad thinks it's half-full too, and that certainly has not always been the case.

Dad looks so happy. Nothing's as good for your health and soul as your best friend.

They had a great time at the crater. Said it was too big to take pictures of.

Happy (belated) Veteran's Day dad!
(For those of you who don't know, my dad signed up for the volunteer draft during the Vietnam war and served his time in Korea.)

All's Well

Just a quick update to let everyone know that everything is going really well. Dad called me himself last night (on his cell phone even) to tell me that he was doing "really great." He said he aced all of his activities in therapy and was very pleased with his progress. It makes me so happy to hear how upbeat he is.

Big news is that Randy is coming for several days on Friday. Mom and dad are really excited. Dad's going to try to convince Randy to go for a little day trip to the Beringer Crater. Dad's wanted to go there for a long time. In fact, mom and dad had plans to go there the day that dad ended up in the hospital. I only wish I could go too.

The problem with the medication seems to be resolving itself. He still has significant hand tremors, but he seems more alert and clear on the reduced med levels.

Countdown to MRI. Praying for more good news.

Healing power

Dad got his stitches (from the gash above his eye) out the other day. Mom says he's healed up terrifically. He heals very quickly....after each surgery, his incision has healed up very fast. Maybe these same healing qualities have played a part in his body's remarkable ability to keep this tumor at bay. Hmmmm.

He also met with the cardiologist yesterday. (Remember the heart issues he had while in ICU?) Dr. said that he will have to take the meds for irregular heartbeat forever, but the blood pressure meds he could now do without. You should see his daily pill box(es). It's a handful of pills.

He got his new glasses today. His previous pair were broken in the fall. So now he's all set up with new fancy specs. Kind of a nice benefit I guess.