Today, Tuesday, October 28th, I had my first radiation treatment at Yale. They were not kidding with how short it would be. My Dad brought me up to Yale for my 1:15 appointment. I went right in, laid down, the Batman mask was put on, and the nurses left the room. If you've ever had an x-ray done, it sounds the same. I asked the nurse 'Where do the laser beams come from', and he pointed to each opposite wall and to the ceiling, where there is a very small dark-tinted window. When they started I would hear the x-ray sound on one side, then the top, then the next. This happened several times. The nurses came back in and took off the mask (treatment was 3 minutes to be precise). I was like 'We're done??' and they said yes, that is it. We were back in the car and on the road in no time - I will spend more time in the car than in treatment!
My meeting with the medical oncologist is on Friday, October 30th, at 9AM. This is the person that decides the chemotherapy treatment.
Hope everyone is well. Nothing else to report, though T.J. has started referring to me as 'Marvin the Martian' as I am wondering when my head will start to glow! (for those of you outside the U.S., Marvin is a cartoon character associated with Bugs Bunny, Elmor Fudd, and Warner Brothers).
Ciao, Mike
October 28, 2008
October 24, 2008
The Verdict from Yale
Okay, so here's the latest.......I know everyone has been asking when someone will post again, and I wanted to wait until I spoke to the folks at Yale, which I did today (Friday, 10/24). This past Monday, 10/20, I met Dr. Jonathan Knisely, a doctor within the Dept. of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. They took another MRI and also a CT Scan. The initial verdict from Dr. Knisely was for radiation therapy, but he informed me and the family that he would have to present my 'case' at the Tumor Board, which convenes weekly, with a group of doctors, oncologists, and other professionals. Today (Friday, 10/24), Dr. Knisely's resident called to inform me what transpired at the tumor board.
The consensus from the tumor board was to treat the tumor in a most aggressive fashion, that being BOTH radiation and chemotherapy. I will have to go up to Yale on Monday for some preliminary work. I will start radiation therapy on Tuesday, 10/28, and will continue for a 42-day cycle, which will NOT include weekends. If my calculations are correct, the radiation will end on or around Wednesday, Dec. 10th.
Regarding the chemotherapy, when I go to Yale on Monday I will meet with a Medical Oncologist who will discuss the situation. I believe I might be going on a drug known as Temodar.
Everything else is going okay. I am feeling okay, in very good spirits, and do not think I am driving my parents crazy, yet! I have asked them to please turn the heat up, as I am not used to the cold so early in the fall and, as my Mother has told us all, my bill will be under the door.
Keep the emails and phone calls coming. Thanks for thinking of me.
Michael
....sorry, one quick addition. I would like to thank Danny, Rob's brother-in-law, who is a board-certified, neuropathologist, who has offered me much advice and counsel over the past few weeks. Danny, thanks so very much. Mike
The consensus from the tumor board was to treat the tumor in a most aggressive fashion, that being BOTH radiation and chemotherapy. I will have to go up to Yale on Monday for some preliminary work. I will start radiation therapy on Tuesday, 10/28, and will continue for a 42-day cycle, which will NOT include weekends. If my calculations are correct, the radiation will end on or around Wednesday, Dec. 10th.
Regarding the chemotherapy, when I go to Yale on Monday I will meet with a Medical Oncologist who will discuss the situation. I believe I might be going on a drug known as Temodar.
Everything else is going okay. I am feeling okay, in very good spirits, and do not think I am driving my parents crazy, yet! I have asked them to please turn the heat up, as I am not used to the cold so early in the fall and, as my Mother has told us all, my bill will be under the door.
Keep the emails and phone calls coming. Thanks for thinking of me.
Michael
....sorry, one quick addition. I would like to thank Danny, Rob's brother-in-law, who is a board-certified, neuropathologist, who has offered me much advice and counsel over the past few weeks. Danny, thanks so very much. Mike
October 8, 2008
Meeting with the Oncologist & Peter Lugar's
So, yesterday (Tuesday, 10/7) I went back into Manhattan, accompanied by my folks, for the meeting with the oncologist, at NY Presbyterian Hospital. The meeting went very well. Per the doctor, she is only recommending radiation therapy, which I will most likely start during the week of October 20th or so. She said I do not need to have chemotherapy, as she believes that the radiation only will wipe out the remainder of the cells that are cancerous (I am not a big fan of this word, but I guess I have to acknowledge the fact). At the urging of many good friends, I am going to have a second opinion and will be going for that over the next several days.
On the bright side, I was taken to Peter Lugar's Steakhouse in Brooklyn last night by some colleagues, who I have to keep nameless for the time being. I had never been to Lugar's and made a request. Truly, the meal last night was the best I have ever had in my lifetime. And believe me, I plan to be around for quite some time to enjoy the experience many more times. Thank you to all who attended last night, not only an amazing culinary experience, but in the company of some great people. And thanks to my good friend who let me stay on his couch in Manhattan also.
Not anything else to report. Once I get the second opinion, I will let you know the results. The doctors though are happy with my progress. I am done with all of the drugs and continue to have no pain, which is great. My parents and T.J. are doing well and continue to be of great support to me, as I continue to laugh and be sarcastic with them. I hope I'm not driving them crazy yet, during my extended holiday in the States.
Thank you again for everything and look forward to speaking with everyone. My best, Michael
On the bright side, I was taken to Peter Lugar's Steakhouse in Brooklyn last night by some colleagues, who I have to keep nameless for the time being. I had never been to Lugar's and made a request. Truly, the meal last night was the best I have ever had in my lifetime. And believe me, I plan to be around for quite some time to enjoy the experience many more times. Thank you to all who attended last night, not only an amazing culinary experience, but in the company of some great people. And thanks to my good friend who let me stay on his couch in Manhattan also.
Not anything else to report. Once I get the second opinion, I will let you know the results. The doctors though are happy with my progress. I am done with all of the drugs and continue to have no pain, which is great. My parents and T.J. are doing well and continue to be of great support to me, as I continue to laugh and be sarcastic with them. I hope I'm not driving them crazy yet, during my extended holiday in the States.
Thank you again for everything and look forward to speaking with everyone. My best, Michael
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