After every MRI, I ask the technician for a CD of the results. Here’s an image from yesterday’s MRI – the light gray cloudiness in the lower left quadrant is the area where once there was an actively growing glioma.
Neuro-oncologist Susan Chang says there is a tiny bit of cloudiness that is different from previous MRIs, so she’s scheduled a follow-up MRI/MSI (the MSI can spot actively growing cells, which are typical of a growing tumor). It means 90 minutes in the MRI machine (for a guy who has been extremely claustrophobic but who now has completed 21 MRIs).
Susan thinks this may just be scar tissue developing in the area of the radiation therapy – the MRI showed no increase in blood flow (also a sign of a growing tumor) in the affected area. After nearly 2 years of unchanged MRIs, though, this is something new, and needs to be looked at carefully. Sigh… part of the cancer roller coaster… gotta say I’ve never felt better (since I’ve had cancer anyway)…11:21:56 AM
Before the MRI, we did a session with physical therapist Heidi Engel, who evaluated my current status, put me through a few drills and status tests, and then directed me to get on the floor, on my back, for some ‘really humbling’ exercises.
And, humbling they were. I could just barely do a single set. The exercise involves drawing one’s knees up to the waist, stretching out the arms and then rotating knees in one direction, while arms go the other. Easy for an able body, but my hemiplegic wreck of a physiology was having a really hard time. The good news is that I’ve come far enough I can even try to do this. And of course, Heidi’s put this on my ‘homework’ list. So I better be able to do them better when I come back in 2 weeks… 11:57:56 AM
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My bet’s on scar tissue, especially with the no increased blood flow.
Thanks for keeping us up to date, including the fact that you were able to stop by Cafe du Monde. We have been doing mail order from them for years.
Looking healthier than most Americans.
Thanks for putting this out there. Whatever insights can be shared with those of us who have, so far, been blessed NOT to have had an encounter with the Big C, are valuable, and you are courageous for sharing. It’s all helpful. Good luck to you. Focus on the positive. Chances are it’s scar tissue, but if not, then at least it’s on the radar screen.
Impressive progress. You’ve certainly earned it. I tried your new exercise. So you’ve tacked on another mile to our two mile time a few months ago.
Continued progress.
Thanks for sharing. You are a brave man. May God bless and heal you completely. I too am claustophobic and went for a MRI at ucsf but could not do it even with 1 mg of lorazepem. May you continue to improve