Saturday December 19th treatment summary

Assorted CT and MRI scans showed that Meg suffered from a large primary brain tumor. The tumor site was next to the brain area that controls left side movement and probably very near the area responsible, in a very left-handed person like Meg, for speech.

Meg deteriorated rapidly on Sunday, as the tumor continued to press on her brain stem, despite all the hospital staff's attempts to reduce the swelling with assorted very powerful medications.

On Monday morning Doctor Sarah Jost operated on Meg and removed >95% of the tumor without significantly affecting her speech or movement. The return of her normal personality and vigor after the surgery was truly amazing.

She was soon moved to a less intensive care ward, and then on to the regular neurosciences ward. She continues to improve, and has been passed as "ready to go" by the physical and occupational therapists. We're awaiting the doctor's permission to take Meg home.

We had a couple of very productive meetings with Dr. John Henson, the neuro-oncologist. Meg is hoping to take part in a clinical trial for the radiation and chemotherapy treatment of her glioblastoma. She will heal from her surgery for 3 weeks, then have 6  weeks of (5 days per week) radiation therapy and daily chemotherapy pills. She then goes onto a maintenance chemotherapy regime (5 days of pills, 23 days off) for a year. She'll be screened regularly for return of the tumor. The doctor expects very few side effects from the chemotherapy, though the radiation is expected to make her rather tired.

Nick and Caryn, Meg's sister, have been busy looking after us, and bringing in home-cooked meals for us all to share in her room.