The Answer Was “C”.
Morning folks.
So…not so much of good news on Friday. Here’s the lowdown:
A) The swelling from the radiation is that of a likeness that my doctors have never seen. And it may miraculously go away.
B) The original shot they were radiating is dying, but the “flair” is profoundly larger. Which means the tumor has grown so significantly that, well, you know.
I go in for another MRI on June 3rd. And if the miracle didn’t happen then they need to open up my skull for another deeper biopsy so they can try to see what’s going on. Although I think they already know. Clearly the Temodar was not working to stop anything from progressing. Nobody “said so”, but it appears that I’ve now progressed from Oligoastrocytoma Grade 3, to a Gliobalstoma Grade IV. The most cursed of all brain tumors. The biopsy (unless the miracle happens) will tell that. Although the scans pretty much show that already. It was the size of a quarter. Now the flair is a large egg. Yeah. Great. Did I mention that having a brain tumor totally sucks? I think I might have.
So now what?
I plan to enjoy this summer as much as we can. While I won’t disregard anything the docs want me to do, I say “damn the torpedoes”.
It’s going to be a great summer.
R
May 8th, 2011 at 8:10 am
I am always thinking of you and your family. You are such a wonderful and brave man to be sharing your journey like this. I absolutely love your family and I know that all of you will have a terrific summer together! I am a little sad that it is almost time for me to say good bye to little S but I hope I can keep in touch with all of you.
Stay strong and remember that I am ALWAYS sending my good vibes your way.
May 8th, 2011 at 10:45 am
We think about you guys every day, and are sending you the most positive thoughts. take care of each other.
May 8th, 2011 at 11:38 am
Hi Rob,
I don’t personally know you. I’m just observing from afar.
It seems the kind of man you are has equipped you with the ability to get the most out of things. Enjoy your summer with your beautiful family.
May 8th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I’m sitting here with your mom and dad. I can see where you het your strength from. This will be a great summer.
May 8th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
I LOVE your plan!!!! I’m positive your summer will be filled with special memories. I may just have to cruise up and be part of the fun.
May 8th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Hi Rob, We will now pray for continued strength in mind and body and a miracle. it could just be swelling from the radiation. I know there is a “Plan B” and I know you are strong enough to fight the most difficult fight. We continue to think of you and Kacey. Enjoy your summer with your beautiful family and know that there are so many of us sending good thoughts and prayers your way. God bless you. Love, John and Cathy.
May 8th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Here’s to the best summer ever (and to the power of positivity). Love you guys! Robert & Nancy
May 8th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
My heart is heavy with your report. I hope the MRI in June brings more hopeful news your way. Know that we are thinking of you and your family and continue to send positive energy and love.
May 9th, 2011 at 5:06 am
You are a remarkable man, so brave and true. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your loving family. We are sending prayers, positive energy and love your way. Aunt Mary Ellen and Uncle Paul
May 9th, 2011 at 6:00 am
Continuing to give and receive love as you do will help you to get through this. We continue with our prayers. June and Dan
May 9th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Rob,
I’m here thinking of you and sending out love and prayers. Enjoy the summer.
Mark
May 9th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Thinking of you and your family. Enjoy time with your loved ones and thanks for teaching us all a lesson in love and honesty through your wit and bravery. Dawn Collins, APSHS ’87
May 9th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Dear Rob –
I don’t understand why some people are faced with such enormous life challenges…perhaps you were selected because you and your family are so strong that you can face these huge obstacles with menace and strength that others could not. Keep it up – we are all following you each and every day and know that you’re all so strong that you can conquer this. Bring on summer and go have fun!
Love, Kim
May 9th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Rob and Family,
Sorry to hear about the not-so-stellar news. We wish you lots of luck and happy, healthy thoughts. Let us know if you need anything. We’re just around the corner…literally.
Nikki, Brett and Willow (woof)
May 10th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Using words right now to convey what we feel for you and your family, Rob, just seems so inadequate. You are an amazing human being. You are so loved and respected. We continue to send our hopeful prayers and positive energy.
Lotsa, lotsa LOVE,
Ness & Gino
May 11th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Rob,
Hey man, just read through all of these entries the other day. Good on you for facing this the way you are. You’re doing your family proud. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers.
-Jason
May 11th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Rob, We are praying for a miracle! Keep up your uplifting attitude. Your updates are so upbeat and inspiring . With this positive spirit I see only good things coming your way! Just saw some old pix of you taken at my house in 1975 at Anthony’s first communion celebration. Will send them when we get them copied . Love to all the Bromees.
Marcia & Tony in Wilmington.DE.
May 13th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Aww man.
We are thinking of you, and we are always attached to you in a way we really don’t understand. Maybe it’s something about friendships born in the trenches. I believe you described the sky as the “Mad photo copier of the gods” on that crossing back from the Abacos. I have quoted you many times, and not just that one.
Our persistence in keeping in touch with you may seem strange after all these years, but you see, it’s impossible for you guys to become strangers to us. We are linked.
Susan and I are pulling for you, thinking of you, and never as far away as it seems. Thank Kasey for the lovely card, and yes, someplace tropical. Let us know if you are going there.
May 17th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
We pray for June 3rd to have a miraculous outcome with uplifting news. Let’s get some sunshine so you can all go out and enjoy the camping! Have a wonderful time together. You are such a strong family unit~we wish you all the best!
May 18th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Rob,
Sorry to hear your news. Hang in there. Like you recently said, laughter is the best medicine, so get plenty of that this summer. You and your family are in our prayers.
Going camping this weekend. Remembering the old campsite. Did we even have tents?
Your friend,
Mark
May 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 am
Rob,
Looking forward to Jenny Brook Festival and working with you. Hey, do members of your staff get cool communication devices like on Star Trek?
May 24th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Hello Buddy!
Long time since we have communicated, I think it was ummmmmm, too long ago. Sorry to hear about your condition, wish there was some way I could help. All of the Ternay’s send their love and you will certainly be in our prayers.
DAMN THE TORPEDOES! BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES! RELEASE THE CRACKEN! Whatever it takes, beat this and press on brother. Take care and write when you get a chance. I will be following this web page to keep an eye on you, crazy ass.
YOUR PAL!
BFT
May 25th, 2011 at 7:55 am
Rob –
I just found your blog and will check back frequently to get the latest news. (I’ll also keep you updated on the latest additions to the list of things I have broken on your formerly impecably maintained camper).
Know that we are thinking of you and your family and will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. You can do it, man.
Dave