Update from Doc Post-MRI

On Wednesday, there was a conference held by a group of Physicians to discuss my case (among other patients' cases as well I'd assume... I'm not that self-centered as much as I try to be). With his permission, and for lack of a better way to explain the results (though I will try to elaborate), I am posting the email I received from my Oncologist last night:

Hi Matt,

I have pasted in results below, and some representative pics.
Basically, the main area of concern (oval area of new enhancement) appears stable. There are two new areas of linear enhancement without obvious tissue destruction. This may represent just a change in the blood brain barrier rather than significant tissue injury. Pictures 1 and 2 are two ways of looking at same thing. This would qualify as a radiation effect rather than significant radiation damage. nobody at today's conference felt there was any evidence of tumor progression. The FLAIR signal abnormality [generally the white stuff you see in the pictures] that had defined the tumor looks very stable.

So, bottom line, no further injury to brain, and hopefully combination of Trental + steroids + HBO + time is preventing further damage. There was no significant edema, and may be reasonable to talk about slowly dialing down steroids.

........................

Basically, this is neutral news at worst and fantastic news at best. The "area of concern" has not made any significant changes and I am improving symptomatically for the most part, which are both excellent. As I continue to do my daily OT exercises and morning trots with my mom and/or Gambit (my dog if you didn't know his name), everything strength-wise is getting better and I am gaining more coordination. Overall, I'm doing very well as expected physically. It's still a bit of a mental struggle as I'm trying to diet a bit to fight the steroid weight gain (everything tastes amazing unfortunately and my appetite is, to say the least, relentless), and it's obviously a battle of patience as well. I'm working on getting some new pictures up so that you can get a look at the HBO chamber, among a couple others. Life is treating me well. Again, I want to extend a warm congratulations to a few of my good friends and their families for recent excellent news of beating their cancers (couple prostate surgeries and breast cancer with no surgery). I will be visiting my Radiation Oncologist and Neurologist in about a week, so perhaps I will receive more news then. 34 HBO treatments down! Go me!

I know I recently removed a bunch of people from my facebook account, which consequently resulted in their loss to access when I post an update (I know for certain there were a few of you... again I had to do that for personal reasons). Please (anybody who has read this and/or stumbled upon it), send your email address to thecancerousot@gmail.com and I'll be sure to get you on my mailing list for when I send out updates! This is also the email address to send any relevant questions, which I will then share with the blog.

Again, keep in mind that the second annual Walk Ahead for a Brain Tumor Cure will be on Oct. 2. It is a 5k which you can walk/run/wheelchair and promises to be an enjoyable experience. I plan to make Matt's Matter Matters T-shirts again this year, so let me know if you are interested in having one... I'll assume anyone who joins my team once I can get it set up (they aren't ready for me yet) wants a shirt (I'll need sizes of course).

If you wish to make an early donation to the team, checks can be mailed to the following:

The Brain Tumor Cancer Fund in honor of Matt Korfhagen at Walk Ahead BTC Fund
c/o UC Neuroscience Institute
P.O. Box 670570
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0570

(reference Matt's Matter Matters in the memo line of your check)

OR

If you'd like once I've got my team set up you may donate then.

Also, I am very grateful for my Uncle and his future wife (my future aunt of course) for requesting that donations be sent to this cause in lieu of receiving wedding gifts, as well as to raise funds for Alzheimer's (there is a 5k for that on Oct. 1 if you prefer, or would be so kind as to donate to both causes. The Alzheimer's instructions are below:

The Alzheimer's Association in honor of Ruth Lehrter at http://www.alz.org/cincinnati

OR

The Alzheimer's Association
Greater Cincinnati Chapter
644 Linn Street, Suite 1026
Cincinnati, OH 45203

Any donations to either of those causes would be very graciously appreciated and I am so thankful for all the support you have all provided to my family and myself. You are amazing.