Week 2 is done

One more week down, 5 to go.

Conan was able to do his radiation treatment without valium today. He was pretty proud of himself! He listens to music during the treatment and has really settled into his routine.

He does think he is starting to feel some fatigue from the radiation, not a lot, but some.
Although you do not feel anything during a radiation treatment, the effects of radiation build gradually over time. Most patients have very few side effects at first; however, many experience fatigue as treatment continues. When other side effects occur, they are typically limited to the areas receiving treatment. - Caring4Cancer.com

But he also thinks the reduction of the steroid is allowing him to sleep better at night.

Blog Business

I changed some of the settings for the comments area. You no longer need a google id, or need to create one, to leave a comment.

You will need to type in a verification word; this helps prevent spam postings.

Any questions? vjbhawk@gmail.com Enjoy your weekend!

Nothing New to Report

Conan is feeling mostly fine: no headaches, no nausea. He considers himself fortunate in that his only problem at this point is some insomnia. Most nights he is waking around 2:30, and has trouble falling back to sleep. He has some daytime fatigue, but he is attributing that to the sleepless nights rather than the radiation.

As we wind up week 2 of radiation, no news is good news, and treatment is continuing without complications.

Week 2 Begins

At today's appointment, the steriod amounts were reduced again (2 mg per day). And starting Saturday, it will go to 2 mg every other day.

Things are going along steadily. Conan & Gretta were able to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend, spending time with friends, running errands, and doing chores around the house.

1 week down -- 6 to go!

Everything has gone smoothly this first week of radiation and chemotherapy, and Gretta & Conan are looking forward to the 3-day weekend.

If you want to volunteer to be a driver, drop me an e-mail at vjbhawk@gmail.com and I'll pass on your name and number. Otherwise, continue to pray for healing and give thanks that treatment has begun and is progressing smoothly.

Also, Monday June 2 is Gretta's 30th Birthday. Please send along your best wishes to her for a Happy Birthday!

Things going well . . .

Conan met with the radiation oncologist on Tuesday. The doctor said he had studied the biopsy and thinks he can categorize it as nearer grade 2 than grade 4 within the grade 3 spectrum. This is good news. Lower grade means slower growth, slower growth means a better chance for the radiation and chemotherapy to destroy more cells before they grow.

There have now been 4 radiation treatments, and Conan is starting to settle into a routine. He has had different drivers every day this week (thank you to all who have volunteered their time behind the wheel!!) and that helps keep the drive down I-80 a little less boring.

The radiation techs told him he is getting better every day at sitting still. He hasn't moved so much they have to halt the treatment, but sitting still is not his strong suit. :)

The steriods have started to cause some puffiness in his face, but otherwise he is feeling better than he expected. The docs have also lowered his steroid dose a bit too.

Is it the same as Senator Kennedy's?

The short answer is we don't know yet if Kennedy's is the same.

As you can imagine, we have viewed the recent news headlines involving Senator Kennedy much differently than we might have just 6 weeks ago.

Here's what I know:

Kennedy’s tumor has been diagnosed as a glioma, so has Conan's. Kennedy only had a small incision and biopsy performed. Conan had a larger incision and a craniotomy.

But, glioma is not a specific type of cancer. It is a general category of brain tumor that includes astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas and gliobastoma multiforme. They are named according to the specific type of brain cell affected. Gliomas can be high-grade, which are more dangerous, or low-grade, which are often slow-growing and require little or no treatment.

A glioblastoma is the most common brain tumor that affects adults. It is also the most rapidly growing malignant tumor of the brain, with the shortest survival rate. (from msnbc.com)

Conan’s tumor has been identified as an astrocytoma, which is a type of glioma. My father-in-law had a gliobastoma multiforme in 1991, also a type of glioma.

Like Conan did two weeks ago, Kennedy is now waiting for pathology reports to give doctors more information about the type of tumor. Conan's age and general health give him a definite edge over Kennedy. And when I hear the statistics journalists are throwing out with regard to Kennedy, it makes me cringe. But the stats take into account all grades of glioma tumors, all ages and all levels of general health. Conan has many more factors in his favor.

You can e-mail me with any questions you might have. I will try to find the answers.

Or if you want to leave a message for Gretta & Conan, use the comment link or send me the note and I will forward it.

Also please share the blog address with others that are interested in Conan's progress.

Radiation -- Day 2

Today was the second (of 34) radiation treatments.

Last week, the radiation oncology department fit a special pillow and, for lack of a better description, a face cage to keep him place for the radiation treatments. He also has a mouthpiece to wear that will sense if he moves.

The radiation treatment lasts about 10 minutes.

During the 7 weeks of radiation, Conan will also take Temodar. It is an oral pill, taken once per day and has a lower incidence of side effects than the many other types of chemotherapy.

He is also taking some steroids. (Corticosteroids are not the same as "anabolic steroids" used by body builders -- so no, he won't join the major leagues to hit the long ball!) So far, it seems to be the side effects of the steroid that are causing the most discomfort.

Please continue to pray for Conan & Gretta. Pray for healing and eradication of the tumor. Pray for their physical and mental strength as they engage in this battle. Also pray that they will feel God's love wrapped around them.

Here's How it Started

April 23: MRI that showed a brain tumor.

April 30: Surgery revealed a much more invasive and aggressive tumor than first suspected. One doctor described as like a plant with roots. The part of the tumor identified originally was outside the brain. But it turned out that was only the 'leaves' part of the tumor and that the 'roots' were into the brain, like roots into the soil. The underground portions of the weed (it's not a tree or a flower, but a noxious weed) couldn't be removed without huge concerns for causing brain damage. As much tumor, as judged by the surgeon, that was safe to remove was removed and sent for testing.

May 6: Pathology report indicated a grade 3, astrocytoma.

Through a series of doctor appointments in Moline and Iowa City, Gretta & Conan have decided to use the treatment offered at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. This is a serious tumor, but Conan is young and in good health, and the doctors believe they have caught it pretty early.