Face of America Ride and Race for Hope - DC

In one of my earlier posts informing my followers of the new activity with "Timmy" I also stated I was going to rededicate myself to staying more active/working out.  I renewed my membership to our local recreation center in late February and can share since March 1st through today I've only missed 2 days of working out.  The first was when I took a red-eye flight back from Hawaii and although I arrived before noon that Friday, Kristine and I had our taxes done that day and by the time I got home I was exhausted.  I would miss another Friday workout to spend some time with my beautiful bride.  Needless to say I am getting stronger again which is what I wanted to happen so if I do have surgery I believe being in shape will aid in my recovery.  Along the way of getting back in shape not only am I losing weight I'm also joining a Marine brother (Brian W.) on the Face of America Ride which begins at the Pentagon on Saturday the 27th ending in Gettysburg on Sunday equating to 120 miles in 2 days.  I've been riding but the longest I've gone of recent is 25 miles so this weekend should be interesting.
The the following week we have the Race for Hope and with the help from family, friends, and strangers alike "The Gunny's Team" is going to reach it's goal of 10K this year.  To all that have donated thank you very much for your support. 
I've also purchased new t'shirts this year and if you wish to get one please make a donation of $20 dollars to "The Gunny's Team" and let me know and I'll get it to you.  This year's shirts are navy blue with white print screening and I can honestly say I think this is the best looking shirt we've had to date. 
There are many of you which wear past years shirts and post pics on Facebook and I can't express how touched I am by your continuous moral support.
I'll post pics from this weekends ride and will give you an update.

SF
JD

MRI results (Good news but still unsure how to proceed)

Today was the follow-up appointment to get the results from the MRI scan I had on Monday afternoon.  I can share that I received the news we could hold off but the Dr also opened the door for me on when to do it.  Her first comments after coming into the room was the tumor was stable and the hot spot where dye had leaked from the February scan was not as prominent and looked to be smaller and admitted she couldn't explain why.

Some of you are probably thinking that is good news and I agree; however, she also shared the bridge between the left and right frontal lobes indicates the tumor is migrating to the right side.  This was something Kristine and I were made aware of when we first learned of the tumor three years ago.  Unfortunately, it's not been a major topic of discussion in previous appointments at least not what Kristine or I can remember. 

Nonetheless, today was more about focusing on this new piece of information and leaves Kristine at a lost on what to do.  The Dr's position is to still have surgery its just when.  Of course Kristine and I were at odds in the room with the doctor and struggle on what the right answer is or course to follow regarding my treatment.

Before I left NIH today I went back and signed the necessary paperwork to have my scans and notes sent to John Hopkins and going to get an additional consult with Dr. Holdhoff who I met in March and get his opinion.  If he has a different opinion and suggests to continue to monitor I'm most likely going to stick with his opinion and most likely move to John Hopkins for further monitoring and treatment.  If he agrees to continue with the path of surgery then I will it will be just a matter of when. 

Most would think I would be excited to have gotten the news today and to a certain extent I am but I'm also perplexed because I'm struggling to determine what is the right course to pursue.  If I had a heart disease or broken limb there is a set of procedures which doctors all over the world follow.  However, with this disease it's on a case by case basis and although medicine is a science there is not specific set of procedures on how to deal with brain tumors.

So I'm off to bed to wonder about this even more.

SF
JD

Timmy the tumor is being bad :-( again..

Hello Friends

I sent a mass amount of emails soliciting support for this years "Race for Hope" and for those of you that reviewed the "Gunny's Team" page and personal page I mentioned that my last scan indicated the tumor is displaying a small hot spot which is leading me back into surgery.

Kristine and I have been thorough in gathering information and the resounding message from every doctor we've discussed my case with is to proceed with surgery.  Dr. Cooper who conducted my first procedure will be present which provides a great deal of comfort to both Kristine and I.  After discussions with him and Dr. Park who will be the lead surgeon this time indicated he is only going to go after the tissue where the dye leaked from my last MRI.  Surgery on the brain is of concern but given I've been through this in the past I'm confident I will bounce back just as I did the first time.

Now the question many may be asking is when will this procedure occur.  That is dependent upon the results of an MRI I'm having on 1Apr13 which I will get the results on the 3rd and post the findings that evening.  My desire which I've shared with the medical staff is I want to wait until at least the week of May 20-24.  Some are asking why do I want to wait for so long.  There are a couple of key reasons..

1. I must admit I became complacent since my retirement and comfortable with getting the MRI's on a quarterly basis and for 15 months it was just something I was going through without much thought.  After getting the news on Valentines day, it took getting that news for me realize no one ever defeats death.  However, I also realized I'm not doing anything to help keep it at bay with regards to my diet and weight control.  So I updated my yearly recreation center membership and have been getting myself in shape so when surgery is conducted I will be bounce back as quickly as I did in 2010. 
2. The request to wait until May allows Maddie and Jake to finish their spring semesters uninterrupted.  If I have to have surgery in April, Maddie is adamant that she will be here.  Jake is easier since he's only 3 hours away and can take a train but with Maddie at Tx A&M it will require a flight which is not difficult but want to get cheapest rates possible.

So as long as the results of the MRI doesn't indicate significant growth I'll be able to hold off; however, I've also agreed that if it's indicating it's agressive the procedure will occur in April dependent upon the surgeons and any additional testing they may require.

The irony behind all this is for those of you who know me and see me on an regular basis wouldn't know that I have a brain tumor and even when the results were shared in February it's not like I have any visible signs.

As always I keep a very positive attitude and confident this is just another step along the path of what lies ahead.  Please keep Kristine, Maddie, Jake and I in your thoughts and prayers.

Stay tuned to this blog as I will update with what we find out this week.

SF
JD