Apparently, the tests they are running are pretty special and certainly SLOW because not all of the results are back. (Keep in mind, his surgery was 3 weeks ago tomorrow.)
I will give you a gist of what we found out today. I will preface it and say, I am very relieved overall about what we heard.
As always, Dr Fuchs pulls up a chair and just dives into everything. I really like his bedside manner, he doesn't sugar coat things, or lead you on about what is happening or could happen. He never rushes through the appointment, and always answers our many questions. He is also sure to throw in a few jokes to try to ease Braeden's mind about what we are discussing.
We hear a ton of information at these appointments, and obviously we hope we are asking the right questions.
With that being said....
Most of the pathology is back. The pathology is pointing to the tumor being the "Pilocystic Astrocytoma" as he previously suspected.
One part of the pathology that is missing is some of the "genetic" testing that is being done. I don't believe that this impacts his treatment path, those results will be more information for Braeden's overall clinical picture.
One of the more important pieces of the pathology that is missing is the testing that reveals what grade the tumor is classified as. (Grade I, II, III, or IV.) Dr Fuchs feels very POSITIVE that it will be classified as Grade I tumor. He said that the testing is showing the "cells as slow dividing". This is a good thing. The quicker they divide the higher the grade the "worse" the tumor.
So where do we go from here.....
We can't do much until all of the pathology tests are back and we get a definite diagnosis and "grade". The reports that are back are considered preliminary and are not "official" as of yet.
The plan as of now is for Braeden to have a MRI in about 6 weeks. (6 weeks gives the spinal cord more to heal and any swelling that may still be around)
This MRI will be considered his "new baseline" MRI. His post op MRI did not show much of the "tumor sliver", it is our hope that the next MRI will be the same.
We will also see Dr Fuchs and a Neurology Oncologist on the same day of the MRI.
If the "sliver" is the same on the next MRI, (Dr Fuchs doesn't anticipate that there will be any growth) Dr Fuchs feels VERY positive that chemotherapy will not be necessary.
Chemotherapy treatment plans if necessary will be left up to the Neurology Oncologist that we see that day.
It seems that chemotherapy is the way we will have to go if further treatment is needed. Dr Fuchs seems to be very leery of another spinal surgery. I think the damage he potentially could cause is his greatest concern.
Braeden will have to have numerous MRIs over the next year or so, to ensure that the "sliver" doesn't change in size.
Dr Fuchs knows that there is some tumor left behind, but he says these tumors are strange in the way that sometimes they will "go away" on their own. He described his tumor as slimy grey stuff. He doesn't think we should jump into chemo, until we see if the tumor goes away, or if starts growing again. Let's just hope this thing just goes AWAY.
We are not "off the hook" yet, but this is the best news I think we could have gotten today.
Braeden is doing better daily. He should be able to go back to school after the New Year. He is not a fan at all the OT exercises he is having to do. We appreciate all of the prayers, they are continuing to work.
Merry Christmas to you all!
#BraedenBrave
#MrUnlucky
Merry Christmas and hopes and payers for continued good news! So thankful! xxoo
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteKeeping all of you in my prayers.