I've been having persistent headaches for the last 2.5-3 weeks that were getting worse not better. They started with me quitting caffeine so I thought they'd just go away by themselves but they didn't. They were really starting to affect my sleep and general enjoyment of life Sunday I had some vomiting. So on Monday I went to see our family doctor. He was concerned and so requisitioned a CT scan. It took a couple of days, but I got it on Wednesday. This morning my doctor called me with the results. The radiologist was seeing a ~3cm 'nodular growth' in my right temporal lobe above my right ear. He was having a real hard time finding a neurologist/neurosurgeon that was not on vacation and willing to see me. Sonia left her work early and came to pick me up from mine around 1pm. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, the Old Marina, which looks out over a local lake. Had really tasty meatloaf and twice-baked potatoe. While sitting there in the sun, Dr. Kennel called. He'd found a neurosurgeon at Hamilton General Hospital. We just needed to pick up a CD of the CT scan results from the Grand River Hospital where I had it (hello? email? :-O) and bring it with us. So we picked up Evan from daycare, brought him to Sonia's Mom for the night, did the CD pickup and hared our way out to Hamilton.
Once here I got a room, and we talked to Dr. Alfonz, the nice young neurology resident, his senior, and the department head Dr. Reddy. All seemed capable and helpful.
The opinion and info that came out wasn't exactly positive. The growth needs to come out 'or it will take my life'. It's not clear whether it's malignant or benign, but from the pictures so far looks a bit more on the malignant side. I'm staying in-hospital overnight. Tomorrow I should get an MRI. It will help make the decision of whether to do a biopsy or a 'maximum resection' (take out as much of it as possible). Doing nothing already seems off the table. It's unclear when I'll be able to go into surgery, because of some money-saving OR closures. It may be this weekend, or even as early as tomorrow. If not, then probably Monday/Tuesday.
If they manage to remove it well, it still sounds like there's a high likelihood of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to follow.
Oh, and they've taken my driver's license away, because about 5 weeks ago I fainted and they think it might have been a related seizure, that by law requires that they request my license be suspended. This sucks, but given my job is only 3 minutes' drive away, neither is it the worst thing ever. I may even get to how long it takes to walk there or drive bike. :)
If there's anything you can do to help Sonia (or Evan), I'd ask that you do it. I'd love any visitors I can get. I may be reachable on my cell at 519-212-6530. Sonia at 226-220-5724
I don't know where this will lead. Just trying to stay in the now, take it hour by hour. Right now Sonia's driving around aimlessly trying to find me some take-out before I loose my eating privileges in anticipation of possible surgery.
If you have any questions feel free to ask them.
Love,
-Chris
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