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Spooky160

Big Dog

Big Dog

Large Member
Staff member
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Hey all,

We need a little help here. Spooky160 (Rich Dressell) had a brain tumor removed today. All went well except for the fact that the Doc thinks it's malignant. Got most of it and we'll be patiently waiting on the test results. Please include Rich, Nancy and Scott in your thoughts over the coming weeks.

Much appreciated!

Dawg
 
I think Malignant is bad, benign is good.

Thanks for letting us know Dawg. Is he your sons friend? No matter, he'll be in my thoughts and prayers. :thumb:
 
prayers yup.
malignant bad - but out of sheer morbid (OK, and work related) curiosity, I'd like to hear what the path report comes up with for type, as some of those respond well to rad, some don't.
 
Erik said:
prayers yup.
malignant bad - but out of sheer morbid (OK, and work related) curiosity, I'd like to hear what the path report comes up with for type, as some of those respond well to rad, some don't.
Click to expand...

Will do!
 
Update: ......

Well 14 months later, 2 operations and a postponed 3rd because of a second inoperable tumor. Rich is not good, he goes into aggressive chemo Monday. I drove up today and I'm in Port Perry, Ontario sitting with him this week.

Folks, we need a favor .............. !!
 
Big Dog said:
Update: ......

Well 14 months later, 2 operations and a postponed 3rd because of a second inoperable tumor. Rich is not good, he goes into aggressive chemo Monday. I drove up today and I'm in Port Perry, Ontario sitting with him this week.

Folks, we need a favor .............. !!
Click to expand...

You got it.
 
You got it buddy. Prayers on the way.
Best wishes for all.
 
thcri said:
BD have you heard anymore as of today?

Prayers are on their way.
Click to expand...

Murph, I got a little ahead of myself. Rich goes in this coming Monday. Sort of lose track when your in this situation with a great friend. He's actually on chemo now and Monday the 8th he is suppose to start radiation. Right now it's also a quality of life decision. This is a short extension tactic and the question is would it be worth putting him through rad.

Rich's goes in and out of local comprehension. His wife is waiting on a any sign or communication from him to help decide on what to do. I've been here with them 2 days, sometimes I know he knows who he's talking to (me) and sometimes he doesn't know me. He remembers most when he's stimulated mentally with questions but then that starts to wear him out.

This is an eye opener, I've never watched family or friend go through this. I'm here to make him laugh, he always liked my humor and told his wife that alot. I've even gone so far as to encouraging him to step outside the box, there are no more rules at this point. I just have to find him in a good moment and make it as enjoyable as I can.
 
Ah the pisser was that they thought the 3rd surgery was a go. Found out the drug he was taking CPT-11 was masking the second tumor so the scans and MRI's didn't see it.

Here is some synopsis of what has gone down over the last year ....

Initial ...............

While we were vacationing together during March 08 break my husband became ill and was rushed by ambulance to the nearest hospital (Salisbury, MD) where he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The tumor was removed March 26th at Johns Hopkins by Dr. Quinones and he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma GBM IV. After a month break to heal he began receiving radiation treatment May 6th Monday to Friday from Dr.Lawrence R. Kleinberg in combination with daily dosages of Temodar from Dr. Stuart Grossman at Johns Hopkins. On June 20th he will have completed the radiation treatment. July 24th we are to return for another MRI and Dr. follow-up.

Latest ............

His most recent course of treatment these past two weeks (now that the tumour has been diagnosed as inoperable) has been based on a study out of Duke. It includes 100 mg. Etoposide for 21 days, the Avistan once every three weeks at an infusion clinic in Buffalo and the planned 5 weeks of radiation beginning June 9th on the new frontal lower grade tumour.

Rich was scheduled for surgery three weeks ago when they discovered it was no longer operable. The other treatment he was receiving by infusion every other week in Buffalo (we drove back and forth since last September) the CPT 11 (combined with the avistan) has the negative side effect of masking the growth and was not initially identifiable at his every two month MRI check. Rich had a second surgery at Roswell in October to remove new growth of the GBM IV and three tumours were removed one scar tumour, another the low grade and the third more of the GBM IV.
 
I'm at a loss. I guess they didn't know that the drug he was taking would mask the tumor. It's got to be hell knowing you did everything you could possibly do and the folks you are trusting to guide you through this ordeal make such a major screw up.
 
Prayers for him BD. It is the toughest thing I have ever witnessed when I lost my best friend in 2002. You are doing what is best by trying to give him a little quality time when he can.
 
Rich got an appointment with a doctor in Port Perry, Ontario yesterday. They needed one to care for him during this stage and was having trouble finding one to take him on being from the states with military insurance (liability). He didn't want to go, but after getting there he ended up liking the doctor. The doctor deemed him strong enough to go through the rad.

Got home last night wore out and sick as a dog myself. My next time to see him will be in 4 weeks. I'm going to bring his 12 year old son down to visit with us for the last week of Rich's rad and then take him to Buffalo for the ride home with his dad.
 
I am very sorry to read about your friend and can only wish you all well. I lost my beloved partner with a brain tumour and seven years later, still miss him terribly.
 
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