We're shell-shocked by positive news today

For the past few days, we've all been bracing for the worst possible news. We had some indication Monday after the biopsy that the tissue samples gathered during the biopsy showed tumor. Today talking with our neurologist, he shared some incredibly encouraging news. I actually uttered the words, "Are you kidding me?" when the neurologist read the pathology report. Not my most articulate moment, but it was shocking in all the right ways.

While it is not fully definitive, the biopsy showed that the area biopsied was necrosis/treatment effect, and NOT glioblastoma (grade IV tumor - worst kind). Let me say that again (even in bold font)- it did NOT show grade IV tumor. The pathology report said that there were tumor cells in the samples, but that they were less aggressive than his biopsied tissue last summer, less proliferative, and less cellular. The treatments appear to be working.

Let me give you a moment to let that soak in. . .

So, the decline we've seen with Dad's balance, cognitive status, and walking gait is currently being attributed to effects of the treatment. Not an aggressive tumor. The doctor has ordered a PET scan for Friday that will further confirm this diagnosis, or it could perhaps light up an area not biopsied, which would indicate that the samples received were not the most active part of the growth area. If (and we're still cautiously optimistic) this is effect of the treatment, they would schedule surgery for next week or so to go in and "suction out" the dead tissue to relieve pressure and make some space. This is not the invasive and dangerous surgery that was ruled out to resection part of the tumor. This is another minor surgery (one can never really say minor surgery when the brain is involved, though) to go in and kind of clean things out a bit and let Dad's brain relax and have some space to stretch.

The doctor also tripled his steroids to help try and relieve the swelling. We should see a difference in his energy level and fatigue within a day or so. Dad is having a hard time letting this all soak in, but just as he was going to bed I think it started to hit him a bit (in a positive way). I promise you there have been tears of relief and joy shed across the family this evening. We're cautiously optimistic (the PET scan on Friday could show us something different), but our neurologist took me aside and said that in his gut he feels it's treatment effect. And that's why he did the biopsy.

Best end to a day we've had in a long time. Such a roller coaster of up and down emotions (including today of being really down bracing for the bad news, and actually having Dad use a wheelchair because his balance and stamina were poor), but I'll take an end to a day like this any time. We all would. The doctor told mom as we were walking out, "Hang in there." She could have kissed him.

I'm ready to go back to talk to the Irish priest that we saw today who provided the blessing and pack him along with us in the Pilot back to Omaha. We have a lot more to discuss.

Right now the plan is to get the PET scan on Friday, and head back to Omaha Friday late morning. Depending on the results, we would likely come back next week for surgery to remove the dead tissue after talking with the surgeon again.

Hope. We have further reason to hope.