I guess we’ll need a new countdown now, because we got a call from Dr. Engh last night. He has enough information from pathology from Duke to fully diagnose Mike’s tumor as a grade 3 astrocytoma with wIDH. Not the news we were hoping for, as it is a more aggressive tumor, classified as having invasive malignancy. The recommended treatment is a combination of radiation, which he wants to begin in 2 weeks, and chemo, which we’ll find out about next week when we can get on the oncology schedule.
Radiation will be a total of 30 treatments, which means a treatment every day for 6 weeks. Side effects include hair loss at the targeted radiation site, scalp burn, and fatigue. Chemo will be given in 2-3 month cycles in pill form, which has fewer side effects than IV conducted forms of chemo. Fatigue seems to be a side effect of both treatments. Imaging every 2-3 months will help determine how he is responding to treatment, so I take comfort in the fact that his brain will continue to be closely monitored!
Dr. Engh shared that the average 5 year survivability for this type of tumor is 2-3 years. However, he stressed that these averages include a wide variety of patients with a wide variety of ages and other factors, and he’s seen patients with worse diagnoses live many long years, and he’s seen patients with more benign diagnoses not. He “expects long term survival” for Mike in particular for several reasons. Mike is relatively young, has no co-morbidities and is otherwise generally healthy, the tumor was able to be surgically removed with no residuals, and most of all Mike is motivated to do the work and LIVE. So we have several reasons to be optimistic despite this not being the diagnosis we had hoped to hear.
We’re doing as well as can be expected trying to digest this new information. We may need a few days to come to terms with it all, but one thing remains constant: Mike is determined and resolved to BEAT THIS and enjoy every single minute of life that he is given.
Much love to Brother Mike and the whole family. If anyone can kick this in the pants, it’s Mike. And while this might be a journey, we are all here to help through it all. Thinking of you all and praying, cheering while you eradicate this !!
We can have hope and we can have confidence. And, two things can be true at the same time, we can be scared and heartbroken.
Even though this is uncharted territory, you have strength and fortitude — and an army of support and love behind you.
We’re here for you when you need us. Take your time! We love you so much!!
Your strength is inspiring, and always remember that there are so many who love you and are here to support you however you need. So much love to you all!
Mike, I’m praying for you and your family, buddy! You have to get back on that bike and head down this way. All the beers you want will be on me when we meet up at Poe’s again! Stay strong, brother!!
Mike,
Praying for you and the fam brother. Looking forward to seeing you out and about walking those pups and on the bike again! Keep up the good fight brother – and Rachel too!.