Mike’s Latest Update: The Best News We’ve Had Yet

It’s been a busy few weeks, and I’ve been dying to share this — for the first time since all of this started, we finally have some truly good news.

We went to both Duke and MUSC for fresh opinions on Mike’s case and his latest MRI. Both told us what we were hoping (but almost afraid) to hear: it’s not glioblastoma.

Instead, it’s something called HPAP — High-grade glioma with pleomorphic and pseudopapillary features. It’s a type of glioma that is rare and only recently recognized, but the key difference is this: it tends to have clearer edges instead of spreading aggressively like glioblastoma. Still serious, yes — but likely less aggressive, and with a better prognosis than we were first told.

The MRI results backed that up. Both teams agreed that things look better since treatment. They can’t completely rule out lingering tumor cells, but they believe there’s no new growth — and that the bright spots on the scan are likely scar tissue and inflammation from radiation, not active tumor.

For the first time, the weight on our chests feels a little lighter. HPAP is rare and still being studied, but we’ll take the win.

Next steps: 5 days of oral chemo every 28 days, plus an MRI every 2 months, for at least 6–12 months (likely the full 12 for Mike).

We still have quite a road ahead of us, but now it feels less like staring off a cliff and more like walking a trail we can actually see.

To everyone who’s prayed, called, texted, cooked, or quietly cheered us on — thank you. We feel it all, and it means more than you know.

Here’s to more good scans, more good days, and more good news. Today, Mike and I get to breathe a little easier — and that feels like a gift.