[SIERA] More cancer news from Bob - it is still spreading

[Dick Flanagan]

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From: "Bob Evans" <bob at bobandmerrilyevans.org>
Subject: More cancer news - it is still spreading
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 09:05:29 -0800

Howdy, friends!

While I was reading the newspaper on Monday morning I found that I couldn't
see the words on the paper - there was a bright, pulsating, colored image
over the words. The image tracked with my eye movements. I thought perhaps I
was having a stroke. I told Merrily I was having problems, then went to get
dressed. I couldn't manage to coordinate my right hand with my eyes - missed
the knob on the dresser drawer!

After I showered and changed I called the doctors, who advised I go to the
ER at Stanford. Our youngest boy, Christopher drove me up to Stanford. In
the ER they did the usual neurological exam - eyes, hands, legs, memory.
Then they did a CT scan of my brain, which revealed a "mass" in the left
half of the brain. The CT scan was just a quick check - not very precise -
so they did an MRI next. This showed three tumors in the visual cortex, on
the left side of my brain. The swelling from the tumors is what was causing
the symptoms. They put me on steroids right away to reduce the swelling.
Then they admitted me to the hospital for observation. By later that night
my headache was gone and I felt much better - the steroids had already
significantly reduced the swelling. I'm currently taking Decadron 4 times a
day to keep the swelling down. I do still have some loss of peripheral
vision on the right side. I came back home Tuesday afternoon.

The chief of the neurosurgery department came in Monday evening to talk to
Merrily and I. He described where the tumors were, how big they were, and
what the treatment options would be. Fortunately, he recommended exactly
what I hoped for. He said that I'm an ideal candidate for this treatment as
the tumors are still fairly small (largest 1cm) and close together. So,
despite the bad news about having brain tumors, the treatment will be quick
and painless - no open surgery. I'll get treated by "Cyberknife" which is
very focused radiation. It has a very low probability of side effects
(meaning it won't kill too many 'good' brain cells). You can learn more
about Cyberknife at this URL: http://www.accuray.com/cyberknife.htm

The treatment should be sometime next week. This will delay any treatment
for my liver and lungs metastases, but it is important to get the brain mets
first. I now have nearly the full range of kidney cancer (kidney, liver,
lung, and brain mets). The only thing left to go is bone mets, although I
still suspect that is that is causing my arm pains - we just haven't found
the tumor yet.

I'm still in good spirits, and I'm feeling better with the swelling in the
brain reduced. I'll keep you informed as things change.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

73, Bob N6YMA

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Bob Evans                    Bob at BobAndMerrilyEvans.Org
2158 Harrison Street         Home: 408-423-8704
Santa Clara, CA 95050        Cell: 775-450-4543

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Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
E-mail: k7vc at arrl.org