Recurrence
Going back to the beginning we were told that a grade 3 Astrocytoma brain tumor was going to be a very tough one to deal with, and on May 6, 2012 a routine follow up MRI found new tumor activity in several places in the front of his brain and also in a particularly dangerous spot in the back of his brain. So he restarted Temodar chemotherapy and after a month another MRI was done. The scan showed that the activity had gotten worse so the Temodar was discontinued.
Duke University Medical Center, Durham North Carolina
David did his research and decided that Duke University had an exceptional reputation for specializing with brain tumors. We met with their neuro oncologist in September 2012 and they advised a new chemotherapy regimen of 12 cycles of Avastin, Carboplatin, and CPT-11. They said that they thought David “had a 50/50 chance”. I didn’t know for sure what that meant and don’t want to know specifically because although I know they were trying to impress us with how serious the situation was, I will keep my focus on any options that I consider to be able to provide a cure. The medical people say there is no cure. One thing I know for sure is that if you don’t look for what you want, you probably won’t find it. So, I choose to believe that there is a cure even if it means merely controlling the cancer until we find something that will provide the cure.
New Chemotherapy Regimen Results
Our oncologist told us that most people that are ever able to respond favorably to this combination of chemotherapy drugs show a significant response after a couple months. David had never used any of these drugs which they considered a positive thing. So we didn’t know what to expect. His symptoms had increased significantly by the time he could start on these drugs. He had a very positive response during the first administration of the drugs, but that really didn’t mean anything for the long term, but at least he got significant relief immediately.
Good News!
So, he has been receiving this new chemotherapy drug regimen for the last several months. He has had MRI’s every other month after starting this new regimen. The first 2 MRI’s showed a small amount of improvement but didn’t give us the indication these drugs would be a significant help. Our neuro oncologist told us that the third MRI would be critical in letting us know if we were on the right track. Praise the Lord Jesus when the third MRI was done it showed significant reduction in the rear tumor, and all the activity in the front of his brain was no longer showing up on the MRI. We have just returned from having the 4th MRI done and it again showed significant improvement. The mid line of his brain is returning to its correct alignment due to the reduction in swelling. Our oncologist is amazed at how well David feels and how well he is tolerating these drugs. We don’t know what the future holds, but David is very encouraged as are we, his parents. I’ll provide another update after his next MRI in 2 months.
When We Think of Giving Up
So if you or a loved one have brain cancer with a dismal prognosis and are wondering what the future holds, I pray that something in our experience will give you hope and help you to pursue the possible healing methods that may be the answer for your needs. Above all I’m trusting that the Lord Jesus Christ is willing to lead us through these difficult times and in many cases lead us to a cure if we are willing to let Him teach us how to follow Him, learn His ways, and become sensitive to the leading of His Holy Spirit. We must not give up while He is still working on our behalf. Here’s a quote I found from Winston Churchill:
“Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ― Winston Churchill
I perceive cancer to be a particularly evil method that the forces of darkness use to hurt us, ruin lives, and ruin families. In the Bible in the first letter to the church in the city of Corinth the apostle Paul says in chapter 10 verse 13 Revised Standard Version (RSV):
I pray for you and for us that we’ll trust God to provide that “way of escape”, whatever it is, from this terrible disease.
October 8, 2013 Update
Regular MRI done in early August 2013
The neuro oncologist thought there was a possibility that there was new activity in the front of the brain and therefore ordered the next MRI to be done a month earlier than normal which meant it would be done just one month later. However, the radiologist's report from this August MRI said no disease progression, stable. There seemed to be a possible contradiction.
Early MRI done in early September 2013
The September MRI showed no tumor activity so the neuro oncologist said to continue with the chemotherapy regimen my son had been on for the last 12 months. This seemed to confirm the radiologist's report from the August MRI which was very good news!
November 15, 2013 Update
MRI done November 5th indicates no tumor activity anywhere except the possibility of one new area in the center of his brain. I’m wondering if this could possibility be a false positive reading. The radiologist report did not indicate there was new activity in that area, but the neuro oncologist showed us a one millimeter area that appeared to be new enhancement. The neuro oncologist recommended stopping the CPT-11 and Carboplatin and substituting CCNU in their place. So now he’ll continue Avastin every 2 weeks and take CCNU orally once every 6 weeks. He’ll take the CCNU a total of four times if his bone marrow permits. He took CPT-11, Carboplatin, and Avastin by infusion for 14 months.
