News

I've dreaded typing this post. Writing this for you all to read makes it too real.

Dr. C, her residents and an RN came to the room this afternoon to tell us that the MR spectroscopy results show that the lesion is a tumor.

The neuro team wants to keep Steve admitted for now.

We expect the neuro-oncologist to come by sometime Saturday, Sunday or Monday. She will have studied his case and will start laying out a plan as best she can.

The neurosurgeon who specializes in deep brain cases has reviewed Steve's films and says he can biopsy the area (tentatively scheduled for Jan. 2 or 3). Getting a tissue sample will better define what kind of tumor it is and help determine the best course of treatment.

In general, the treatment would be radiation and chemotherapy. I don't know more details. And the neuro-oncologist requested that we not use the Internet to get more information. I am going to do my best to follow that advice. We are focused now on fighting this awful thing and getting Steve back to 100% health. In my mind, there is no other option, and I'm not interested in reading the statistics. I welcome the success stories and positive outcomes.

We have asked Ray, one of Steve's co-workers, to pull together information on the centers that can best treat this tumor. We may stay here, of course, but we don't want to miss the best option.

Steve's parents are with him now. I left this afternoon to pick up Cooper & Katie, bring them home and have a somewhat routine night. Jim & Betty will stay with him until Will arrives after his late shift at the News. Will will stay until morning, when more reinforcements arrive.

Cooper & Katie will be with dear friends this weekend and back with Jim & Betty next week.

When Cooper learned that his Daddy wouldn't be coming home from the hospital today, he cried and said, "It's not fair." He's right.