Saturday, August 29, 2009

'Weighing hope and reality'

This New York Times piece about Sen. Edward Kennedy's fight against brain cancer is an excellent explanation of the balance Steve has faced since January 2008.

Reading it stirs mixed emotions. We know how lucky we are that Steve has outlived the median expected life expectancy after diagnosis -- 15 months.

And yet there's this harsh reality:
“This remains just a dreadful tumor,” said Dr. Eugene S. Flamm, a neurosurgeon at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Dr. Flamm, who was not involved with Mr. Kennedy’s treatment, added that when a patient developed glioblastoma, “there is not a hell of a lot you can do.”

And, though we've never questioned the treatment path for Steve's tumor, it is reassuring to read that Steve's treatment falls in line with what experts recommend.

1 comment:

Melinda Merschel said...

My father had pancreatic cancer and received most of his treatment in the middle of Kansas. It was reassuring to learn, near the end of his illness, that the doctors at M.D. Anderson believed that my dad had received world-class treatment every step of the way. It is good to know that we have done all we can for those we love, to know that the medical professionals have performed honorably and well. It may not change the outcome sometimes, but each sliver of peace of mind that we can achieve is a good thing.

You didn't choose this journey, but my goodness you are walking it well. So much love and faith and hope and perseverance. God bless you each day as you journey on.