Mark is all "strapped up" and waiting for his Gamma Knife procedure today.
Somehow he's still smiling! That's his positive attitude! When Mark first arrived, they put the "halo" on his head and did another MRI of his brain tumor to figure out exactly where the tumor is located. Next they waited for the computer to figure out the exact coordinates for the surgery, a very important step so they don't end up radiating a part of the brain that doesn't need it. Waiting for the coordinates and getting everything set up is the longest part of the day. The actual procedure only took about 20 minutes. The nurses and doctors played Beatles music for him while the procedure was taking place. He said at one point he almost drifted off to sleep.
When I talked to Mark he had a pretty bad headache from the "halo" being screwed so tight to his head, but he was doing well otherwise and of course, in great spirits!
Next Steps:
Mark meets with Dr. Kendra next Thursday, August 19th to discuss the next course of action. Mark would really like to enroll in another immunotherapy clinical trial currently taking place at MD Anderson in Texas using a combination of the drugs Illpillmunimab (immunotherapy) and Temedar (chemotherapy by pill). These options will be discussed with Dr. Kendra next Thursday.
In a couple of weeks Mark will have another MRI to see whether or not today's Gamma Knife procedure has decreased the size of his brain tumor. This new scan will also be interesting to compare to the old scans in regards to the other brain tumor in question, as several doctors still believe Mark should have brain surgery to remove it.
We will know more next Thursday! Thanks, as always, for your thoughts and prayers!
When I talked to Mark he had a pretty bad headache from the "halo" being screwed so tight to his head, but he was doing well otherwise and of course, in great spirits!
Next Steps:
Mark meets with Dr. Kendra next Thursday, August 19th to discuss the next course of action. Mark would really like to enroll in another immunotherapy clinical trial currently taking place at MD Anderson in Texas using a combination of the drugs Illpillmunimab (immunotherapy) and Temedar (chemotherapy by pill). These options will be discussed with Dr. Kendra next Thursday.
In a couple of weeks Mark will have another MRI to see whether or not today's Gamma Knife procedure has decreased the size of his brain tumor. This new scan will also be interesting to compare to the old scans in regards to the other brain tumor in question, as several doctors still believe Mark should have brain surgery to remove it.
We will know more next Thursday! Thanks, as always, for your thoughts and prayers!
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5 comments:
Thank you, Emily. Mark, you are incredible. You and Martha must be some team and so supportive of each other. As always, thinking great positive thoughts and prayers and sending them your way!
Mark--
Your strength and positivity has touched lives of people you have never met... KEEP FIGHTING. We are praying for you!
The Sidon Family
Praying for your family everyday! Keep up the positive attitude Mark!
~Tera (Haney) Kennedy
Mark&Martha,
"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies."(2 Corinthians 4:8-10)
Lee
28
Mark and Martha......you probably knew the "extraordinary" about one another.............now many more of us can see it.......continued heartfelt prayers for both you.
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