I have malignant salivary gland cancer

So MRI results, etc….

Apparently there are four new small lesions in my brain, which they don’t know what to make of bc it’s not acting like the cancer I have, which typically advances along nerves. The neuro-oncologist is going to huddle with the radiologist and my other full body oncologist to discuss next steps. Might be gamma knife surgery on these four spots. Might be observation and scans every six weeks as I’m not exhibiting any symptoms. Basically, they’re stumped.

Meanwhile, the neuro-oncologist disabused me of the hope I’d ever see out of my left eye again. He said even if they could operate — which they can’t do while I’m on this daily cancer drug — I’d have a very small chance of regaining my sight.

So I got good and drunk last night and then settled today on a Halloween costume — an eyeball painted hanging by its veins from the eyelid I can’t open. When I told my wife this, she said, “Do you know the approval matrix in New York Magazine? This would come down at the intersection of brilliant and despicable. Let’s do it. I’ll paint it.”

She’s a keeper.

Still, I refuse to believe I won’t see out of my eye again. They’ll figure it out.

 

Sorry about the MRI results, but your wife is awesome.

Keep pounding.

 

Sounds like a good attitude. Please share a photo of your Halloween costume so we can enjoy it with you. And keep fighting the good fight!

 

She is absolutely the best. The only times I get sad and weepy is thinking about her and my daughter and what they have to deal with now and may have to deal with in the future. But my daughter as a 15 year old doesn’t quite get the finality of such stuff, which is fine, but my wife is living it in full. She’s been a champ, but she ain’t impregnable and she’s been showing wear and tear more recently. It’s like, Lord, if you’re gonna take me, gimme a widowmaker heart attack and give grace and mercy to my family. Or gimme a handle of Jack, a nice shady spot, and one in the chamber and one in the sleeve as a backup

 

Sorry to read of the less than ideal news, but inspired by your spirit & optimism (and the awesomeness of your wife). Hoping you all get better news soon.

 

Well, some possibly good news. I met with a slew of Yale doctors today and I’m getting gamma knife radiosurgery on my noodle next wednesday. Outpatient and minimally invasive and they will zap the four spots in my brain, plus the thing screwing up my eye. They agreed this was the right course of action now instead of getting a full brain radiation, mostly bc my spinal tap came back negative and all the lesions are very small.

They said theyve done gamma knife before on people’s oculomotor nerves and people have regained sight, but no guarantee and it might take 6-12 months. But anyway, gives me some hope and I’ve been thirsty for it.

 

Love to hear it, CD. Love to hear it. Great to hear positive news.

 

Always hoping for good news. Glad to see some.

 

Anchor down, my man!

 

Cheers to you, sir. I’ll tip my cap toward the doctors at Yale next time I’m stuck in 95 traffic.

 

Glad to see you guys got a bit of good news. Hoping for continued positive updates and successful surgery on the noodle!

 

Are you going to be awake when they slide you in?