Janet Buccowich update

Since I spent the night in Susan’s room on Monday, I was able to walk across the plaza at 8:30 Tuesday morning to accompany my mother on her consultation appointment with Dr. Liau, who is also Susan’s neurosurgeon. (Maybe I’ll ask about a volume discount or frequent flyer miles.) Mom was diagnosed on a fluke when she was a radiology secretary at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey. They’d just installed their first MRI machine and were trying it out on the employees. To everyone’s surprise, the radiologist noticed a small, benign tumor in Mom’s occipital lobe – a meningioma. These tumors typically grow slowly, about 1-2 mm per year. Now Mom’s tumor measures about 2.5cm by 3cm and begun troubling her with small visual seizures, balance problems, and perhaps some affected thinking and memory. Treatment options are more limited for brain tumor patient in their 70s, so having surgery is not such a clear-cut decision.

Dr Liau discussed Mom’s recent PET scan and confirmed her tumor is not fast-growing or malignant. (The scan tests for glucose that reveals tumor growth – sugar feeds tumors.) Her treatment choices are these:

1. Focused radiation surgery (like gamma knife). This would stop the tumor from growing, but would not remove the mass or whatever symptoms it’s causing. At 3cm long, Mom’s tumor is at the upper range for effective radio surgery. Radiation has side effects to consider.


2. Craniotomy and tumor resection. This would be traditional brain surgery that would remove the tumor, but is an invasive procedure that is not tolerated as well in older patients. Side effects for Mom could be some visual loss and a long recuperation period, among other things.


3. Medication for brain swelling and seizures. This would be a continuation of what Mom is doing right now, treating symptoms, but would not get rid of the tumor or stop its growth. Most people with meningioma die with it and not from it – but Mom should expect any symptoms to continue and worsen as the tumor continues growing slowly. If she chooses this option but wants surgery later and waits too long, the tumor could become inoperable due to age. Meanwhile, the Keppra and Decadron she’s taking have considerable side effects also.

The good thing is my mom has a period of several months to test-drive the third option while she awaits her next MRI and neurosurgery consultation. We’re praying for her complete healing in the meantime, and for wisdom in making treatment decisions later if her condition persists. We welcome prayer for Janet Buccowich and ask for God’s mercy.