Best scan ever?

We were back at UCLA this week for Susan’s scheduled MRI after a two-month interval. I suspected from her current strength and lack of symptoms that we’d have a good result. (She does have continual headache. Her strength is stunning to me.)

But we were amazed and thankful to see not only tumor stability, but some actual tumor regression. It’s a slight change, but when comparing Susan’s current scan to one nine months ago, there was an area of tumor on the left side that’s no longer there. We looked at the particular spot on the new scan and saw brain instead of contrast-enhanced tumor.  

Reasons not to get excited: 

1. Comparing to a nine-month-old scan is not as significant as a two-month scan.
2. Comparing two MRIs is not perfect because the head isn’t positioned identically each time, so the image layers don’t always match. What appears to be missing may just be a hidden layer on the scan. 
3. There are still other areas of visible tumor in the left frontal lobe and across the mid-line.
4. Medically speaking, the tumor type in Susan’s brain is progressive and incurable. 

Reasons to be thrilled: 

1. I realized with Susan and Dr Nghiemphu that after probably 50 or so MRIs over five years, this is the first time anyone’s ever mentioned the word “regression” while we’re staring at the images.
2. In brain tumor world, stability is great, so regression is awesome. It’s the opposite of growth.
3. We don’t know why Susan got brain cancer, why death was near in July 2007, why she’s had so many complications, or why she’s a five-year survivor when the average is about 18 months. But we know God is keeping us in his care and for his good plans.

We left UCLA in a little lighter air – released to come back in another two months, continue monthly Temodar chemotherapy, and live our lives in the meantime.

In early October, we attended the annual benefit for the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program called Art of the Brain after receiving Dr Cloughesy’s invitation. The evening mingles supporters, patients, and caregivers in an outdoor reception among sponsored food tables followed by an inspirational program at Schoenberg Hall.

It was wonderful to meet other patients, reconnect with ones we know, and see the staff in fancy clothes instead of lab coats. Susan and I especially enjoyed greeting donors and thanking them for their support since we directly benefit from their gifts.

In Dr Cloughesy’s remarks, he acknowledged that Art of the Brain raised some $5 million for UCLA brain cancer research over 13 years. Meanwhile, brain cancer is more frequently becoming a chronic condition with better outcomes and extended life expectancies. He also said, sadly, these advances can be of little comfort for the person whose disease can’t be stopped in spite of everyone’s best efforts. The evening was a testament to the dedicated medical professionals, generous supporters, and remarkable survivors that make up brain tumor world.

www.artofthebrain.org