Yesterday morning, Matt, Mom, Dad and I had the pleasure to meet the wonderful doctor who will be forming my treatment plan and administering my focused radiation treatments, Dr. Aaron Spalding, at the Norton Neuroscience Institute here in Louisville. He looked through all my MRIs and did a great job of explaining them to Matt, Mom and Dad. They acted like they understood what he was showing them, I have seen them so many times, I don't need to keep looking....... He was very honest and let me know his suggestion for my given situation. He recommended having a several biopsies of the mass, which unfortunately means having some of my hair shaved, hello again scarves! I wish I had saved them all, but I now get to go shopping for some more cute ones!! Based on the results of the biopsy he will form my treatment plan of chemotherapy and radiation. My awesome brother and family friend, John Cox, checked out the credentials of Dr. Spalding and they both reported them to be top-notch!!
I had the great fortune of talking to a friend of the family who happens to be training in radiation oncology at MD Anderson in Houston, TX which is a big cancer center and he was able to help me get a second opinion from the specialists there after I get the biopsy results. Unless they have something to offer that seems much different and superior to my options here, I will have the therapy in Louisville. Dr. Spalding seemed to think the treatment for my tumor is fairly straight-forward and all brain tumor centers will use the same therapy. I am so glad that I can consult with the experts in TX to make sure the plans there match the plans here and if I need to stay in TX for my treatments because they can show me better outcomes, I guess I am going to have to buy some cowboy boots!!!!
I spoke with the neurosurgeon, Dr. Todd Vitaz who will be performing my biopsy next week and he is arranging the A+ team to all be present for my surgery. He has a neuropathologist, brainlab navigation expert, and neuroradiologist he wants to make sure are all present for my surgery. He is hoping to have all those people ready by Tuesday to do the biopsy. I hope to hear tomorrow the exact day and time.
I think that is all I have to report tonight. Keep checking back as I plan to update each time I hear news or change the plan......
I am doing this blog to update my wonderful and caring family and friends through this journey, I hope to share fun wedding plans and reports from upcoming vacations, this is not a depressing caringbridge page that people write until they die. I have hope in my Heavenly Father that I am going to beat this, and in His time, it will turn into reports of how married life is treating Matt and I.
I also apologize for not getting this out yesterday after my appointment, but I was hoping Dr. Vitaz would get his people scheduled and I could send an update with the exact surgery date and time. I will have it on here as soon as I know!!! Each of you reading this hold a special place in hearts of my family, fiancee and myself. We can't get through this without the support and prayers you are showing. I thank God for such loving a supporting family and friends!
Love,
Lindsey
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