[Wyatt's Torch]

A neurologist reviewed the CT Scan as well as the MRI and estimated the tumor to be around 5 cm (the size of his fist). However, it is also extremely slow growing and had been growing for "years and years and years". She is scheduled to have surgery to remove as much as possible (he said the will not be able to get it all)first thing Monday morning. Depending on the pathology, she could be perfectly fine for a long time given the non-aggressive nature of the tumor.

Odd thing is, there is a neurosurgeon conference in Sea Island Georgia this weekend. The surgeon that is handling the operation is one of the best in the south. For some reason, he did not attend the conference.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

[OldFriend]

It's all about the Glory of G-d!

[MrConfettiMan]

Hey, WT. I'm praying for your sister-in-law and your entire family. I know all too well how devasting and scary the diagnosis of a brain tumor can be. I was in the exact same situation as your sister-in-law nine months ago. In August 2001, I was diagnosed with what appeared to be (and was later confirmed by pathology to be) a slow growing BT (also presumably there for years and years) and four days later had surgery. Please visit my web site detailing my BT journey for my story and all sorts of useful information.

Another site I highly recommend is Virtual Trials, a site specifically dealing with the treatments of BTs. At this site, be sure to check out the "Survivor Stories" and the "Noteworthy Treatments Section" pages. National level groups you should contact are the following: The National Brain Tumor Foundation, The Brain Tumor Society, and The American Brain Tumor Association.

I also highly recommend at some point you get a consultation from a leading brain tumor center. The research I've done (primarily by participating on the BrainTmr Mailing List) indicates the three best centers in the USA for treating brain tumors are: The Brain Tumor Center at Duke in North Carolina, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, and The Brain Tumor Research Center at UCSF in San Francisco. As you see after reading my site, I decided to visit Duke due to their location and the reputation of their top neuro-oncologist, Dr. Henry Friedman (who was recently featured on 60 Minutes).

Finally, let your sister-in-law know she may feel free to contact me at any time (check your freepmail). Nobody knows what the BT survivor goes through better than another BT survivor. My latest MRI was last Monday, nine months post-diagnosis/surgery. Thankfully, it was another good report (no sign of progression from residual tumor).

[summer]

bttt

[Internet Golfer]

Thank you so much for the update. Glad to hear things are going well. I will keep Anne and the rest of you in my prayers every night until she beats this. Find your strength in God, and all well be fine.

Through God, ALL things are possible.

[Bigg Red]

God be with your sister-in-law and all of you at this time.