~Mighty Oak's Follow Up Brain MRI After Gamma Knife~February 17, 2009~Prayers Please

[Believe51]

Today is brain MRI day and again I beg for prayers from my family. I have seen the miracles they supply and yearn to have them come true for Ed. June 2007 marks the first day we knew that the brain was involved with his mets. That is a long time to be combatting them and although blessed, I am scared out of my wits.

This far into the journey we know a few things about our future, per Ed's choice. One: Ed will never have a brain operation and Two: Ed will never get radiation again. These are choices that were well planned out and I will respect and protect those wishes.

Maybe getting a little ahead of myself here but he will do as many Gamma or Cyber Knives as needed. Right now he is trying to maintain since his fourth chemo regime is right around the corner. At the moment he is trying to regain energy and stay nourished.

I do not want to say this in front of him but I am petrified this time. I feel we are running out of time. Do not worry though, no where near giving up on a thing. Just getting my fighting gear on and gathering ammo.

Please pray for my Angel, he is getting tired and needs to concentrate on healing. We will take care of the rest, right??

Thanks for the support and for letting me vent my fears. And for those who will wonder.....yes I am breathing and this time NOT hyperventilating!! (wink)>>All My Love>>Believe51

[vickie h]

Marie and ED,

Thank you for keeping us posted on your Mighty Oak, Marie. We are always praying for him (and his wonderful wife) and for his healing.

Please don't think for a minute that he is running out of time...he is simply running the race of his life and will come out a winner...again. We are all here for you both, whenever you need us. We are the guard at the gate, the neighbor with your latte brewing, the arms filled with brightly colored gifts of love and hope and compassion waiting at your doorstep.

Open the door today and the prayers will wrap you in comforters of safety, fires that burn away the fears, sunlight that dries the tears and quells anxiety.

You have each other, the greatest gift of all, to guide through this journey. And like the Verizon wireless ads...you have all of us as your network (can you hear me now?). We never leave you, ever. We are there in the darkest of nights, in the blinding light of acceptance.

We love you, deeply and unconditionally, we are your sisters and brothers.
Let that love flow over you as you embark on that new treatment, Ed.

Prayers and peace and mucho love to you both,
Vickie

[ElaineM]

Big hugs to you and Mighty Oak. May God continue to hold you and give you both strength. Positive thoughts, and a prayer coming your way from Hawaii.

[freyja]

We'll prove that the heart can have a big effect on the mind...or brain in this case! Sending big love to Ed's brain, Ed and you. I'm holding your hands.
Love, Celeste

[Believe51]

Oh Celeste, I will go wash them right now. Today my palms have been sweating all day. I will meet you at the campfire tonight. Talk to you there.>>Believe51

[tricia keegan]

Marie, I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers for good news.

[Believe51]

Off we go. Too bad I cannot carry you all in my pocket! Thanks for the well-wishing.>>Believe51

[WomanofSteel]

We are all there with you in spirit Marie. Hope everything goes well for Ed!

[Joan M]

Marie,

I'm praying today for good results for Ed and for both of you to have strength. God knows we really need it under these circumstances.

Joan

[Shobha]

Dear Marie,

I pray that God will bless Ed with good results and fill you both with joy and peace!

love always,
shobha

[Kim in DC]

Marie I am praying for the both of you!!!

Kim

[Yorkiegirl]

Marie, big time prayers going for out Ed, and you as well.

[Mary Anne in TX]

I'm prayin' Marie!

[hutchibk]

Me too! and crossing fingers and toes...

[karen z]

Marie,
Many prayers moving in your direction now.
karen

[Lori R]

Dear Marie,
You continue to be an inspiration to us all!!!

As you suit up for the battle, I pray (and I know in my heart that all of these prayers will be answered) that God continues to watch over you and Ed during this trying time, that you continue to receive the AMAZING grace that you and Ed have been blessed with along this journey.

OH...and I pray with all my heart for a clean MRI...did I forget to say that?

Lori

[Faith in Him]

Marie,

I am lifting you and Ed up in prayer. I believe too that mighty things happen when we pray. Praying that miracles happen for you and Ed.

Tonya

[sassy]

Marie,

Always keeping you in my prayers, but sending up more today.

[caya]

Prayers coming from Canada dear Marie to you and Ed.

all the best
caya

[Bill]

You and Ed both are in my prayers, too, Marie.

[jones7676]

I am thinking of you both......may the MRI be positive!

[Paty]

Marie,

My prayers are with you and Ed. Sending you both a big hug.

Paty

[schoolteacher]

Marie,

You and Ed are both in my prayers. Please let us know how things went.

Amelia

[Ruth Ann]

Rosaries are being said. Good thoughts and hugs your way.
Ruth Ann
2/2007 dx IDC of the right breast - ER+ PR+ HER2+
1.1 cm tumor
2/07 and 4/07 Lumpectomy x's 2 for clean margins and SNB
4/07SNB plus one other node -NEG
4/7 Mammosite placement with radiation twice a day for 5 days
(seroma only complication of treatment )
5/07 TCH dose dense x's 4 However had to stop carboplatin as I am allergic to it...and doses changed to 1/3 every week instead of every 3 weeks do to problems with rapid heart rate... with herceptin for 1 year every three weeks
4/08 Herceptin completed
10/07 Femara for 5 yrs
9/07 CT of chest,abd, pelvis, Bone Scan, mammagrams all neg
6/08 CT of chest, abd, pelvis, bone scan, mammagrams all neg
9/08 MRI of head - neg for ca...few spots do to the MS
1/09 PET/CT Negative
I also have MS (which is status quo) and Hypothyroidism both being treated with medication

[nitewind]

I''m holding both of you in my prayers. Praying for a well deserved outcome. Please keep us up to date.
Love and hugs

[Sheila]

Marie
Prayers on their way for good news on Ed's brain MRI....you are both in my thoughts

[fauxgypsy]

Marie, I always amazed the bravery and strength that everyone on forum has. You are are wonderful and I will keep you in thoughts.

leslie

[chrisy]

Marie,
I know you've already been to the symphony of banging MRI sounds. But you are still in my prayers now and always. Prayers are outside of time

[Jean]

Dear Marie,
There is power in prayers.
We are all with you in prayer...can you feel it?

hugs,
jean

[CindyE]

Prayers going up right now for healing and comfort. Take care.

[harrie]

You have prayers from my heart sent you way......
Love and peace...
Maryanne

[Jackie07]

Just received this in the email box:
ScienceDaily (Jan. 29, 2008) — People who receive high doses of the chemotherapy drug methotrexate to treat a certain type of brain tumor appear to live longer than people receiving other treatments, according to research published in the January 29, 2008, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
"Our findings show high-dose methotrexate alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs is the most effective treatment available for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)" said study author Tracy Batchelor, MD, with the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in Boston. PCNSL can be a potentially curable brain tumor or one in which there can be a long remission.
The research involved 25 adults with newly diagnosed PCNSL who received a high dose of methotrexate every two weeks for four months or until there were no signs of the brain tumor. The participants were then followed for a minimum of 6.5 years.
The article found 52 percent of the participants achieved complete remission and 40 percent of these patients have not relapsed after an average of seven years. The average survival rate of all participants who received methotrexate was 4.5 years. In contrast, the average survival rate for patients who receive radiation therapy for this type of brain tumor is one year.
"Our findings support the role of methotrexate as a critical chemotherapy drug in the treatment of this type of brain tumor," said Batchelor. "Moreover, it appears some people may achieve a long remission through the methotrexate alone."
Batchelor says further studies are needed to identify the optimal methotrexate dose and combination therapy that will produce the most effective results with minimum side effects.
The study was supported by the National Cancer Institute and conducted in the New Approaches to Brain Tumor Therapy (NABTT) consortium.

***************************
I searched Yahoo with the term "Methotrextate and breast cancer" and came up with several websites about treating breast cancer with Methotrextate. Wondered if this can be one of the alternatives for Ed.

[Believe51]

Yes I can feel these prayers, I sense the energy flowing our way. We always feel so protected when we embark tests and procedures. That carries us through and allows us to be able to breathe as we await those results. I believe in the power of prayers for I have witnessed their wonders. I also believe that they play a part in the time Ed and I have been granted!

I thank you for the prayers and positive thoughts for Ed. It always amazes me how we all have so much going on and we find time to be such a valuable part of one anothers lives. This family takes me to places I never dreamed of, many times far away from cancer. As we move forward in life may these blessings get stronger. Together we stand! I love you all and appreciate all the well-wishing.>>Believe51