Through the power of the Internet, our friend Leigh found the above article on neuronal tumors. If you're like us and stuck at Houston's Hobby airport for 7 hours with poor Internet connection and lots of time to kill, it should make for an educational read. Yesterday, my MD Anderson Neuro-oncologist gave my brain tumor a new name. ("Brain Worm," "Clampy," and "James" are other monikers.) Let's add this to the list: "Low-Grade Neuronal Neoplasm." As a friend pointed out, it sounds like Ghostbusters syndrome. For those Pointer Sisters fans out there, I also will refer to it as my "Neutron Dance." What does this mean? The article may help, but it means I have a non-glial (brain glue) tumor and a neuronal (brain thinkie) tumor. Rare like a good cup of coffee in this airport (2-3% of br'tumes are neuronal; 2-3% of coffees here are ones you will like). "Low-grade" refers to the stage of malignancy. Currently, James is not "malignant" (stage 3 or 4 of a brain tumor) and has a very low growth rate. Dr. Yelp, my Neuro-oncologist, does not like to use the word "benign" since things can behave erratically like that friend who quits work to sell off all possessions and live in the Yukon Territory. Doc's words: It's "on the benign side for now" or as I like to think of it, "benign-er." See also: "of the beignet." Is it a form of cancer? That depends on whether or not you're a strict or loose constructionist. My current treatment regimen for this form of brain party: OBSERVATION! This was amazing news on top of amazing news. No radiation or chemo for now, just quarterly MRIs during each Solstice or Equinox. That schedule will taper off as we track my progress. Mom, JCA, myself, and our Austonian friends CB and HB (who have been there for good and bad Texas Brain News broadcasts many, many times) celebrated at one of Dr. Yelp's favorite restaurants: Divino's. If you're ever in Houston, it IS worth it. Dude knows what he's talkin bout. Still recovering from the craniotomy but improving by leaps and bounds every day. More on that soon. As always, thanks for the sweet notes, thoughts, hugs, chants, and CAT NEWS! FYI my text likes to crash a lot so just email me if it's a big one. Smart phones are so smart at everything but phoning and texting.
