Thursday, January 26, 2012

Dr. Link's meeting

We met with Dr Link this afternoon.  I had a CT scan of chest, abdomen, and pelvis which is all clean.  He showed us more of the slides from yesterday's MRI and these don't look any better.  There are a couple areas where the spinal cord is compressed very significantly.  He also sees tumor growth in the lower rear area of the brain.

There are two alternatives of treatment.  The first is to start radiation right away and hope that it stops the tumor from growing.  The advantage is quicker treatment, the disadvantage is that if the swelling and growth continues, it is a very risky surgery to do later once this area has received radiation.

The second option is to do surgery now (Monday) and then start radiation 3 weeks later.  The surgery would involve cutting the back of the vertebrae off in the two locations with the largest tumor growth.  he would then cut out what he could of the tumor, and repair the lining of the cord with some muscle tissue from my leg, hoping to give the spine more room.  Then finally put the vertebrae back together.  The disadvantage of this plan is if the tumor grows too much before we can start radiation.  Radiation can't be started until the incision is fully healed.

Tonight I had a full head MRI and lumbar spine MRI.  We'll get those results in the morning.

Please pray for us for wisdom in regards to the treatment decision.  We have felt your prayers throughout today and are humbled much by the love and prayers.  Dad Sauder made it up safely tonight.

Love,
Derek & Leann

10 comments:

  1. We will be praying hard for you and your sweet family as you go through this difficult time!!! May God grant you wisdom to make tough decisions and we'll pray that you feel God's nearness and comfort.
    Love,
    Darren & Krystin Schambach

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  2. Praying for you all and thinking of you so often.

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  3. We are good friends of Doug and Brooke's and will be keeping you and your family in our prayers! We've passed your information onto our church family and they are all praying with you as well.

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  4. Derek, Shane and I will be praying for you and your family!!! May His love and strength comfort you and sustain you through this struggle, and ultimately bring you closer to Him! Love and prayers,
    Ellen Getz

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  5. Derek and Leann,
    So deeply care about your welfare. Am praying without ceasing that you will continue to feel the positive effects of the outpouring of prayer being offered in your behalf. May you feel the Spirit's guidance as you face the decisions that lie ahead for you. God keep you in His care. Love, A. Helen

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  6. Dear Derek and Leann,
    We just wanted you to know that we are praying for your family.
    Love,
    The Standish Family

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  7. God of all comfort, grant unto your children the peace that passes all understanding through this tribulation, which presses their hearts and souls. Grant them the consolation of Jesus their Lord in abundance and the all fullness of thy Spirit. In Jesus' name. 2cor 1

    The Kaisner family

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  8. Praying your faith will grow stronger as you lean upon on our Saviour for guidance and strength. Remember that when the days grow weary, the long nights dreary that we can say, with full assurance, that He cares. Praying! 2 Tim 1:7
    Matt & Sara

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  9. I am praying for you all!
    Alissa Wiegand

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