Monday update - Pathology results: 11/20/2006, 6:30 PM E.S.T.
Dianne called us to let us know that Dr. Yu had the results of the pathology and he confirmed the initial findings of a Class IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). As everyone will be fully aware by now this represents a very serious diagnosis, therefore the family will be taking some time to come to terms with this, and determine the most appropriate path forward. One possibility is that Deb may come back to the east coast so that family and close friends can support her on a full-time basis. In addition, Deb had been complaining of chest pains for the past few days. CT scans today showed she had a partial pneumothorax (collapsed lung) which required the insertion of a chest tube. This has made her feel more comfortable. Deb's been told of her diagnosis (but not the severity of the classification) and has been working on her physical therapy, and making sure she is getting as much rest as possible so she can ready herself for the next phase of potential treatments. We understand that this is not good news and will take some time to fully absorb. Deb has a major fight ahead of her and will of course need our help. We remind you of the "Fund for Deb" that has been established for her. We'll also keep you informed as to other ways you can help.
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- Hi everyone,We're putting this Blog together to ke...
- Breaking News 11/14/05 7:52 EST - Deb is in surger...
- Deb is out of surgery: Tuesday, 11/14/06 10:58 EST...
- Post-Op Update: 11/14/2006 20:00 ESTAs we mentione...
- No news is good news: 11/15/06, 12:31 ESTHi everyo...
- Another day, another surgery: 11/15/2006, 19:11 ES...
- The second surgery is under way: Thursday, 2:00 ES...
- Deb's out of surgery and doing well: Thursday 11/1...
- Encouraging news from Cedars: 11/16/2006, 7:40 EST...
- Update on the dogs: Thursday 11/16/2006 8PM E.S.T....
- THANK YOU!!!Hello All,This is Debbie's brother, Ji...
- Friday Update: 11/17/2006, 4:30 PM E.S.T.Deb passe...
- Saturday Update: 11/18/2006, 3:00 PM E.S.T.Deb was...
- End of first week - Sunday update: 11/19/2006, 10:...
- Letter from Dianne Reardon (Deb's Mom); 11/20/2006...
- Donations for Deb; 11/20/2006 10:10 E.S.T.In respo...
- Monday update - Pathology results: 11/20/2006, 6:3...
- Deb's treatment begins Monday: 11/22/2006; 9:00 AM...
- Letter from Deb: 11/22/2006, 5:00 PM E.S.T.Hi Ever...
- Wednesday Update: 11/22/2006, 5:05 PM E.S.T.Deb ha...
- Deb moves to the rehab floor: 11/25/06, 3:15 PM E....
- Debbie's day out; 11/27/2006, 6:00pm ESTDeb is off...
- Debbie's release date - this Saturday!! 11/29/2006...
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18 comments:
CRYs
Although this is a serious diagnosis, I wanted to share with everyone a hopeful story.
I am in a very active camping club and within our group we have a 30 year old who is now 2 years out from treatment of a CLASS IV GBM. She is doing fine and no sign of recurrence. She was on active military duty when it was discovered. She is now hiking, backpacking and camping with us every month.
So please send Debbie all of our positive energy so hopefully she can do the same thing! Nothing is impossible!
Debbie we're all behind you and I know you know that we will do all we can to support you and the tough choices you will have to make over the next few days. Please think about whats best for you and not be pressured into something you don't want to do. We all love you and will see you soon... if you come back here or if we all come to CA and invade you and the dogs! Keep up the fight and we'll keep up the prayers here.
Debbie ,
YOU can beat this!! You can be a success story, YOU can and are an inspiration to others! You were my best friend in High School, we even went to college together. I miss you so much! last time I talked to you I was supposed to send you pictures of my new niece, you told me how great it was to be an aunt...you're right!! Please tell Deb, hopefully she'll remember, that I send her MAMMOUTH hugs, kisses and prayers! She used to like it when I did my "MAMMOUTH" even though it was a long time ago.
I love you..
Love,
Nikki
Deb - I am one of those firm believers in everything for a reason. This here - well, the reason is for us to witness a miracle and that miracle is you. I cannot imagine anyone who will fight harder or longer, and for whom failure will not be an option! Thoughts, prayers and much love are coming your way from so many people. God bless you and your family.
Barbara
Debbie,
I keep thinking about a story that you once shared. You were walking the dogs and had a confrontation with a mean lady, her daughter and their unleashed dog. We coined it the "show me your face" story. I have no doubt in my mind that you will have the strength and determination to face the obstacles before you and give it your all. You are truly an inspiration! God Bless.
Norma
While we were awaiting the pathology results, in the beginning we anticipated the worst, not because we are pessimists but because we worried about what we did not know.
While today's news is not what we hoped for, at least now Deb and her family can move forward. The result is just 1 piece of the puzzle.
There is a licensed acupuncturist at Cedars Sinai who was diagnosed with a Stage IV GBM when he was 25 yo (the pdf is dated 2003 and he was diagnosed 8.5 yrs prior to the article). He was treated with conventional medicine but also sought non-traditional ways to complement the treatments. He has posted some of his presentation slides on the internet.
He now practices Oriental Medicine at CS.
Evan Ross, LAc, DOM Director of Acupuncture Services
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
(310) 423-1086
Evan.Ross@cshs.org
http://www.csmc.edu/pdf/Orientalmed.pdf
The GBM information on the web is fairly scientific, logical, and tangible. I do not know how to interpret all of it and how it all applies to Deb, so I am not going to jump to any conclusions. There are also other treatment modalities that science cannot explain which may be of benefit when used alongside conventional treatments.
What do you do when you are faced with options? There is always a part that wants to instinctively act out of fear. You acknowledge that fearful voice, but ultimately there's that quiet, strong inner voice that makes the call.
One of the calmest, strongest, and matter-of-fact people throughout this experience has been Deb herself.
So we take a deep collective breath and continue with the prayers, sending support in the form of strength, light, love, food, money, emails, photos, laughs, phone calls, and hugs.
The past week has been an emotional roller coaster and if you review the blog, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Deb, whichever path you and your family decide to take, there is a great network of people who love and support you, and we will help in any way.
Much love-xxoo--Margaret
"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart!" --Confucius
Hi Deb.My thoughs have been of you and i know you will over come this.I know its been a while since we last saw each other christmas eve.I look foward to seeing you again soon.Its good to see you have such good friends,im not a big computer wizard.But i am impressed with this blog.Your friend has been so informative and upbeat with it.Its a great help to keep up on your condition.I know you will be well soon.All my love and best wishes.Darryl
Deb - so your memory isn't perfect? Neither is mine, because I take Topamax for migraines my short term memory is very poor. My co-workers and family tease me about it, but I've had to develop memory tools in order to perform my job. For a while, I repeated sentences over and over, and I even had to keep my phone number and address written down because I couldn't remember them. It's frustrating for you and for your family. I know my little goofy problem doesn't compare to what you're going through. I think the fact that you are awake, coherent, and working towards recovery so soon after 2 major brain surgeries in 3 days speaks volumes about your determination, strength, reserve, and pure ability to overcome. You've always been one of the smartest women I've known. (also the best dressed and the funniest) I really don't care what your diagnosis is. Today is a new day. You are still You. We are all still beside and behind you, if not exactly walking with you, at least encouraging you, laughing with you, coaxing you, and willing to push you if needed (hard). We're here for your family, who must be awesome to have such an incredible daughter. I made it through this entire long thing without a single wisecrack...I think. You wouldn't want me to paint your toenails, but I wanted you to know how I really felt, with no kidding around.
-Mol
Deb, I remember that story Norma mentioned and I couldn't agree more. You can beat this and we are all behind you! I too, like Barbara, believe everything happens for a reason, though we might not understand it at first. We are here for you and love you! Kristin
Deb, I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said. Just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers and we are all here behind you routing for you EVERY SINGLE STEP of the way!. Hey, when you get better, I'll even retire and give you my position as "Santa" at the family Christmas party. (and you know how much i love that job) Get well soon! Love - Galynn, Mike, Joseph and Peter
And a youth said, "Speak to us of Friendship."
Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.
apologies for the lack of attribution - the previous posting is Gibran (The Prophet)
Hey Deb! Hopefully you're feeling a little better as each day passes. I can't believe how quickly you're recovering from 2 brain surgeries. You go girl!! You know me.....I'd still be laying around having everyone wait on me hand and foot. :) I was thinking of how my mother beat her cancer (she's in remission right now) and that if she can do it at the age of 65, then you can too. I know you'll be making a lot of decisions in the near future, and I'm sure you'll make all the right ones (you always seem to anyway.) I'm sure there are a lot of people here in MA and CT that would love to have you back on the east coast, and I can't say enough good things about Dana Farber in Boston. Do what you feel is right in your heart. You have a ton of people behind you and here for you whenever you need us. Sending you lots of love....Donna
Deb,
Just thinking of you, and how you and I used to say that things just seemed like they never worked out for us the way they did for other people, seemed like we always had some sort of obstacle to overcome. Let this be just that, just an obstacle you have to overcome, like all the others you have had to face and all the others you have conquered!! Although I live in florida now, I would love to have you back on the east coast. Back in good ole' Marion??? maybe? Anyway Deb, stay strong, tough and know that we all love you so much! You've got quite the crew here pulling for you!
Love ya lots,
Nikki
You're going to be bombarded with advice on how to deal with this. In my experience, to get beyond the grim prognosis of 12-14 months, one must throw everything possible at the GBM.
Please read Ben Williams 'treatment options' paper [PDF]
http://virtualtrials.com/pdf/williams2006.pdf
Hey Deb,
You are still you- someone who has constantly amazed us, and will continue to do so. Be determined and strong (as you always are), and follow your heart. We believe in you.
With much love,
Jess and Mark
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth. --Marcus Aurelius
Hi Deb!
We join your many friends and other family members in sending you our love and support during this most difficult time. We have great faith in the power of prayer and modern medical treatments and we wish the best for you.
Love,
Aunt Rita and Uncle David
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