MRI Pictures

Got the MRI CD, so here are the pictures from the scans of 25 February compared with 27th August. The left picture is from the end of August and the right one is from 25th February indicating (I think) a quite substantial volume loss.

The pictures below show how much other junk has formed (mainly due to the treatment). This can be any of fluid, scar tissue or necrosis. This picture also shows very clearly how much space there is around the Brain now due to reduce pressure in the cavity.















The last picture shows quite clearly my newly acquired dent complete with ingrowing bone. I certainly think this is my best side dont't you, handsome beast.



















So all in all, as I said before, good news. Makes all the Radiation and Chemo worth suffering. I started cycle 5 on Saturday, just the usual nausea and tiredness so far. Only one more to go and then we'll need to find out what to do next. I hope the doctors decide to give me a few months rest from treatment.

MRI Results in

The MRI results are in, and things are looking good.
It looks as if the tumour hasn't grown much or not at all.

We were warned it might be difficult to tell because of the side effects from the treatments. For instance Necrosis, Oedema and irritation of live Brain cells all increase the whitening of the material seen around the tumour. In fact it was only in one dimension that you could get a clear view of the tumour and that looked very much like the one from the end of August (about 10-12mm). So NO 46mm tumour, hurrah.

The most significant positive sign, however, was to be seen in the front of the longitudinal fissure between the Brain halves. This gap had opened up indicating that the pressure in the brain had dropped. No MRI pictures available yet, but as soon as I have some I'll put them up.

Carol and the kids had been kidding me about the considerable dent that had appeared in my head along the Biopsy scar (see below). Also when I had the Biopsy I was told I would have a plate put in and that didn't seem to be conducive with this dent. So I asked what was causing this and discovered I have no plate! My skull had been stapled together after the operation and as the bone has regrown it has grown inward instead of flat (-ish). This happens sometimes apparently due to the way the blood supply is disrupted as the bone grows. You can even see this anomaly in the MRI scan, and it looks like I'll have to live with it.


So what happens now?
I carry on with my Chemo (starting cycle 4 tomorrow), and then the hospital tumour board will discuss my case next Wednesday to decide on further treatment. Most likely they will want to continue with the 6 chemo cycles as they are now. Or possibly swap to a 3 week on, one week off cycle for the last 2.

For me I'm going to enjoy the reprieve and look to taking a holiday with Carol for a couple of weeks.