Ben started experiencing sporadic neurological symptoms in November. A little twitch in his leg, a slight visual aura or an odd feeling now and then, but nothing alarming or lasting. In December his primary doctor said they would monitor these symptoms. On the morning of May 21, Ben experienced a seizure and Steph took him to the ER. A few hours later, they learned that Ben had a large dispersed brain tumor. He was admitted to the hospital for a biopsy to learn more about the tumor. Preliminary results indicated the tumor was a low grade glioma with IDH mutation.
After visits with the experts at Mayo Clinic and Sanford, it was clear that everyone was on the same page for a treatment plan. Ben’s best outcome would start with surgery to resect as much of the tumor as possible. Because of the nature of this type of tumor and because it crossed from the right to the left side, it would not be possible to resect it all. Several weeks following surgery, Ben’s care plan will include 6 weeks of radiation therapy, fives days/week followed by chemotherapy.
Ben’s neurosurgeon Dr. Ian Parney at Mayo Clinic is among the absolute best. Following surgery in Rochester in July 6, he will receive radiation therapy and chemotherapy through Sanford’s Roger Maris clinic, as directed by his Mayo care team. Ben’s care is in excellent hands.
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