Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.
On Monday, January 20, Brad received an urgent call from his primary care doctor at work. He requested that Brad meet with him as soon as he was done seeing patients (Brad is a pediatric dentist).
When Brad met with the doctor, he was told the results of two different MRI scans showed a mass of “something” surrounding some of his vertebrae and spinal cord. The doctor had already consulted with a neurosurgeon and they were ready to do surgery that day. Brad felt a very strong impression NOT to allow surgery that day, which he found out later was a huge blessing.
The past week has been full of CT scans, lab tests, meetings with a neurosurgeon and oncologist, and lots and lots of prayer. On Wednesday, Brad was told he has a tumor of considerable size, lymphoma of the spine, surrounding vertebrae and spinal cord. The doctors have wasted no time and scheduled the first chemotherapy treatment on his daughter’s 16th birthday which is tomorrow.
The prognosis for this type of cancer is extremely GOOD! Doctors assure us that “if you are going to get cancer, this is the kind to get!” It is VERY responsive to chemotherapy, even more so than surgery in this case, which is why we are so grateful Brad listened to that strong impression!! They tell us the side effects from the chemotherapy are usually minimal, and Brad is planning on continuing to see his pediatric dental patients. He will be making every day “hat day” to help the kids see that Dr. Barlow is the same fun guy he has always been, he has just gone bald and will be wearing his surgical mask ALL the time for the next few months!
Words cannot express how grateful we are for the outpouring of prayers in our behalf. We see God’s hand even in this illness and are grateful He is mindful of us.
We appreciate your support, prayers and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
