Joseph Bailey Joseph P Bailey

As most people know by now, I was diagnosed on Thanksgiving with a mass on my brain. 2 weeks ago,  I went for care at the Mayo clinic at which time they felt it could possibly be demyelination lesion similar to Multiple Sclerosis due to some past history and I started a 5 day course of high dose corticosteroids. My symptoms didn't improve and actually worsened so I underwent a brain biopsy surgery on Thursday. while we don't have the full pathology report back, we do know that its an aggressive form of brain cancer.  I will be going back to Mayo on December 23rd for a functional MRI to map out the tumor from functioning brain tissue. I will then be having brain surgery on Christmas Eve to remove as much of the tumor as possible. I currently have very little function in my left hand due to the tumor. The surgeon believes he will be able to remove 97% of the tumor, unfortunately, there is a 75% chance that I will suffer additional paralysis in my left leg and arm/hand from the surgery. However, it is likely that I will regain some of my function through physical therapy and as brain swelling is reduced.  Once my incision heals (4-6 weeks), after surgery, I will be undergoing 6 weeks of chemo and radiation therapy daily at the Mayo Clinic. There are several co-authors for this site and we will do our best to keep everyone updated as the week progresses. The outpouring of support, encouragement, and prayers has been an enormous source of strength for my family and myself, and I can't thank everyone enough for that support. It means a lot to me. Continued positive thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and do not go unnoticed. We will only know more after the surgery, and we will update everyone at that time.