It's been a long time since I've updated this Caring Bridge, and I regret not writing earlier when I had good news! There have been so many MRI's and doctor appointments where I've had good news but didn't write to tell about it. I'd like to pause and give a nod of thanks to the Universe to all those great appointments and great scans that went unmentioned to you. There's a lot to be thankful for there. <Sigh> Okay.

 

A week ago, I was at Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting my regular every-12-week MRI to check for tumor recurrence, and  this scan showed just that – a ~2 cm mass in my left frontal lobe. High-grade gliomas like mine nearly always recur, and given the large size of my initial tumor, I've been told I'm lucky to have had as long as I've had before recurrence.

 

It's been about 3.5 years since my initial diagnosis and surgery, and about 2.3 years since completing radiation and chemotherapy. I've been feeling physically great for a long time, so seeing the word "recurrence" on my radiology report was surreal and jolting, even knowing that, at some point, cancer recurrence would be not if  but when. A week later now, after a few consultations with my neurosurgery and oncology team, I feel a bit better knowing there is a plan forward.

 

I will begin oral chemotheraphy (temozolomide) again, the same type and schedule that I had been on with my initial treatment. The hope is that chemo may stabilize the tumor, but it's possible that the tumor could actually shrink, especially given the genetic status of my tumor (positive for IDH mutation) that typically is associated with a good chance of responsiveness to temozolomide. Once I start chemo, I will be monitored and have MRI's after a couple of months to check on tumor status. If, however, the tumor is growing and not responding to the chemo as well as hoped, we would then consider a resection surgery.

 

I'm gearing up for round two, and I am ready to give it all I've got. Let's go.

 

P.S. And there's this... 

Since my Caring Bridge journal has been last updated a couple years ago, I've also been diagnosed with breast cancer, Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, in June of 2022. (Seriously, universe?)  It's completely unrelated to my brain cancer, but thankfully, things are going really well, and this cancer does not worry me at this point. I haven't needed surgery or radiation, just estrogen-blocking hormone therapy in the form of daily pills and monthly injections. The tumors in my left breast and axillary lymph nodes are responding well to treatment and have significantly shrunk in size. Brain cancer sure puts everything else into perspective, to the point where my breast cancer is my "easy" cancer. Most importantly, acquiring this second cancer diagnosis and treatment does not change the treatment plan for my brain cancer.

 

We'll let you know more as we know more.

 

Love,

Jenny