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Paul woke up with an excruciating headache Saturday morning, September 1, 2012. This peircing headache continued through Sunday and Labor Day. Because of the severe pain, Paul could not sleep. Early Tuesday morning Alan took Paul to Dr. Bill Sawyer. Immediately Dr. Bill sent Paul to Palmetto Imaging for a CT scan. The scan found a brain tumor at the base of Paul's skull. Dr. Sawyer contacted a neurosurgeon Dr. Steven Glazier at MUSC Children's Hospital in Charleston.
On September 14, Paul had his first surgery as the doctors went through his nasal cavity and was able to remove about 60 - 70 % of the inside of the tumor.
The final pathologist report showed that this was an atypical chordoma. A chordoma is a rare slow growing abnormal mass of tissue thought to arise from cellular remnants of the notochord. In Paul's case, the tissues formed a tumor in the clivus area which is the base of the skull. Usually these cells dissolve. Being atypical means that this chordoma is more aggressive. Dr. Glazier says the tumor is benign but it acts like cancer in that if it is not all removed, it will grow back. However, Dr. Bredlau, Paul's Pediatric Oncologist believes it is a rare bone cancer which the Chordoma Foundation believes as well.
Paul had his second surgery on October 31 where the doctors made a large incision around his left ear going down his neck in order to open a larger area for Dr. Glazier to go in and he removed about 90% of the remaining tumor. Paul had a few complications. His left eye did not go all the way to the left and it caused some double vision. When he stuck out his tongue, it went to the left just a little. Both of these side effects have returned to normal. He also suffered mild hearing loss in his inner ear for high pitched sounds. We are praying that he will completely healed of his mild hearing loss.
On December 6, Paul began radiation treatments at MUSC. There were 33 treatments. These were Monday - Friday for 15 minutes a day. On January 25, 2013, Paul completed all of his radiation treatments. Paul had a MRI on March 21 and the doctors were very pleased. The Chordoma tumor has a hole and is shrinking and shriveling. Paul's MRI on June 13 showed that the tumor was stable and not growing. The Doctors are very pleased with these MRIs. Paul's MRI on September 12 was another good report. There is improvement in the area of the tumor and there is no sign of life in the tumor! Paul's MRI on December 13, 2013 was another great report saying that there is still no sign of life and it is getting smaller. Paul's MRI on March 13, 2014 continued to be still another great report showing the same results. The tumor has no sign of life and is still shrinking. Paul's MRI on June 12 showed yet another great report of no sign of life and still shrinking. Paul's MRI on Sept. 11, 2014 was another good report. On March 12, 2015, Paul's MRI results showed concern. There is area that is estimated to be 1/2" in size that is growing. For a preventive measure, a Gamma Knife procedure will be done to target this area with radiation. We will be meeting with the doctors soon and scheduling the date of this procedure. We met with the radiation oncologist and a neurosurgeon today (March 27, 2015) that specializes in gamma knife. After studying the last two MRIs, they are not sure if this is a growth in the tumor or a change from the radiation. Since the gamma knife could possibly affect Paul's hearing in his left ear, as well as other things, the doctors want to make sure its the tumor growing before using the gamma knife. After Paul's MRI on June 17, the doctors decided to wait two more months and study the MRI on August 17. The doctors now see that there is an approximate 3mm growth since March. Paul is scheduled to have a Gamma Knife Radiosurgery on Sept. 14.
Alan and I (LeeAnn) have witnessed many of God's miracles. Please join us in prayer that Paul will live a long healthy life to declare the miraculous works of our heavenly Father. Paul's full name is Paul Josiah Metts. He is named for King Josiah, the eight-year-old king who transformed Judah by reintroducing the people to the Word of God. We know that God has a tremendous purpose for Paul's life. The Lord keeps reminding us of Romans 8: Nothing will separate us from the LOVE of God; if God is for us, who can be against us; and ALL things work together for good, for those who love God, for those who are called according to HIS purpose. We declare as a corporate church that nothing formed against Paul will Prosper in Jesus' precious name.
Pray as if Paul's health depends on us but knowing that God is in total control. God is good - All the time. WE WILL TRUST HIM. Thank you for your love and support. We love each and every one of you!
Dr. Cooper, after reviewing the MRI, called saying that the tumor growth targeted by the gamma knife surgery has decreased! My next MRI will be in 3 months. We will talk to Dr. Lindhurst on Friday on how to start process with immunotherapy scheduled in June.
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