Erin received the good news that her MRI of July 7
2008 was again "stable". So, we are grateful for that news.
Some of you may recall that Erin had egg banking
done before her chemotherapy. She has 12 eggs frozen. At the last
visit she mentioned to the NO that she may want to use them in the future.
He then asked her who would raise the child if she wasn't around. He told
her that at the next visit, which was this visit, they would have to
discuss prognosis.
She asked a friend to attend with her, which was
probably wise, as I know I would likely get emotional talking about
prognosis. Erin was quite tearful after the visit and had her friend call me,
as she knew I was anxious about her MRI results.
Basically the NO told her that for her type of
tumour, grade II oligodendroglioma, the average survival rate with a
complete resection is 5-10 years. Well, Erin is already a 5 year
survivor, and doing very well. The NO said he had patients that lived up to 15
years, and had heard of 20
year survivors, but these were rare. He then
reminded Erin that the statistics are from the past and do not necessarily
reflect the BT patients today. As well, many new treatments or
even a cure will likely come in the next few years. Plus, Erin is young and
healthy which puts her on the high side of survival.
The NO told her that he did have patients with
brain tumours that had children. He said some did not live to raise the
children, and some did...but not one of those people regretted having
children. He told Erin that he would support her decision either way.
I have mixed feelings about it, as I am concerned
for Erin's health. I am just thankful that Erin is doing well, and I want
her to go ahead and live her life, and I will support her whatever she
decides.
Thank you to all who have supported me on this
list, and who have prayed for Erin over the past 5 years. Although I don't
post often, I do read the posts, and have been following many of our BT
warriors, and praying for them, and for a cure for all of us.
Love,
Kathy, mom of daughter Erin, age 26, brain tumour
survivor/fighter
Diagnosed Oct. 7, 2003 - large, diffuse, inoperable
brain tumour - left frontal lobe
Biopsy done on Oct. 21, 2003 - oligodendroglioma
grade 2
Second opinion Nov. 19, 2003 by Dr. R. Del Maestro
- Montreal Neurological Institute
Total Gross Resection of tumour Dec. 18, 2003, Dr.
R. Del Maestro, MNI
Final pathology results - oligodendroglioma grade
2, with 1p and 19q deletion
MRI January 23, 2006 - 8.1 mm recurrence
MRI May 26, 2006 - additional growth of 2 mm -
tumour now measuring 1.0 cm.
On Lamictal for seizures.
MRI July 7, 2008 remains stable.
Read about Erin's journey at:
http://www2.caringbridge.org/
canada/erin/
Kathy
kdcolledge@rogers.com
