Back at home resting!

Hi everyone - Mom asked me to do a quick post.  Team Studzinski was back at Karmanos today for the gamma knife radiosurgery procedure...and they made it back to the house around 4-5ish for some much needed rest.

I know she is in good hands the next few days AND that she has plenty of shows on TiVO to keep her sitting still. (Big thanks to the overnight help!)

Happy (almost) Tuesday.
-Melissa

Show & Tell With MRI Images

I have decided to become a  'frequent flyer' for Gamma Knife radio-surgery instead of qualifying as a craniotomy customer.  Although I am healthy enough to withstand a third craniotomy, the recovery is much lengthier and more difficult.  At this point, we are focused on keeping my strength up for any future treatment that may become necessary.


Since my third Gamma Knife surgery produced excellent results,  we expect an equally good outcome this time.  The tumors (# 3 & # 5 for me - if you're keeping track) which were radiated at the end of January are now almost completely gone.

Previously, they were much larger at around 2 cm each and now you can barely see them in the MRI from April 13th (radiation target # 1 pictured above and target # 2  seen on the left).








 
In addition, only one of my two new tumors - the larger one at approximately 1 cm (pictured to the right) - is resectable.  It is located right at the top of my brain, just under my skull, making the neuro-surgery to remove it only a 1 or 2 on the difficulty scale.  However, the tumor bed would still need to be radiated a few weeks after the craniotomy.







While the second tumor (seen to the left) is much smaller - only 2 mm in size - it is so deep in my brain, it is considered to be a 4 or 5 on the difficulty scale and not a candidate for removal by resection. 
 Both of the two new tumors (# 6 & # 7 for me - if you're counting) easily fall in the limit for Gamma Knife and should remain so because only 2 weeks have passed since they were discovered.

 



Tumor # 4 (in the image on the right) was left to qualify me for the drug trial (target #3).  It acts as the tool for demonstrating how well the chemo pill Vemurafenib is working for me  If it is effective, it should shrink the tumor - which it did by more than 50% during the first drug cycle, or hold it steady - which it did during the second cycle. It originally was over 1 cm and is now around 4 mm.



Keith and I will be heading down to Karmanos on Monday morning and we expect to be home sometime in the afternoon for me to begin my current 'medical stay-cation'.  Hopefully, I will return to work by mid-May.

Decisions Decisions Decisions

Up until this point, when ever there has been a new development in my war with melanoma, I have not felt any hesitation when I was faced with selecting a treatment option.  When my oncologist and my neurosurgeon laid out the possibilities, I pretty much picked one out - right then and there - immediately after we finished our discussion.

Right now, I am having a hard time making a treatment decision.  This is exactly what Dr. Flaherty forewarned me of at the beginning of this journey: "Going forward, the decisions are going to become more difficult to make."  This is because my situation becomes more complicated with each new tumor.

Previously, I had no trouble reaching a conclusion.  Typically, Keith, Melissa and I would be in complete agreement rather quickly.  I actually even made a joke earlier on about my choice being a 'no-brainer.'

Currently, the answer is not that simple.  This is not to imply on any level, that I am no longer fiercely fighting this with every thing I have available to me.  I am 100% convinced I am going to beat this.  It just used to be distinctly clearer how to best adapt the game plan when the rules changed in the middle of the game.

In the past, one option was overwhelmingly better for me in the long run.  This time, it feels like I am choosing between 'best' and 'best' with equal but different benefits and risks.  From my perspective, there isn't an obvious front runner.  I need more information.  Tomorrow, I am meeting with Dr. Kim (my radiation oncologist) to gather more Intel.  This will help me select which option will ultimately provide the most benefit with the least risk.

One thing is evident - I have been exponentially blessed with much love, significant support and a compelling amount of prayer.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE - special kudos to crafty Debbie Crawford for the sparkly KMA letters in our latest picture.

One Step Closer to a Plan

Happy Friday!  As promised, I wanted to provide an update before the weekend.

My latest MRI results show:

• The original cavities of Tumor # 1 and Tumor # 2 from my two craniotomies remain clear.
• The radiation from my gamma knife in January continues to eliminate Tumor # 3 and Tumor # 4.
• There was no increase in the size of Tumor #5 (which dramatically decreased in size during the first cycle of Vemurafenib).
• Two new tumors have been identified.

 Given the presence of two new tumors, the KMA team has been conferring over the last few days to determine the following:

1. Can I remain in the Vemurafenib clinical trial?
2. What is the recommended treatment plan for the new tumors?

 I received terrific news regarding Question 1.  Dr. Flaherty obtained approval from Hoffman La-Roche (the drug manufacturer) for me to remain in the study.  Despite the fact there are 2 new tumors, the Vemurafenib is still working for me in some respects.

• As noted above, Tumor #5 has held steady during the second cycle.
• The first cycle of the drug significantly reduced Tumor # 5 (by more than 50%).
• Additionally, it is resolving the mass in my right lower lung which was identified last August.

Keith & I will be at Karmanos Monday morning to answer Question #2.  We have an appointment with Dr. Mittal (my neurosurgeon) to review his recommended treatment plan that was formulated with Dr. Flaherty's input. 

I am beyond grateful that I get to stay in the study. It is such a relief as the drug is exorbitantly expensive.

Stay tuned for a report on how we intend to show the cancer who is really the boss!

Latest News is 'Mixed'

Even though Keith & I spent several hours down at Karmanos today, we left in a holding pattern.

• CT scan had good results.
• MRI results require further discussion/consultation with broader team.

The tumor board will confer Wednesday afternoon. We expect to hear something by the end of the week.

The encouraging news is that I was allowed to leave with another round of drugs for a third cycle until a clear plan of action can be formed.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” - Helen Keller

Hoping for Continued Good News

Bright and early on Friday morning, Keith and I are headed down to Karmanos for my regularly scheduled brain MRI and CT scans of my chest, abdomen and pelvis.  This marks the end of my second cycle of Vemurafenib.  We will return to Karmanos next Tuesday to meet with my oncology team to discuss the test results.

While everybody else is praying for me to be healed, I continue to pray to be worthy of a miracle.  I remain grateful for having been admitted to the drug study and thankful for the ongoing support each of you has provided.  This long journey would have been much more difficult without it.

Stay tuned for an update on how successfully I am KMA!

Phenomenal Friday - and Beyond!

We had tickets to the Red Wings hockey game last Friday & Keith kept telling me it would be alright if we didn't go.  I know it was because he didn't see how I was going to get up the stairs at the Joe Louis arena without him pushing, pulling or pretty much carrying me up.  We frequently joke about how great grandma could beat me getting anywhere these days.  Just so you know, she is 94 years old.  (FYI: she is one tough lady having beat cancer more than once herself). 

However, the good Lord works in mysterious ways.  I actually had an excellent day on Friday - definitely the best in weeks and weeks.  It even topped the day we were at mass when I had a "mini- recovery" compared to the days before when I could barely walk or stand (which Keith was worried about as it would be preferable to have everyone see how well I was doing verses a slowed down version of myself).
Fortunately, all my joints were working: no swelling, no pain anywhere - not in my toes, ankles, knees, hips, fingers, wrists, elbows, or shoulders (almost a miracle really).  Everybody who sees me regularly noticed.


You should have seen me doing "the Charleston" down the aisles between every one's cubicles at work.  It was fantastic to demonstrate that I was perfectly able to stroll down to the printer to pick up my own documents (which my co-worker Jackie has kindly been bringing to me when she sees them).  Unfortunately, the disparity between my former sprinting walk and my current shuffle is rather disproportionate, so it's hard not to notice no matter how I try to disguise it.


Additionally, when I was walking towards the salon where I go to get my nails done, my manicurist Shawn stood up and and watched me approach with a look of complete disbelief.  For weeks now, she has witnessed me hobbling as I make my way in.  On occasion, she has even run out to the parking lot to assist me when I go to the grocery store located in the same strip mall, insisting on pushing my cart and loading my groceries in my car (such a sweetheart).


I was going to post this over the weekend but I am glad I waited because I am thrilled to say this absence of joint swelling has lasted for 5 days now.  Talk about scoring a break! If this keeps up, I might even have to cancel the acupuncture appointment I made.  Pretty cool, huh?