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Our trip to Iowa City this morning was a good one. No rain, snow, dark, road construction or detours. We made great time and had some good conversation. We have done this same trip many times, so we know about how much time we have left based on where we are on the Interstate.

Once at the hospital, we went downstairs for Justin's MRI. He used to hate them and wanted Valium to relax. But since losing 60 lbs, the tube isn't so tight anymore. Now his worry is the IV. For some reason, there are very few people that can get an IV into Justin without numerous pokes. He gets stuck many times and gets some "poke and twists" or double pokes. All the while, the person is apologizing and wondering how they lost their touch. He has bruises on his arms and hands for days afterward. He is really sick of it.

Today's MRI went well, except for the IV, then we went to the cancer center for the meeting with the team. There was a resident doctor there to meet, who was new. She went through ALL the neurological tests that she could do, instead of the three or four the regular doctors do. And she had braces on her teeth! Justin thought it was funny that his doc has braces. She was very thorough and kind. She had a med student with her, who watched. That is normal.
She showed us a frame of the MRI from today. Then she pulled up the one from April. It was amazing! Even I could see the difference in the size of the tumor. Actually, what we thought was tumor is actually edema (swelling). Our first look at his brain in April showed this swelling area about the size of a pear. Now it is more like a golf ball. Of course we are only seeing a "slice" of his brain in both pics. But it was very noticeable, so no matter what it is...it is smaller.

Then the main doc came in and joined us. He went through a few tests and explained everything again. We were able to ask some questions. Justin wanted to know if he would be able to ride roller coasters when on his trip to Atlanta. The doctor looked sorry, but said no. He said there is too much going on in Justin's head to do risky stuff like boxing, football, bungee jumping, roller coasters, etc. Justin laughed and said in his future, he would be the one at the amusement park sitting with the baby and getting his pictures taken with the princesses while mommy rides the wild rides with the other kids. He sees the humor in it. Not being able to ride a roller coaster is not a big deal.
We talked about the AVM (the cluster of veins and vessels that could bleed) as well as the thyroid. Justin's doctor did not agree with the endocrinologist and wants Justin seen anyway, so that will be in July during the next appointment and MRI.
I asked a lot about exactly what type of tumor it is. I see information on the computer all the time and it helps to know more of what I am looking for. I was wondering about cells called astrocytes. Does Justin's cancer include these or not? He said that although there are probably a few, certainly there are not enough to do a count. As long as there aren't any to do a count, it is grade II. Once there are astrocytes, it may be changing and getting more aggressive. Then it might be changed to grade III cancer. Once there are many agressive astrocytes, it will be grade IV. Good to know.

Off we went to the Hope Lodge to reconnect with our friends there. It was great, and they decided that we will grill out in July when we are there next time. Justin was also promised tickets on the field at one of the big Iowa football games...so we will be able to make some plans at that time.

Then we went to eat at Old Chicago Pizza, perhaps the worst meal I have eaten out in a long, long time. It made McDonalds look like a 5 star. Ugh. There is only one thing worse than horrible food in a restarant, and that is having to pay for the privelege! Ugh. It was recommended by someone and we tried it. I am sure that every single place in town has better food...we will be much more selective next time.

We didn't do the mall, or walking or anything else, just came home. It's good to be here.