David's Dad...

October 28, 2008...

So, today we received some not so good news. Tuesday this week David's dad woke up with some numbness in his right foot. By the end of the day his whole right side was going numb. But no signs of a stroke. He went to the Dr. and they scheduled him for an MRI. He has since had a more detailed MRI with dye. The results were not what we were expecting to hear. The first MRI was read and they thought he just had a Hydrocephalic condition in his brain. They had it read again and found a tumor. All other tests done on his heart, blood work etc. came back normal. He went to a neurosurgeon on Thursday, the 30th, and was told he has a brain tumor in the base of his brain. It is deep near the thalamus area. The Dr. said that it cannot be operated on. It is a slow growing tumor but one that is quite rare. They cannot do a biopsy on it because of where it is located. They also cannot do radiation or chemo because of its slow growing nature. David's dad went to EIRMC Friday (31st) morning to have a shunt put in his head to drain off the fluid that has been building up, that is what the hydrocelephic part of his condition was and it will relieve the pressure and fluid on his brain. Then within the next two weeks he will be sent to the Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City for treatments. They won’t touch this type of tumor up here and want him to get the most up to date treatment. We do not at this point know if it is cancerous or benign but I will try to keep everyone updated. His surgery went very well and he is feeling pretty good. We are hopeful they will have better news for us when he goes to the Huntsman Center. So David and his sisters and brother went to his parent’s house Thursday night to have a head shaving party (which wasn’t too hard since he was almost completely bald anyway) :). I will try to keep you posted because I know that some of you had him as a teacher. Thank you for all of the prayers, it is really appreciated.