On Sat, 8 Jul 2017 11:10:31 -0400, Steve Russo <
sru...@nycap.rr.com>
wrote:
>I just wanted to bring the regular RADPers up to speed on my issues: why
>I was absent for a while, why I'm mostly back now and why things could
>change.
>
>You don't have to read this. You don't have to care. I often wish I
>could ignore it completely.
I've read everything that you post. Always worthwhile.
>
>I had some difficulties as early as writing the last Trip Report in
>February but they got worse in April. I first noticed when doing the
>Sunday NY Time Crossroad puzzle (and Saturday LA Times) became
>difficult, even though I've done it for 20 years.
>
>Over the next 6 weeks, things got worse and reading, writing and even
>verbal communication became difficult. Physically, I felt great but
>mentally - not so much. I visited a neurologist and was mis-diagnosed
>with a stroke. Thanks to my daughter and her lengthy discussion with her
>brother-in-law (a top Boston neurologist), I was brought into Urgent
>Care at Albany Medical Center on Saturday, May 27, evaluated quickly
>with a CT Scan, and disgnosed with a serious brain cancer (Glioblastoma
>but do yourself a favor and don't look it up). I was also given a
>surgeon to request that is one of the best in the Northeast.
I'm so sorry to hear this. Medical science has progressed tremendously
in recent years and new research is always being done. Treatments are
individualized now for best results and to minimize complications.
>
>8 days in the hospital, a 4.5 hour surgery that removed a golf-ball
>sized tumor, and I was home. I still have a few memory and terminology
>issues but I'm probably back to 80-90% of where I was. Hopefully, it
>will keep improving.
I'm sure that with repeated practice you will recover most, if not
all, that was lost. Seems like you are well on your way to recovery
already.
>
>I'm now in what might be a lengthy rehabilitation. I should note that
>the type of issue that I have is not curable - only (and hopefully)
>controllable for some length of time. The good news is that, with the
>exception of the brain, I'm in great shape: heart, lungs, chest,
>abdomen, etc. are all good. And we all know I don't use my brain that
>much anyway.
I wouldn't say that! From your writings, I get a sense of high
intelligence! Doesn't seem like your sense of humour has been
affected. That's a good thing!
There is also a few positive issues with what was removed
>that might make the rehabilitation stronger.
>
>I've begun a combination of Radiation (Mon-Fri for 6 weeks) and
>Chemotherapy (a very strong drug) nightly for 45 days. We're hoping to
>destroy as much tumor as was left following the surgery. Once I get past
>the 6-week program, we'll me running MRIs to measure and I'll continue
>the Chemo for a lengthier, but less frequent period. It'll be 5 days
>every 28 but could run as long as 6 months to 2 years.
>
>So... with that said, these processes could also weaken my brain (good
>cells can also be destroyed but should grow back - or so I'm told). We
>are planning a WDW trip in November where Barb and I will celebrate our
>45th Anniversary with a dinner at Tiffin's. We'll then return in January
>for 2 weeks at the Boardwalk (with 2 nights at Kidani Village). Our son
>and his family will join us for 7-8 days and it'll be the first real
>visit for our grandson, Jack, and our first and only granddaughter,
>Gracie. We are exteremly excited about this trip.
Having something to look forward to helps to have a positive attitude
which greatly helps with recovery!
>
>Trip reports will be dictated by whether or not I'm capable of writing
>clear sentences which, as we all know, has always been a problem.
I get immersed in your trip reports. Yours along with so many others
help ME get through the times when I can't get to WDW. It will be 2
years for me this summer and doesn't look like a trip is in the making
anytime soon. I certainly appreciate all the effort that you, Sue, and
others take to write the TR's. and to share with us.
>
>My spirit is good and my attitude is positive. In my opinion, I have no
>choice but to put everything I have into supressing the negative for as
>long as humanly possible.
I'm sending prayers for a speedy, uneventful recovery. A positive
attitude, sense of humor and presence of family all help. Take care of
yourself first, radp can wait.
Greg K.