Derek Update

It's been 6 weeks since Derek's surgery.  He recovered well and fairly quickly considering how serious a surgery it was.  There was a lot of facial paralysis on the right side of his face and some time to be able to walk well again, etc.  But his face looks great now and he's able to eat and swallow pretty normally again.  He has lost hearing in his right ear, which was expected.  He does get a lot of headaches, though, still.  Overall, we're very thankful for his recovery and that there were no complications with the surgery.

The doctors were very aggressive with the surgery and removed 100% of what tumor they could see.  They have recommended radiation treatment for any cells that remain that they could not see.  They've decided upon a newer type of radiation therapy -- proton radiation that they will receive at Indiana University.  Derek will need 5-day-a-week, 30-minute treatments for 7 weeks, so they and the kids are there now renting an apartment near the treatment center.  This is the end of his second week.  He is feeling some nausea, but the family is enjoying time together.  Other side effects to be expected from the radiation therapy are permanent hair loss behind his ear, likely some salivary gland damage to 1 of 4 glands, sunburn like irritation and fatigue.  With this type of radiation, high doses can be delivered without getting right up to the brain stem, like traditional photon radiation, where brain stem and lower parts of brain (controlling motor skills) would have a higher risk of damage.

The hardest news so far is the prognosis of the type of tumor Derek had.  Meningiomas are classified into grade 1, 2 or 3.  Derek's is a grade 3 -- the most aggressive type.  According to research studies, the success rate with this tumor is very dependent upon the dose of radiation given and how aggressive the surgery.  Derek's surgery was very aggressive and he is receiving the highest dose of radiation.  In patients given the amount of radiation he is receiving, all survived 5 years and 33% survived 8 years.  If the tumor returns, there is a very poor survival rate with additional surgery and radiation, typically 1 to 2 years.  So, the best chance is a very aggressive surgery and very aggressive radiation, which he has gotten and is getting.

This is hard news.  But, we are reminded that none of us knows the number of our days here and God is completely in control of it all.  We pray continually that the tumor does not return.  Derek's outlook on this is very good and encouraging -- He is trusting in the Lord and is living each day as if it is his last serving God with all his heart -- as we all should be.

Thank you so much for your prayers and please continue to lift him and family up in your prayers.