My tumor might be growing back.

[Sean Reynolds]

Some of you know about a year and a half ago I had brain surgery to remove a tumor that had been growing. Doctors at the time were pretty optimistic about it never returning, but they always said there might be a chance that it could in fact grow back.

Well I haven’t said anything because I didn’t want to borrow trouble. But anyway about two weeks ago I again began having pains in my head - pains that would really blind my sight. So Friday I went to the doctor to check it out and he saw something that he thinks might be the growth of another tumor. Sadly he ran some tests and told both my mom and I we’d find out something Tuesday - he wasn’t going to be working Monday. Needless to say I’ve been pretty freaked out these past days.

I was talking with the doctor and he told me that basically if there is a tumor they’d have to back into surgery, but this time he wants to use a different technology that he confidently feels will totally disarm the tumor entirely. I guess the surgery is called light-emitting diodes (L.E.D.) which uses Photodynamic Therapy to rid the tumor from the brain. Basically it’s a laser light. Anyway there is no true guarantee that it will totally work, but my doctor believes it’s worth a shot - which I’m willing to take if it is in fact true.

Anyway, I just hope it isn’t growing back and I can live my life again. =(

[madmax]

1. You're in my prayers and thoughts Sean

((((((((((Sean)))))))))))

[Sean Reynolds]

2. Thank you.

[izzie]

11. My son went through two operations and it has not come back

I worry as they did not get it all but the first time it did grow right back and the next time it has not grown and it has been 5 years,yet they know they did not get it all, so it can be ok even if you need more work.Good luck. This one was so rare they only had under 10 in the world that had this type, so always hope.

[romantico]

3. Sean

are you taking anything for the pain? I'll be thinking of you. Did they mention last time when you had surgery this might occur? I'd ask direct,tough questions.Please,keep us posted!

[Sean Reynolds]

5. They did.

They said there would always be a chance of it coming back. But they didn't think it would. Right now my doctor gave me some pills to take for the pain and it's been better.

[MoonGod]

4. Wow.

What else might cause your recent pains?

[Sean Reynolds]

8. I dont know.

That is what scares me. Unless it's just major migraines. Which I've had for a long time.

[Old and In the Way]

6. Good Luck Sean....keep a positive attitude.

You can beat this. I'm sure that medical science is making tremendous inroads every year and it sounds like you have a surgeon who knows the latest tools to attack it....we are here for you and let us know how you do.

All the best.

[lcordero]

7. Good luck

I hope that things turn out well.

[Sperk]

9. Good Luck. I'll be praying for you.

My uncle had a brain tumor taken out 25 years ago. He's well into his 80's now. Stay positive.
:-)

[usual_suspect]

10. Give it

HELL bud.

[WindRavenX]

12. Sean buddy, good luck and keep us updated

And if you're ever in the Boston area, don't be a stranger :hi:

[Phoenixtongueof fire]

13. Many years ago.....

I had terrible pains in my head. Turns out I needed glasses.
I am facing the same thing you are. Fortunately my tumor wasn't in the brain. It was in the center of my head just behind my nose. My audiologist told me I had a big ball of wax in my ear. Later I started to have a lot of nose bleeds. After a few misdiagnoses, I had a MRI that showed a tumor. I had to go to the hospital and they sliced open the roof of my mouth to remove the tumor. The doctor said there was very little chance of the tumor coming back. But now my audiologist is again saying there is a big ball of wax in my ear. So I have an appointment with the doctor to see if the tumor is back. I hope not. I was also lucky that the tumor wasn't malignant.
I hope you are lucky and don't have another tumor growing. I wish you well.

[Booberdawg]

14. Sean, I'm so sorry

*sigh* I didn't know about your previous history.

Let us know how it comes out.:hug:

[opihimoimoi]

15. Very sad to hear of this development Sean

Sending good thoughts and hope it all turns out well.

My wife who was cancer free for nearly 10 years now is scheduled for consultation after 2 tests were done. Like you, there is a "mass" which will have to be removed/
We are worried sick.

[Sean Reynolds]

16. Best of luck to her and you.

Thanks! :)

[jus_the_facts]

32. Sorry Opi....sending positive vibes your wife's way too....

....:hi: ALOHA! :loveya:

[leftofthedial]

17. hang in there

all the best to you and your family.

You'll be fine.

[leftist_rebel1569]

18. Oh no!

Wow...i'm so sorry. You'll be in my prayers, Sean...

[Julien Sorel]

19. You have my very best wishes.

:thumbsup:

[JohnKleeb]

20. I didnt know you had a tumor Sean

That said I hope you will be ok.

[radfringe]

21. don't know what to say

will send karma out to the universe for you...

[xchrom]

22. the best to you

and courage. it must be tough to think you might have to do something like that twice. i really feel for you.
we're all thinking about you and sending the best your way.

[WillParkinson]

23. Hi Sean!

Paul and I wish you the very best. Please keep us posted and we'll keep you in mind.

[Maeve]

24. Saying prayers for you, Sean

I remember last time. You came through that, I believe you'll come through this all right. Keep us posted.

[midnight armadillo]

25. Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy works by injecting a drug that breaks down into free radicals (oxygen ions) when hit by a certain color light. So, you inject the drug, then shine the light on the spot you want the free radicals produced. The drug in the rest of the body is eventually broken down harmlessly. The radicals are extremely chemically reactive and attack all the surrounding cells. Cells that get enough damage kill themselves, in a process called apoptosis. The advantage of this type of therapy is that only the tumor site receives the damage, unlike normal chemo or radiation treatment where the whole body is severely effected. For things like skin or colon cancer it's an easy treatment to do, for others it involves surgery, like your doctor said.

I'm starting a job in a few months that involves brain tumor research. The more I learn about brain tumors the more motivated I am to bust my butt in this upcoming job and hopefully make a meaningful contribution to the treatment of this disease. I wish you the best of luck and good spirits in your treatment if the tumor has returned!!!

[Gato Moteado]

26. hang in there sean!

you beat the thing once, and you'll do it again if you have to. hopefully, though, you won't have to...i'm praying it's just something minor.

we're all here sending you good vibes. stay positive and you can beat anything!

[Nikia]

27. Good luck

I hope that it isn't the tumor, but if it is, they'll remove it. Since they knew about your previous tumor, your doctor did the right tests right away. You didn't have to mess around for months with different treatments for migraines and such before they did the tests while your tumor was growing larger, which is unfortunately the case for many people. My point is, you have a good chance of it being taken care of successfully. It is unfortunate though that you've had to wait several days. Not knowing is sometimes the worst thing.

[soleft]

28. sending you positive vibes, Sean

[Cheswick2.0]

29. Once someone in a hospital helped me

I had a hysterectomy when I was 30. It was devastating (not like having a brain tumor but bad enough) because I lost the ability to have anymore children and I still really wanted to have another.

Anyway, I was in great pain after the operation. It was about as painful as childbirth and with no good outcome. There was an older African American women in the other bed and she prayed all day long, and chanted "thank you Jesus" over and over.

I kind of thought she was nuts, she was lying there in agony and thanking Jesus? I didn't think praying meant anything at all. But she caught me crying one day and she handed me her bible and told me to read the 23rd psalm. I did and I found it very comforting. Then I learned it and I used it to take my mind of my pain and it worked.

I don't know what you feel about religion. But focusing on a positive message rather than the pain and fear might help.

[nuxvomica]

34. Good luck, Sean Reynolds

It sounds like the doctors know what they're doing. When you catch yourself worrying about it, switch to visualizing the tumor dissolving. Remember that you own the disease; it doesn't own you.
God bless and take care.

[jus_the_facts]

30. {{{{{{{{{positive vibes}}}}}}}}}}

....sorry to hear this Sean..my best to you sweetie! :pals: :*

[blondeatlast]

31. Sending prayers your way. Please keep us posted,

we are family!

[MissouriTeacher]

33. Stay strong.

We'll be thinking of you.

[Bossy Monkey]

35. All best wishes

Hope it turns out to be just migraines; failing that that surgery goes smoothly and successfully.

[peacefreak]

36. I am hoping for the best possible outcome for you.

You will remain in my thoughts. Love, P

[skip fox]

37. Good luck.

:toast:

[Wickster]

38. Positive, healing thoughts going your way

Sean - I hope that things work out well for you. If unfortunately you have a tumor again, perhaps this new technique will get rid of it forever and you will be able to live fully again. You and your mom are in my prayers and good thoughts.

[DemExpat]

39. From me as well, Sean!

What a bitch if it has come back.....
But you can make it through this time as well - and hopefully for GOOD!

:loveya:

DemEx

[ForrestGump]

40. I hope that it is absolutely nothing,

or something fairly innocuous. But if it isn't, I'm with the others here in lending you boatloads of good vibratiosn and positive thought - a positive attitude in you and in others can work wonders. The power of visualization is great, so visualize away!!

[tjdee]

41. (HUGS)

Hopefully, it's not growing back.

But if it is, this surgery sounds like it will help a lot.
I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable, and it's rough having to wait over the long weekend.

Best wishes, let us know what happens.

[GCP]

42. Sean, many of us DUers sent you positive thoughts and vibes last time

We'll be doing the same again, and we'll be with you every step of the way.

Good luck, Babe :grouphug:

[catpower2000]

43. Ah, crap, Sean! That totally sucks...

But even if it's back, your doctor sounds totally confident that he can remove it permanently. So, yeah, surgery would be a terrible thing to have to go through again, but either way, there's no chance that it's going to kill you. Thank GOD.

Keep us posted, I'm pulling for ya. :hug:

Cat

[AnnabelLee]

44. I'm sending positive vibes in your direction

And lots of love.:hug::loveya:

[Sean Reynolds]

45. Thanks all!

You made me feel better. Tomorrow I'll know - let us hope there is never going to be a surgery!

[Lindsey]

46. Sean

I'm sending healing light and healing energy to you - I can only imagine how the waiting is(over a holiday weekend) - that totally sucks. I believe that if enough people put out the positive vibration for you it can truly work miracles - and judging from the responses, you have A LOT going for you.:-) We'll all be anxiously awaiting to hear what's happening.
peace,
Lindsey

[AquariDem]

47. We are supporting you

I hope all ends up going well for you. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

48. I'm sorry you have to go through this again...

~positive cybervibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[donco6]

49. Thinking about you.

I've been through it myself. Know something of what you're feeling.

[kodi]

50. sean, i don't know you, but my prayers are with you

take care.

[Rhiannon12866]

51. Sean, I am so very sorry! Like the others, I will be sending

positive thoughts your way. With all the power of DU behind you, you are certain to be okay.:-)

I have had surgery three times myself. None were like yours, but one was major. I have been where you are. I think much of it is the anticipation, both of whether you will need surgery and then dreading it if you do. My second surgery was much like the first, but was a laparoscopy, much less invasive, with a much shorter recovery time. Your possible surgery sounds much the same, using the latest technology to achieve the same result with a minimum of trauma.:-)

I also agree with nuxvomica. Visualization may very well help. I know that visualization has had very demonstrable results with Olympic athletes. They visualize running faster and jumping higher and, in competition, they actually do!:o

Keep us updated on this, please. You know that DU is always here for you and wishing you only the best.:grouphug:

Rhiannon:hi:

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

52. Oh Sean!

There is really nothing I can say, except of course I am hoping you get through this OK and it turns out to be nothing. Stay strong. :)

Maggie