Tumours Know no Boundaries

We have just arrived home from our appointment with the neurosurgeon. Dr. Wallace was very pleasant and did his best to put us at ease. The bottom line is, the tumour in Al's brain has taken up residence in a bad piece of real estate. It is dangerously close to crowding in on his pituitary gland. It is also compromising one of his major eye nerves. Our best option is to have "some" of the tumour removed. Dr. Wallace said that its in such an awkward place that the best option is to remove as big a portion of it as is safe but that he could not remove it all. He also inferred that we will get to know each other well because he suggested we treat this like a chronic illness, in that once he has taken out as much as is safe, Al will need every six month MRI's to watch for more growth and possibly radiation to limit growth.

He is still very confident this is benign although biopsies will be taken at the time of surgery. He sent us home to talk and be sure but also sent us with the paperwork to complete for surgery. There are things that need to be done before surgery happens. A physical from our GP, blood work and another date with MRI for more views which he will put into some form of 3D model that will be used to guide his surgery.

We walked down town after our consultation and scored fresh asparagus and rhubarb from the last two vendors at the market. Then we chatted over beer and pub food at The Pilot House. So Surgery is on the radar but we won't know the exact date until the check list is complete. He did say Al's eye will not return to its former normal looking state as the damage has been done.

We have no idea where this puts our future cruising plans, nor do we care at this moment. As things progress we will be sure to post.

Peace out.