Katy's Treatment Plan

Dearest Friends,

Patty just called with the update from Dr. Smith (Katy’s current neuro-surgeon) and the tumor board. She, Katy, Amy and Lenny were all present to hear the report with the treatment plan. Thank you for praying for these very expert physicians.

Treatment plan

Tomorrow is Radiation:

Gamma knife radiation (see below) is already scheduled for tomorrow on both tumors and the other site of one they resected
1. there is one tumor on the left occipital lobe
2. another one on the right frontal lobe
3. and the bed where the tumor was removed

But first:
They will do a CT scan to check for pressure on the 4th ventricle, if there is none, they will remove the drain tube so they can do the gamma knife procedure.
She will then be moved out of ICU tomorrow after the procedure.

Wednesday begins Chemotherapy:
They will implant an omya reservoir – and into this they will administer the chemotherapy (depo-ara-c) There will be a tube going into the cerebral spinal fluid which takes the chemo everywhere into the central nervous system.
In addition, she is going to take temedor (her old chemotherapy) every month for five days like before, but without the green stuff. Dr. Shapiro notes that the tumors grew after the temedor was done, so he thinks that it is an effective treatment for Katy.

The Pathology
The pathology reports say that the new tumors progressed further to malignant oligo astrocytoma. This tumor type also has tendrils which is very problematic. As you remember, these tendrils cause new tumors to grow. During the surgery he got out everything he could see, but knows there are things he can’t see.

How is Katy doing?
Her vision is better, they are controlling the pain well, and she is sleeping, her incision site is healing already.
She is very sleepy ... in fact ... here she is, our very own "sleeping beauty"!

Prayer
Gather together, come away alone, seek God in some quiet space ... make time to talk to God about Katy's healing. He is available and He is powerful. He alone can manage this terrible problem of her brain tumors. Those of you who are more experienced in healing prayer, you might be called on to lead others in this. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is our counselor and our teacher. Let Him guide you and us as we seek Him earnestly together for Katy's healing. For He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

And ... No visitors please! This is a very different hospital experience than the last one. We love you and thank God for all you are doing in intercession and many gifts and kindnesses.

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GAMMA KNIFE SURGERY

This information is courtesy of The Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital.
Website: www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu.
Click on “Centers of Excellence” for phone and email contact information.

Gamma Knife surgery is recognized worldwide as the preferred treatment for brain tumors,arteriovenous malformations and brain dysfunctions like trigeminal neuralgia. It is supported by over 2,500 peer reviewed research article primarily published in neurosurgery journals. The Gamma Knife offers a non-invasive alternative for many patients for whom traditional brain surgery is not an option and removes the physical trauma and the majority of risks associated with conventional surgery. This effective single session treatment may require an overnight hospital stay but is often done in an outpatient surgical setting with periodic follow-up. It is proven safe over the long term and is recognized and covered by insurance plans.

The Gamma Knife allows noninvasive cerebral surgery to be performed in one session the same as neurosurgery with extreme precision, sparing tissues adjacent to the target. Based on preoperative radiological examinations, such as CT-scans, MR-scans, or angiography, the unit provides for highly accurate irradiation of deep-seated targets, using a multitude of collimated beams of ionizing radiation in scalpel like precision.

Gamma Knife surgery represents a major advance in brain surgery, changing the landscape within the field of neurosurgery in the last decade. Its development has enhanced neurosurgeical treatments offered to patients with brain tumors and vascular malformations by providing a safe, accurate and reliable treatment option. Gamma Knife enables patients to undergo a non-invasive form of brain surgery without surgical risks, subsequent rehabilitation or a long hospital stay.

Gamma Knife surgery is unique in that no surgical incision is made to expose the inside of the brain, thereby reducing the risk of surgical complications and eliminating the side effects and dangers of general anethesia. The “Blades” of the Gamma Knife are the beams of gamma radiation programmed to target the lesion at the point where they intersect. In a single treatment session, 201 beams of gamma radiation focus precisely on the lesion. Over time, most lesions slowly decrease in size and dissolve. The exposure is brief and only the tissue being treated receives a significant radiation dose, while the surrounding tissue remains unharmed.

With the Gamma Knife, a surgical incision is not required; the attendant risks of open neurosurgical procedures (hemorrhage, infection, CSF leakage, etc.) are therefore avoided.

Published reports indicate that the Gamma Knife may be used as an alternative to standard neurosurgical operations or as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of residual or recurrent lesions left unresected by conventional surgery. Radiosurgery can be especially useful for those patients who are not suitable for standard surgical techniques due to illness or advanced age. In many neurosurgical cases, the Gamma Knife is the only feasible treatment.

Conditions for which application of the Gamma Knife is considered most effective are:
1. Intracranial tumors such as:
acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, pinealomas, craniopharynigiomas, meningiomas, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, metastases and glial tumors.
2. Vascular malformations including arteriovenous malformations.

In addition to the above mentioned indications, clinical experiences exists in the treatment of functional disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia, intractable pain, Parkinson’s desease, essential tremors and epilepsy. More recently positive results have been seen in the treatment of psychoneuro dysfunctions such as obsessive complusive disorders.

The Gamma Knife technology can be used to treat those who do not require immediate surgical relief of disabling symptoms and whose tumors are in general 3.5 cm or less. When Gamma Knife can not be utilized or is not available to the patient, radiosurgery with linear accelerator technology can usually be utilized. For more information on linear accelerator treatment and technology: Linear Accelerator

ADVANTAGES OF GAMMA KNIFE

* Gamma Knife is a neuro-surgical tool designed exclusively for the treatment of brain disorders.
* The lesion being treated receives a high dose of radiation with minimum risk to nearby tissue and structures.
* The cost of Gamma Knife procedure is often 25 to 30 percent less than traditional neurosurgery.
* Patients experience little discomfort.
* The absence of an incision elimates the risk of hemorrhage and infection.
* Hospitalization is short, typically an overnight stay or an outpatient surgical procedure. Patients can immediately resume their previous activities.
* Gamma Knife technology allows treatment of inoperable lesions. The procedure offers hope to patients who were formerly considered untreatable or at very high-risk for open-skull surgery.