Finally, a neuro-surgeon

Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008
Subject: Kristina's Brain- update (please share with anyone who may be interested)

Hi, all. Having seen my neurosurgeon today, here is where we stand. I’ll start by saying that even though I’m getting better every day (speaking, spelling, reading, staying awake), I still feel fairly out of my gourd. I’m on a lot of brain medications, and they can’t help but take their toll.

We still do not know what is in my brain—on the left side, in the “speech region,” is either a kind of infection or a tumor. The tests so far have not been able to tell us what it is. The neurosurgeon wants to present all of my tests to a board of his peers at the Johns Hopkins Neurology Department on Monday to discuss what steps to take next—likely either a needle biopsy of the brain region or a “functional MRI,” which would involve brain function testing while I speak. The spinal fluid which was drawn last week shows no malignant cells, which is good, and the doctor believes that this “tumor” has been building for weeks or months. It sounds as though his main concern for me is my speech region, which makes me feel better since my main concern has been cancer. It may yet be cancer, but at least right now that does not seem to be the thought at the top of the doctors’ minds.

There isn’t any good way to get a brain mass, but the odds that I would do it at such a young age in the medically fantastic city of Baltimore are pretty staggering. My awesome husband has been able to stay with me full-time, and we are so lucky that we both have fantastic jobs that are supporting us through this. It is hard to imagine being productive ever again, but I’m hoping that this can be addressed and behind us in a matter of weeks. Just last Tuesday I couldn’t read, and here I am typing again, and that is certainly encouraging.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts, cards, treats, and good wishes. I will keep you posted when we learn what the doctors decide to do with me. Thinking of everyone pulling for me is truly the last thing I think of before I fall asleep at night and the first thing I think of when I wake up, and I can’t thank you enough.

Love, -Kristina