Quinton's Blog (5)

Half a year later, I'm on it again. And again, my apologies for not being on here sooner. Many folks have been asking about the situation. I'M ALIVE! Although pain killer withdrawals this past week have made me regret that just a bit. So from where I left off-- Grumpy Tumor (aka peri spinal tumor) is still pretty much invisibile to radar since it hides out behind the metal cage in my back. But shortly after my last posting in the winter time, I experienced increased leg strength, loss of numbn… Continue

Folks have been asking how I've been doing and I've been bad by not posting earlier. My "To Do" list gets away from me as this winter wanes. I want to thank everyone for the seemingly inexhaustible prayers, thoughts, cards, calls, and other demonstrations of your support in these uncertain times. Living in St. Louis, I've make several trips to the Twin Cities now with Mom, Dad, and husband in tow. My weekly trips are at an end. I have been undergoing treatment in an experimental drug trial. Thi… Continue

After many ups, downs, twists, turns, and general chaos, I’ve made the decision at the recommendation of my oncologist to begin chemotherapy on Monday, September 15, 2008. Here’s how it happened basically. I had the spinal tap to see if there was any spinal cord compression caused by the recurring GCT lesion. An MRI or CT scan is thwarted by the various metallic components installed to stabilize things back there during the first surgery. So a spinal tap with a little dye injection and special C… Continue

First front – Family vs. Insurance Company. This is an exciting episode actually. My mother, God bless her, is very proactive and has started getting the Missouri Insurance Commission involved in getting the Cyberknife radiation treatment approved as medically necessary. Cyberknife is very expensive, but is the best chance I have. The insurance usually takes 30 days after receiving a request to process it, which does not guarantee first time approval. Advice: You must be your own advocate as the… Continue

Here's an update from today's consultations with my physician team: Ortho Surgeon - I got a second opinion about whether or not the perispinal recurrance of the primary bone tumor was operable. Both physicians from two different hospital systems here in St. Louis agree that the risk of bleeding, paralysis, and other nastiness would outweigh any potential long term benefits to surgically removing this tumor. Another round of radiation is the best option right now. I'm waiting on insurance… Continue