Ken's UCLA Appointment

Ken and I went back to UCLA on Thursday for his follow-up appointment.  It was this time last year that he had finished the Novalis treatment - 7 weeks of our lives that we will never forget.  Dr. Michael Selch, who was on the team of doctors that invented all of this technology, is Ken's treating radiation oncologist.  The initial plan was to have an MRI every six months and meet to check on the tumor to see if the Novalis actually "killed" the tumor or not.  We had planned on having to do this every 6 months for the next 2 - 3 years before a determination of "success" could be made.


At this visit, everyone agreed that there has been no growth whatsoever!   I had seen the Radiologist's report, so I read that the tumor had not grown, but to hear it from Dr. Selch was a great relief.  What was amazing was when Dr. Selch said that he did not need to see Ken for another year.  I asked him to explain why so long since it's only been one year, and Dr. Selch said that since there's been no growth or change AT ALL, then it's safe to say that it isn't going to continue to grow right now.  


To say that I was relieved would be an understatement.  Of course, Ken and I know that it's bittersweet because of my current testing, but at least we can say for certainty that Ken is going to be around for a while.  I was crying by the time we got back to the car from happiness and relief.  


While I'm not sure if I can pull it off, I have talked to the current So Cal President of the National Brain Tumor Society, and I have volunteered to help out with this October's walk.  Ken, the girls and I participated last year in this event, but our ability to get donations was seriously lacking.  So, I will work to help organize the Walk and to get more awareness for this disease.  


While the American Cancer Society is amazing, there is very little of their money that helps those with Brian Tumors.  Ken and I loved the support that we got from people who were going through what we were.  


I'm confident that Ken will be with me for many more years, and we will continue to take each day as we get it.  


So, here's the link to the site.  It  hasn't been updated yet (something I just talked to Vickie about), and I'll let everyone know when the link is ready for donations.