Chris' Medical Fund
Donation protected
As I'm sitting here at Mayo Clinic receiving my IV chemo, I thought it would be a good time to catch you up with what I have been battling. Back in 1998, I had a terrible headache and went to the ER. I found out that I had a grade 2 oligoastrocytoma brain tumor. At that time I had been married to my wife Virginia for 5 years and had two little daughters of the ages of 1 & 3. Over the years I have endured numerous recurrences of this disease in which the treatment involved brain surgery to remove the tumor, chemo and radiation. In September of 2016 on a routine MRI, it was found that this brain tumor had grown and changed into an aggressive tumor, known as a glioblastoma. www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/glioblastoma.html
I started on IV chemotherapy at that time. The first follow up scan was encouraging as it showed that the tumor had shrunk. Unfortunately this was short-lived and the next scan showed more growth and 3 contrast-enhancing tumors. It was decided at that time that I should undergo another round of radiation therapy. This was risky as I had already undergone a lifetime dose of radiation to my brain. The doctor said that if I didn't do the radiation, I would most likely see a decline within 6 weeks. So I did the course radiation. Unfortunately this February, I started having more difficultly with my memory and language. The Neuro Oncologist took me off work and started me on steroids to help decrease the swelling around my brain.
Today I went in for another MRI and evaluation. Unfortunately the scan report was worse than before showing increase in size. The good news in all this is that I'm doing a little better in terms of my memory and language right now. So we will have to ride out this storm and just wait to see what happens. I will have another MRI in one month. We will know more then. The doctor says this could be from either tumor progression or radiation affects. If the scan looks better in a month, then it was radiation affects, but if the scan looks worse or I get worse than we will know that it is most likely tumor progression.
Virginia and I have complete trust in our Lord and Savior that His perfect Will is going prevail on how much time I have here on earth to celebrate life until I am delivered into his loving hands. He has granted me far more time than I ever had expected since this cancer was first discovered in 1998. This is a trying time for my family. The last several years have strained our family emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. Virginia and I have been praying for support in any way possible including domestic, financial and spiritual. It has never been easy for either one of us to ask for help, but this experience has brought us to our knees and only allowed us to be humble in His presence. We will keep you updated as much as possible as to how things are going. In all his Grace, love, Chris and Virginia
I started on IV chemotherapy at that time. The first follow up scan was encouraging as it showed that the tumor had shrunk. Unfortunately this was short-lived and the next scan showed more growth and 3 contrast-enhancing tumors. It was decided at that time that I should undergo another round of radiation therapy. This was risky as I had already undergone a lifetime dose of radiation to my brain. The doctor said that if I didn't do the radiation, I would most likely see a decline within 6 weeks. So I did the course radiation. Unfortunately this February, I started having more difficultly with my memory and language. The Neuro Oncologist took me off work and started me on steroids to help decrease the swelling around my brain.
Today I went in for another MRI and evaluation. Unfortunately the scan report was worse than before showing increase in size. The good news in all this is that I'm doing a little better in terms of my memory and language right now. So we will have to ride out this storm and just wait to see what happens. I will have another MRI in one month. We will know more then. The doctor says this could be from either tumor progression or radiation affects. If the scan looks better in a month, then it was radiation affects, but if the scan looks worse or I get worse than we will know that it is most likely tumor progression.
Virginia and I have complete trust in our Lord and Savior that His perfect Will is going prevail on how much time I have here on earth to celebrate life until I am delivered into his loving hands. He has granted me far more time than I ever had expected since this cancer was first discovered in 1998. This is a trying time for my family. The last several years have strained our family emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. Virginia and I have been praying for support in any way possible including domestic, financial and spiritual. It has never been easy for either one of us to ask for help, but this experience has brought us to our knees and only allowed us to be humble in His presence. We will keep you updated as much as possible as to how things are going. In all his Grace, love, Chris and Virginia
Organizer
Chris Bennick
Organizer
Rochester, MN
