To have a slow-growing brain tumor
Three and a half years after my diagnosis my health care system finally hired a neuro-oncologist for the Sacramento area. You’d think the California state Capitol would have a fancy oncologist a bit sooner than that, but apparently neuro-oncology isn’t a popular field (what with brain cancers representing only 1% of all cancers). Kaiser would...
DNA in the house
In a previous post I mentioned that I am participating in the Gliogene study. This is a study where medical institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center and UCSF are teaming up to find out if there are any genetic links to people with brain tumors. And since my grandfather (now deceased) and I both have brain...
A shout-out to Brett Gibbs
I had an MRI on Wednesday and have been putting off this blog post for a few days–but not because of the state of my health. As a matter of fact, my MRI on Wed., Dec. 2 looked great. When “Super Awesome Nurse” compared my scan with one from May, we could see with our...
More love for medical insurance
In May I went to see a neuro-oncologist for a second opinion at UCSF. I wasn’t seeking a second opinion because I had issues with Kaiser, I just thought it would be a good idea to see what another neuro-oncologist thought of my situation. I (or rather, The Liz Army Fund) had to pay out...
What if you are 30 and are in perfect health?
Dr. B called. The UCSF pathology department says my tumor is indeed a grade 2 astrocytoma. He had hypothesized that my tumor may have been an oligodendroglioma–but no. I’m still the same as I have been since I was officially diagnosed in October 2008 and UCSF concurs with the three separate pathologies from Kaiser. Woo...
You mean you want to pay me?
At the end of my appointment today at UCSF I was invited to participate in a study. The purpose of the study is to keep track of people like me to see how we do over time and try to identify the possible causes of brain tumors (as they are unknown). The study will also...
Consultation at UCSF
Looking east Looking west Brett, Bob, and I didn’t mind waiting for the appointment. You don’t need a brain tumor to enjoy the view from UCSF neuro-oncology. Just ride the elevator to the top floor and you can see all of San Francisco. If it wasn’t so cloudy today you could see the Golden Gate...
Ready for bed?
I stayed up late for no reason except to enjoy it it. Brett is playing Resident Evil 2/3/whatever on the Wii. We both keep ourselves entertained each day. Wake up, pills. Breakfast and green tea. Read about neuroplasticity. Do balance exercises. Shower. Go on Facebook. Read more. Make lunch. Drink more green tea. Go for...
