Sunday, May 10, 2009

2009 - "Houston, we have a problem..."

It appears that the old oligo is misbehaving! The MRI and PET scans that we scheduled three months ago, after some uncertainty in January, have uncovered two new issues. First, it is clear that the oligo has grown when compared to images from two years ago. Second, it is now touching the Corpus Callosum and if it invades that structure it will become inoperable.

Luckily, indications are that it has not turned malignant.

Updated: 15 May 2009
David Walker at Briz Brain and Spine advises surgery followed by radiation therapy. I saw radiation oncologist David Schlect and he suggests the same course of action. I then consulted Michael Redmond who operated on me in 1993 and again in 2006. He agrees with all that I have been told by David Walker and David Schlect. Specifically that:
  • the tumour has grown since May 2007
  • it does not appear to be malignant yet
  • it will become inoperable if left to invade the corpus callosum
  • I should have sugery followed by radiation therapy
  • I should act sooner rather than later

Further, he thinks I should be more aggressive with the surgery this time. That means the surgeon would take as much of the tumour as possible even at the risk of damaging surrounding healthy brain tissue (ie neurons). Unfortunately, that also would increase the risk of post-operative swelling which nearly finished me off after the last operation. So it is a case of the more aggressive the operation, the more risky it becomes, but the better the long-term outcome. This will no doubt be the subject of a meaty conversation with David Walker when I meet with him this Thursday to give him the go ahead for the operation.


It has become a bit of a tug-of-war between me and my oligo and right now it has the upper hand. So I need to go ahead with the surgery and radiation as I think that would be the quickest way for me to be winning again. It is a bit of a gamble because the surgery is so dangerous, but hey, I'm feeling lucky!

Updated: 21 May 2009

We have now booked in for the surgery with Dr David Walker. The operation will be on Friday 29 May 2009 at St Andrew's Hospital. Will post further details when arrangements have been made.



MRI scan May 2009 (Click on image to enlarge)

2009 - A big year for sea kayaking (click images to enlarge)





Damiano giving instructions before a first paddle in the surf at Byron Bay.










Cheryl and sunset on Marshall Creek, Brunswick Heads.















The Queensland Sea Kayaking Club at Brunswick Heads, New South Wales.












With Murray on Green Island, Moreton Bay.







Gary took this photo when we were paddling at Wellington Point one afternoon.







In March we launched the Guillemot sea kayak. It had taken John and me 13 months to complete and it was very satisfying to finally get it into the water. It is a very responsive craft and a pleasure to paddle.





John and me beside out creation.





















Lots of our dear friends turned out for the launch of the Guillemot kayak.
























John setting me up for my first paddle.

2009 - Federation Peak (Click on images to enlarge)

In February I forgot all about the oligo and went off with my good mates Michael, Karl and Ritcho on Michael's expedition to climb Federation Peak, SW Tasmania. It was certainly one of the hardest walks I have done and the ascent of the peak was quite an adventure. Fortunately we all came through unscathed.



































































Saturday, May 9, 2009

2009 - Lord Howe Island (click on images to enlarge)

We started 2009 with a trip to Lord Howe Island to celebrate Cheryl's birthday. What a place, mountains and coral together, we had a great time walking some of the most scenic bushwalks in Australia and did a bit of snorkelling. Do go if you ever get the chance!
















A view across the coral-filled lagoon at Lord Howe Is.














Cheryl and me at the Goat House cave on Lord Howe Is. We highly recommend this walk.

There was a surprise for me later in January when a regular checkup scan reported signs of progression of the tumour. A second opinion suggested no progression, so I got a third opinion from Dr David Walker at Briz Brain and Spine clinic. He organised a PET scan which had a negative result so if there was change it was still probably not malignant. We decided to give it another three months and check again.