Most storms announce themselves with some warning. Weathermen can sometimes predict them well advance. Other times the signs are obvious. There are dark, ominous clouds that gather and the threat of rain is imminent. Then there is a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder.
There were no advanced signs that I had a cancerous brain tumor. Maybe looking book Baby Luv says I was angrier and grumpier than usual. I’ll blame all the bad attitudes and harsh language on that big bad Glioblastoma stage 4 cancer.
Thursday August 26th I was meeting with my good friend Willie Johnson for lunch. We were going to walk to the Five Points area from my office to find a little restaurant to enjoy together. As we walked to the restaurant Willie grew concerned. He kept asking me if I was okay. There was something off in the way I was walking and talking. He said, “You aren’t acting like yourself.” Ever the Marine, he took action. He whisked me away to the Mayo ER, and they suspected I was having a stroke. A quick CAT scan quickly revealed a monster mass in my brain. Willie, is a man of God who will forever be a hero of mine for his quick and decisive action that day.
I’ve had two friends pass away over the last few years from Glioblastoma cancer of the brain. I was very afraid about my future. I want to walk my girls down an aisle some day. I want to hold grandchildren. If I had to have this happen anywhere in the world, Jacksonville, Fl., and Mayo Clinic was maybe the best place on the planet for me and my family. We live within 10 minutes of a world class Mayo hospital.
On Monday, August 30th, around 5:00 pm I went in for brain surgery. They had to remove as much of the tumor as they could which was putting pressure on my brain. I was extremely blessed in that the tumor was located on my right temporal lobe. Any brain surgery is very dangerous. Physical and mental deficits are possibilities when you cut out parts of the brain. I had no idea what I would be like physically and mentally when I awakened, if I even awakened. My left temporal side would have had much greater risks to my speech, and the surgery would have had to be done while I was awake.
God was gracious, merciful and good to me through the surgery. I have no deficits. My mind and all my parts work for which I am eternally grateful. I’m so thankful I was not moved to the ICU among Covid patients after my surgery. My surgical team cared for me on the 5th floor nuero-surgical floor. Only My wife could be with me. I only stayed a few days in the hospital after my brain surgery. I was able to go home on Wednesday, September 1st. My physical strength is good, and I can care for myself. Being with my kids, family, and friends is healing to my soul.
The surgery was a great success when it comes to removing the cancerous tumor. They were able to remove 70% of the tumor which was a very positive outcome. I have a lovely scar to show for it. I’m now a perfect candidate for a zombie role or a Klingon role on Star Trek!
The rest of the tumor will have to be treated via chemo and radiation. It is important for treatment to start as soon as possible to make sure the tumor does not grow back. My scar is healing nicely, and I have a big meeting with my neuro-surgery team on September 22nd to see if stitches can be removed. Keep praying with us that there will be no seizures or set backs between now and September 22nd. If all goes according to plan on September 22nd, I will be cleared for radiation and chemo treatments to start as soon as September 23rd. My first round of treatment will run for 6 weeks. I will go through radiation Monday through Friday for six weeks along with oral chemo treatments.