Good evening friends and family!
The Cuellar family went to see the Neurosurgeon this morning and it has been confirmed that Ron has an inoperable brain tumor which means that it cannot be removed. The doctor is preparing Ron for a biopsy next Thursday to see if it's malignant or benign and to find out what kind of treatment should be done for it.
Right now he's calling this bad boy an Oligodendroglioma Tumor which I leave up to you to look up and find out more about it. We won't know for sure if this is an accurate assessment until he goes in and does the biopsy but the doctor seems to think it's likely.
The biopsy itself will leave a hole in Ron's head the size of a dime, maybe a bit smaller. The biopsy is also a bit dangerous as they could clip a blood vessel which of course leads to other complications....this is something the doctor has put out there in order that they know the risks Ron is facing.
They are told that this kind of tumor will respond well to Kemo which can strongly discourage it from growing any larger. If they were to try and remove the tumor it could end up paralysing Ron so they won't take that chance on him.
Ron has resigned himself that if this is not something that can be removed through surgery than he would rather not willingly further afflict himself with Kemo or radiation which causes some very undesirable side effects but instead just go on living his life as usual and enjoy the health that he is experiencing at this time outside of the small seizures he is troubled with.
They are encouraging Ron to take a preventative medicine called Keppra. Kepra would discourage Ron from having grand mall seizures which are inevitable without Keppra. If he has a grand mall seizure it will immediately lesson his quality of life as he knows it so this is a pretty big decision Ron is faced with making.
The side effects of Keppra are:
suicidal thoughts
depression
solemness
bloody noses, etc.
Obviously none of these side effects are too encouraging to think about.
Bless his heart!!
In spite of the bad news Ron and Sandie have received today they are able to continue to keep their faith strong in the Lord knowing that He is and always will be their Master Healer; we believe that this is in part because of the prayers of the saints. Thank you for caring about Ron and Sandie and for your prayers and support. It means so much to them.
Here are some areas that need immediate prayer:
**That Ron would not experience any negative side effects from the Keppra medication if he chooses to take it.
**That the doctors would have a steady hand and that Ron would be protected from any adverse reactions or problems from the biopsy coming up this next week.
**Ron and Sandie would continue to be strong in their faith and trust in the Lord and that they'd be protected from anxiety, fear or dread.
**That their whole family would be submerged within God's comfort and love and that this trial would draw them nearer together and into full agreement with The Lord.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of Thy works.
Psalm 73:28
Pray at all times and do not lose heart. Jesus
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5 comments:
Dear Ron and Sandy, I couldn't help but reflect after reading what Stephanie has written here about your latest findings that your next step is a biopsy.
Russ had horrible dizzy spells, blindness, ringing in his ears that was madening and would he would come close to passing out a few years ago and was not able to drive for year while we went to doctor after doctor trying to get to the bottom of his problem. He grew worse and worse with the episodes happening daily. Finally a neurosurgeon took a special scan of some kind, (forgot the name it was a different name) and found he only had one vessel leading to the brain and it was flat, nearly closed. The only other vessel was completely gone. There was very little blood getting to the brain and he was dying -------- but thankfully they found the cause of the difficulty finally. We went up to Spokane to the specialist and the surgeon put a stint in the only vessel he had to open it up and keep it open so he could get blood to the brain and "live". Amazing things they can do today.
Cameron was in that waiting room with me that day and Russ's whole family as we waited for the news --- was Russ going to be OK. The procedure was dangerous and the surgeon apologized to Russ before he began, Russ said he said,"if you do not make it, I'm so sorry, I'm going to do my best." Russ is a rather sober man without to much emotion and said basically --- "Well your my best shot doctor." or something to that affect. I know what it is like to wait it is difficult on both of you. It is a helpless feeling.
I know having your family with you will give you and them much support. I know Russ was anxious, there just was no other way out to regain time for him-------so he did what was necessary. He takes meds now to help keep the stint open and plaque from forming in the stint. There is times even now he gets dizzy and the ringing is sometimes madening for him----and occasionally he has problems seeing. He lets me know so I'm aware but it does not interfere with life here in the woods and our daily chores. I drive when he is having problems, he drives when he isn't. The doctor told Cam and I the vessels up higher in Russ's brain are diseased and they up to high to do anything about it.
My prayer is there is something that can be done to allow Ron to live a full life with or without this tumor----how ever that part works out. God is able ------- I do know that. It's been 5 years now that Russ has had the stint. We go in once a year and they go back in the brain to check it, each time it is rather scary for us and we most definately have apprehension but I take my sewing and get a coffee and pray while I keep myself occupied till the doctor comes out and lets me know all is well again.
I'm glad we have this blog, I have to say this is the first time I've ever been on one ha, so now I think I'm up with the big guys!! But it is a great way to keep us updated and we can pray more specifically for your needs.
Bless you both. It is trying times I know and there is just no way out but forward. We trust the doctors to do their best for us, and pray God directs their hands skillfully. My prayer will most earnestly be for your doctor to be extremely focused and God's merciful hands guiding him all the way.
I love you
mom
Ron,
Know that I am praying for you each day! Praying that you will be encouraged, strengthened and healed. Stay strong brother!
Dear Hermano:
We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we KNOW WHO holds tomorrow, animo.
We are praying for you.
We love you.
Nos vemos pronto!
Reyes & Martha
We love you Ron and Sandie, i'll update the church tomorrow morning and we'll be praying for you.
praying in Friday Harbor,
Joe
Dear Ron and Sandi, Kerri just told me of what you are going thru. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I will always remember your singing The Lighthouse. Be blessed.
Grandma Dee
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