Second Brain Surgery Cancelled

I was told at my doctor’s meeting February 16, 2018, that I had another brain tumour. I was shocked to find out that a tumor had developed right beside the area that was removed during my last surgery. I saw this MRI image of my tumour on a computer in my surgeon’s office. Seeing this image made me aware that I would be having another brain surgery shortly. At this meeting, with support from my husband and sister Bev, I made the decision to go ahead with the surgery and to sign up for a research study which would study the use of Immunotherapy to treat brain tumours.

The next few days I spent time at Health Sciences Centre talking to doctors; signing papers for my surgery and research study; and going for X-rays, MRIs, and blood tests. I was taken aback when my blood tests included taking 24 vials of blood! At that point I was grateful that I would get lots of attention and would be followed closely throughout my surgery and recovery. My second brain surgery was supposed to take place March 7, 2018, 9:00 a.m. at Health Sciences Centre.

Unfortunately, I was called at noon the day before my surgery and told that the study drugs had not arrived by air on Monday due to a bad snowstorm. I now had to make a difficult decision - I could go ahead with my surgery and not be part of the study, or I could wait three weeks and still be a study candidate. After much deliberation and consultation with health care professionals, I decided to delay surgery in order to be part of the Toca 511 study. The process of making this decision resulted in soul searching, anxiety, and stress. Now that my decision has been made, I am moving forward.

The morning of March 7, instead of being in the Operating Room, I enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Pancake House. I had a lovely time with my husband and my sister Bev; the two people who were going to spend lots of time with me in the hospital. I had a meeting with my research team on Friday, March 9. I now will be having my surgery at the end of March. I feel anxious about the surgery I will have. I keep praying for continued health.

 

I met my dear friend Michael Champagne at HSC.

Michael graduated from St. John's High School

when I was an administrator at that school.

I went to a Jets hockey game with my friend Colleen.


I had lunch with Ari - my sister Bev's child.

 

The night before I was supposed to have surgery 
I went to see grandson Finn...

 ...my mother

 

 

 ...and my father.

 I also had the pleasure of meeting other family members.

 

 

My surgery was cancelled so I spent the evening

forwarding this information to family and friends.