Kristy's Story...Brain Cancer Benefit for Michael Shane Thomas

Kristy and Michael are at Siteman Cancer Center right now. Michael is scheduled for his MRI's tonight. His first one is the spinal and the second is for the brain tumor. I wanted to take this time to tell everyone about a Brain Cancer Benefit for Shane Thomas. Most of Michael's family and friends call him Shane, Michael is his first name but he prefers to be called Shane.

Please read the following and if you can make it we would love to have you. There is a $10 cover, live music, 50/50 drawings, lottery tree, $2 bottle beer, and food at a reasonable cost. The benefit will be held December 3rd from 7:00 to 12:00 at 3594 Carol Park Road, House Springs, MO.

Kristy's Story...Washington University Is On The Ball

Apparently the doctors can't quit thinking about Michael...that's a good thing! They have called back today and said they have continued to review Michaels' MRI's. They now believe they can get all the tumor by using one treatment, instead of five separate treatments, with the Gamma Knife. Wouldn't that be wonderful! They still have to have new MRI's to make sure the tumor has not grown much more. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Kristy's Story...Gamma Knife

I have just received some new dates involving the Gamma Knife. Monday, October 24th, Michael will have another MRI. Tuesday the 25th he will fitted for the Gamma Knife helmet. The helmet is actually screwed into his head on the treatment day and attached to the Gamma Knife machine. It is to hold his head perfectly still while receiving treatment. Then Tuesday November 1st will be his first treatment.

Kristy's Story...Starting New Treatment

The resident doctor working with Dr. Mansur from the Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes Hospital just called me to go over what was discussed in the meeting Monday night.  I was hoping that my husband was going to be able to have regular radiation but it looks like that since he has had radiation before that he won't be able to do it again. The doctors all agreed on the Gamma Knife. Usually the Gamma Knife is only 1 treatment but they are going to section his tumor off and do it 5 different times. That way they can watch how Michael handles the radiation. They also said they want Michael to have a MRI of his spine. The reason for the spine MRI I do not know yet.

When my husband gets finished with the Gamma Knife they are going to put him on the chemotherapy pill Temadol.  All of this will be starting really soon, we hope this week. Hopefully, with all of this treatment, it will take care of the tumor for good. His kids and I need him for the rest of our lives.

Kristy's Story...Still Waiting on Doctors Decision

A large team of doctors from Washington University are meeting right now on Michaels' case. The meeting didn't start until 5:00 p.m. St. Louis time. We don't know if we will hear back from them tonight or tomorrow. Duke Hospital did call back today and said the Gamma Knife would be alright to do but no surgery. They want Michael on the Cancer pills and have the Gamma Knife or radiation this week. They are worried about how fast the tumor is growing.

Let's hope the process, whatever it will be, can start soon.

Kristy's Story...My Husband Has Brain Cancer: Kristy's Story...Call From Dr. Friedman

Kristy's Story...My Husband Has Brain Cancer: Kristy's Story...Call From Dr. Friedman: I called Dr. Friedman, the surgeon from Duke Hospital, to find out why so much of the tumor was not removed when we were told only micro cel...

Kristy's Story...Call From Dr. Friedman

I called Dr. Friedman, the surgeon from Duke Hospital, to find out why so much of the tumor was not removed when we were told only micro cells remained. He called me back Friday afternoon. He said he did not see that much (about an inch of tumor was left) but knew he could not remove any more. Dr. Friedman said the tumor was growing into the brain at that section and removing it would cause Michael permanent damage.

I informed Dr. Friedman of what was going on here with seeking radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I told him the radiologist at Siteman Cancer Center is considering using the Gamma Knife or another surgery to remove more of the tumor and also put Michael on chemo pills. He recommended no more surgery at this time and no Gamma Knife. He wants Michael to have regular radiation treatments and start chemo immediately.

Now we have to wait until Monday to find out what the doctors recommend from Siteman and compare the two. If we get two totally different recommendations how do we choose???