Good News MRI - YEA!!!!

Today was another day in SLC with Matt for his monthly clinic visit/MRI. Like last time, Matt was able to have his MRI with no sedation. Today he was due for an MRI of his spine only. Doing both brain and spine takes several hours, and is really just too much if he is not sedated. The spinal MRI's take quite a bit longer than a brain alone because they really do 3 MRI's, one of each section of spine. After the scans we went up to Matt's clinic appointment. Dr. Lemons was in to see us quite quickly after he looked at the scans. We were VERY pleased to see that there is improvement in the tumors and seeding of his spine! This is the FIRST MRI that Matt has had where the report said 'slight improvement'. We are beyond thrilled that the chemo seems like it might be doing something. Because of this good news, we are continuing on the Temodar for at least one more cycle. Next month Matt is due for his brain MRI. That will be the more important factor to determine whether the chemo is effective. However, since this MRI showed improvement, we are praying that the brain also shows improvement or at least stability. Matt does so well on the Temodar. It would be a blessing if he could continue with this protocol - at least through the school year. We did discuss other options, which we will begin if the Temodar proves unsuccessful in shrinking the main tumor. We also discussed radiation. The plan has always been to begin radiation sometime this summer, and it sounds like that is still going to happen. We will be making an appointment to meet with the radiation oncologists in the next few months. This will be exciting as we can discuss all the fancy radiation techniques they keep talking about on television (gamma knife, proton beam radiation, etc....). I don't know if any of these will be possible for Matt, but it will be nice to talk to a doctor about them anyhow. So, that was our day. Overall, very encouraging! Thanks for the prayers and positive thoughts!
-Alli