Dr. B's Tumor Removal Fund

The Story of Filmore: A Halloween Tale of Tumors

Most of you already know, but I tend to suffer from migraines... (Boo Migraines!)

During a typical migraine, like most others, I went to see my doctor after several days of feeling like a hot mess...

Doctor: "Bridget Let's do an MRI, Just to see if there is anything?"

A few days after I received a phone call from my favorite local physician informing me that alas, my MRI was abnormal but they can't tell what it is, or if I am hemorrhaging or not, so I had a second MRI and confirmed the tumor.

It’s your friendly Neighborhood mengionoma!


This my friends is the best kind of tumor to have if you are going to have one. It’s made from the mengies, tissue that cover the brain and spinal chord. Its likely benign.  (Woot woot!)

We met with several local doctors, then decided to go see Dr. Bettagowda at Johns Hopkins.

The Gist:
Since the tumor (aka Filmore) made residence where he did, near the sagittal sinus, he has to be evicted from the premises. If he continues to grow and get into the sagittal sinus,(that he is already touching), doctors won't be able to remove him. He will likely be a permanent squatter, and this...this is a bummer.

Why is this a bummer you ask?
It's a bummer because the sagittal sinus is what carriers the blood from my brain.  He also seems to be getting cozy with other veins that I seem to need.

What next?
 After meeting with several neurosurgeons, it was decided that there are three options,the gamma knife, surgery, and just watching it. The gamma knife is not the best choice because of my age. (Being that I am a YOUNG folks, YOUNG, not OLD. Radiation is not a good choice, and Filmore would likely just come back). They suggested that I need to just get in there with a craniotomy and remove the little fella.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/brain_tumor/treatment/surgery/craniotomy.html

 The Big Day!
 We plan to evict Filmore on November 11th at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland.  He hasn’t been a poor tenant per sey; I just can’t host him any longer because I like blood to my brain and function of my body. Of course with all surgeries, brain surgeries do carry risks, but we are going to the best of the best, and I have full confidence that I got this!




This has been an unexpected event for our little family, especially the trip up to Baltimore to see the best surgeon. Luckily my father has been able to come stay with the children during recent days.

It seems we will need to plan a week’s trip up to Baltimore for the upcoming operation, where I hope my dad can bring the kids for a day prior to the operation for a trip to the aquarium as a family. We also obviously want Greg to be able to be in Baltimore with me as well, so he plans to take off work and come with me.

At this point the recovery period is a little unexpected, but can be up to a month. Therefore, the plan is to have the operation this coming November, recover over the holidays, and be back in the saddle come spring.

Any contributions would go to gas and travel for the trip to Baltimore, hotel for Greg and the two nights before the operation in Baltimore, a trip for the kids to come visit, childcare, other medical expenses related to the surgery, and time for when Greg is away from work to be in Baltimore.
 
We are so blessed to have so many friends and family supporting us!


Best,
 The Millers