Delays

Dennis had an MRI last week but unfortunately the specific type of MRI the doctor needed was not done and they will have to repeat the MRI this week on Thursday. 

What We Know

The MRI that was done last week shows some change.

What We Don’t Know

Because the correct MRI was not done, we don’t know what these changes are.  There are three possible situations:

1. The tumor is growing – if this is the case, it would most likely mean the current treatment is not working.
2. The tumor is about the same but the last MRI was not accurate – this is a possibility because the medication Dennis was on at that point worked by starving the blood supply to the tumor.  Therefore, the contrast they put into his blood to do the MRI would not have reached parts of the tumor and it would not have shown up well on the MRI.
3. There is pseudoprogression – this is a common occurrence with the current treatment.  It makes it look like the disease is progressing when it is not. 

The new MRI should enable the doctor to sort out what is happening.  We are praying it is pseudoprogression. 

Now What?

Dennis has the new MRI on Thursday morning.  We may hear as early as Thursday what the results are or it may be Friday.  We will see the doctor on Monday.  If he determines this is pseudoprogression, Dennis will most likely continue the current treatment.  If it is tumor growth, we will need to discuss other options.  With each treatment that fails, our options moving forward are fewer. 

Prayer Requests

Pray for a good report from the new MRI. 

Pray for peace as we wait.