Thursday, September 14, 2006

Update

Hey everyone....Scott here. Just a couple quick updates. First, I took a little field trip back to the office yesterday and got to see all my Unilever buddies. It was wonderful to have the chance to thank everyone there for all their support and prayers. I even got to have lunch in the office cafeteria (hey, it isn't Le Cirque, but the lunch table is full of good friends). I spoke at length with everyone there and completely disrupted the work day. My surgeon told me that if I wanted to get my life back and get back to work he would fully approve me whenever I wanted. So I have been returning to work and catching up. It makes me feel good. Since I'm not allowed to drive, I'll be mostly working from home.

Today I had an appointment with the doctor (Schwartz) who can provide the radiation treatment in the hospital 5 minutes from my house. We haven't yet selected this option and are still waiting for second opinions on pathology and treatment from Sloan-K. Sloan is a pretty busy place and I have basically been ringing the phones off the hook over there. The head pathologist at Sloan is reviewing the pathology right now and should have his second opinion on pathology out early next week. The current problem is getting a Neuro oncology at Sloan to have time to review and meet with me.

However, the doctor I met with today was very qualified. He came out of Columbia-Presbyterian and has been doing this for 20 plus years. He and his team of physics folks over here are state of the art and have absolutely top equipment (both the computers that map your head and focus the radiation and the machine that delivers the radiation are basically brand new). The doctor maps your head and the area where the tumor was and then he and a group of physics nerds use the computers to focus the radiation exactly where they want it. They basically aim for the former location of the tumor and a fringe area around where the tumor was. The proposed treatment is 33 days (M-F). Each day is only about 10 minutes and you apparently don't even feel it. They do set you up in a custom made mask thing to hold your noggin in place to make sure they hit the spots they want. Probably looks a bit like Hannibal from Silence of the Lambs....nice. Don't worry, it isn't like I have to wear it around outside the doctor's office.

Thanks to all for all the positive energy and prayers...they are fueling me....
Much love.
Scott

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:19 AM

    Hey Scott...sounds like you're moving right along. It's great to hear that you're getting back to work. The Gery gang is still sending all of our good energy your way. The cats were so happy they wanted to send you a present, but they couldn't find any today. (Thank goodness!) Our love and positive thoughts are always with you....xxoo
    Mrs. G.

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  2. Anonymous8:11 AM

    Hey Poobs...that is good news. Glad to hear things are moving along in the right direction and you are doing so well. We love you. macker

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  3. Anonymous10:57 AM

    Scott & Julie -
    We keep checking the site and are thrilled to keep hearing positive things! I guess Scott won't be able to go as Frankenstein for Halloween now that he has his stitches out ;-) Oh well - I'm sure he can just go a "Super-Daddy" and still have the best time! Scott - take care and be strong - we're thinking good thoughts for you....

    Love,
    Sandy (Harris's sister), Drew & Alex

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  4. Anonymous1:53 PM

    Scott,

    I returned from vacation last week and put off looking at my email dreading all of the junk I'd have to sift through to get to important emails. When I finally decided to take the plunge, I saw Julie's entitled 'Scott's condition'. I immediately opened it and was so sorry to hear the news. I of course wanted to call right away but figured that was probably not the best thing with you just getting settled at home. I'm sure there were three Spoerls anxiously awaiting your return. I've been following the blog and am so thrilled to see your positive energy pouring through the web page. Both you and Julie are truly taking this in stride, which will only be an asset in the months to come. And, of course, all of the support and friendship and love from your amazing family and friends are only a testament to what wonderful people you and your family are. Dave and I are thinking of you often and hope to share a soda with you sometime soon. I'd love to see the kids and how big they're getting and for you all to meet Anna. She's already 6 months and adorable (if I do say so myself). Stay positive. Thinking of you and sending positive energy your way! Love, Vicki

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  5. Anonymous11:55 AM

    Hi Guys, Sounds like things continue to go well!! Super!!!! It doesn't hurt that the Hawkeyes came through yesterday, does it??!! On that note, be looking for a package from the Beevers clan hopefully sometime this week. Take care, Lots of Love!!
    Bev,Dan,Jake and Will

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  6. Anonymous5:30 PM

    Hi Scott...
    My name is Joseph Tona and I heard about your situation from BJ Niehenke who is a good friend of mine. Scott, in September 2003 my Mom was diagnosed with a GBM on her left frontal lobe. Throughout this process, like you I am sure, we worked extremely hard to try and find the best type of treatment for my Mom. We decided to go to Duke University. We saw a doctor by the name of Friedman who is their head brain surgeon. Our family like yours were confronted with many different treatment options, most of them experimental. Scott, one of the biggest things you can do during this time is stay positive. I realize at time it is hard but you will get through this...With the help of your family and friends(I see you have a lot of them) you are going to beat this 100%!!!!I can tell you a lot about the treatments...so too can my family (I have 1 bother and 2 sisters)we have done a tremendous amount of research and would love to share it with you guys. Scott their is really no wrong way to go about treatment right now because as you get treated you'll find what is most succesful for you. I can tell you briefly that there are some tremendous studies with Homeopathic remedies that are now coming out of India that have been proven successful...I belive that they can be taken along with chemo or raditation. I don't want to take up too much of your time but I want you to know that myself as well as my family would be more than happy to tell you what we know. Stay strong and don't ever give up because you will get through this. jtona@mjslending.com or 908-361-5146.

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