An email from Leslie Bailey, david’s wife.
Dear Family & Friends . . .
We are home from our down and back, 485 mi, trip to Duke. We met with both Allan Friedman, David’s surgeon, and David Reardon, his neuro-oncologist.
David is scheduled for his fifth craniotomy (7th brain procedure) this Friday morning, May 7. He may be discharged as early as Sunday — will have to stay in Durham, near the hospital, for several days — but we may be home around Wednesday of next week.
The surgery will be to remove a cyst that is enlarging and causing all sorts of neurological issues — and he will also remove as much of the tumor’s nodule in the frontal lobe (there are a few other nodules that he will be unable to excise — all part of the same web of tumor). Post-surgical side effects could be worse than he’s experiencing right now — but, ideally, would improve as he recovers. His recovery could be extended, which is Allan’s major concern with the surgery.
Dr. Reardon has a 3-tiered plan mapped out to address the remaining tumor after David is strong enough to begin treatment again. There are several newer oral chemos that David has never had and have had somewhat promising results with other patients. As soon as he can get started, the better, obviously.
We’re working out scheduling for travel and the kids —
Thanks to all of you for your loving support and powerful prayers.
Love, Leslie et al
The Presbytery of Shenango 