Marion County Multiple Sclerosis Self-Help Group, Ocala, Florida

Yesterday (8/28) Larry was at a Walgreens using the bathroom and fell (think he slipped on a paper towel that was on the floor)in the bathroom and cracked his head real hard.  They took him by ambulance to the Villages Hospital since it was only a couple doors down...it was a rough night...they told us the catscan showed bleeding around the mass he has in the brain and they were talking about emergency brain surgery ( I even provided them with paperwork from his last MRI to compare, etc.)...to make a long story short...they wanted to transfer him to their "sister" hospital in Leesburg...I said if you are going to transfer him, I want him transferred to Ocala where all his doctors and records are.  After them telling me it couldn't be done, etc...we finally got him to Ocala and they all said they have no idea how the doctor's/radiologist could have said there was bleeding and that it was just the mass he has and some swelling around it (not blood or bleeding)and appeared to be no change from what he had previously and definitely no need for surgery.  He is doing great now and should be going home tomorrow.  Please keep him in your prayers.  Thank Goodness for 2nd Opinions. 

Update:  Larry has completed 3 session out of a probable 6 of his 2nd set of chemo and is supposed to have a catscan on 9/4 to see how things are going.

Larry completed his 6 sessions of chemo and had another petscan and brain MRI.  We went over the results with his radiation doctor Tuesday, June 30 and with his Oncologist Wed. July 1st.  It was mostly good news.  There are still some areas of concern pertaining to some growth in the lymph node in the neck and some growth in the spot in the liver and the right side of his groin.  He will be starting more chemo on Monday.  He will be going on an out-patient basis at the oncology office on a new drug called Taxitir.  It will only be for 1 day and will only take 2 hours.  He will be going every 3 weeks for a total of about 6 sessions.  The good news is the MRI on the brain showed major shrinkage on the masses and they are still expecting more from the residual affects of the radiation.  The lungs responded real well to the chemo (which was the primary target for the chemo) and showed shrinkage and is not lighting up as much and the volume is alot less and the oncologist feels it is under control.  The area in the colon that was a possibility of a second primary sight was definitely ruled out and there is no sign of any cancer there.  There are no new areas of cancer whatsoever and nothing in the bones.  Overall the doctors were very pleased, and feel he will continue to do well and his bloodwork continues to look very good.  His white blood cell count is up high and his red cell count is the best it has been in months.  The doctors are pleased with the way his body has responded and feel confident he will continue to respond well with further treatments.  His oncologist also said due to the way Larry's body responds he will have many options of treatments available if he needs them.  Larry continues to be optimistic and plans on "taking one day at a time".  Thank you all for keeping him in your prayers!