Brooke Update - 4/29/09 - OT

MLB wrote:
Judith Latham wrote:
In article , CatEyes
wrote:
"CatEyes" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid it's bad news. The doctor said that the mass, even though
it has shrunk 56%, still has not shrunk as much as they'd like so
they're going to have to do radiation therapy on her.

I can't type any more just now...


Hugs,

CatNipped

The reason we're so disheartened about this is not because of the
radiation treatment itself - that's actually milder than the reaction
to chemo (the most it causes are burns like a severe sunburn - both
outside and in). What is so distressing to us is, because the mass is
wrapped around her heart, aorta and airway, they can't irradiate just
the mass without also irradiating those to some degree. This almost
certainly means that she will have damage done to her heart during the
treatment.

They are much more advanced now-a-days than when they first pioneered
this type of treatment, and they can focus the beam MUCH more
closely. But because of the location of the mass, there is no getting
around the
fact that she'll have heart problems for the rest of her life. Which
means she will never be able to compete in softball championships again
- and that will break her heart her already breaking heart.

Hugs,

CatNipped

My heart goes out to Brooke's heart, maybe with them together Brooke's
will be stronger.

Purrs and prayers for you all.

Judith



Purrs, prayers and a litter of kiottens to take care of -- that she will
be able to do. Best wishes. MLB

That is a litter of kittens. My fingers are so stiff lately that I
cannot type accurately. That is what old age does. MLB

MLB wrote:
MLB wrote:
Judith Latham wrote:
In article , CatEyes
wrote:
"CatEyes" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid it's bad news. The doctor said that the mass, even
though it has shrunk 56%, still has not shrunk as much as they'd
like so they're going to have to do radiation therapy on her.

I can't type any more just now...


Hugs,

CatNipped

The reason we're so disheartened about this is not because of the
radiation treatment itself - that's actually milder than the
reaction to chemo (the most it causes are burns like a severe
sunburn - both outside and in). What is so distressing to us is,
because the mass is wrapped around her heart, aorta and airway,
they can't irradiate just the mass without also irradiating those
to some degree. This almost certainly means that she will have
damage done to her heart during the treatment.

They are much more advanced now-a-days than when they first
pioneered this type of treatment, and they can focus the beam MUCH
more closely. But because of the location of the mass, there is no
getting around the
fact that she'll have heart problems for the rest of her life. Which
means she will never be able to compete in softball
championships again - and that will break her heart her already
breaking heart.

Hugs,

CatNipped

My heart goes out to Brooke's heart, maybe with them together
Brooke's will be stronger.

Purrs and prayers for you all.

Judith



Purrs, prayers and a litter of kiottens to take care of -- that she
will be able to do. Best wishes. MLB

That is a litter of kittens. My fingers are so stiff lately that I
cannot type accurately. That is what old age does. MLB

What have you got against kiottens? ;-)
--
Adrian (Owned by Snoopy, Bagheera & Shadow)
Cats leave pawprints on your heart
http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk

Adrian wrote:
MLB wrote:
MLB wrote:
Judith Latham wrote:
In article , CatEyes
wrote:
"CatEyes" wrote in message
...
I'm afraid it's bad news. The doctor said that the mass, even
though it has shrunk 56%, still has not shrunk as much as they'd
like so they're going to have to do radiation therapy on her.

I can't type any more just now...


Hugs,

CatNipped
The reason we're so disheartened about this is not because of the
radiation treatment itself - that's actually milder than the
reaction to chemo (the most it causes are burns like a severe
sunburn - both outside and in). What is so distressing to us is,
because the mass is wrapped around her heart, aorta and airway,
they can't irradiate just the mass without also irradiating those
to some degree. This almost certainly means that she will have
damage done to her heart during the treatment.
They are much more advanced now-a-days than when they first
pioneered this type of treatment, and they can focus the beam MUCH
more closely. But because of the location of the mass, there is no
getting around the
fact that she'll have heart problems for the rest of her life. Which
means she will never be able to compete in softball
championships again - and that will break her heart her already
breaking heart.
Hugs,
CatNipped
My heart goes out to Brooke's heart, maybe with them together
Brooke's will be stronger.

Purrs and prayers for you all.

Judith


Purrs, prayers and a litter of kiottens to take care of -- that she
will be able to do. Best wishes. MLB
That is a litter of kittens. My fingers are so stiff lately that I
cannot type accurately. That is what old age does. MLB

What have you got against kiottens? ;-)

I have never heard one purr. MLB

CatEyes wrote:
I'm afraid it's bad news. The doctor said that the mass, even though it has
shrunk 56%, still has not shrunk as much as they'd like so they're going to
have to do radiation therapy on her.

I can't type any more just now...


Hugs,

CatNipped


We continue to send lots and lots of purrs and very gentle hugs,
Polonca and Soncek