"It's fun to do bad things."

Brain cancer is...

...having fun doing bad things.

Years ago Tiana and Alex shared a news clip with us wherein, when asked why he took Grandma's SUV for a joyride, the seven-year culprit replied, "It's fun to do bad things!"

Today we're having fun doing bad things, Darrell's idea.

First we didn't make the bed.

Then we ate McDonald's for breakfast at the park.

Yes, including hash browns.

We had a fabulous lunch with LuAnn, Roene, Matt and TK.  Not only did Darrell and Andi not share a meal, we also had dessert.

 Now I will work in my art journal...

...instead of grading.

It is fun to do bad things!

Friday Fruition

Brain cancer is...

feeling fine, this Friday.

Darrell picked up Andi after class today.  Andi came out of the school office to see Darrell sitting on a bench, enjoying the breeze.  Above we capture that moment with super funky editing. 

This was after Block One rocked the Great Chalk Project...

...in preparation for leading the Project with third and fourth graders next week.

In the meantime, Zach, Summer and Mousse escaped for a Forest Friday.

We are so happy that Friday brings this week to fruition.

All our best, Friends!

Thursday Gets a Thumping

Brain cancer is...

...getting thumped, as is Thursday.

Today was full of success.  Notably, Darrell's Optune compliance rating for the month was 98%.  Boom!

Packers played tonight.  Mousse represented in his new jersey.

Green Bay thumped Chicago in a record-breaking victory.  Here's the guy who made it happen...

 ...with a Dove ice cream bar/Twix double treat in the second half.

We hope your Thursday got a thumping too!

All Sources Agree!

Brain cancer is...

...safe from the knife today!

All good news and great things today.  Darrell's medical team members all agree:  "Let's not cut into Darrell's head just now!"

Today we heard from:

• UCLA's neuro-radiology Tumor Board
• Dr. Noblett (the orginal surgeon)
• Dr. Park

All sources are in agreement with Dr. Cloughesy:  The brain pancake does not look like a glioma.  It's increasing in size, but it's growing slowly.  They also agree on the current plan:

• MRI with 1-mm slice size
• Two-month monitoring with appointments at St Jude and UCLA.

It couldn't get any better than that!

We got this news right after my class with Block 4.  Darrell wandered in to a round of applause from his Block 4 fans.   (That's part of Block 4's Great Chalk Project from today, above.  Lovely! Just like them!)

Before our lunch date had ended, Darrell and I had booked/confirmed:

• November's UCLA appointment
• Our stay at Tiverton
• The November MRI at St Jude.

Everyone works.  Everyone celebrates!  Thanks for joining us today in the cheering!

More Family, More Fun

Brain cancer is...

...making good use of time while waiting for results.

A few generations gathered for a nice lunch and other happiness.  Andi kept FHCS1 (Fullerton House Computer Station 1) up and running in the meantime..

Cancer eradication update:  No news.   We heard from Dr. Cloushesy's office today that Darrell's case will be presented at the UCLA Tumor Board tomorrow, Wednesday 9/27.  Their report will give the neuro-radiologist's recommendation.

PS:  Apparently absence does not always make the heart grow fonder.  Grand dog relations remain a bit strained.

Flat like a Pancake

Brain cancer is...

...well scrutinized.

Good news:  Dr. Cloughesy agrees that the tumor site is stable.  Hurrah.


He also agrees that the muck on the right side of Darrell's brain, far from the tumor, is a little bigger than in the last scan. (Compare yellow circled area from last time to orange circled area from this scan.)   He says that the muck does not act like a glioma.  It's flat like a pancake and isn't where gliomas would typically occur.


He does not recommend surgery for brain pancakes such as this one under current conditions.  He is showing the scan to a UCLA radiologist to get a better sense of the muck We will email him tomorrow for the radiologist's opinion.


In terms of future imaging studies, Dr. Cloughesy recommends another MRI, but with thinner slice sizes (1 mm slices instead of our current 4 mm slices).  Such a study would give more detail about our mucky pancake. Timing of the scan depends upon the radiologist's word.


Darrell is feeling relief and happy to have a plan in place.


Thanks for all your good wishes!

Tucked in at Tiverton

Brain cancer is...

...ready!

Above is the view from our room on a gorgeous LA day.  Darrell's appointment with Dr. Cloughesy is 8:30 tomorrow morning.  One of us bets that Dr. Cloughesy will say, "Watch and wait."  The other thinks he will say, "PET scan."  Where do you put your money?


Happy Sunday, Team D.

Burghardt/Groth Women: Hear Them Roar!

Brain cancer is...

 ...under fierce attack by strong women.

Darrell started his day with representatives of strong women cheering him...and each other...on.

Andi's mom LuAnn (next to Andi) had back surgery on Wednesday.  Her sister, Roene (next to Darrell) was there for her and will remain for the next month.  You go, Girls!

LuAnn is doing great.  Darrell did not shove her into the closet (as he did in days past), and they did not fight over cheese--which is important because Roene would have had something to say, as the cheese provider.

Today we are grateful for the strength of family.

Thank You for the Sunshine

Brain cancer is...

...thankful for the sunshine after the storm.

Of course everything will be okay. Darrell's got a strong medical team.  Nonetheless, yesterday was a tough one.  It's hard to get back into the world of contemplating weird things growing in Darrell's head and planning their possible removal.

You are the reason that there is sunshine after yesterday's brain muck storm.  Thank you for all the ways you help us be strong:  virtual hugs, prayers, permission to cry, reassurances, doughnuts, yellow roses, all of them.

Here are some images that constitute the sunshine.  Above, tonight we accomplished (okay, Lennie accomplished) the first ever Mayfield/Guillaume double selfie kiss...at Islands.

Thursday night we circled the family wagons:

 

And while chewing on doughnuts, I have this view from my desk:

Sunshine on stems.

Of all of our emotions, gratitude is the most prevalent.  Thank you.

"I don't know."

Brain cancer is...

...attacked by the team.

Regarding brain muck, Dr. Park says, "I don't know."  Above he is mobilizing the team of doctors who can help us make a decision about how to proceed.

There are two basic options:  Follow the muck (as we have been doing), or remove the muck.  Here's the current game plan:

• Get Dr. Cloughesy's opinion on Monday.  He might recommend a fancier scan if the plan is to simply follow the muck.  One example of a fancy scan would be a PET scan.  Apparently PET scans provide the best detail (information at the cellular level).
• Get Dr. Noblet's opinion.  Dr. Noblet was Darrell's surgeon.  We will make an appointment to meet with him next month.  He will tell us if the muck removal would likely be a straightforward surgery, based on the muck's location.
• Get the Tumor Board's opinion.  Dr. Noblet will present Darrell's case to the St. Jude/St. Joseph Tumor Board 10/03.  

To start, we have made the regular MRI appointment for November.  And we're ready to head to UCLA this weekend.  First we'll go to Islands.

Darrell's not overly concerned.  He made faces to entertain me in  Dr. Park's office.

Gotta love him.

Thanks, everyone.

Brain Muck Is [Still] in the House.

Brain cancer is...

...confusing.  Not predictable.  Maybe okay.

Darrell's MRI results were posted today. Great news!  The tumor site appears to have no new tumor growth (above)!


As we know with GBM, the original tumor site is the first likely site of any tumor growth.  So the above news is great!


However, the "brain muck" that is far from Darrell's tumor site is reported to be growing, as also noted in today's results: 



We do not love.  We  look forward to Dr. Park's interpretation tomorrow morning.  More then.

Speed Scan, Sushi Celebration

Brain cancer is...

 ...scanned again.

Darrell did a great job managing his MRI scan this morning.  The scan was scheduled at 9 a.m., and we we were out the door, disc in hand, at 9:48.  The radiologist's report isn't posted yet (6:18 p.m.).  We'll hope to share the results tomorrow.

Zachary and Summer joined us for a sushi celebration.  Delicious.

We hope your Tuesday is delicious too, Team D.

Let's Go, SLO!

Brain cancer is...

...practicing what he preaches.

After a last beautiful morning walk at Dana Point...

...we headed back to Fullerton.

Before the sun set, Darrell booked our next trip:  San Luis Obispo.  Phew!  If he hadn't, we would have broken Darrell's own rule:  Always have another hotel vacation on the books.

Work...with a View

Brain cancer is...

...taking a bonus day in Dana Point. 

We spent the morning at the harbor and at Doheny Beach.  Now we work. I am in charge of the research methods course.  Darrell is in charge of the football game.  Because everyone works, might as well work with a view.


Happy Sunday, Friends!

Keep on Dreaming.

Brain cancer is...

still loving Dana Point, but now with friends.

Good night and good wishes, friends.

California Dreaming

Brain cancer is...

...on vacation.

Darrell picked up Andi after class, and we headed for the water for a weekend away.


We are finding that is both a good post work week decision and a good pre scan relaxation choice.

We hope you are also relaxing on your Friday evening. 

Cheers from Dana Point!

Thursday Threepeat

Brain cancer is...

...accomplishing important goals.

Despite the fact we got up early and worked a lot (blood test, MCOP scoring, research papers, prepping, house care, grasslets watering, grad student Zoom session):  Today's accomplishment? All three meals out and about! Threepeat!


Breakfast was with Gordon in Glendora.

 

 Lunch was in Fullerton near campus.

Dinner was in Brea.

Life is nothing without goals.  eating out.

Cancer eradication effort update:  Darrell's pre-MRI blood test went fine today, and results indicate that Darrell's counts all keep moving up and down in desired directions.  Upon completing his analysis of results, Darrell exclaimed:  "Super blood!"  You've got that right, Big D.

[More] Plant Magic and the Cutting Room Floor

Brain cancer is...

...also growing things.

With the drought, we watered the back yard, but we let the front yard die.
Above you see that Darrell is resuscitating the front yard with grass seed patch.  If you look really closely, you'll see his babies, the grasslets.  You go grasslets.  You go Darrell.

Cutting Room Floor

In daily usage, the term, "cutting room floor"  refers to footage that doesn't make the final cut.

Today yielded much blog material that ended up on the cutting room floor.  Here are the scraps: Title plus illustrative quote.  We leave it to your imagination to add the still images and video.

• Sweet Things ("I'm doing sweet things because I am in the dog house.")
• You Are So Wise ("I know!")
• Andi's Number Talk ("If you're not struggling, you're not learning.")
• Andi Is so Spoiled with a Shelper [Shlepper--!!!]. Darrell Deserves a Raise.  ("I know.")
• Midweek Dates Remain Important.  ("Islands on a Wednesday.")
• Life Is Great.  ("I know.")

Plant Magic

Brain cancer is...

 Alternate YouTube link

...enjoying Zach and Summer's green thumbs.

One of their summer goals was to grow something.  Much to our enjoyment, they are keeping the magic alive.

Above you see a video of their baby mimosa pudica plants, which close their leaves when touched.  The leaves open a few minutes later. 

And here's more magic:

And here's more.

This last shot shows their edible plants.  There should be quite the salad soon!

Cancer monitoring update:  Darrell's next MRI was approved by insurance.  It's one week from today (9/19). 

We hope your Tuesday holds a little magic too.

Blue Skies

Brain cancer is...

...enjoying a beautiful start to the week.

There is no choice but to have a great day when the morning sky greets us like this.

We know the skies are not all the same over our nation with the current harrowing storms.  Our best wishes are with those who are facing the storms.  We hope you and your families and friends are safe and dry.

Happy New Year!

Brain cancer is...

...celebrating NFL Season 2017.

Sorry if this is too much info, but our game day feast included barbecued seahawk wings.

Go Pack Go! 

Post Game Update

We won. We are pretty sure it's because of Darrell's second half epiphany:  "I believe that  ice cream is the brother of cheese."

As soon as he put two mini Dove ice creams in his mouth simultaneously, we started winning. My husband the genius: "Ice cream is the brother to cheese." Listen and learn, Team D.

Cheese War Detente

Brain cancer is...

 not just weird about meat.

You may recall from an earlier post (click here) that Darrell and LuAnn have been having meat wars for about 35 years.

I don't think we've mentioned the concomitant cheese wars.  Every year Roene sends a wheel of the "gold standard" of blue cheese--Maytag Blue Cheese--for Christmas.  Darrell and LuAnn are to split the wheel evenly between the two households and share.  However, they are both warlike people, and each takes advantage of the other to the extent possible in gaining the cheese advantage.

The Christmas 2016 cheese wheel was delayed until today.  Darrell and LuAnn agreed upon the rule:  One person splits, the other person picks.  Mousse and Darrell split, above.

Darrell and LuAnn verify LuAnn's pick, below:

For now, Friends, we have a cessation in cheese hostilities.

Such problems we have!

19 Months, Team D!

Brain cancer is...

...19 months post diagnosis.

This is the face of brain cancer.  Still laughing.  Still loving every day.  Maybe more than ever.

Way to chew up those months and spit them out!

Thank you for being there, Team D, to keep us laughing and loved.  You're the best.

Happy Friday.

98% Ho Hum.

Brain cancer is...

 ...getting zapped 98% of the time. 

Darrell was a bit worried that his Optune compliance rate would drop this month because of the recent hot weather, but no.  He maintains his super hero compliance status. No big deal.