Hi Everyone,
We just met with the neurologist, Dr. Liem, who is chief of neurosurgery at Queen's Medical Center. He will be the one who will perform Curt's surgery. We were very impressed with the doctor. He is from MIT and was chief of neurology at Tripler Hospital for years before Queen's.
Dr. Liem is also an expert in Gamma Knife Surgery, which is a procedure that pinpoints very thin rays of radiation directly into small tumors, thus protecting the brain from larger doses of radiation. The doctor had reviewed the MRI and says that this could be anything, and that biopsy is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. He said that the tumor being in the frontal lobe places it in a favorable location for the surgery, as there are no important functions located there (i.e. speech, motor, vision etc.) The tumor is also very accessible.
He recommends doing the surgery as soon as possible, and to bypass the biopsy process altogether. They will go in and get out as much of the tumor as possible, with the use of interactive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the surgery, which will help them to pinpoint exactly where the tumor is as they operate. The surgery should be scheduled in the next couple of days. Then it will be diagnosed with the use of the tissue recovered from the surgery.
They have Curt scheduled for a CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis and chest, to rule out any other possible cancer sites. He does this at 11:30 this morning. He's been on "nothing by mouth" since 12 midnight last night...they gave him some ice chips to eat a little while ago. He just had to drink a big bottle of something in preparation for the scan.
He's in very good spirits...no headache whatsoever because of the steroids they are giving him for the swelling. He and John have been watching the golfers right outside the hospital room window...the room overlooks a golf course...that's been a little bright spot in the morning!
So, all in all, we are encouraged very much from where we have been the last couple of days. Please pray that the surgery goes smoothly and safely, that they are able to get most or all of the tumor, that they are able to make an accurate diagnosis. Please also pray for wisdom as they develop the after-surgery treatment plan. Thank you all so much ... we love you!!
Patti Franks
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Thanks so much for the update! Thank You Lord for a great doctor!! I tried to sign us up as "follower" but for some reason google is not letting me - but we are followers!
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are on our hearts, minds and in our prayers constantly!
We love you!
p.s. the do-do-heads that can't sign in google was from us... Lee and Renee
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Dear Curt & Patti,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for such a wonderful, hope-filled report! We sang the song "My Hope is in You" during worship this morning, and Craig led the whole congregation in prayer for you guys. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you with stuff in the office. We love you all so much!
Love,
Lisa & JB
Yeah Patti, amazing WOG! Prayed for you guys and our Curt this morning and all day. Thank you for the update. Looking forward to a good report!
ReplyDeleteStanding in the gap!
The Stricklands
Great news, we are so grateful for the wonderful care you are receiving. We are thankful for this blog that keeps us up to date,it's very reassuring for us waiting for you at home. We love the Franks.
ReplyDeleteJerry & Janis
News gets better and better! Now praying for a very successful surgery - even beyond what doctors can imagine or comprehend. We are praying for a quick and complete recovery. Thanks for the update!
ReplyDeleteLiza and the Pierce family :)
What a nice encouraging post to read after coming home from church. I bet you planned it that way, Patti! This is good news, and we are glad you will all know more within a few days. Curt is so brave--you all are--and I know you are trusting God with each step of the unfolding story. The frontal lobe thing is really good news, but tell the Dr. "No Frankenstein scars allowed".
ReplyDeleteWe love you all so much and you never leave our thoughts and constant prayer.
Karen and Joe
Curt and Patti,
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping us all updated with the blog. Just heard of this yesterday and we want you to know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers here in Arizona. We love you!
Don and Laura Roll
This is so encouraging! The Lord kept impressing me to "hope" this morning during worship......Curtis you were in my prayers all morning!
ReplyDeletePatti stay strong in Him. ANYTHING you need help with just call us!
Please lest us know the surgery time so we can be praying....Love you guys!!!
Kelly and Jan
So good to hear from you Patti. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers constantly! We know the dr. will do well, cause as Curt would tell you, there's plenty of room up there to move around! :) We just keep trusting Jesus more and more! Love ya guys, Pete, Carrie & girls
ReplyDeleteDear Patti, Curt and Franks,
ReplyDeletewe are so glad that you are posting the information as you get it...that was really encouraging news... I am praying that there is no cancer in Curt's body anywhere.. I pray that they can remove every bit of the mass without any effect to Curt. I am so glad that the migraines are gone. You and your family are in the Lauers prayers... love,shelly
So happy for this blog and praying for Curt to be healed and back home to normal very soon!!! All my love XO Nicole (Barrera) Aboudaher
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping us updated Patti. It was good to open this up and see encouraging news. We will continue to pray for God's healing and that there is no cancer. We prayed for you all at church this morning and then Joe led us in "Our Hope is in You". It was so good and such a reminder where our hope is. We love you all so much and really appreciate the blog.
ReplyDeleteMarina
Yea God!
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti for the encouraging word about Curt's upcoming surgery. Nice how God provided a view of the golf course :)
You are all in my prayers and Po'o is praying too. God give you strength through all of the days ahead and your church family will be lifting you up 24/7. Praying that the Dr. gets every bit of the tumor.
Hugs and prayers,
Janet
Couldn't make it to church this morning because of colds, but watched the service on the web. Prayed with Craig and the congregation for healing over you. We love you and and are continuing to pray for your health. It is so good to hear the positive news regarding the doctor in charge of taking care of that smart brain of yours. love Jon, June and Kieran Harper
ReplyDeleteSo glad they get to have a little bit of "golf" in their day. (: We are praying for you guys, and for God's mighty hand to guide the doctors, and God's mighty arms to hold each of you.
ReplyDeleteAll our Love,
ciara, michael, mikaela & zachy boy woodard
I'm praying for you all the time, Curt. Good to hear your spirits are up and still being that fun guy. You're always encouraging others in so many ways, now it's our time to encourage you and your family, in the Lord, big time! thanks Patti for taking the time to write in the blog. Love you guys! May the Lord watch over you and draw you closer to Him. love, Natalie
ReplyDeletePraying For Curt right now, love you guys and believing that God is in complete control.
ReplyDeleteSteve Strickland
Praying for Curt and the whole family..love from The Borland family in Virginia!
ReplyDeleteCurt, Patti & Family,
ReplyDeleteWe are on the mainland praying for you and trusting that God will heal you. We are so pleased to hear that you all are staying positive and believing the Lord will deliver a good outcome. Just know, we will continue with our prayers and thoughts.
Love,
Charlie and Doreen Barnhart
Thank you so much for creating this blog and keeping it current. I check it constantly as you are continually in my thoughts and prayers. Your last post is very encouraging (Sam too was encouraged) and WOW, a room with a view! I too am praying for a benign mass and quick recovery. Tell Curt the boys and I say "hello and that we're praying for him". We love you both so very much and await your next post and "a good report".
ReplyDeleteCurt,
ReplyDeleteThe smiths are praying for you and your family. We love you guys and are so sorry you are having to go through this. Looking forward to rejoicing with you shortly. Brody said he is really sad and worried so I told him when that happens to make that your reminder to pray for Curt. So he has been bringing it up periodically that he is praying for you. He also said he came up with a good plan to cheer you up,..."since Curt likes geckos I will catch him one and take it to him at the hospital with a card, Isn't that a good idea Dad?. So we caught one which promptly got loose in my truck last night and the good news is the gecko is alive because he just fell out from under the dash on my passengers feet when i was going to lunch. So there may be a delay on the gecko arrival in the mean time may it still lift your spirits as you think of me gecko hunting for you in my Dodge!