Prognosis: Hopeful

Surgery went well for my brother. So far, he is recovering great! This is the first time that he hasn't been completely incapacitated after surgery. He can stand up and walk to the bathroom from his bed on his own. He does still need some therapy. But here is the hard part. The tumor has changed into a Category 4 tumor - the most aggressive kind. The surgeon was not able to remove all of the tumor; he left around 5-10%. The blood vessel that feeds the tumor is the same one that feeds the brain cells that control my brother's leg. The surgeon couldn't have removed the tumor without crippling my brother, and he spared the leg. So... it's going to grow back, unless God works a miracle. The surgeon also said that they can keep cutting most of the tumor out, but at some time there will come a point where it won't be feasible to do so. Reality is that this tumor will be fatal, short of a miracle. This part was so hard to hear. I can't imagine burying my brother at such a young age. Granted, it can happen due to any thing - a car accident, a bad fall, etc. But one can never really wrap their mind around it until death is palpably close. I couldn't help but cry. Additionally, he doesn't have much use of his hand. The surgeon said it's gone, but hopes that he's wrong. We do too. He can move his arm - lift his shoulder... but how much use of the elbow and hand is there? We don't know. We hope that therapy will help bring some motility back. But we gathered ourselves together and focused on the things we can control. We can help him with his diet, vitamins, and exercise. We did some research and found some experimental drugs/treatments that he might be eligible for, and some clinical trials that he might be able to participate in. By God's grace, these changes will slow the growth or kill it once and for all. We also found out some interesting things about the possible causes of cancer, stuff that is disturbing. You have to be careful about "natural" sites that are hawking goods claiming to help purify the body. There is no regulation over these things, no control and your best assurance of what's good and what works is really word of mouth. You can't buy what anyone says wholesale, but... it is disturbing to think that it really is the food we eat that is causing cancer. Here is a thought-provoking site: Know the Cause. In a nutshell, cancer is a fungus and is being caused by ingesting fungi - contaminated grains, breads with yeast... the Bible does tell the Israelites to eat unleavened bread... You are what you eat is not a cliché, but a truism? Yikes!! Read that site first. I'll blog more about it later.