March 06, 2006

MRI Results

Today’s MRI confirmed our fears. Ben’s tumor has nearly doubled in size since his December MRI. It’s pushing against the left side of his cerebellum which is causing the loss of muscle control to his right side. His fourth ventricle is completely squished and his front two ventricles are swelling.

He’s in great spirits and did not require sedation for his MRI despite the nurses fishing around in his hands and wrists searching for a good vein to use for his IV. He tires very easily – which makes sense when you consider the amount of activity he’s been having and the amount of work his body has to do to compensate for the loss of motor control.

Melinda and I are at a complete loss on what to do right now. We have some follow-up meetings with Ben’s doctors tomorrow and will most likely be seeing our counselor before making any decisions about clinical trials or hospice care.

We've had several people asking what they can do to help and we honestly don't know at this point. There are so many decisions to make and so few good choices. We’ll be putting a call out as soon as we know what we need.

Thank you to everyone who posted a comment today. It was wonderful to take a peek at them throughout the day and feel some comfort from our family and friends.

Posted by Dean at 19:13:15 | Permanent Link | Comments (35) |
Comments
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1 - Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Please let us know if there is anything you need help with,
Pat, Laura, Jacob and Rachel Morris (Comment this)

Written by: Pat, Laura, Jacob and Rachel Morris at 2006/03/06 - 21:10:58
2 - I love you guys. I really wish I could think of something to say or do to make this stop and go away. (Comment this)

Written by: Matt at 2006/03/06 - 21:18:54
3 - You have so much going on in your lives, I don't know how you do it. Perhaps to yourselves you seem weak, but to those of us who read your postings - you are heroes. Remember that as you cope with your lives and Ben's illness. You do have the strength to make the right decisions and those decisions will be the right ones.
If there is anything we can do, we are here for you. Much love to each of you.
Rich & Dot (Comment this)

Written by: Rich & Dot at 2006/03/07 - 05:24:05
4 - Hopefully you're all still fast asleep right now, dreaming of better days. I wish we could hug and hold each of you until this terrible dream went away. Echoing Rich and Dot, know that you are all among the strongest and bravest people we've ever known. You have so many people who love you, so many people who care.

You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Know that we would do anything to help. And thank you for daring to share this journey with all of us.

Neal and Tara (Comment this)

Written by: Neal and Tara at 2006/03/07 - 06:02:29
5 - Our thoughts and love are with you. (Comment this)

Written by: Glenn, Alli, and Max at 2006/03/07 - 07:34:16
6 - As Marissa and I have been following this journey with you, I can not stress enough how strong your family is. You have such a wonderful support system within your immediate family and also your extended family and friends. Please know our thoughts are with you all and especially Ben. As you hear this often, we are here for you as well and feel free to let us know if there is anything you need.

Stephanie and Marissa (Comment this)

Written by: Stephanie and Marissa at 2006/03/07 - 08:46:49
7 - Dean, Melinda, Madie and especially Ben,

Our warmest thoughts are with you all. Your visit out our way was very special, and re-confirmed how strong, brave, bright, funny, and full of life each one of you are. As with all the family and friends around you, please let us know what we can do to help.

And remember, Ben is as strong as the deep love that you, Dean, Melinda, and Madie surround him with, a love that Roby and I see as having no limits.

With hope and love,

Roby and Colin (Comment this)

Written by: Colin & Roby at 2006/03/07 - 10:19:16
8 - Hi guys, I am very excited to hear of your upcomming addition. I am also deeply saddened to hear about Ben. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Since Xandar and I are in Trinidad, I can't offer much in the way of physical support. But know that I am here for spiritual support. I love you all and will be praying for your family.
-Rachel (Comment this)

Written by: Rachel Horn at 2006/03/07 - 10:32:55
9 - Ben,

You and your family are on our minds.

LOVE.

- Poetica, Yue, and Jeff (Comment this)

Written by: jeff at 2006/03/07 - 11:03:14
10 - There are no words to express our love and concern. We talked to Pat - we're here if you need us. Praying for God's strength for all of you.
Love, Jim & Bonnie (Comment this)

Written by: Jim & Bonnie Freeman at 2006/03/07 - 12:15:00
11 - Hi Melinda, I just talked to your dad today and heard about Benjamin. He also give me your site to look at the pictures of your trip. Words can not express the sadness I feel for you and your family. Little Benjamin is on my Bible Study prayer list each Tuesday. There are so many people praying for him. I love you and if you need ANY thing please let me or Devin know as she will be happy to help in any way. Love Aunt Carolyn (Comment this)

Written by: Carolyn at 2006/03/07 - 17:27:51
12 - Hey,,,my heart and Aunt Patsy's are with you. I am SO glad we had the chance to be with your family this summer to rekindle lost time and memory's. I think of you and your life,,,bless and cherish every moment. Life is so short...Love to you all Susie (Comment this)

Written by: susan warriner (Blair) at 2006/03/07 - 17:43:03
13 - Just a little note to say we love you and wish we could be there to provide hugs or raspberries as the case may be. Much love, Rich & Dot (Comment this)

Written by: Rich & Dot at 2006/03/07 - 19:09:47
14 - God bless you all, you will be in my prayers. (Comment this)

Written by: Mamacita at 2006/03/07 - 21:23:57
15 - what do I say? I'm sooooo sorry and thinking about you all the time you are all in my heart. Please let me know when you figure out anything we can do to help you.
Love, Lynne & Mitch (Comment this)

Written by: Lynne & MItch at 2006/03/07 - 21:25:17
16 - Our thoughts and lots of prayers are with you and your family. We misshaving on the library committee Melinda. Congrats, I had "morning sickness" for 9 months with both of our boys.
Love and prayers
Dawn and family (Comment this)

Written by: Dawn Williams at 2006/03/07 - 21:25:40
17 - Our prayers and thoughts are with Ben and his family. May God guide you and give you strength in your time of need. Bless you.

Love , Steve and Gail (Comment this)

Written by: Steve, Gail, and Martin at 2006/03/07 - 22:01:53
18 - Love you all so much and though I really don't know what to say because all I can think is that I would give anything to make this all go away, I wanted to let you know that you are all in my thoughts nearly every minute of the day.

much love dear friends,
Amber (Comment this)

Written by: Amber, Jim and Jack at 2006/03/07 - 22:42:19
19 - We have kept up with the blog and we're glad you all have had such a great time together. We think of you every day. Your journey has brought my family and I closer as we recognize just how precious our lives together are. We are ALL here but for a fleeting moment. We will take advantage of ours even more. Let me know if I can help. I am here. I love you guys.
B (Comment this)

Written by: Cousin B (Amy, Dane, & Jeroen) at 2006/03/07 - 23:13:47
20 - All my love, tears, hope, thoughts, more love, strength and healing are flowing in your direction.

Love, Andrea (Comment this)

Written by: Andrea Oakley at 2006/03/08 - 00:18:36
21 - Even though we never had the chance to be close I have always felt you and Melinda were simply the very best of people. I have marvelled at your family since it started. Something to kind of reach for in life. I am incredibaly sorry for what you are all going through and I will pray in my own way every day for Ben, you and the rest of your family. (Comment this)

Written by: Matt (Guy) at 2006/03/08 - 08:20:25
22 - Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. I can't think of anything to make this easier nor anything I could do take this away. Just know that Ben is at the top of our lists of thoughts.

I realize you have a number of things on your mind at this moment but in thinking of Ben's wishes and wants, he is still a little guy and if he'd like to take the flight we promised, please let us know. We can't do much about this situation, but we can give him a memory. So when he's ready, please let us know.

Mark, Sharon, Brandon & Sean (Comment this)

Written by: Sharon, Mark, Sean & Brandon at 2006/03/08 - 08:50:57
23 - We are so sorry to hear the news of Ben. You have been such an inspiration to everyone with your positive thoughts and many activities. We think of you daily and would certainly like to help in anyway possible, just let us know if we can. Many prayers are headed to yours and Ben's way from Oregon.

Hugs, Vicki and Howard

 (Comment this)

Written by: Vicki and Howard at 2006/03/08 - 09:08:26
24 - Dean, Melinda, Ben and Madie,

Sending warm wishes your way. Please give Ben and Madie extra hugs and squeezes from me. Words cannot express how sad I am for your family. Know that my whole church family is praying for you guys. So happy to hear that during this horrific ordeal that Melinda is pregnant again. You two sure make beautiful babies! Much Love, Jennifer

 (Comment this)

Written by: Jennifer at 2006/03/08 - 09:24:21
25 - I am so saddened by the news of your beautiful son Ben. I know we haven't seen each other in a while but you are wonderful people and I can't believe this is happening to you. My thoughts are with you, with dreams of miracles. (Comment this)

Written by: Heidi at 2006/03/08 - 10:11:14
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