Biopsy Results = No Real Answers

Although he still has terrible headaches, Kent is doing well and returned to work on Monday.

Last Tuesday they met with the surgeon to discuss the results of the biopsy and, as it turns out, Dr. Pakzaban is a man of few words. Kent was told that the tissue sample revealed dead or damaged brain tissue from an old stroke. Period, end of story.

While being VERY happy that there is no tumor, it is frustrating to have gone through this procedure and come away with no answers. Why was he told that the "dead areas" had gotten larger? Are they actually larger, or was it the build-up of fluid? Why is there a build-up of fluid? Is the fluid causing the headaches? When did this stroke happen? What is the likelihood of it happening again? Is this a progressive or static situation?

This line of questioning resulted in a very disappointing response from Dr. Pakzaban. Kent was told "that is not his area of expertise". Enough said about Dr. Pakzaban.

What is important is that Kent does not have a brain tumor. We pray that the headaches will end and that Kent can come to peace with not having the answers he had hoped to gain.

Home Sweet Home!

Kent is home!

His blood pressure normalized during the afternoon and the CT scan revealed an "air bubble" (no swelling) - which Dr. Pakzaban said was normal for this type of procedure. He was released around 4:30pm and is already home - looking forward to a shower and washing his hair ... at least what he's allowed to wash.

Checking In on Kent

It's been almost 24 hours since his procedure began and word from Toni & Mary is that Kent had an uncomfortable night - headache, nausea/vomiting & very little sleep. His blood pressure this morning has been dropping (currently 92/52) so the nurses are keeping a close watch.

He just returned to his ICU room from a CT scan - they are looking for any swelling of the brain after the procedure - and soon Dr. Pakzaban will come to check on Kent and deliver the results of the new scan. It is unclear at this time whether he will be released today or moved to a different room - we'll update the blog as soon as we have some answers.

Good News - No Tumor!

Kent got out of surgery around 2pm and Dr. Pakzaban said everything went well. The good news is that it is not a tumor, although they will send the biopsy for analysis to be sure. According to Dr. Pakzaban, it is a "dead mass", from an old stroke, with fluid around it.

We've heard this story before, so there are many questions to be asked and not many answers today - the focus now is Kent's recovery. As of about 4:30, he was in ICU with a headache, but said he is hungry ... always a good sign!

The post-operative schedule has changed and he will be released to go home around noon tomorrow, when he gets out of ICU. He will see Dr. Pakzaban in one week and will get his biopsy results and have an opportunity to ask LOTS of questions at that time.

Today's the Day

Although he may not be thrilled when he sees it, Toni & Nan wanted to post a few pre-surgery photos to let everyone know Kent is READY!

Here he is - without glasses & looking a little tired - at about 8:15am in the surgical prep area.






The first procedure of the day is a new CT scan and by 8:45am they had his IV in place and wheeled him off for the scan ...

Brain Surgery

The next step in Kent's condition is determining exactly what these "ghost shaped" inactive areas of his brain are. The slow growth over the last five years has led his doctor to believe it is a tumor, but the only way to confirm the diagnosis and determine the right course of action is through a "biopsy for right frontal lobe brain lesion with Stealth".

Kent has selected Dr. Peyman Pakzaban, his neurologist, to perform this procedure at Bayshore Medical Center on Wednesday, November 17. He is scheduled to arrive at 8am, with surgery at 11am, and will spend one night in the ICU followed by one night on the Neuro floor. If everything goes well, he will be released on Friday evening to go home with a three week recovery period before returning to work or additional surgery/treatment.

Visitation in the ICU is very limited, so Toni & Mary will text out information that will be posted on the blog. Please become a follower (see lower right hand panel) to receive email updates when new information is posted, or simply bookmark http://www.kentcain.com/ and check back often for updates and information.

The History of Kent's Brain Tumor

On a very cold night in March of 2005, Kent was loading a tank car at work when he experienced a number of neurological symptoms, including slurred speech. Assuming he had just gotten too cold, he did not go to the ER.

Increasing headaches followed, which were attributed to an ongoing sinus infection. Prior to sinus surgery, x-rays and an MRI revealed 2 "ghost shaped spots" above the right eye on Kent's brain.

Never correctly diagnosed by either Neurologist, these "inactive areas" of Kent's brain were said to have been the result of a stroke he experienced in his mother's womb and were determined to be non-cancerous.

Continuing headaches and difficulty concentrating brought about a new MRI in September of 2010. It showed that the two "ghosts" had grown together, confirming that Kent has a brain tumor. Initial feedback indicates that both the right and left sides of the tumor can be removed, but the central area of the tumor is inoperable.

Kent's story will continue on the Raisin' Cain blog ...