pbrinton
05-11-2008, 11:16 PM
Sunday May 11.
With a very heavy heart I must inform you that David has been diagnosed with an aggressively malignant tumor on his brain. No decision has been made yet concerning treatment; he was diagnosed this morning.
Over the past few weeks David had been experiencing symptoms including trembling in his right hand and increasing difficulty in expressing himself. He says that he can think clearly, and hear the words in his “inner voice”, but when he tries to say them, he cannot. Last night I became so concerned that I persuaded him to let me take him to the emergency room.
It seems the tumor has grown large enough to affect these functions, and if left untreated will continue to have increasing and unpredictable effects until he falls into a coma and dies, probably in less than six weeks.
The recommended treatment is surgery followed by radiation. There is no certainty that the surgery will improve matters; in some cases it makes them worse. The median survival time, given surgery and radiation, is nine months.
The neurosurgeon also expressed the opinion that, given the size and extent of the tumor it is quite possible that even though he thinks he can think clearly, his reasoning ability may already be compromised, which makes it very difficult to reliably ascertain his wishes.
He had previously appointed someone he trusted to make health care decisions in the event of his incapacity. She will be arriving tomorrow (Monday) morning, to talk to the doctor and to David.
Although I have been a close friend of David’s for seventeen years, I have never heard him express an opinion or desire in matters of this kind. I have my own opinion, based on what I do know of him, about what his choice would be given these circumstances, but if he has specifically discussed it with any of you, please let me know as soon as possible by email ([email protected]). I will pass any information on to the decision maker.
David says that he would very much appreciate visits from his friends. However obviously any more than one or two at a time would be hard on both David and the hospital staff. I think it would be best if people would be willing to contact me before visiting, telling me when you would like to visit (preferably a range of times.) I will try to make sure that everyone does not arrive at once. Email would be best, but you can also call me on (707) 479-6124. I may not answer, as my life is a little full right now, but I will get back to you. He is at Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa.
I would also like to say that I have nothing but praise for the staff at Memorial. As soon as I described his symptoms they had him inside and hooked up immediately They were friendly, helpful, kind and above all skillful throughout a very distressing experience.
I will post updates when there is further information. Please email rather than calling if at all possible.
Patrick Brinton
pbrinton@sonic,net
(707) 479.6124
With a very heavy heart I must inform you that David has been diagnosed with an aggressively malignant tumor on his brain. No decision has been made yet concerning treatment; he was diagnosed this morning.
Over the past few weeks David had been experiencing symptoms including trembling in his right hand and increasing difficulty in expressing himself. He says that he can think clearly, and hear the words in his “inner voice”, but when he tries to say them, he cannot. Last night I became so concerned that I persuaded him to let me take him to the emergency room.
It seems the tumor has grown large enough to affect these functions, and if left untreated will continue to have increasing and unpredictable effects until he falls into a coma and dies, probably in less than six weeks.
The recommended treatment is surgery followed by radiation. There is no certainty that the surgery will improve matters; in some cases it makes them worse. The median survival time, given surgery and radiation, is nine months.
The neurosurgeon also expressed the opinion that, given the size and extent of the tumor it is quite possible that even though he thinks he can think clearly, his reasoning ability may already be compromised, which makes it very difficult to reliably ascertain his wishes.
He had previously appointed someone he trusted to make health care decisions in the event of his incapacity. She will be arriving tomorrow (Monday) morning, to talk to the doctor and to David.
Although I have been a close friend of David’s for seventeen years, I have never heard him express an opinion or desire in matters of this kind. I have my own opinion, based on what I do know of him, about what his choice would be given these circumstances, but if he has specifically discussed it with any of you, please let me know as soon as possible by email ([email protected]). I will pass any information on to the decision maker.
David says that he would very much appreciate visits from his friends. However obviously any more than one or two at a time would be hard on both David and the hospital staff. I think it would be best if people would be willing to contact me before visiting, telling me when you would like to visit (preferably a range of times.) I will try to make sure that everyone does not arrive at once. Email would be best, but you can also call me on (707) 479-6124. I may not answer, as my life is a little full right now, but I will get back to you. He is at Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa.
I would also like to say that I have nothing but praise for the staff at Memorial. As soon as I described his symptoms they had him inside and hooked up immediately They were friendly, helpful, kind and above all skillful throughout a very distressing experience.
I will post updates when there is further information. Please email rather than calling if at all possible.
Patrick Brinton
pbrinton@sonic,net
(707) 479.6124