Checking in!

Good Morning Friends
I haven't been on for a while because I've been busy gathering opinions about the best way to deal the discovery of a Brain tumor. On Sept. 18 I traveled to Tuft's Medical Center in Boston and met with Dr. Kevin Yao, Neurosurgeon. It was love at first sight. Very kind young man whom I feel very safe with. After reviewing all my scans he decided that Gamma Knife radiation is the way to proceed. And of course after considering all the other options , such as open brain surgery then gamma knife to clean up or whole brain radiation, the choice was I no-brainer even for me.

I travel back to Boston for the procedure on Oct. 14th, will be there the entire day, outpatient and barring any complications I should be on my way home to Maine the next morning.

On Friday Oct. 3rd. I had the privilege to be a part of our visit ever Cancer Conference held here in Down East Maine. I've been a part of the planning committee since the beginning but when this is brain tumor decided to rear its ugly head I was very concerned that I wouldn't be able to take part, it had already taken away my chance to be a part of Susan's PSA efforts in Las Vegas because two days before I was to fly out to Vegas I ended up at the ER with swelling in the left side of my brain which led to the discovery to the tumor. It was a crushing blow to have to miss that great opportunity to share that moment with my Dear friend Susan and all the others. But I thank God for his wisdom to have allowed this to happen close to home and not while flying and alone.

And I was able to participate in the Cancer Conference here at home, I spoke on the patient panel, had an LCA table, and lots of Media coverage, all the local newspapers wrote about the conference and my Lung Cancer and I even did a pretty lengthy TV interview speaking totally about my experience with LC. We held a special Candle lighting Memorial at the end of the day dedicated to our lost loved ones and I dedicated my candle to all my fellow Lung Cancer Warriors, who were diagnosed too late. And the crowning touch of the day for me was having my lovely daughter Sara sing the song for the ceremony (Go light your World) by Kathy Troccolli. Naturally I cried the entire time, but they were tears of joy.

Go light your world today my friends, spread some joy!

TinaIrena