Darren LeBlanc

Sorry for the lack of clear information about Misty thus far…public relations hasn’t been on the top of my to do list. Last week Misty went into the hospital to get a biopsy on her brain tumor. The surgery was successful. Unfortunately, Misty experienced some complications after the surgery. She had a prolonged complex partial seizure with loss of speech and all cognitive abilities and with excessive automatisms (random repeated movements of body). After regaining understanding she took a couple days to regain full speech and full use of her left hand. The good news is that this was caused by agitation of the brain during the surgery and will likely not have any long term effect. This was a relief. Sometimes even getting the smallest bit of air into the brain during a surgery can cause this.

We followed up with a Neuro-oncologist at New York Presbyterian on Monday to get the pathology report. Turns out she has an Anaplastic Astrocytoma. This is a grade 3 cancer (there are 4 grades marking the reproduction rate of the cancer). It’s classified as a high-grade, aggressive malignant tumor. Additionally, the tumor now has “fingers” into the good cells of the brain so the only potentially effective treatment will be chemotherapy. In contrast, the tumor Misty has in 2000 was a grade 2 astrocytoma that was mostly in a local area so the surgeon was able to remove the tumor and followed up with radiation treatment. After that Misty was in remission for about 6 years until this past summer when she starting having symptoms again (this length of remission was noted by the surgeon as unusual – in most cases, this type of cancer comes back more quickly). Misty will be starting a 12 month chemo treatment as soon as the medication comes in. The doctors expect her to respond well to it.

We are praying for a couple things:

1. The chemo will stop and reduce the cancer cells. (temporary stopping is about 60% likely, with reducing being a much smaller percentage…we’re praying for a reduction!)
2. Misty will not get overly sick while on this treatment. (this is a newer treatment which is overall much more easily tolerated)
3. God will comfort and encourage my wife through this.
4. A cure for cancer…so no one has to go through this.

We are thanking God for a couple things as well:

1. Misty was in remission for over 6 years. During this time we were able to have our wonderful daughter who is bringing us joy through this whole process.
2. Misty and I have been blessed with incredible families and friends. You are all appreciated more than words can express. I am so humbled by how people have shown us God’s love through prayers and meeting practical needs for us.

Overall we are in good spirits. God is bigger than anything and we are learing to lean on Him more and more. Thanks for caring.

Darren