Some sad news....

We just found out, not an hour ago that Barry has Melanoma in his brain.

I am sitting here typing this, not crying (yet) but in a total daze. I feel completely ill. Barry and I are just blown away. We didn't see this damn curve ball coming. Barry said to just shoot him. I think that's the best I can describe things now. We're gutted.

Barry had an MRI on Tuesday to check his brain. I guess Dr. Knight (the oncologist at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener) just got the results. I was out at the bank, and Barry took the call. He was numb and was just trying to take it all in. He didn't tell me until I looked on the phone to call my girlfriend, and I saw the phone number. He told me and I felt complete dread and fear.

So the specifics, as we know them, are that there are 3 to four lesions on his brain that are each 3 to four millimeters in size. There is slight swelling, and the man that called said he was surprised that Barry has had no headaches. Well, he hasn't, not one. He has sent a prescription to our pharmacy that he wants Barry to begin tonight, so I will get that shortly for him. Its called dexamethasone. For this case, its used to counteract the development of edema (the abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin) which could eventually compress other brain structures. (thank you wikipedia for that info). Basically, it will reduce the minor swelling that Barry has around these lesions on his brain.

He is absolutely not allowed to drive now. I think that upset Barry because it takes away his independence.

They said they may have to use radiation therapy to try and minimize these lesions.

Barry will not be given IL-2 with these lesions as they are, most likely. That is the one thing Dr. Wong said yesterday in Buffalo. It becomes very dangerous because one of the side effects of IL-2 is swelling. With the lesions in the brain, they limit where any fluid could go during treatments, causing pressure on the brain.

So now we are in limbo again. We had a plan with the IL-2. It wasn't what we wanted to be doing, but it had to be done. We had a path, with a goal at the end. Now we aren't sure of the path.

Dr. Knight's office will be in touch with Dr. Wong tomorrow and they will hopefully figure it all out.

Please pray to your god, channel all good and positive thoughts to Barry, and above all, send us all strength and courage. We don't want pity or sadness. We need strength. There is strength in numbers.... you are our numbers!!

A great friend said take it one day at a time, take it one hour at a time, what ever will get you by. That is what we will do! We are keeping a brave face for Daniel. He doesn't need to know the details. He doesn't need to see us cry and upset and scared.

I will post any more news as and when we get it tomorrow. Thank you again, to everyone.
Love Sara xxx