Tue 25-Aug-09 (six month mark and another small miracle)

On 25 February this year, Maria had her initial craniotomy in Israel to debulk what we later learned was a malignant Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Today is exactly six months down the track and, as you know, Maria already underwent a second craniotomy (15 June), which was complicated by a massive cerebral abscess.

That's all the "doom and gloom" information out of the way. There have been many big and small miracles experienced in this journey, which would take me some time to list. One example is that Maria experienced only minimal neurological deficit after her first surgery. More impressive was that after her second surgery (as regression is expected after each operation) there has been no apparent change. This is more amazing when you consider the infection and complications presented during surgery.

But that is not the news I wanted to focus on. What I want to mention is that it has been a full week since Maria had any form of pain medication. These last seven days has been the first time Maria has not needed pain relief to get through a day since her diagnosis. I claim this as a miracle in itself for the following reasons:

• After the first surgery she was on as much as 24mg of dexamethasone (steroids), in addition to two types of pain relief taken every four hours (which meant she took pain relief every two hours). NB. Steroids are taken to reduce any swelling to the brain, usually caused by the tumour mass or fluid.
• After her second surgery she has been on only 2mg of steroids. This has been complemented with Panadol (i.e. paracetamol for our overseas friends) every four hours. Additionally, she would take a stronger pain relief medication as required, usually required before sleep.
• Her oncologist is still surprised that she only remains on 2mg of steroids until now.

Maria has an MRI on the 8th of September. This will tell us what is really happening inside her head. Let's pray it reflects her current condition!

On another note, we had gale-force winds come through in the early hours of the morning, reaching 100km/h. It woke Maria and me. Gabi woke with her nausea while we were outside admiring the wind's power. I was awake from 2-4:30am, which gave me a chance to reply to a few emails from my phone, while laying in bed listening to the howling outside. We are expecting more of the same wind gusts tonight.

Gabi's night settled and she has eaten dry food throughout the day as we also try to get more fluids into her. I was watching her walk down the hallway earlier and she reminded me of a model on a catwalk, i.e. tall and slim with long legs, in need of a decent meal. She may not be ready for school tomorrow, but should be right for the concert in the evening.