Yesterday, Amy had an appointment with the neuro-oncologist (brain-cancer doctor). Like the radiation oncologist, the neuro-oncologist recommended that Amy repeat the radiation and Temodar chemotherapy , which is the same treatment that she had in 2004. Studies show that it adds 3 months to the life expectancy of the average patient with her type of cancer, but doesn't change the long-term prognosis markedly. This is pretty much what we expected to hear, but we wanted to meet with her for one more opinion.
We asked her thoughts on alternative treatments as well. She said that cannabis oil (we'd have to go to Colorado or Oregon to get it!) has shown enough merit that they are doing studies on it, but so far there isn't any scientific evidence that it is effective, nor for the many other treatments recommended by well-meaning friends.
So we now have to make a decision: Does Amy get the radiation and chemotherapy, with the risks and discomfort involved, hoping that it will prolong her life and prevent a return of her brain tumor, but making a long-term return to Peru difficult, or not do any treatment beyond prayer (which also goes with the first treatment plan!) and hope that the surgery she had two weeks ago will give her many more years of good life? Please pray for our decision.
