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Then I had Brain Surgery

 "He . . . binds up their wounds." (Ps147:3) This is me coming home from the following adventure... Remember when I told you I was going to be able to delay the need to have brain surgery? Just kidding!  On Monday March 7th, I had a seizure at home which resulted in a fall.  That night, Kendra and I decided that it wasn't a good idea for her to have to manage this situation at home, wondering if I might have another seizure and / or fall, So she took me to the ER at UCLA, where I got a fresh MRI of my brain.   The MRI showed that two tumors which had received radiation a few weeks prior had grown in size (#notallowed).  This growth led the brain experts (is it just me or do others agree that “Brain Expert” would be a cool thing to have on a business card?) to conclude that the seizure had probably been caused by these enlarged tumors (also #notallowed).  Prior plans to put off surgery?  Cancelled.  These free loaders have been given enough ...
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Belay my last

“How long will you go limping with two different opinions?" (1 Kings 18:21)

Not very long, it turns out.  Decision made.  I'm not waiting, and will be entering the UCLA trial before I get the gene sequencing results.  The UCLA study gives me access two two promising drugs I couldn't otherwise get, whereas the other one gives me a 50/50 chance of getting a drug that's already FDA approved (just not approved in the combination being studied in the trial).  My feeling is that if the UCLA one isn't working, I can always get the 3 drugs from the other trial individually with a prescription.  Maybe that other trial's drug combination will be really effective, but it's a gamble to pass on the certainty of getting 2 new drugs in favor of a 50/50 shot.  Thanks for the prayers on this.

I might start treatment as early as Friday.  Stay tuned.

My doctor's expectation: I have an excellent chance of having almost no side effects, and he really thinks I have a good shot of having a favorable immune reaction to these drugs, meaning that my immune system then starts killing cancer cells.  Once I start, it will be several months before we'll know if it's working.

Fun fact: I was complimented on my "amazing" veins today when they were drawing (lots of) blood for the trial.  I told the phlebotomist that it was the nicest thing anyone had said to me all day, but it didn't really get a reaction.  Tough crowd.

Comments

  1. meMay 24, 2018 at 5:54 AM

    Hi - I'm here via your wife's blog. I am very sorry to read that the cancer came back, but very glad that you have your treatment options are lined up and ready to go. I myself was just diagnosed with breast cancer, and I hope my attitude towards this challenge can be as good as yours! I have been pretty upbeat about this - I'm only stage one, breast cancer has many great treatments, and things look really good for me. I have my surgery tomorrow - I will offer up some prayers for you (I hate waiting and having anesthesia, so I'm glad to offer it up for a good cause!)
    I love the name of this blog. Fortitude is my favorite cardinal virtue!

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  2. Grandma KMay 24, 2018 at 7:33 AM

    God bless you. Thank you for your faithfulness. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

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  3. UnknownMay 24, 2018 at 7:45 AM

    Your outlook is truly inspiring. My prayers are devoted to you, Tierney family.

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  4. UnknownMay 24, 2018 at 8:12 AM

    I tried to post on your wife's blog, but I couldn't get it to work. You all will be in my prayers. I am a FertilityCare Practitioner, and when we were in school we learned about the latest advancements in medical treatment for various cancers and the medical morality concerns regarding them. Dr. Carl June is a pioneer in this cancer treatment using CRISPR. He is at the University of Pennsylvania, but his success rate has been amazing. Maybe he could be your plan b if what your doing doesn't work? Here is a little blurb from an article on him:
    In a second clinical study, the groundbreaking gene editing technique called CRISPR is being used to create better, more precisely engineered CAR T cells. This is now being tested in four cancers, including multiple myeloma and melanoma.

    Both studies are recruiting patients, who can find more information at www.clinicaltrials.gov. The prostate cancer study can be found under number NCT03089203. The multiple myeloma and melanoma study can be found under the number NCT03399448.

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  5. HeatherMay 24, 2018 at 9:26 AM

    Hi Jim, I, too, come here via Kendra. While I'm not happy to hear that you are fighting this battle, I am inspired by your strength, courage - and fortitude! You have mine and my teens' prayers from Baltimore.

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  6. MaryMay 24, 2018 at 9:31 AM

    My prayers are with you. I'll include you in my Roary intentions and will pray for you to St. Peregrine.

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  7. MariaMay 24, 2018 at 9:57 AM

    Praying daily for your healing and for the well-being and peace of mind for you an your family. God be praised!

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  8. Amy D.May 24, 2018 at 11:01 AM

    Like others, I am here via your wife's writings and will keep you and your family in prayer especially in these coming weeks and months. Know that you have prayers from Boston headed your way.

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  9. Katie HeathMay 24, 2018 at 12:26 PM

    Hi Jim,
    I’m here from Kendra’s blog. You can be assured that my family and I will be storming heaven with prayers for you, Kendra and your beautiful family! Your spirit is amazing, but honestly, I’ve been reading Kendra’s blog for awhile now and would expect nothing less. You guys ROCK! And...beating cancer...that’s just how the Tierney’s roll.

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    1. FortitudineMay 24, 2018 at 10:26 PM

      Thank you. I love the Tierney family rules reference from a devoted CAY reader. Tierneys serve little kids first. Tierneys don't push past grandmas. Tierneys beat cancer. We might want to add that to the family rules wall!

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  10. UnknownMay 24, 2018 at 2:44 PM

    Hi, Jim, I follow Kendra and I'm a fellow cancer survivor...head and neck type. I JUST skimmed past needing chemo but I had 30 rounds of the most intense radiation allowable...it was rough. That was 2.5 years ago and I beat some impressive odds. Prayers and hope for God's will and grace.

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    1. FortitudineMay 24, 2018 at 10:26 PM

      Thanks! Prayers going out for you and your intentions daily, too.

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  11. Lisa TolenoMay 24, 2018 at 4:59 PM

    I laughed, Jim. I've always laughed at your jokes, especially when they're funny. The phlebotomist just doesn't know you . . . yet. As for the update, I like the decisiveness. Carry on.

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    1. FortitudineMay 24, 2018 at 10:28 PM

      Where were you when I needed a ringer in the audience yesterday? Oh well, I'll take your word for it that you laughed to yourself.

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  12. Jamie MillerMay 24, 2018 at 8:46 PM

    Following your story via Kendra's blog. I recently experienced sudden sensory hearing loss. I am receiving middle ear injections and will be offering up my treatments for you and your family. All things for His glory. Sending love and prayers from Montana!!

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  13. JacintaMay 24, 2018 at 8:50 PM

    Prayers for you and your family, from Australia. God bless.

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  14. UnknownMay 24, 2018 at 9:10 PM

    Prayers
    Thank you for giving me such a good laugh, Jim. And isn't it nice when decisions are made for us.
    Sean and I are praying for you all.

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  15. UnknownMay 24, 2018 at 11:12 PM

    Hi Jim. I am a reader of Kendra’s blog, and we also met briefly at the women’s conference. I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your beautiful family. Your trust in the Lord is such a beautiful example, thank you!

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  16. LeslieMay 25, 2018 at 1:34 AM

    Hi Jim, I am a reader of your wife's blog and have read your posts. It is clear that you are a very good man who is full of faith and fortitude! We will be praying for your healing!

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