Back Online

I know many of you have been wondering what has been going on and how I've been doing. Some of you have even contacted me to find out why I haven't posted anything on my blog for so long. I am sorry for not giving you any information since March. Part of the reason I stopped was I got tired of taking about my illness so much.

I do know that those of you who follow my blog are concerned both about me and my health, so I will begin placing a post on my blog on a regular basis, hopefully once a month.

Most of the news I have is good. I have had two MRIs since March and both have indicated that my tumor is remaining stable. The state of the tumor is by far the most important indicator of my health.  Also my blood counts remain within acceptable limits even though some are not yet within normal ranges. I am still having seizures and headaches every couple days. I also have occasional issues with dizziness and balance. Due to these issues I remain unable to drive, and have other various restrictions. Before I end with prayer request a few of you have asked for my mailing address and I can't remember who you are (don't forget I do have a tumor in my head) so for those who have asked the address is PO Box 951325, Lake Mary, FL 32795.

Now a few prayer request

• For me to figure out what I need to be pursuing as an occupation at this time
• For my family to be able to adjust to the changes that are being brought on due to my continuing illness
• For my family not to forget to stop and be grateful for how we are continually being blessed by both God and those around us
• For my continued healing

Thanks for all your care, love, and support

Mixed News

I have good news about myself. I have been gaining some weight and have had a couple days each week that I have had no noticeable seizure activity, but I am still having headaches three or four times a week.

On a very sad note a have a 9 year old nephew that was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor on February 24. He has had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible and he will begin radiation and chemo treatments on March 14. A web page has been set up for him at www.caringbridge.org/visit/christiank Please keep him and his family in your prayers. His cancer his much more aggresive than mine, so his treatment will be harder on him than mine was on me.

Thanks in advance for your prayers and support for him and his family.

Weight Loss

I know its been a couple weeks since I have put up a new post. I will get back on track today and I will be posting an update each week. Since my last update I have seen the hematologist, the nutritionist, and my primary care physician. I have had some more test to help identify what has been causing my low platelet and white blood cell counts as well as my weight loss. Although there are a couple of results that I have not yet received, it seems that all of these problems are side effects of my medication. Now that the doctors are sure that there are no other causes of these problems they will be able to manage each of these issues.
I have been referred to a nutritionist to help control my weight loss. She has placed me on a 2500 calorie diet, as well as some vitamins and supplements. I am just getting this plan set up, but believe that this will stop my weight loss and slowly allow me to gain back to a healthy weight.

Good Results

When I went to the oncologist this week he said that my MRI looked good.  It showed that the tumor was stable. He recommended that I see a nutritionist to help manage my diet and hopefully stop or slow my weight loss.  I will also let my primary care physician run some test to help determine the source of my continued weight loss.  I will be seeing both of these doctors and the hematologist this week.  This will be a busy week but pray that I will get some answers to both my low platelet count and my weight loss.

MRI

As I mentioned last week I had my regular MRI. I will get the results next week when I visit my oncologist. I have been referred to a hematologist because I have a low platelet count and my white count is dropping. This along with some recent weight loss led my epilepsy specialist to set up this appointment to make sure my team had not missed anything that could be done to help my recovery. The doctor has found a good mixture of medicines for me and I am now having fewer seizures; I have even had a few seizure free days!
As always my family is grateful for your prayers.

A New Year and New Changes

Well I hope someone is still checking this blog from time to time because it has been so long since I've added a posting (in fact I almost forgot I had a blog). However I have committed to add one post every week in order for those of you that have been so faithful to praying for my entire family to stay updated with the progress we have made and to give you specific prayer request as needed. I will ask from you to keep me accountable in this task. If you have not seen a new posting by Tuesday evening please send me a quick email to josephbanken@gmail.com to remind me to put up my weekly post.

Well now I'll give you a quick update on what has happened since November.  My oncologist was pleased with my last MRI which showed that my tumor was continuing to shrink. Since I was showing good improvement he thought I needed to follow-up with my neurologist. That visit also went well and both doctors agreed that the best way to manage my seizures at this time would be to add an epilepsy specialist to my team. When I went to him he sent me for an eeg then began changing my medicines.  After finding a few medicines that I was allergic to he discovered a mixture that has worked wonderfully. I have been having fewer seizures and have much more energy.

I will be going for a MRI tomorrow morning and I'll post the results next week. In the mean time you can pray that I continue to improve and have no negative reactions to my new medicines. As always pray that my wife and son continue to have the extra strength they need during this stressful time. Thanks again for all your prayers.

More Evaluations

After seeing the radiologist last week I have an appointment on the 16th with another specialist and a video eeg on the 18th and 19th with an epilepsy specialist. The doctors are hopeful that the tests next week will help them determine what they need to do to stop or at least slow down the seizures.  I will update my blog I get news from one or both of these doctors.
The test on the 18th and 19th are in Tampa. Please pray for a safe trip for me and my wife.