Operation Fifty-Five Zebra

Good Morning Everyone,

I suppose it could be sappy to say that each day is a reminder of what a blessing life really is, but I guess I feel that way these days so deal with it.

On that note, meet my tumor...

Let's just be blunt and say this isn't going to be a cake-walk.  I have a large calcified tumor in the left temporal lobe of my brain.  The calcification (white area on the right side, but it's actually on the left) means that it has actually been there a very long time, possibly even since childhood.  Upon my MRI at Stanford, they injected contrast into my brain to distinguish malignancy.  You may be able to see that I have a small 1-2 cm malignant 'hot spot' that could technically be bleeding from my 'Kung-Fu' fighting, but could also be a small aggressive malignant area.  We won't know until we do a biopsy.

So there are two things we'll do before surgery:

1. The first is a "Functional MRI".  You're probably familiar with this if you ever watch "HOUSE".  Essentially, while I am in the MRI tube, they will map out my communicating neuro-fibers by watching to see what lights up on the MRI while they give me specific instructions of what to say, do math, etc...  The hope is that all these communicating neuro-fibers controlling hearing, speech, and movements in the right side, will be OUTSIDE the mass... or at least the majority of them are outside the mass, allowing Dr. Meyer to extract more of the tumor than if the fibers are running through the mass. 

This MRI happens at 6:15 am on Tuesday.  Hopefully this goes well and we learn that I process speech information completely different from every human in history.  If you ask my friends and family, this isn't entirely impossible.  After this, I have a meeting with an anesthesiologist to determine if I'm healthy enough for a biopsy and surgery.

2. After the MRI, we'll do a stereo tactic, stealth-guided biopsy on Wednesday.  That's a super-cool way of saying they are going to drill into my brain and pull a piece of this thing out.  Then they'll discover it's pathology to see if it will respond well to chemo and test for it's genetic make-up.

Depending on the results of this biopsy, we will determine whether to utilize Chemotherapy or to attempt to extract the tumor surgically.  Dr. Meyer explained that my mass sits very near the neuro-motor control for the right side of the body...  but not so close that he could not remove a good deal of the tumor with little or no damage to that area.

However, Dr.  Meyer's greatest concern seems to be the mass sitting between the two areas in the left temporal lobe associated with verbal speech and the processing of language.  Communicating neuro-fibers (telegraph wires) serve to connect these two areas allowing them to work together so I can process or convert thoughts and ideas into an organized sentence that makes sense when spoken (i.e. the right words in the right order, related to the subject I'm talking about). 

The tumor may be surrounding these invisible neuro-fibers communicating between these two areas, and in the process of removing small bites of tumor they could be removing the communicating fibers... not good.  The same is true for the motor control functions meaning that we will remove tumor until I start to show detriment. 

This is what they call an awake surgery.  I'll interact with the surgeons and become their guide as to how much tumor to take out.  But once that bite of tissue is removed (with or without communicating neuro-fibers), it's gone.  My responses to these questions tell them how far they can go in that tiny-area, before moving onto the next tiny-area... progressing bit-by-bit while also unfortunately removing a layer of healthy tissue in the process. 

The accumulative affect of removing tissue until they go too far takes a toll.   Dr. Meyer estimates there could be an 18-20% risk of permanent deficits in my speech.  Therapy with stroke victims has hopeful evidence that much of this might be trained out and eventually recovered.  But there is no certainty of this and it might NOT be recovered.

It's science... yadda, yadda.

---

So what does all this mean?  Here's the real low-down...

My life has essentially been about communicating.  Since I was little, my greatest passions in life have been communicating, brainstorming creative ideas and writing.  As far as I can tell, it appears that this tumor is attempting to take my two passions from me:  Speaking and Writing.

In correlation to my personal passions, my career as a partner for Dot&Cross has been to develop ideas with our clients/partners to tell story experiences that deeply impact culture.  For the past 4 years we have been working day-in and day-out  to develop and produce integrated media projects that impact culture by crafting meaningful messages and giving them to a world desperately in need of truth and beauty.

If I, personally, were ever to be stopped in this endeavor, the only way I could imagine it happening would be to stop me from either speaking or writing.  So, in a strange way I'm not surprised that this is how I am being attacked.

Strangely enough, Psalm 20 has been in my head for several weeks before any of this happened. How appropriate:

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion;
May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt sacrifice.

May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!  May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.  Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 

They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright.  Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call."

When I cut off my Stanford Hospital tags, I saw that my case was also known as, "Fifty-Five Zebra".  And as far as I can tell, I am at war with this tumor.  Since that is about the coolest call-sign ever...  I shall refer to this jump in my life as 'Operation 55-Zebra'.

Comments

[Kim Townsend]

Still praying for you David. You are so strong and your will is amazing!

[Kristen]

Continuing to offer you and your wife up in prayer. Stay strong, and I know that Operation Fifty-Five Zebra will be successful!

[Christina LeMarr]

This scares me just reading it! I PRAY HARD for your speedy recovery and that all goes well during surgury. I admire your strength and courage. I'd be on the floor! I will keep you and Amy in my thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if I can help you two in any way.

[Loree Sumner]

I came across your blog through your wifes blog. I am a photographer in Indiana. Neither of you actually know me but I am a huge fan of Amy's work. I haven't stopped thinking of you since I read her last post. I am in tears as I read how positive you are. I see the Lord working in miraculous ways. Not just in your life but in the hundreds of lives that will read your blogs. God has put a calling in your life that involves speaking and writing etc..He still has that calling on your life. If something is taken away He knows about it. He will just replace it with something else. Nothing is impossible with God. NOTHING!! I am praying for you now as I have been over the past few days. I am also going to send your name on to our church and house church. There is power in numbers. So to my brother and sister in Christ - Do not be afraid b/c the Lord is with you. Nothing can take that truth away. Love ya, Loree (Loree Alayne Photography)

[jon bell]

david,
i can't even begin to describe how profound your blog has been for me.
it might sound weird to be thanking you, but Thank You.
you are a tremendously intuitive person and your ability to stare this attack head on and give it all you have is not just inspiring, it's down right impressive and gives the rest of us reasons to live better lives.

i pray for you constantly, and i pray for amy, that she can specifically have the strength and peace to endure.

grace and peace to you today, and i pray that Tuesday and Wednesday will be days full of grace, peace, and learning as well!

[Cliff]

"Operation 55-Zebra" - classic.

Inspirational reading, David. And, inspirational not just in the recent events, but thinking back on the past 2 years of getting to know you and Amy.

Fight the tumor with the same vigor and passion for life that had you Kung-Fu fighting in the first place.

[Abby Gray]

If cancer wants to pick a fight with you, GAME ON. You have an army behind you. You have God behind you. What does cancer have? Nothing.

[brown]

Wenzalis,

Its the passion itself and zeal and drive and urgency and faith with which you live your life that has defined it. Don't be fooled into thinking that the creativity and words you enjoy using have been defining you, Brother.

Blessed to fight with you from states away. Looking forward to celebrating the pending victory.

Much love.

[Gayle]

David - as you know you are like my brother and so please know that I am here for you for whatever you may need. I thank God every day that you had to move to Papillion and right accross the street from me. You (and Rich) certainly made life more interesting and fun growing up! Good times!! I'll be thinking and praying about you and your family.
Love ya!!
Your other sister

[Elizabeth Lilla]

David - count me in on Operation 55-Zebra. Erik and I are definitely on your team! You are so eloquent in such an overwhelming time. Cancer sucks huh? You are in my prayers and also those of many of my friends. I hope you feel God's hands cradling you!

[Melissa Griffiths]

David,
Justed wanted you to know that Leslie has been keeping us updated on you, and we've been praying. I've been through life and death illness myself lately with liver failure and a lifesaving transplant. I have seen God answer prayer and provide in amazing ways and I know He'll do the same for you. The verses that helped me through my time of illness are Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, this is what the Lord says-- he who created you, O jacob. he who formed you, O Isreal: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. when you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Isreal, Your Saviour."
May God bless you and keep you!

[Sundee]

David - You don't know me, but I was sent here by a friend...or was it God?

As I read your blog, I was moved to tears. Thank you for blessing me with your incredible story of love and faith.

We are in Minneapolis and are happy to help in any way we can.

At the very least, you and your family will always be in our prayers.

[Brooke]

David,

Your strength is amazing!
May God continue to bless you with strength and courage to fight this battle and win.

[Vy]

David, I remember seeing pics of you and your wife through Jasmine's blog and thought to myself that you guys are such good-looking people :) I shared your story to my fiance who is an anesthesiologist resident. I will continue to pray that God will give you and your wife strength to get through this. He has a plan for you.

[Jocelyn]

Thanks for being so specific with the update in your treatment - it really helps to know specifically what and how we can be praying for you and Amy. We are praying for you both daily.

[jenberry]

positive thoughts and humor. 2 of the key strengths in conquering operation 55 zebra. your blog reminds me of my husbands blog and his current fight against cancer. I am a soldier in both of your missions/operation conquer!

[JeneeHarmon]

David- thank you for your update. We will continue to pray for you and Amy and the rest of the family as you walk through this. I am so encouraged by your faith and hope in our Great God- no matter what happens. Keep trusting.
Jenee

[Keri Jackson]

David, I will continue to keep you in my prayers! It's hard to believe that it was so large without any prior complications.
May God continue to give you peace.

[Aaron]

David, Thanks for the update. Keep them coming. Love 55-zero. Teressa and I continue to pray for you and your family. Much Love.

[Aaron]

I meant "love 55-Zebra."

Sheesh, you'd think I'm the one with the brain problem. Keep the faith David!

[Em]

David and Amy, I have been following your story for the last week. (I have many friends that are in the local photography community) You are such a WITNESS in this most trying time. I pray that our Heavenly Father will lift you up and bring us a true miracle. Your faith and love for Jesus Christ is astounding. He is a gracious and faithful God. You know this. It is very apparent.

I am on my knees for you today.

Emily
(a stranger in Christ Jesus)

[emily griffith]

David, I'm not sure if you remember me or not...I met you and Amy (which was a total honor!) at the Jasmine shoot at WPPI. My heart sunk when I heard about what you are facing. I have been lifting you both up in my thoughts and prayers over the last couple days praying for strength, courage, and healing for you. I live in Rochester and would be more than happy to help in any way possible. I know I'm pretty much a stranger but if there's anything I can do to make Rochester more welcoming for you and Amy, I'm all over it. Know that even strangers are lifting you up before our God who saves!

[Nicole Binder]

I have admired your wife's work for years. Although I don't know you two I have an old friend who has started a non-profit to raise money for brain cancer research in Wisconsin. It's called Headrush and you can follow his story through the link to his caring bridge on the website. He and his wife are amazing...always nice to be inspired by someone in the same boat...

[Kim]

David and Amy~
Thinking of you and praying for you from Seattle. I found your blog and will be with you throughout. I am from MN and you couldn't be in better hands. Your incredible outlook will get you through this with grace and humor. You are an inspiration~
xo

[Bri]

Team 55 Zebra, fall in. Thank you for taking the time to keep everyone up to date; you are some kinda dude. We all care. Major love and vibes your way!!

~Bri, San Jose, CA