My Story
Blaine Neff
I live in Blackfoot, Idaho (USA). My birthday is July 20.
I am not really sure yet that I have an ependymoma. I have yet to receive any treatment. I do have an intradural tumor at the L2 level of my spine. From my research it is most likely an ependymoma.
The tumor, approximately 9mmx9mmx8mm, was discovered via MRI in April of 2004 when I was being evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon for slight numbness in my right leg. A large L5-S1disc herniation was also discovered so it is not clear if the numbness is being caused by the disc or the tumor. The disc herniation is on the left side of the spine and the tumor on the right but I have been told this is not definative. On the 23rd of July I had my last series of MRIs to eliminate the possibility of other tumors there is only the one and it was not measurably larger.
I still have the slight numbness in my right leg which is more pronounced in the evening. It has not changed since the discovery. I guess I am lucky to have had the tumor discovered so early.
I am considering surgery for removal of the tumor at the end of September. This decsion is hard to make because I want to have more confidence in the outcome. The Neurosurgeon I have been seeing Dr. Stephen R. Marano is quite confident of his ability, but how can I be sure. He is sending the MRIs and his information to Dr. Schmidt a Neurosurgeon at the University of Utah Medical Center for his opinion.
I am not sure what you want for a family/personal history. Medically I am the first in my immediate family with any sort of tumor. My parents are both still alive (75, 77) as are all my brothers and sisters (55m, 51f, 48m, 46m, 44f, &44F) . High blood pressure and diabetes effect both my parents and one brother. I am not aware of any other significant medical problems. I am relatively healthy. I walk with my dogs twice daily though each walk is only about 3/4 mile and 10 minute duration. I quite smoking in 1984. I drink approximately 3-4 drinks per week on average. My blood pressure is on the high side of normal most of the time. I am 5' 10" tall and weigh 205Lbs. I would like to lose about 30lbs but don't want to give up the food necessary to do it or feel like doing the exercise. I work as a machinist and am on my feet at least 8 hours a day 5 days a week at work. I often lift parts that weight 40-50lbs.