Still processing the UCLA brain tumor conference hosted by my mother's amazing doctor - Dr. Timothy Cloughesy, in my mind. Even though I received a mass of knowledge regarding pathology, neurosurgery (including a video of the amazing Dr. Linda Liau removing a glioma from a composer's brain while he creates a melody), radio-surgery, radiation equipment, tumor bank, 3D models, chemo etc., the most absurd reality is:
1.) Not one of these world-renowned experts is sure what the cause of malignant brain tumors is.
2.) The pathology of different types of gliomas is 100% clear and understandable to them, but they still don't know how to CURE the issue (because they haven't found the correct combination of drugs to cause complete tumor necrosis).
With that said, I'd like to point out that even though prognosis and statistics for high-grade glioma patients are very poor, after attending an event like this, the real answer to the problem is connecting with the right people. Just like in any other life situation, a kind and understanding physician may not have all the answers in the world, but will put the patient's heart at ease, and increase his or her quality of life. Understanding, patience, and kindness.
I am not sure why I am writing all this... probably because I feel a very strong love for people, and keep seeing people create amazing things for saving other people's lives, such as all this medical equipment that seems like something out of a futuristic movie. The work that is done by these physicians is mind-blowing, but a heartfelt hug and a smile of reassurance is sometimes a more comforting part of the job.
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