D&H with Dr. Andrew Norden and Ron Ricciarelli

I'm going to run the risk of screwing up another name enough doctor Andrew Norton I think I get down on right. I kind of Allen is it Ron richer Ellie yes Ron nice to meet you as well DOS are great to meet you face in the -- Doctor Norton is a neuro oncologists. Which is a scary sounding title tell tell us in words that even Michael and I can understand what that means it's definitely not as complicated as it sounds it basically means that I take care patients with brain tumors. Enron is one of one of my favorites. Now what was -- when your favorites quote Ron Ron is a very impressive guy. He certainly can tell the story himself but he was first diagnosed with his brain tumor eleven years ago. And out what's remarkable about that is that furlong time people have thought that brain tumors are really hardly treatable. And a cancer hospital brain tumors have the reputation as being some good some of the most difficult tumors to treat. But as I think guy you'll see when we hear from run he has denied dealing with this tumor and a lot of associated treatments for eleven years now. And he's an outstanding shape and has really excellent quality of life. He's been through a lot of difficult things but I think that you'll hear from -- that that are really hasn't been so difficult for him he he has just a great attitude. And he handles all of these difficult treatments with tremendous piece.

that's a great introduction. Ron let's here's your story in. Thank you what were your first thoughts when you when you found out she had a brain tumor and can you compare those thoughts then two of which are going through right now. -- obviously very scary reference Condo it you know my talking Ewing said. You know the reputation brain tumors had back canyon. I was only 37 years old and some young kids so was -- vote -- in myself. And then me angry talk to doctor black over the bring them in my first operation. And things are pretty good for a few years and I had some radiation after rule recurrence -- she -- way to. And then them. Kathy I was 2005 I was -- I was -- dinner -- and I had a recurrence so I started doing some Freeman. This drug co chairman I was an oral chemo. Which is pretty tolerable. And then on. -- or another operation have shoulder re growth. In -- that they decided dudes dreaming that I'm doing now. Which is infusion treatment but I've had really relatively few -- that. How how does infusion treatment work of the.

Basically. Chris Rock Ron has had all of the standard treatments for brain tumors he's had surgery and radiation he's had that oral chemotherapy that you mention. Combo when his tumor came back for it for the second time. About a year and a half ago now. -- we knew that we we were sort of out of this out of the usual options. I'm and so we we looked to clinical trials that might be available at Dana Farber. And done we had started a clinical trial using a drug that attacks the tumors blood vessels. Did the goal at kind of this kind of treatment is to work by depriving the tumor blood vessels that they need in order to grow and and drive. And so we enrolled -- clinical trial where he gets that an infusion of the drug every two weeks basically what that means as he comes into the infusion center and the nurses put NIV in his arm and check his blood work and if he's feeling well and things are going smoothly than they go ahead and given the treatment. As an IV drip it takes about an hour. Come doesn't have beaten any side effects but. The initial results from other studies suggest that that this treatment is is going to work quite well Ron has. Had an excellent response to Toomer has shrunk corneas scanned. And he's been on the treatment now after. For months on -- has had a really durable response send and seems to be tolerating everything as well as we could hope. Ron it sounds as though as as technology advances as medical advances are being made. You're getting more time and better treatment timing things. That kind of treatment you're getting now is vastly improved over when you started this process eleven years ago. Absolutely.

He found the wind started in 2005 Tim and I think wasn't approved until 1999. What's it now which is two years after my. First operation so -- I need it PI. Can now back then but. He knows his stats FDA approved generic term. His deer farming now and and his team here has -- A good treatment.

it was great to visit with you your doctor thank you very much for coming and sharing your stories it's great to see both of you thank you thank you congratulations and -- so far and -- LA doctor Andrew Norton joining us.