Cherry Blossom Festival: April 1, 2012

On April 1, I am participating in the annual Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race in Washington, DC. I am running in honor of all those battling brain tumors and those who have passed away from this tragic disease including Don Rottman, a dear friend who lost his battle to brain cancer last winter. I hope you’ll join me in support of those in your life who have been affected by brain tumors. Your tax-deductable donation will bring us one step closer to a cure. All proceeds of this race will go towards brain tumor research in my lab. Together, we can make a difference. 


MAKE A GIFT




- Q

Jeff Kellner

It is hard to believe that what I am about to write is really my story. As I sit here today, young, strong, and healthy, it is hard to believe that I have ever been any different. Yet, if I really look at myself, there are scars and remnants that let me know this story is real.

At the age of 26 I was as healthy as can be. I had never had any illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations… nothing. In fact, I was one of those typical young men that never even went to the doctor. I didn’t even have a doctor actually. I was happily married, had a good job, a nice house; I had everything. I also still had the mentality of many young people. The mentality that leads you to think you are indestructible; that bad things will never happen to you. Things changed however in the spring of 2009. It all started when I was Quiet Waters Park with my wife Vanessa and our dogs. It was a gorgeous day and we were enjoying a picnic outside. I was telling my wife that my vision had deteriorated and that I felt my field of vision was limited. I covered one eye at a time and demonstrated to her what I meant. I could tell immediately that she was concerned. In fact, that day we decided I would make an appointment as soon as possible for me to go and get new contacts. I really thought that was all it was…

In May of 2009 I went to get evaluated for new contacts. It was at that appointment that I first knew something was not right. I was told that the vision in my left eye could not be corrected and that I had something called optic atrophy. I was referred to see a retina specialist and was very fortunate to be able to see Dr. Susan Bressler at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Bressler confirmed the diagnosis of optic atrophy and immediately referred me to see Dr. Neil Miller at Johns Hopkins to determine the underlying cause. After several doctors’ visits and an MRI, I was informed that I had a large brain tumor pressing against my optic nerve. My first thought was that this could not be happening. I was too young to die and was nowhere near ready to leave my life. I was terrified. What followed was a series of many doctor visits and consultations. My life had changed drastically in a split second. I went from having no doctors to seeing 5 specialists in one week. I was incredibly blessed to be able to see some of the finest and most talented physicians… physicians that truly saved my life.

On June 25^th, 2009 I reported bright and early for my craniotomy. Dr. Alfredo Quinones and Dr. Miller were the surgeons who operated on me that day. It was a difficult and dangerous surgery as my tumor was oddly shaped and located in a less than ideal location (if a brain tumor can ever be ideal that is). However, they were successfully able to get enough of the tumor to save the good eye that I had left.  I will forever be grateful to Dr. Q and Dr. Miller. Not only did their expertise and surgical skills save my life, but they also treated me and my family with the upmost respect and kindness. They treated us like family, not just like another patient or an interesting case. Without their honesty, straightforwardness, kindness, and reassurance, I don’t know how I would have gotten through that difficult ordeal.

Although the surgery was over, I still had a long and difficult road of recovery ahead. I also had to undergo radiation to treat the remaining tumor. I went to Boston in December of 2009 to start receiving proton beam radiation. I was treated by Dr. Jay Loeffler at Massachusetts General Hospital. Again, I was very fortunate to be able to see a superb doctor who made this process as easy as it could have been. On February 5^th, 2010 I completed my final radiation treatment. That day was one that I will never forget, as for me it marked the end of a long and difficult journey back to health.

My story is not without its share of challenges. Prior to my craniotomy, I was also diagnosed with a spinal tumor. It is believed that this tumor is a benign meningioma, similar to my brain tumor. Because it is not symptomatic it is just being watched for now. We are hoping it does not grow, but I know that if it should someday grow and need to be addressed, I am in good hands. I also woke up from my craniotomy to find that I was completely blind in my left eye. At first, this was very difficult for me to accept. However, over time I have accepted this and in fact I am now grateful. I am grateful that my doctors were able to save all of the vision in my right eye and that they brought me out of the surgery without any other negative outcomes. I am grateful for my life and for my health. I believe that what does not kill you only makes you stronger. And I indeed know that today I am a much stronger man because of what I have been through. I am grateful and humbled by all of the help my family and I received along the way. From the kindness of the doctors to the generosity of places like the Hope Lodge in Boston, the place my wife and I stayed during my radiation treatments. I also found out how lucky I am to be blessed with such wonderful friends and family. We had friends and family that went out of their way to care for my wife and I during this difficult time, and we could never have made it without them.

The beauty of life is that despite what science tells us, miracles do happen. Although medically it seemed impossible that I would ever regain vision in my left eye, I have in fact been slowly regaining vision. It was a surprise to me and downright shocking to my doctors. However, it is happening. Over the past year, each time I have been to see Dr. Miller, my neuro-ophthalmologist; I have been given the good news that my field of vision in my left eye is slowly but surely expanding. Although I still can’t see colors and can’t identify what I am seeing, I can see movement now. It is something. It is a miracle and I am grateful for it. It renews my hope that you never know what can happen. No matter what the diagnosis or prognosis, it is always important to hold on to hope… 

2011 Baltimore Marathon

It all started with the compelling story and determination of one patient, John Petrovick, a 24 year old law school student at UMBC.  In 2008, the same year he was training for his first marathon, John was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in the right frontal lobe of his brain.  One year later, despite the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, he ran a full marathon and raised more than $ 10,000 for Dr. Q’s research.   He ran again in 2010 and raised another $5,000.

John’s dedication to the lab inspired Dr. Q and members of his lab.  In 2011, Dr. Q created a running team, mostly comprised of young students from the lab, and decided to run with John.  For the first time in ten years, Dr. Q started running again.  He began training a few times per week to prepare for the race.  The night before the marathon, Dr. Q, his lab team, and a few patients gathered for a carbo load dinner at Germano’s in Little Italy.

The next morning, the team gathered at a meeting place to prepare for the race. The weather that day was perfect for the run. Despite being injured, Dr. Q finished the half-marathon in two hours and six minutes.  Even more impressive was John’s performance—only five months after another operation with Dr. Q and one week after an exhausting session of chemotherapy, he finished the half-marathon in one hour and 57 minutes!! 

Alicia Cignatta, another patient of Dr. Q’s, also participated in the race. She says, “I wanted to do this because the key to us surviving longer with a better quality of life is through research like that of Dr. Q’s.  We need to uncover what makes our brain tumors tick.”  When asked if she plans to do more fund raising events in the future, she replied, “yes, absolutely!”

Dr. Q and his team plan to make the marathon fundraiser an annual event.  We hope to make this event bigger and better next year.  If you want to help us cure brain cancer, join our running team, Q’s Quest, next year. Announcements will be posted on the website a few months prior to the race.  You can also help us by creating your own fundraiser or by making a donation.

Please see how much we have raised to support our fightagainst cancer and brain tumors

Mary Lamb's Crab feast

"The Johns Hopkins Research CrabFeast was a wondeful event.  Everyone enjoyed the awesome Crabs, Steamed Corn, Fried Chicken, MD Crab Soup, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs while raising money for a cause very dear to my family and I.  The best part about the events is the attendance of Dr. Q., his family and the Q Team.  The dedication of these wonderful people makes one realize they really are working as a team to find a cure!" 

- Mary Lamb


Dear Friends,

On behalf of my entire team, thank you for your support of Mary Lamb's Crab feast that was held on Sunday, September 18.  Your contribution allowed us to host an outstanding event, and we are very  grateful for your support.  We are proud to announce that the event drew over 265 participants and raised $9000 for brain tumor research.

All proceeds from her event will be dedicated to supporting my team's research efforts in the fight against brain tumors which is focused on understanding the biology of brain tumors, investigating effective therapies to treat the tumors, and eventually finding a cure.  Your support has a direct and immediate impact on our ability to keep pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.

Your generosity is deeply appreciated.  Our patients, families, scientists, and clinicians thank you.  We look forward to planning next year's event by building on this year's success.  Please save the date for the Bull and Shrimp Feast on January 14, 2012 which will be held at the Annapolis Elks Lodge # 622; we hope to see you there!

Warmest regards,

Dr Q

From a guest writer: Ms Lee Hendler - Johns Hopkins Trustee

Dr Q and his team came for dinner at our home this past Friday night. “Q” is short for  Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa which is a mouthful. Dr Q, the neurosurgeon who directs the Brain Tumor Surgery program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Center and the Pituitary Surgery Program at the hospital, is a charismatic personality. Even our neurotic border collie, Jake, was charmed by him. It was easy to see why he attracts people of all kinds. He touches people constantly, grips your arm, pats your back and dispenses hugs without hesitation. Our 14 year old schipperke instantly threw herself at his feet knowing she would get the attention she craves.  He embodies the American dream, having risen from illegal immigrant to star medical practitioner in the most exacting of all medical sciences. Alfredo neither forgets his humble origins nor the fact that many people contributed to his success. He has a grueling work ethic but hasn’t lost his sense of humor. He laughs readily and often—mostly at his own expense. We laughed about the Mexican hairless dog his family adopted through a dog rescue service because his kids didn’t want him to forget his “peeps.” Unfortunately the dog couldn’t forget the climate for which he was bred and refused to go outside during our Baltimore winters. Rescue went out the window and the dog, so ugly he was cute, returned to Arizona.

Over the days leading up to the dinner, the invitation list kept growing.  I was struck by his team’s global character. Dr. Q apologized as he added two more guests the day before. I apologized in return. We could only seat sixteen at the same table, but I wondered if he could dig up another nation or two for our mini UN forum? We had Argentina, Mexico, China, Belgium and a roster of names so challenging I would never make it through the evening without a cheat sheet.  Emily, the event coordinator, sent the attendee CV’s and Rich and I marveled at the array of talent. We decided that it would be prudent to speak little and listen a lot. Despite demanding operating schedules and lab experiments, everyone arrived on time and we enjoyed 4 hours together over a Shabbat meal.  We don’t go “out” on Friday nights so we couldn’t accept the invitation to join their Friday night end of the week ritual when they gather for a meal at the lab. They share important findings and often invite a guest patient to keep their work, as Dr. Q and I discussed, “down to earth and honest.”

When your goal is curing brain cancer, it’s easy to get lost in the clouds. A patient living with the monster can bring you back to the ground. On the other hand, so can the memory of a loved one who died of the disease. We were deeply moved to hear how often  personal experiences with brain trauma and disease had touched the lives of these young people . I won’t pretend to remember or even fully understand all the work that these brilliant young researchers were doing. You can go on Dr Q’s  website       to read all about it. My big takeaway was this: in an era when so many of us have become addicted to the gratification of instant answers and quick results, these young people—equally divided between men and women— have deliberately committed themselves to a goal that is painstakingly slow and undeniably distant. Their work proceeds in miniscule increments that require remarkable discipline, commitment and skill. “Don’t you ever get bored?” I asked. All heads swiveled to my end of the table. They looked at me as if I had asked, “Is it possible that the earth is flat?” It wasn’t a stupid question—just an inconceivable one. “No!” Pragathi replied, ”one small thing leads to another. It opens up.” 

“Like Windows?”  

“Yes, like that.”

Beaming as he surveyed the table, like Guy Lombardi talking about a championship team bearing down on a trophy, Dr Q declared, “What one of them discovers today may lead to a cure 50 years from now.”  I never want to take on the adversary they are all determined to vanquish. But I am so grateful “the Q team” is committed to the battle. They lose patients they come to love and admire almost every day. They suit up in rigor and vision to celebrate US so that one day we won’t have to dread the fight.

Welcome One and All!

Hello everyone, and welcome to my new blog!  This will be the first of many entries posted here. The purpose of these entries is to enable me and my team to keep you updated on the most recent research and activities being done in our labs. I would like my blog and new website (www.doctorqmd.com) to be an online community where patients and their families can come for the latest information and resources available in my field. Your positivity, perseverance and fortitude keep me going and give me hope that we can make a difference in this fight against brain cancer. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow!

The quest for a cure is the driving force behind the research being done at my lab. Research is our passion and we are always trying to advance the field. I’ve been working tirelessly with my team of researchers to find a cure. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share our latest research with you! There are many exciting projects you can explore on my website that are taking place right now in my lab.

As you peruse the new web site, please take a moment to look at the Baltimore Running Festival event. I’m very excited to announce that I will be running the half-marathon! I ask that you consider running with us on October 15^th to help us raise money in our effort to fight brain cancer. To join our team, please visit http://www.active.com/donate/qquest. This is yet another way to join the fight for a cure. To all of you who have joined our team in this fight, I thank you. You have inspired me to train my hardest so that I am in tip top shape by race day. My children have been watching me train and are very excited to join me. Though they are not quite ready to run a half-marathon, but they can’t wait to be there cheering us on throughout the run. If you decide to join us, please be sure to contact us and let us know you are running!

I truly hope that this new website and blog will help us grow stronger as a community, as a family, and as a cause. My message is one of hope, and my patients inspire me each and every day. I look forward to keeping you all updated on our efforts and working with you to be the very best that we can be. I will end with a quote from Mother Teresa that is very meaningful to me:

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

With warm wishes,

Dr. Q