Bob Marrion’s journey with brain cancer began over 11 years ago with what seemed like a persistent sinus infection that did not improve with antibiotics. After trying several medications with no relief and noticing that he had trouble finding words and his walking seemed off, Bob, along with his wife Elaine, decided to consult their primary care doctor, who scheduled a CT scan for the following week. Unsatisfied with waiting, Elaine turned to their neighbor, a retired nurse, who after seeing Bob’s symptoms, immediately took them to the hospital. A CT scan there revealed a brain tumor, leading to an urgent surgery that Bob recovered from successfully.
The initial diagnosis was daunting, particularly because Bob’s older brother, Tom, had recently passed away from a brain tumor while undergoing treatment. After Bob’s surgery, their doctor informed them, “I think it’s cancer, but we need to wait for pathology.” Elaine chose not to dwell on this possibility with Bob until they had concrete data. When the pathology confirmed glioblastoma, they immediately reached out to Duke. Elaine recalled, “And from there, we just started praying.”
Their son, Matthew, was pivotal in facilitating their move to Duke, where they quickly found hope and support. Under the care of Gordana Vlahovic, MD, Bob was enrolled in the Beyond Progression trial, which combined bevacizumab and temozolomide , a treatment approach that worked well for him. Notably, Bob could receive these treatments at a local hospital, which eased the logistical burden. Dr. Vlahovic was consistently positive and encouraging, often advising Bob to stay active—a suggestion he took to heart, becoming a regular at the gym and enjoying frequent walks.
Elaine remarked on Bob's resilience and determination, especially highlighting how he secured a job designing houses during the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home and challenging his mind daily. “He’s an avid jigsaw puzzler; we always have a jigsaw puzzle at the dinner table,” Elaine shared, underscoring his proactive approach to life. “Bob is a doer. He’s Irish; he is stubborn, and I think that’s part of his success. Bob is the strongest person I know, and he doesn’t worry about anything—he just keeps going, and that’s what I love about him.”
For nine years, Bob remained stable and showed no signs of recurrence. However, after 9.5 years, Bobs physician, Duke’s Margaret Johnson, MD, noticed a change at the original tumor site in the left frontal lobe, leading to another biopsy, three weeks of radiation, and a year of low-dose temozolomide. Following this treatment, a subsequent scan in December revealed another slight change, this time in the right occipital lobe, which was treated with additional radiation and lomustine, although Bob did not tolerate the lomustine well. The team then tried him on the FliRT study with fluoxetine and temozolomide, but this was eventually stopped. He is currently on carboplatin and continues with regular check-ups.
Reflecting on their experience at the Preston Robert Tisch Duke Brain Tumor Center, Elaine said, “There are no others like the Brain Tumor Center. When you’re there, you’re treated like you’re the only person there—you’re treated like gold, and you’re treated like family.” She also praised the consistency of the staff, “The fact that the staff doesn’t change and they’re there on your first visit and over nine years later… That shows us, the families and patients, that they’re really on the same team and everyone is working together to give us the results that they do.”
Bob now undergoes MRI scans every other month, with clinic visits and infusions in between. He maintains a positive outlook, stating, “I know it doesn’t sound flowery or crazy—we aren’t jumping out of planes or going deep-sea diving—but life is good for us right now, and we’re just enjoying every moment that we get.” Elaine echoed his sentiment, adding, “When we go to the brain tumor center, sometimes you don’t know who the patient is, and that’s really a testament to the work that they do.”
Bob and Elaine have participated in the Angels Among Us event on the Duke campus for 10 years to help in the fight against brain tumors.
Their story is one of resilience, supported by a dedicated medical team, and the unwavering love and determination of a family committed to making the most of every moment.