Everything is going really well. My blood results came back on Tuesday in normal range. My radiation treatments are going really well. Basically, everything is going really smoothly.
We are going to bring Bryce and Trey to the hospital to get a tour of where I get my treatment. Tammy and I think they will really like this. The nurse is going to get them a present and put it in the radiation room for them to find.
Tammy and I are really thankful for all the help everyone is giving to us. We are blessed by very thoughtful family and friends.
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My Condition - Glioblastoma Multiforme (or GBM)
I was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). This condition has four different grades (I - IV). My tumor is a grade IV GBM. This is the most aggressive GBM tumor. I have included a little section of The Essential Guide to BRAIN TUMORS below to describe the condition more completely.
Astrocytoma
An astrocytoma develops from star-shaped glial cells (astrocytes) that support nerve cells. These tumors can be located anywhere in the brain, but the most common location is in the frontal lobe. Astrocytomas are the most common primary CNS tumor.
The physician, usually the neurosurgeon or neurooncologist, will discuss the type and location of an astrocytoma. The pathologist will assign it a grade. Astrocytomas are generally classified as low or high grade. Low-grade astrocytomas (grades I and II) are slow growing. High-grade astrocytomas (grades III and IV) grow more quickly. The main tumor type is listed for each grade. There are additional tumor types in each of these grades.
The WHO classification divides astrocytomas into four grades:
- Grade I Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- Grade II Low-Grade Astrocytoma
- Grade III Anaplastic Astrocytoma
- Grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (or GBM)
Characteristics
The characteristics of an astrocytoma vary depending on the tumor’s grade and location. Most people are functioning normally when diagnosed with a low-grade astrocytoma. Symptoms tend to be subtle and may take one to two years to diagnose. This is because the brain can often adapt to a slow-growing tumor for a period of time. Highgrade tumors may present with changes that are sudden and dramatic.
Symptoms
- Headaches
- Seizures or convulsions
- Difficulty thinking or speaking
- Behavioral or cognitive changes (related to thinking, reasoning, and memory)
- Weakness or paralysis in one part or one side of the body
- Loss of balance
- Vision changes
- Nausea or vomiting
6 comments:
love you
mom
love you
mom
i got it !!!!
mom
Robert, we are so pleased that you are doing well with your treatments. This is truly wonderful news. We wish you a continued complete recovery and know that you will be your old self soon. You are in our thoughts every day.
Love,
Marlene & Myron Klieger
Robert,
You don't know me, but I work at General Dynamics. I heard about your surgery and was so curious that I googled you and found this site. Before you think I am some stalker, I will tell you that my son was diagnosed with GBM in May of this year. He is 11 and is also being treated at JH so I can totally relate to your impressions of the place. Your old coworkers at GD are very worried about you and send their best wishes (I know because I have asked about you). I just want to wish you luck with this battle and hope it is okay if I add your family to my daily prayers.
Rose Napolitano
WOW..the next Van Damn crew..yall look fabulous. How blessed you are to go through being bald and beautiful and bold and blessed together. We are praying for your peace, healing and happiness. Wish you smiles, giggles and good sleep! Looking forward to hearing more good news. Robert and Tammy...the super-hero Incredibles amongst us...amaze us all by your leaps and bounds of hope and steadfast courage and compassion for one antoher. Take care & God bless you all!!
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