It has been a long time since my last post. Maybe shaving my head caused my literary skills to suffer. ;)
Things have been relatively uneventful. I have continued with radiation and chemotherapy for this entire period. My final radiation treatment is scheduled for December 28th.
Then we will move on to the next phase of the treatment, which is a four week rest period. Chemotherapy will continue the end of this rest period. The schedule for the chemotherapy is five days on and twenty-three days off for six months.
The doctors will be scheduling regular MRIs to track the progress of the treatment.
I will keep everyone updated on my progress.
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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
2 comments:
Even though there seems to be schedules...we all know you are the right path to healing and recovery. Know that your are in good hands and covererd in prayers all over the country. You are so fantastic for being so strong and courageous...we honor your super man spirit...your compassion and your "just get it done" and go on...you are amazing. Enjoy the Holidays...your xmas card was sooo precious! God bless you and know the good Lord has you in His care and is walking this path with you.
Wow!! Almost finished with your first big hurdle which you handled like a true champion. I wish you a wonderful holiday and enjoy your time with your beautiful family. I'm so glad you are feeling pretty well and we continue to pray for a 2008 full of good days!!
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