After countless numbers of phone calls- Robert has received all of his medications and will in fact begin his second round of chemo on Sunday evening. Even with the increased dosage the doctors anticipate that he will tolerate it well since he did not have any problems during the first round. He will take anti-nausea medication each night prior to the chemo pill. The hope is that the anti-nausea pill will cause fatigue and he will be able to sleep through the night without suffering from any side-effects of the chemo. Robert plans to maintain his work schedule. Those of you who know Robert well- understand that this is not a surprise. As usual- I continue to remind him to listen to his body and do what he can do.
Robert said it well on Tuesday evening (the day after our MRI) "Yesterday was a good day, and today was a good day." We hold wonderful memories of the past and we move forward with hope, but we live in the day. We take each and every day and find gratitude for many things.
I heard this statement on a television show and it jumped at me and I have been thinking of it often, "Life is not when or then, it's now." We can and have spent time thinking that 'when' we get something or 'when' something happens, 'then' we will be happy or We are wishing and waiting for something to happen at a certain point in time. Experience has taught us that it is important and more powerful to live in the moment. Do what you always wanted to do. Recognize and value the power in today. and --- love and appreciate the people in our lives.
Love to all.
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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
3 comments:
That is such great news!!!! The power of positive thinking is so important.... We love you and your family.....
That is such great news!!!! The power of positive thinking is so important.... We love you and your family.....
Keep on Keepin on!!
Tim and Mandy
Hi
Just checking the Blog -and glad to see the good news! My son Ricky and Robert seem to have alot in common (except age). Little side effects and a positive attitude. I love what you wrote here - it IS all about TODAY and every good day is a victory. Ricky took his first Temozolomide last night so we are just a few days behind you! Here's to ALOT more good days for both of these Super Heros and the people that love them!
Rose Napolitano
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