Radiation is over (actually it was over December 28th)! Chemotherapy is on hold, as planned, until the end of this month.
I will have an MRI, blood work and a meeting with my oncologist on January 28th. At this point, we will begin the monthly chemotherapy schedule - on for five days, off for twenty-three days (a twenty-eight day cycle for six months). The dosage of the chemotherapy drug will be doubled during this period over the radiation period.
I am scheduled to return to work on January 14th. I will see how it goes. I will hopefully have enough energy to stay for an entire day (each day).
I have felt good, with a little fatigue. Tammy insists that I am very stubborn, even more than usual - maybe a good thing ;).
We wish all of you a healthy and happy New Year.
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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:
Congrats Robert!! I am amazed at how well you are doing and so happy to hear of your return to work. I know you are ready to get back to a somewhat normal routine.
We will all continue to pray for all of you!! The new pics are so adorable...
Love, Amy
Wow! That is awesome. So glad to hear things are going well. Make sure you do not push yourself at work...remember to take care of you.
love ya!
Ceil
Hello Robert and Tammy-So glad to hear that things are going okay for you. Keep up your Positive Attitude. Glad to hear that you are returning to work. Wishing all of you a Very Happy New Year.
Sure did miss seeing the family over the Holiday. I hope this reply works. I am not very good with computers, but I still keep trying. God Bless and Take Care.
Love, Pat H
Robert and Tammy...
You seriously might have the MOST PRECIOUS CHILDREN ever! Such great news about going back to work. We are in awe of your strength!
We will pray for days of peace and happiness to follow as more treatments with good news entail.
I read this and I thought of you...Be open to surprises to have God have good things grow in hard places. You have shown us so much good in this...you are such a bright light for all of us!
God bless you and keep you...give you peace, rest and happiness in healing!
Angie, Chuck and the girls:)
Hey Robert, Appreciate you having this blog, it's great to be able to follow your progress. All of us here are with you!
Best, Harold
Happy New Year, Robert!
The "power of believing" will get you through this rough period. Thank you for sharing that Christmas thought with us.
Seeing your children with Santa reminds me of Christmas in Dunwoody. I believe it was Wendy who made us a bagel ornament for our tree, and we still have it today! She's quite the artist.
Enjoy your return to work, and know that your friends and family are praying for you.
Love,
Tom and Pat G.
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