Thursday, February 28, 2008

Feb. 28th

Good news! Robert had is MRI this morning and the doctors office has called to report that the MRI scan looks the same as the one in Jan. We have not spoken with the doctor, but the person on the phone stated that the doctor said that there was no change and that she was happy with that. We will accept this report as good news and be grateful for the report. Each and every night we should all focus on the things that we are grateful for. Tonight we are grateful for everyone who is reading this. You all touch our lives and we thank you.
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is just FANTASTIC news!!!! Our God is awesome and we are so happy that Robert is gaining back energy and "spunkiness". We will continue to lift your family up in prayer.... We love you all!!!
Tim & Mandy

February 29, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Leah said...

AWESOME! We are so happy to hear of your positive results. Your positive energy and focus on the good in each day is an inspiration to us all and helps remind us to keep life in perspective. Keep up the great progress / work Robert!!! Love, DAryl and Leah

March 5, 2008 at 7:09 AM

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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