Our week has gone well. Robert worked each day since his appointment on the 24th and even had some energy to spare. I honestly don't know how he does it- going to work each day and working longer days to make up for the time missed on Monday. He has some inner strength that keeps him energized throughout the week. Robert begins his third round of chemo this Sunday and we know that this means he will most certainly be more fatigued. We look forward to resting this weekend in preparation of the week ahead.
Now that the weather is getting warmer we will have to start walking to build up the strength to walk the 5k Race for Hope in D.C. on May 4th. We have been so grateful for the money raised by all of the teams that are planning to attend. We have never been involved in anything like this and are excited about the opportunity to participate with so many families that are experiencing the same things that we are AND to be doing it while surrounded by our friends. I expect that it will be an inspirational and emotional day. Thanks to everyone for supporting our efforts to raise money for treatments and the search for a cure.
www.braintumorsociety.org
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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
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