We have been busy with the daily tasks that consume all of our time. We are still functioning on a delayed reaction schedule, but are thankful for the ability to do the things that we do. Life often seems overwhelming here and then we remember that life seemed overwhelming before -(perhaps for different reasons, but overwhelming just the same). I often tell people that our schedule may not seem busy to others, but is is busier then we have been in six months and we often find ourselves exhausted at the end of the day. I am not writing this to complain but to explain that our delayed reactions are not intentional. We are happy to be exhausted if it is because we are engaged and interacting in 'life'.
Robert will have another MRI scan on Monday 5/19 and we will meet with the oncologist to review the results on the same day. We were excited about the results from the last scan and continue to pray for more good news. Please pray for the lesion that has been found to continue to decrease and heal and for a positive report. As always thanks for the incredible amount of support that you provide.
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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
1 comment:
We will pray for another good report!!!Glad you are enjoying the crazy life(:
Amy
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