Monday, May 19, 2008

May 19th

Today we got the good news that we were praying for. The MRI results indicate that the spot IS decreasing in size. The oncologist told us that the results from last month-to this month showed the greatest decrease. She was very pleased with the scans and feels comfortable going back to the 2 month MRI schedule. Robert will begin another round of chemo on Sunday and will have only one more left the following month. I will post more details later, but we are all very tired. Robert went to work early and we spent about 6 hours at the hospital. They boys are in bed and I am just enjoying this feeling of relief and gratitude.
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4 comments:

Sherrie Bobbin said...

Hallelujah!!! This is fantastic news!

We love you guys!!!!

Paul, Sherrie, Max & Jacob

May 20, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Anonymous said...

YEAH!!! We are so happy to hear. I know that things will continue to improve. Hang in there Robert and keep fighting!
Love,
Stacy, Brian, Cameron & Kristen

May 20, 2008 at 9:06 PM
amy said...

SOOO THRILLED with the amazing news. You all are amazing and I know you are so grateful for this hurdle to be successfully jumped. We never stop praying for continued good days and reports such as this. Congrats, take a big sigh of relief and enjoy the news. We will see you Sunday. Have a great Memorial Weekend and CELEBRATE!!!!Amy and Ed

May 20, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD! Ohhh how we have been parying for your family. God bless you! We are soo thrilled. Please know your courage, your compassion and your conviction is inspiring...God bless! XOXOXO
Ang, CHuck, Gabbi, Maddi McLean

May 20, 2008 at 11:14 PM

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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