Wednesday, May 7, 2008

May 7th

I had to post to share an incident that happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I - last minute- decided to take the boys out for lunch and to run to the store for t-ball snacks. Once we got to the Quizno's I ordered and went to the register to pay. Once in front of the cashier, I realized that I had left my wallet at home. I laughed and explained what I had done and kindly asked if he could hold the order- while I went home to get my wallet. The lady in line behind me jumped in and offered me $20.00 and asked me not to take the boys home. Initially I declined and she explained that she had a child and that she would like to give me the money and have me mail her $20.00 later. I accepted, thanked her, and promised to return the money quickly. She shared with me that recently her car had broken down and someone helped her and her son and she was happy to help someone else. I got it - the 'Pay it Back Theory' She said, "It's already working" - when she returned to the register to order a sandwich to go - the cashier did not charge her because he had seen her kind gesture to me. I promised to tell everyone this story in the hopes that one day we too- can do something nice for someone else. Robert and I have been so grateful for all of the support that we have received and hope that everyone understands the gratitude that we have. We can only hope that we will be able to help and support others that way that we have been helped.
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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