Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Aug. 12th
Despite obstacles we were able to go, relax, and have a good time. Some obstacles included the fact that Robert was diagnosed with an ear infection and I was diagnosed with strep on the morning of our flight out. We both got medications and packed them along with the countless number of other drugs we had already packed and headed for the airport. Other then Robert experiencing some pain on the first flight, we felt well during most of the trip. Another obstacle- My luggage did not arrive in RI. I'm not sure who was more upset. Robert kept checking with the front desk at the hotel and arranged to have them call us when it arrived- I think that he was scared that I was not going to relax until I had my clothes with me. Robert said that he wished that it was his luggage that had been routed to another airport and I agreed. Seriously, Robert and I just tried to accept it as another glitch to laugh about and kept moving as we were determined to have a good time. The luggage arrived around 3:30 the next day and I was back to being indecisive about what to wear. We had great weather beside the one rain storm that we got drenched in and really felt that the sunsets were there for our own personal viewing.
Honestly - we feel that the trip couldn't have come at a better time. We had just received good news from the doctors, the boys were content to be without us, and we were ready to take the time. We feel fortunate to be physically able to travel and to have others support us in being ready to travel. This trip would not have been possible without the support of some very caring and thoughtful people who obviously have kind hearts. We did not take the opportunity and the time away for granted and hope that we used the time to refresh ourselves and be stronger for it. Take care and may you all find peace in your lives.
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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