We have celebrated Thanksgiving with the Bruff side of the family and will fly to SC today to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Kinberg side of the family. We have so much to be thankful for and are happy to be celebrating. We will celebrate the time with family. We will celebrate the fact that we have friends who care and we will celebrate the realization that - love and support - from others is the most precious gift of all.
The boys are excited to fly and we had fun packing their backpacks for the plane. They are our motivation to live well. They keep us moving in a positive direction. They help us to see the excitement in life. They give us a perspective that is uncluttered, solid, and focused on the moment - something that is difficult for the adults. As we often become overwhelmed with the responsibilities and emotions of our lives.
We are learning and trying to take time to reflect and focus on the moment. Robert and I will remind each other with a look or words to slow down, stop, and take a minute to relax. Time together is good. We want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and may you find a moment of true happiness.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
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
2 comments:
Happy Thanksgiving Robert, Tammy, Bryce & Trey!
All of our love,
Paul, Sherrie, Max & Jacob
Tammy-I'm glad everyone is doing so well! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with the families! Talk to you later. Tell everyone "hello" from Florida. Love, Deanna Peck-Harclerode
Post a Comment