It is Feb. and it is hard to believe. We are well and trying to keep it all together. The time passes quickly and we struggle to get it all done. We are doing better at completing the logistical matters that are necessary, but still find ourselves discussing it, adding it to a list, and revisiting it before completing anything. We are not living in the fog that we once found ourselves in, but planning and completing jobs still takes some extended time. I'm sure that this is a problem faced by many, not just us.
Robert will have a mole removed on his foot today and will be on crutches for 2-3 days. In Nov. he was referred to a dermatologists at Hopkins because of concerns over the high number and suspicious number of moles seen on his back, chest, and one on the bottom of his foot. Two moles have already been removed and came back as moderate to severe atypia - Basically, not malignant and they removed them in time. We will know more about this latest mole within ten days. The good news is that they are only removing one mole instead of the three that they had originally identified.
The other good news- The boys are taking sports classes and are ready for the warmer weather to get back outside. Bryce starts indoor soccer tonight and Trey is enrolled in mini-sport class that covers t-ball, soccer, and basketball. Bryce will play baseball in the spring and Robert is relieved that he wants to play, as he went back and forth on this decision. All guys are excited and eager to play. Robert is looking forward to getting on the softball field himself. Activity is good and I am happy to have everyone playing.
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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
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