Monday, March 16, 2009

March 16th

We are all excited and looking forward to our trip to Disney. The packing moves slowly and yet I know that it will get done and we will have clothes to wear while we are there. Planning a trip to Disney is like planning to go to another country. There are so many options and tips for successfully maneuvering through the parks - that it is like learning about the cultural differences of another place. We have researched information in bits and pieces as it is often difficult to focus on all of the details at one time. We hope to learn as we go. We are looking forward to the warm weather and spending time together without thinking about the daily stresses of work, home, or medical circumstances. This week will be busy and I am confident will pass quickly. The boys are excited and each have thoughts about the adventure they are about to travel. The memories are the most important aspect of the trip and we will most certainly do as much or as little as possible to truly focus on the moments that we are experiencing together.
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1 comment:

angie mclean said...

Sooo good to hear your trip was so magical! We are so blessed to have you home safely and on your way to healing and happy! Your family is such an inspriation and we adore you so! Please know that you have been kept in our constant thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. Hang tight...let Him carry you. We are so proud of you!
Peace in Him-
Ang, Chuck, Gabbi and Maddi girl

March 30, 2009 at 10:15 AM

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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