Monday, June 29, 2009

June 29th

It is difficult to describe what is happening anymore. My focus is not what is happening or why it is happenig - but HOW it is happening. Robert continues to struggle with the symptoms related to brain tumors. The details are not as important as the impact that it has on Robert and all of those who love him. Each day seems to bring increased and new challenges that force us to find strength from deep within to confront and handle. Honestly - I hate what is happening and there seems to be little we can do to stop it. Our attention now is on regulating medications to help Robert to feel better. We are currently staying at the Gilchrist Inpatient Center (Hospice)to work with the doctors to find the right types & dosages of medications to help Robert. We have been here since late Friday night and will hopefully be home within a couple of days. Our attention will be on the moments of peace and happiness that come from being together. I reread what I have just written and it sounds negative, but know that we always hold love in our hearts and hope in our souls. It is with the support of you that we feel the possibilities of positive energy at work.
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6 comments:

Leah said...

Tammy, Robert, Bryce, and Trey,
Just want you to know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers. We think of you all often throughout the day and pray for strength and peace for each of you.
Love,
Leah, Daryl, and Brynn

June 30, 2009 at 7:25 AM
Anonymous said...

Tammy,
There are many of us with love in our hearts and hope in our souls for Robert, you, Bryce, & Trey. We're praying too.
Quentin

June 30, 2009 at 11:16 PM
alaboiss13 said...

Kinberg Family,
We think and pray for you each day! We hope that you are able to find some peace and comfort with each other between the moments.
Alicia, Rob & Kaleb

July 1, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Rose Napolitano said...

There are no words for how I feel for you all right now. I am praying for you all. For peace, love and above all HOPE!
Rose

July 1, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Anonymous said...

Tammy - Thinking about you and sending prayers!

-Elise

July 1, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Anonymous said...

Don't worry about "sounding negative", what you are going through is hard, and to pretend otherwise accomplishes nothing. I think of you guys every day, and (as I did last year for my Mom) wish for a bit of magic to make the illness go away.
Anne

July 2, 2009 at 9:39 PM

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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