I sit to write and it seems impossible to know what to say and how to say it. So much has happened over the last two months and our heads and our hearts are spinning. We do our best to get through the long days at the hospital and have energy to get up and do it again the next day. We fight for the energy to play with our boys in the evenings and weekends and are thankful for the many people who help in caring for Bryce and Trey. Forgive us for not responding to your thoughtful notes, comments, e-mails and phone calls. We are so incredibly grateful to know that we are supported by so many and desperately want to thank everyone for the acts of kindness that have been shared with us.
The medical aspects of Robert's diseases are so complex and challenging that is is to much to write about. My emotions are heavy and it is to difficult to describe the details. Robert is very brave and we are doing everything to work through the physical changes and the emotional battles that we are confronted with. Love to all!
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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
4 comments:
We always have you both and the boys in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Stacy & Brian
Tami - I can only imagine what you are both going thru. Just want you to know that you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
- Elise
xoxoxoxox
We Love You All!!
Tim & Mandy
You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Chitra
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