Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Nov. 25th

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.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Nov. 17th

Everyone has a story. I meet people and hear of people with amazing stories. Some are sad and full of difficulties. They are hard to hear and yet there is something to be learned from it. People that we know or people that we don't - are doing it. They are pushing forward and fighting even in times of pain and fear. They are beating the odds and astounding the doctors. They are living in the moment and enjoying life.
Some stories are good in there content and full of hope. They are uplifting and inspirational. Stories that give me power to believe that good things can and will happen. There are people we know who do so much good, who care so deeply, and who are truly caring of others. They are selfless in their acts of kindness and expect nothing in return. These are the people who are the role models for all of us. I think often about how to give back and how to help others - it is something that we all need to find within ourselves. For now we are still trying to thank everyone for the ways that they have supported us. Please know that we are thankful.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Nov. 11th

Good news from the oncologist. The latest MRI demonstrated stability and some improvement. The doctor called Robert a 'super star' patient. We like to refer to him as the 'over-achieving' patient or our 'Super-hero." She expressed that past progress does not technically predict future progress - but it does in some respect - because: Many patients who struggle from the beginning - always struggle. For those that have responded well to treatment - there is no reason to believe that they will not continue to do well. Obviously- the doctor can not predict the future and that is why Robert will have MRI's every two months.
We will take one report at a time and hold on to the relief that we feel in the moment. We will focus on the current news and be thankful for it. We will continue holding on to the belief that life is full of 'good', 'bad', 'happiness', 'sorrow', 'expected' and 'unexpected' events and that all hold meaning. We thank you for your support and good wishes that keep us feeling strong physically and emotionally. Love is all around us.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Nov. 7th

It has almost been two months since Robert's last MRI and he will be going in for another MRI on Monday. We will get the results when we meet with the oncologist on Wed. Robert has been feeling well and working hard. We hope for more good news as we try to stay focused on all of the eventful/memorable incidences that fill our daily lives.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Oct. 29th

It is the end of Oct. and I 'm trying to remember where the month has gone. The days have passed quickly and I often struggle to remember what day it is. Fall seemed to last a few days and now if feels like winter.
The month may have passed quickly and yet there have been many positive moments The painting is complete and the changes in the appearance of the rooms in dramatic - and we all love it. Painting took place over four days and the work accomplished was remarkable. I am grateful for the support that was provided and know that I would never have been able to do that much work on my own. I was inspired and motivated to do more then I thought was possible. Thanks Dad and the Nancarrow-Timms family. Your dedication and hard work have made a difference in our home and in our hearts.
We have many goals to fulfill. There are the goals that fall under the logistical responsibilities and those that are the personal desires. We are working toward many goals and look forward to having fun along the way. I often try and remember the goals that have already been reached when overwhelmed by the goals still ahead of us. Thanks to everyone around us who reminds us to have fun.
Cute moment of the month: Bryce and Trey running in the rain - just to run. Running and screaming around the yard - literally soaking in the water. And- all of this just after having ice cream in the middle of the day. Why not?

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Oct.19th

We are enjoying another great weekend and the changes that seem to surround us. The weather is changing- fall seems to have arrived, the leaves are tuning the vibrant and beautiful colors of fall, Robert has left for Florida and that is always a change in our routine, the walls in our home are about to change as I begin the painting process this week, change in hair color and styles, and the boys seem to change each and every day as they grow. This is why I decided to change the background colors on the blog. A new look - a new feeling. Changing cosmetic appearances will not really change the deeper emotions and the true feelings about life - but it does give us a renewed feeling of satisfaction, a new appreciation of the little changes that can bring us joy in the fact that things can change for the better. A realization that change does not always have a negative connotation. Change can inspire us to to do more and search for the learning that can come from finding the positive aspects of the change. Change can inspire us to feel better about ourselves and appreciate the people who surround us. The generosity of others who help us to create positive change is powerful and remarkable. Change can inspire us to appreciate the material things that we already have and recognize that we are not a product of the amount of things that we own. I guess my point is - I think that changes - whether - positive or negative - can teach us. Circumstances and people in our lives have changed us forever and we are grateful for the messages that we have received.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Oct. 10

Today has been a good day and we are looking ahead to a fun weekend. I was thinking how nice it is when we can take time out of our daily routines and spend time with a special person. How nice it is when we can plan to spend personal time with others and how nice it is that we have others around us to support us in our efforts to connect with each other. We appreciate the time to bond and spend time with the people we care about.
We hope that you have a great weekend and spend it with the people who care for you.
Thanks for caring for us and we are caring for you.

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