This week was more then difficult. Robert had a seizure on Monday and it was an experience that I wish no one would ever have to witness. I can not speak of it to much as it is to raw and I am overwhelmed by emotions when thinking of the moment. We were given information that Robert was hemorrhaging in the brain and it was a devastating complication. We were distraught thinking that we were losing Robert and I can not explain the fear related to this report. After being air lifted to Hopkins we were told that he most likely had not bleed and the MRI done on the following day confirmed this to be true. We will take the bits of really good news and hold on to them as we fight through the most challenging moments. Robert spent one nite in the intensive care unit and Tuesday night on the recovery floor. We were discharged last night and returned today for three appointments including radiation to the chest and a ritukan drip to treat the lymphoma.
We still have so many unanswered question and are trying to push forward. Thanks to everyone for the good wishes.
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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
2 comments:
Thank you for sharing your struggles, hopes and fears. Words cannot express how much we feel for Robert and his family and how much we hope for his recovery. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I check your blog often and pray for good news for you. Please let me know if there is anything you need.
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