Radiation?

kami88 · Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Cleveland

I dont even know where to begin....2 weeks ago my life was completely normal and now everything has changed. I just found out i have a brain tumor and i start radiation next week Im really scared I have no idea what to expect. They did a brain biospsy On the 3rd And a spinal tap about a week ago. I havent felt normal since. I have this head ache that wont go away and this weird feeling in my head Im just miserable. Anyways I was wondering If anyone here has been doing radiation? The kind im supposed to get is Stereotactic radiosurgery (i think) It would be nice to talk to someone else whos going through the same thing or could tell me what to expect or whats happening to them Ive been having panic attacks Im Only 18 im to young to be sick and im just really scared ..help? Sad

Jerry80871852 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Arkansas

I rightly don't know about the brain biopsy, but I do know that some people, when they get a spinal tap that it will cause them a bit of trouble for a few days.

Have they got the report back for the biopsy?

I hope things will go good for you and pray that they will.

I came upon this board searching for Mesothelioma cancer, my wife's twin has this and there is no know cure for it, its caused by asbestos exposure.

Seems they are plenty of disease around and many people getting them.

Oh, here is a web site that tells about Stereotactic radiosurgery. Maybe that will help you just a bit.

http://www.irsa.org/radiosurgery.html

May God Bless,
Jerry

"Let not your heart be troubled" John 14:1
_________________
May God Bless,
Jerry

"Let not your heart be troubled" John 14:1

cg2forrest · Regular Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 34

Dear Kami,

I am so sorry to hear of your illness. My husband has an ependymoma brain tumor. He had 31 rounds of radiation. But he's doing so super! He amazes me!

It sounds like to me that your tumor may be relatively small, for if they can just do one round of a powerful radiation, that is really good. Forrest had, like I mentioned, 31 rounds. His tumor was fairly large though.

He had his first surgery in Jan '05. The tumor grew back, even larger than before, for we tried natural remedies and opted not to do radiation and oral chemo at first. This Jan '06 we found that the tumor had, indeed, grown back. He had to have a second surgery, in which the doctor was able to remove 99% of tumor, then he followed up with radiation and an oral chemo called Temodar. His treatment had proved highly successful, as the tumor has not returned and has been told he's in complete remission.

But, this is your brain here! It's not like you can just cut out the organ that the tumor is in to be rid of cancer. They call Forrest's cancer, cancer, even though it was a grade 2 non-melignant ... and even though it is in remission, for it is in the brain.

The only advise I can give you Hon is to do exactly what the doctors tell you to do and expect the very best! Don't give up hope! Pray, pray, pray! Prayer really does change things!

You are young and strong so you have so much of an advantage. If my husband was stronger when he'd started this battle, he would have done much better.

I know of a guy, he's about 20, that I told about my husband. He said, "Oh, I had a brain tumor too! They took it out a couple of years ago, and look at me! I'm doing great! You got'ta have faith. I know God healed me!" I was shocked Kami, and was so encouraged by this young man. You'd never have guessed this good looking young man had been sick a day in his life. I really believe that God put him there for me as living proof that there is life after a brain tumor.

Let that encourage you Hon! Be blessed, encouraged, try to stay strong, and keep that pretty chin of yours held high. Please let us know when your treatment is scheduled. I'll keep you in my prayers,
Joy

kami88 · Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Cleveland

I did get the biopsy results back it is a brain stem glioma? i dunno thats what it says on the med records...The doctor told me it was stage 2 (4 being the worst) So i dont think its growing that fast I got My doctor to give me something for my nerves but id still like to talk to someone whos gone through radiation just so i know what to expect and stuff

Jerry80871852 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Arkansas

Kami, I rightly don't nothing about brain stem glioma, but it sounds like they caught it early.

I do know who is in charge of our life's, that is God. Put your faith in Him, pray to Him for strength and help, if you will keep the faith, He will be there for you.

I know of many who have had radiation treatments and it does not seem to be very hard on a person. They have it now where they can concentrate it only in the area where the tumor is. Its amazing what the doctors can do nowadays.
_________________
May God Bless,
Jerry

"Let not your heart be troubled" John 14:1

kakouras · New User Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 3

They will make a mask out of plastic and also small dot tatoos in your ear for alignment. They have to align you each time.

It should last six weeks, monday thru friday. For me I had 3D radiation in about six locations on my head. You will lose your hair. I bought a wig and some hats. It took only 10 minutes each day. I was very exhaused by the time the six weeks were over.

I didn't have any nausa. But if you do, try Zofran.

Have someone drive you to your appointments. Be positive throughout the whole process. It is not a death sentence. It's like being on a roller coaster, just ride it out. You will be fine.

I was 32 (female) when I had radiation and now I am 35.

Some people, like me, don't feel the effects of radiation until months afterwards. When I could'nt handle the effects, my doctor put me on Decadron. It was my miracle pill. Talk to your doctor if you feel the effects of radiation. I guess some don't.

When the radiation was done I asked to have my mask. It is now dead and burried in my back yard. No need to be reminded of the past. Look towards the future.

Diane
_________________
The Shrinker

Adult Primary Brain Stem Astrocytoma Grade 2

Aug. 2005 MRI measured 3.4 x 2.5 x 3.5cm

Aug. 2006 MRI measured 3.0 x 1.9 3.0cm

Inopperable, Surgery Feb. 2004, Biopsy (yes, after surgery!) Aug, 2004, and radiation Dec. 2004

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM...DRINK WHOLE LEAF ALOE VERA JUICE. My MRI's are proof.

kami88 · Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Cleveland

Thanks so much that helps alot...but i was already on decadron im allergic to it. Im on zofran right now because im on chemo it helps alot i dont start radiation for atleast another 12 weeks

Jerry80871852 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Arkansas

Kami, I might add, my 1st cousin is going thru radiation treatments for prostate cancer.

Seems when I last talked to him, he had been thru 23 or 24 treatments, think he said he was half way thru, so far he has not had hardly any side effects.

The only one he has noticed, and he is not sure that is the cause, he having a bit of trouble with his hips.

Hope and pray all is going well for you.
_________________
May God Bless,
Jerry

"Let not your heart be troubled" John 14:1

bigbunny182 · New User Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

On june 6, 2006 i was diagnosed with a brain tumor of the right temperal lobe. I had surgery on September 22nd and when it was pulled out it was diagnosed as either a grade 2 or 3 astrocytoma. The surgeon wasnt sure so he had it sent off to have another oppinon done on it and well after 4 or 5 days in the hospital the results came back that it was a grade 1. I know my mouth dropped open thought that it couldnt be true. Well now they are discussing me going through radiation due to the concerns of it growing back. That is the question i want everyone to help me answer since i dont really have anyone to talk to about this besides my family. I am a 21 year old male from florida married 1 year almost and i have a 7 month old son. If you had the chance to do the Radiation therapy now or wait it out and see if the tumor grows back which one would you guys do? please help me out on this!!

kami88 · Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Cleveland

Go for radiation

kami88 · Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Cleveland

Well to kill this thing radiation is very important. I talked to someone from this site on the phone all about radiation. She explained that it really isnt so bad. Shes a survivor of a grade 2 and its been 3 years. Id be glad to share any info about it that i know -Katie

Jerry80871852 · New User Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Arkansas

[color=darkred]From all I have read, I believe I would go with the Radiation Treatment. It surely will not hurt nothing, but it may well help much. So to me you have nothing to lose by taking this treatment.

May God Bless,
Jerry

"Let not your heart be troubled" John 14:1 [/color]
_________________
May God Bless,
Jerry

"Let not your heart be troubled" John 14:1

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