New Here

Glioblastoma · Regular Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 18

Hi Everyone,

My dad was diagnosed with GBM on June 5th 2008. Grade 4. I think GBM is always grade 4? Anyway, he had surgery at MD Anderson where they removed 80% of the tumor. He followed up with Timodar and radiation. When he went back to MD Anderson two months later, the main tumor had grown and at least 2 new satellite tumors were present. We were devastated. Surgery and radiation were not an option this time, however, they did switch his chemo. to Avaston with CPT-11. We were told this works about 30% of the time. He had an MRI on Wednesday of last week and it showed a 50% reduction in the main tumor and a decrease in the satellite tumors as well. We finally had some good news. Unfortunately 2 days later he was in the hospital complaining that he could not breathe. We discovered he had several puliminary embolisms. He should be released on Wednesday. My dad is 54 years old and a FedEx pilot and I think his time is very limited now Sad

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble on. I am excited to meet all of you. Is it ok for me to put his caring bridge link in my siggy?

brainman · Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:50 am Post subject: Re: New Here

Hi, I am very sorry about your father's cancer. As you know, my mother died of a GBMIV just over 10 years ago. She only lived 2 months following her diagnosis but she opted for no treatment because is was too large for surgery.

I am sorry also that your father has pulmonary embolisms to further complicate his fight.

Do you know if he has the 1p/19q gene deletions? If he does, he has a better chance of responding to chemotherapy.

I know MD Anderson well having worked as a chaplain at Hermann Hospital on the other side of the Houston Medical Center. MD Anderson is a wonderful research hospital. If anything can be done for your father, they will know about it.

You and your father are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
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My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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Anguss · Regular Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 38 Location: England

Hi there.

My mum has a GBMIV also, diagnosed about 8 weeks ago when she had mild symptoms only. Sadly she couldn't have surgery because of it's position, but she did undergo five shots of radiotherapy which have left her critically ill Sad

We are praying that this is due to the inflammation caused by the radio rather than end stage disease... she has started to show signs of improvement in the last week (thank you God).

We're all here to support you, I have found the site a fantastic resource and there are so many knowledgeable people on here. Wishing you and your family lots of strength, keep us informed of your dad's progress.

Jill
_________________
"Walk Tall Jill"

Glioblastoma · Regular Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 18

[quote="brainman"]Hi, I am very sorry about your father's cancer. As you know, my mother died of a GBMIV just over 10 years ago. She only lived 2 months following her diagnosis but she opted for no treatment because is was too large for surgery.

I am sorry also that your father has pulmonary embolisms to further complicate his fight.

Do you know if he has the 1p/19q gene deletions? If he does, he has a better chance of responding to chemotherapy.

I know MD Anderson well having worked as a chaplain at Hermann Hospital on the other side of the Houston Medical Center. MD Anderson is a wonderful research hospital. If anything can be done for your father, they will know about it.

You and your father are in my thoughts and prayers.[/quote]

Jim,

I have been reading your story and I am so sorry about your mom. I am not sure about the gene deletions but I will find out the answer to that question. We were very impressed with MD Anderson. I wish we were still there but we are now back in Memphis and the level of service here does not compare to that of MD Anderson. Thank you for your prayers. I am praying for you also!

Glioblastoma · Regular Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 18

[quote="Anguss"]Hi there.

My mum has a GBMIV also, diagnosed about 8 weeks ago when she had mild symptoms only. Sadly she couldn't have surgery because of it's position, but she did undergo five shots of radiotherapy which have left her critically ill Sad

We are praying that this is due to the inflammation caused by the radio rather than end stage disease... she has started to show signs of improvement in the last week (thank you God).

We're all here to support you, I have found the site a fantastic resource and there are so many knowledgeable people on here. Wishing you and your family lots of strength, keep us informed of your dad's progress.

Jill[/quote]

I am so sorry about your mom. If my dad had to do it all over again, I am not sure that he would have opted for surgery. I don't think it will buy him much time, and he is so weak that is quality of life is not very good. I love my dad very much but sometimes I just want his suffering to be over, ya know? I hope your mom responds to the treatment and you have some quality time with her. I will pray for your family!

Anguss · Regular Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Posts: 38 Location: England

Yep, I know exactly what you mean about wanting their suffering to end. I can hardly bear it. Thank you for your kind words x
_________________
"Walk Tall Jill"

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