Astrocytoma Grade 2

Faithful1 · New User Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1

My best friend in the world was diagnosed with an astro-2 on October 22nd 08. He had surgery Dec 3 08. The surgeons say they "got it all". They did not suggest chemo or radiation. He has another MRI on Jan 28 08 and they said they would adjust the treatment if needed. He struggled for 2 weeks after surgery but is doing great now. My question I guess is can someone beat this and live a normal life expectancy? He is 31 yrs. old and totally healthy other than this problem. We both feel as though he is fully recovered. Is there such a thing? I've done a lot of reading and most articles say somewhere between 5-10 years. Is this reasonable or has anyone ever had an astrocytoma removed "never to return"? We are not afraid because we have much faith in Jesus Christ. We just don't know what to expect. The doctors are MUM. We take this day by day. I love him as though he is my brother. God chose him because of his strength. I just need to know what to expect from this type of tumor. Should he opt for radiation and chemo now? or wait? Does this tumor ALWAYS return? He has two small children that he wants to be here for but as I said he has faith. Please be truthful with me.

brainman · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject: Re: Astrocytoma Grade 2

Hi Faithful1, I am very sorry about your friend's diagnosis. If you read my story (links are in my signature block), you will see that in 1992 I too was diagnosed with an Astrocytoma Grade II. That means that I have survived over 15 years. I did have a recurrence in 2005. I think that, given enough time, it will recur in your friend as well. However, things do change. When I was first diagnosed, my doctors and all the literature I read said that I only had a 10% chance of living more than 10 years. The odds now are almost totally reversed... something like 10% chance of NOT living more than 5-10 years. On top of this, back in 1992 the treatment options were different. There are newer chemotherapies becoming available all the time.

I often say that I am in "remission" or have no evidence of disease. However, I never say that I am cured. I do not believe there is such a think. Nevertheless, I do not know what will kill me or when I will die. So, I do try to make the most out of the time I do have.

You and your friend are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

mistymoon · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Astrocytoma Grade 2

Hi Faithful, my husband was diagnosed in 1999 with a level 3 Astrocytoma. The original diagnosis was 6 months to 2 years, we got a 2nd opinion and he had surgery, radiation and chemo. The surgeon said that for each thing he had done it would increase his life by 2 years so we figured 6 years extra would be wonderful. Dan was 31 when he was diagnosed, he was doing well up until the end of 2006. The Tumor came back close to the same spot (left frontal lobe) but it did not come back as a solid mass it had fingers and once it has the fingers and starts to spread throughout the rest of the brain there is nothing they can do. I lost my husband October 2nd 2007. I stayed home and took care of him from the end of May. He had to go to the hospital Aug 18 due to blood clots in the leg as he could no longer walk at this point and was in bed all the time. He lost his speach long before this. After one week in the hospital he went into a coma and never came out of it. All they were able to do was to keep him as comfortable as possible without pain. I never left his side, I slept at the hospital and helped the nurses take care of him. He was my life and I am so lost without him. This all may sound scary but you wanted honesty. Dan too was very healthy otherwise, very strong, never smoked, never drank. Now I truely believe that everybody responds differently to cancer and cancer treatments. Faith is a very important thing, without our faith I don't think either one of us could have been as strong as we needed to be to get through the last 8 years, especially the last year. Besides having your faith you also need to remove the blinders, go into this with your eyes wide open, express to the Doctors that you want nothing sugar coated and that no matter what the prognosis is you want to hear it so that you can be prepared the best that you can. I miss Dan very much but I seem to be able to pull up my socks and take one day at a time right now. I think my Mother-In-Law is still in denial and cannot accept that he is gone. I think she has been in denial ever since he got sick 8 years ago and there doesn't seem to be anything anyone of us can do to help her, she is a very depressed woman. But you don't need to hear all of this. Just keep positive, talk everything out no matter how hard it is to talk about it, if you are thinking it he probably is too. Enjoy every moment and don't put off doing the things you want to do together, you will never regret it.
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Nat

jenugl · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:50 am Post subject: Re: Astrocytoma Grade 2

Hi Faithful1, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. My partner / soul mate was diagnosed in May 06 with a GBMIV and went through all his treatment (surgery / radiotherapy and chemo) and at the moment has no sign of tumour regrowth. At first it was so hard to deal with but we are now just concentrating on each day and enjoying each other and our family and how precious a day is. I pray that all continues to go well for you all. Enjoy life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. There are so many great people on this forum that can help you so please keep in touch.
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Love to all. Jen.
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Partner of GBMIV survivor - so far.

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9502

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