Increasing neurological deficits

traceysharon · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: Increasing neurological deficits

I have posted before. My husband Pat (47 yrs) was diagnosed July 07 with a Grade 3 Oligoastrocytoma. He had surgery (about 80% removed) had 30 out of 33 radiation sessions, and completed 5 months on Temodar (5/23).
A recent MRI and PET showed growth. We considered further surgery, but there was a 50% chance of loss of all movement in left arm and leg, so we have started a new chemo regime of Carboplatin and Etoposide. Our oncologist says we need to be on this for 2 months to see if its working - we have just finished 1.
In the last 5 days, Pat has had deterioration in the movement in the left leg, and he is not as mentally alert. I rang the oncologist who advised to boost up the dexmethasone for 4 days to see if this assists. This has been done, but the improvement is only very marginal.
My query is - should I be getting on to the neurologist to see if there is anything further to assist, or should we just be accepting these deficits as a natural progression of this @#$% disease.
Has anyone else experienced this, and what other things are coming our way - the drs never seem to forewarn you very much of these deficits, and certainly the oncologist was not surprised - his words "its hard isn't it", but nothing further.
Thanks for your input.

Tracey
_________________
Tracey, Wife of Patrick
Diagnosed July 2007 with Oligoastrocytoma Grade III
Resection 18 July 2007
30/33 radiotherapy treatments
5 months of Temodal (5/23)

brainman

Tracy, it really breaks my heart to read that your husband's condition is deteriorating. I am not sure to what cause to attribute his growing weakness. Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is that the cancer continues to grow. And it really only need to grow just a little to change the overall structure of his brain. In my own story, I was walking around totally asymptotically until my tumor grew just one more cell which sent me into a seizure... or at least that is how it seemed to me. It is very hard to be in your situation.

Do you know if they did the genetics test to find out if your husband has the 1p/19q gene deletions?

You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
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/

traceysharon

Hi Jim

We know there are no deletions, so are very aware this means the tumour is less receptive to chemotherapy. Just hoping this new chemo regime works, and that some of this swelling is brought under control so further leg deficit does not become more of an issue.

Thanks for your response Jim. Hope things are going OK with you.
_________________
Tracey, Wife of Patrick
Diagnosed July 2007 with Oligoastrocytoma Grade III
Resection 18 July 2007
30/33 radiotherapy treatments
5 months of Temodal (5/23)

brainman

Tracy, I too faced the same dilemma: to have or not to have surgery because of the significant possibility of loosing the use of one side of my body... in my case, the right side. In 1992 when it was just a grade II, I opted for no surgery with the hope the chemotherapy would work. It did. I remained in remission until 2005 when it did recur but as a grade III. At that time, I opted for everything: chemo, surgery, and radiation (in that order). In Feb 2008 there was still no sign of a second recurrence. However, I do have some right sides weakness, difficulty speaking, and walk as if I was drunk most of the time (probably associated with weakness in my right leg).

My point is that I have survived for over 15 years and so can your husband. I pray and hope that he will regain strength on his left side. In the mean time, try to enjoy the gift of every new day.
_________________
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/

ksplat

Dear Tracey
I am sorry to hear Patrick is suffering deficits from the tumour, this is a horrible thing to experience. Our Mark had a fast decline last year over a period of weeks with L side deficits, mobility & neuro deficits. This was during radiation which was quickly ceased & Mark was referred back to his Neuro. This should be your next step, get back to see your Neuro.
I know the surgery option is not something you would consider but my Bro was given no choice at this time, he was told surgery or only weeks to live! I believe it was a combination of tumour growth & scarring from radiation & pressure on the brain. He really was in a bad way at this time. The surgery (debulking) did help but he was left disabled after this surgery.
Sorry I can't offer any real positives in this post?!! This is a very big cross for you all to bear.
Prayers & thoughts are with you.
Cheers, Angie.
_________________
Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

Aimster · Regular Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 32 Location: Nebraska

Tracey, I am so sorry to hear of your husband's difficulties. Have you been in touch with your neurologist yet? Please let us know how you and Patrick are doing.
_________________
Amy (39)
*presumptive low-grade glioma in right frontal lobe (first observed Aug. 2007; diagnosed Jan. 2008)
*watching & waiting, but anticipating resection in the next year or so

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