Gbmiv

I am now 4 years and a bit since the start of my oddesy with GBM.  I am doing better, and have made some changes in my life.  My first wife passed away almost three years ago, and I have remarried.

 I am still challenged daily to do multiple things at the same time, and I still go into overload quickly.  I found out accidentally that I did better when I could just close my eyes.  Opon thinking about it, it made sense to me that my eyes were also taking in a lot of information that my brain was trying to process, while my ears were brings in information at the same time.  My wife is a very capable driver, and what is working for us is that when we go someplase, she drives, and I sit back and close my eyes.  When we get where we are going, I feel rested, and can function pretty good depending on the amount of activity.  I also do very well driving at night.  There is not as much to see, and i can more easily keep my mind on the road.

 I still feel that I have been very blessed because of the challenges that I have had, and am having.

 JIm Robinson

Jim -- thanks for sharing your update.  I'm happy to hear about long-term survivors, it gives me great hope. That's an interesting observation about closing your eyes for a bit, it makes a lot of sense when you really think about it.  I'm going to ask my husband to try this if he feels over-stimulated.

My husband has been surviving GBM since last August, so we're at about 8 months now.  He's doing very well and when I hear stories like yours and see how well he's doing, it fills my heart with hope that he too can be a long term survivor like you.

 Keep the good posts coming, you encourage us all.

Nancy

**husband dx 8/07, GBM, surgery, radiation/Temodar, currently on 5/23 Temodar, MRI's progressively better. 

Jim

Your story is wonderful to hear.  I am so grateful to all the survivors that continue to post messages.  I often find my husband just sitting with his eyes closed & now I understand why.  I also bought him an Ipod the Christmas before last never having an inkling of how important it was going to become to him.  I downloaded the top hits of the 80's on it.  He loved the gift from the get-go but it became a lifesaver when he became ill.  He bought a pair of noise cancelling Bose headphones and he can tune out the world.  I know when I get up if he is having a difficult day because he has them on.  He enjoys the healing effects of the music and they help him cope with the world around him.

Jackiekay

Jim,

Where have you been man! I could have used this info a long time ago! It hits so close to home. I do find my self closing my eyes in moments of confusion. Sensory overload!  Boy, can I smell the coffee!

This is why it is so good to be here. I have learned so much, about myself,  from listening to other patients. A lot of things make sense now. I thank all of you that share your stories.

God Bless all.

CHRIS 

Hi Jim!

Thanks soooo mcuh for sharing!!  This gives me great hope for my mom who was just diagnosed 3/28/08 and given 8 mos to live!!  She just started her radiaiton/ chemo yesterday.  She is very frustrated that her sight is bad and on top of that she is confused alot, but I will continue to assure her when I hear stories such as yours that she has to keep fighting and she is not fighting alone!!! 

Thanks and again!!

 Take Care

Kim