Temador

Hi

My mother who is 49 yrs old was diagnosed with GBM IV on 3/28/08.

She started radiation and chemo (temador) on 4/14/08 both which she will do for 30 days.  She has only had nausea and headache thus far, will she experience hair loss and anything else??  If so, how long until it happens??  I'm asking because she is in fear of losing her hair and being extremely sick from the therapy.

Thanks alot!!

 

Kim

In my experience I only lost hair where I was radiated.  The temodar isn't supposed to cause a lot or any loss. 

 Nausea, perhaps..it's different with everyone.  I'm sich as a dog on my 5 days of chemo, then perfectly normal soon after.

 Please assure her hairloss isn't the looking at the big picture in the scheme of things.  It's temporary if it happens.

Keep the Faith!

My mother in law is 46 and has too only lost her hair in the radiated area. So she won't lose ALL of her hair, just a little. Compared to the emotions and fear this disease causes, she'll soon find hair loss isn't one of the big issues. However as a woman myself I know how important hair is to us. Just remind her that they do make wigs...my mil has one but won't wear it. Everyone's different though...God bless you and your mother as you start this fight. You'll be in my prayers~ 

I forgot to answer your other question...like Sunflower again, she's only sick through the week but feels better on the weekends. It doesn't matter anyway you look at it, treatments not a picnic but is definitely "do-able" . Take care!

My mom started to lose her hair about three weeks into the radiation and chemo.  They said it was from the radfiation.  It goes very quickly and in clumps.  Fortunately, my mom had a great attitude and it didn't phase her.  Like everyone else said in the big scheme of things losing your hair is nothing.  Lots of luck to you , stay strong.

Hi Kim,

so sorry for you and your mom.

My husband who is 43 is 5 days away from finishing his radiation.

hair loss depends upon the area of the brain the docs are hitting. My husband used to have beeeutiful hair(he is a musician and a rock and roller :)  )

he has lost 70% of his hair. His hair started falling out 10 days into radiation.... we had a really great and loving evening shaving his head. 

Ask the radio-oncologist where he is targeting the radiology therapy..then you will know where your mom will lose her hair.

My husband has done fabulously with the radiation and chemo...he is just now getting tired.

I hpoe your mom does well...

take care, Eve

Kim:

My hubby was 61 when diagx.  (2004) He had the standard radx and 6 months Temodar. Only hair loss was where the radx beam was directed. Side effects: Fatigue from the Temodar, some mild constipation; bad breath.  The radx side effects manifest with fatigue and brain deficits long after the radx is over.  He worked full time all through the radx and Temodar. 

 Keep optimistic and learn all that you can about this disease.  There are new treatments in the news all the time. Is your mom at a major brain tumor center? and working with a Neuro oncologist, not a medical oncologist?  If the tumor becomes active, it will likely grow very quickly.  Learn as much as you can about the disease, the treatments and the side effects ahead of time.

Check out www.virtualtrials.com and read the article "for the newly diagnosed."  Also check out some of the survivor stories. 

 

good luck

Laurie