On 4/18/2008 kldiva70 wrote:Hello,
I just found out my uncle whom I am very close to was diagnosed with this. He had a tumor removed and the tests just came back confirming he has Glioblastoma Metaforme (I hope I spelled that right) I am very scared for him. He is going ahead with Chemo and radiation treatments but it sounds to me either way his prognosis is grim. Do these people who have it suffer at all? I am just scared he will suffer. I am just absolutley devistated. If anyone has any info could you please fill me in?
Thank you so much.
Kristi
Dear Kristi:
It is a scary and unbelievably traumatic diagnosis. My father, who died 14 years ago from glioblastoma multiforme in the left temporal lobe, was a healthy, vital and wonderful man at 58 who became ... and not so suddenly ... not himself.
I do not know the particulars of your beloved uncle's case, but I do know this: Regardless of the cancer, the prognosis, or the very starkness of the medical world, great things and commonly good things will happen for you and your family. Although it is terrifying and inexplicably heartbreaking for any family to deal with such an uncommon cancer, I do believe there is growth and promise that squarely defy cancer's path. Yes, it is a dire situation. However, your response to it will be so telling.
In my very heart, I do not believe my father (nor your uncle) will suffer because, as a wise surgeon once aptly pointed out to me, the body has an amazing capacity to release natural opiates to ease and counteract the pain associated with cancer.
Please make the most of the time you have now with your uncle. I sense that you are a young person and the road ahead probably seems most daunting.
On the investigative side, I have to ask questions. Does he have aphasia? Can he walk? I pray with all my might that he can communicate. Say the things you feel. How much you love him.
I hope to hear from you soon.