Gbm New Diagnosis

My mom, 71, was diagnosed with GBM 4 about a month ago. Location- Left medial frontal parietal about 2cm.  She has a surgical resection (doctors say about 100%).  She has weakness on her right side particularly her right foot and needs a walker and leg brace to get around.   We are waiting for our appointment with a neuro-oncologist from Columbia. From my research and this helpful website  I suspect she will be put on Temodar and radiation at least for the next 7 weeks.  My mother has a great attitude even though I believe she knows how bad the prognosis of this disease is.  I can tell she is trying to "settle up affairs." As you all know this is very tough for all family members.  My sister and I don't want to leave her alone for a second because we know how precious and valuable time is with her.   I am worried that as we wait to start chemo and radiation additional tumors may be developing.  In the meantime we have started my mom on Protocel- an antioxidant supplement.  I don't want to believe we only have about 1 year left with her.  I understand that older people may do worse with treatment.  She is also diabetic, overweight, and has HBP.  I would like to hear from people with a similar situation so I can be as prepared as possible. Any suggestions on successful treatments would be appreciated. Thanks for all your postings.  It has been very comforting knowing I am not alone with this struggle.

On 4/20/2008 helpmoms wrote:

My mom, 71, was diagnosed with GBM 4 about a month ago. Location- Left medial frontal parietal about 2cm.  She has a surgical resection (doctors say about 100%).  She has weakness on her right side particularly her right foot and needs a walker and leg brace to get around.   We are waiting for our appointment with a neuro-oncologist from Columbia. From my research and this helpful website  I suspect she will be put on Temodar and radiation at least for the next 7 weeks.  My mother has a great attitude even though I believe she knows how bad the prognosis of this disease is.  I can tell she is trying to "settle up affairs." As you all know this is very tough for all family members.  My sister and I don't want to leave her alone for a second because we know how precious and valuable time is with her.   I am worried that as we wait to start chemo and radiation additional tumors may be developing.  In the meantime we have started my mom on Protocel- an antioxidant supplement.  I don't want to believe we only have about 1 year left with her.  I understand that older people may do worse with treatment.  She is also diabetic, overweight, and has HBP.  I would like to hear from people with a similar situation so I can be as prepared as possible. Any suggestions on successful treatments would be appreciated. Thanks for all your postings.  It has been very comforting knowing I am not alone with this struggle.

Dear Helpmoms,

My mother (65) was diagnosed w/ GBM in January of this year and had 100% resection on Jan. 28th. Her tumor was also located in the left temporal lobe. After surgery, she experienced speech problems and right side numbness. She developed a deep vein thrombosis in her right leg, plus she had other complications during her recovery which caused her radiation and temedor to be delayed for about 1 month. However, she did not have any recurrence during that time.

She has since completed her treatment, and is trying to recover from it. Just know that this 6 week course will be tough, particularly after week three because it is cumulative, and she will be fatigued and her appetite will be affected due to the temedor. The fact that your mother has a good attitude is awesome. Encourage her to keep that strong spirit and a will to fight. If my mother were not that way, I don't think she would have done as well as she did. This is a very aggressive tumor, and they want to attack it aggressively, so tell her to stay strong, and try to be a rock for your mother. It is tough mentally on everyone......

Best of luck to your family, I will pray for you, and please let me know if I can help you w/ anything else.

Sorry for your family that you had to join us. If they were able to remove "the whole tumor" you shouldn't have to sweat a few weeks healing time before she starts radiation/temodar combo. As you've already been told, those 30 days will take a lot out of her but she has to remember it's necessary and temporary--at least for most! She'll be very tired and want to sleep alot. My doc said "so sleep a lot!" A few weeks after that she'll bounce back (hopefully) and will be okay on whichever regimen they choose for her--temodar 5/23 or Avastin/CPT 11 or whichever.If she tolerates the temodar thru rads it'll most likely by the temodar maintenance protocol.

Her diabetes and weight will play a factor in her care, of course, but it's not like she's alone in either respect. Docs are sure to know how to proceed keeping those issues in mind.

You Mom is lucky to have you. You seem to be pretty educated about the diagnosis already. Try not to listen to talk of prognosis. They can only give you baseline time and you don't have to read far on the internet to learn those numbers. Stay positive. The 100% resection is a great start.

MaryB dx Sept2007