Gbm Claims Another Life

I just lost my father to this horrible disease on Sat.  He was diagnosed in May 2003 with GBM and initially was given 6 weeks to live.  After surgery, radiation, and countless rounds of chemo, we were so lucky to have almost 5 years with him.  He was a patient at Duke, and they were so wonderful to him.  He was taking Avastin, which caused major damage to his brain...it basically caused infarcts all over his healthy brain matter, while shrinking the tumor as well.  He declined so rapidly, which was frightening.  Walking one day, in a wheelchair the next.

I am pretty much besides myself with grief and don't know what to do.  Does going to a grief supprt group help at all?  I am angry, sad, shocked, and heartbroken.  Does it get any better?

I am so sorry for you.  You will be in my prayers,  I do feel talking with others with the same lost and the same disease does help.  I just hope that our family will get 5 more years with our loved one this is all new to us diagnosed Jan 2008.  I pray for you to receive comfort and peace.

First of all....(((HUGS)))!  I know when I lost my grandpa 20yrs ago this past 4/16 to cancer, my heart still aches.  With time one does gain more peace but you still want that person with you more than ever.  There is a grieving process - allow yourself to do that!  Some days/months/years will be better than others.  Everyone has a process to go through when loosing someone they love.  Shed your tears!  Write down your feelings, talk it out with family/friends - it does help.  You'll always have wonderful ears on this discussion board too!  Treasure the good times you had with him & keep it close to your heart.  ((HUGS)) again and prayers of comfort to you.  Nikki

I am so sorry for your loss, but treasure the good memories and give your self time to grieve.

 My father is still fighting this beast but we do attend a monthly brain tumor support group and their are patients, caregivers, and people whose loved ones have already passed and it is so helpful.  I think it gives me strength to get through the rest of the month being with people who truly understand exactly what your going through and the people who have already had to go through the grieving process still attend years later and  they say it helps them too.  I can't say enough good things about our support group, they always seem to know the right thing to say to help me through whatever part of the roller coaster we're on at that time.

 God bless you and your family.

Dear Mitzib,  I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my brother only 48 years old to GBM only six months ago. I do know the pain you are feeling right now and the anger. I wrote a post last week because I am still having such a hard time dealing with my brothers death. They tell me the pain does lessen but thus far for me it hasn't. You will have some days that are worse than others. It can hit you like a ton of bricks just like that in an instence and you don't know what hit you. GBM was a horrible illness and death for our loved ones. My brother only lived six weeks after they found his and that was no time at all for us. I am glad you and your family had 5 years with your Dad but I know right now that seems like no time at all either. There is never enough time for us to say good bye to the ones we love. My heart truely goes out to you because I no how bad the pain is for you right now. I hope that they are right and that in time our pain will lessen. I think we will always have a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. Treasure all of your wonderful memories and my they give you comfort and peace. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Have faith that God will see us through these most painful and difficult times.

If you ever need anything I am here for you.

No that you are not alone.

Steve's Little Sister, Susan

 

On 4/28/2008 mitzib wrote:

I just lost my father to this horrible disease on Sat.  He was diagnosed in May 2003 with GBM and initially was given 6 weeks to live.  After surgery, radiation, and countless rounds of chemo, we were so lucky to have almost 5 years with him.  He was a patient at Duke, and they were so wonderful to him.  He was taking Avastin, which caused major damage to his brain...it basically caused infarcts all over his healthy brain matter, while shrinking the tumor as well.  He declined so rapidly, which was frightening.  Walking one day, in a wheelchair the next.

I am pretty much besides myself with grief and don't know what to do.  Does going to a grief supprt group help at all?  I am angry, sad, shocked, and heartbroken.  Does it get any better?

I am sorry that you lost your Dad.  I pray that you will find some comfort soon.  It was great that you had 5 years, but we always want more.  He must have been a wonderful Dad.  Joining a support group will help. Remember the great times you had with Dad, hold those memeories close to your heart.  That is what your Dad would want you to do.  He wants you to be happy, not sad. When you get sad or angry, think of those memories you hold dear and you will feel your Dad' loving arms.

Thank you all for your kind words...they mean a lot during this difficult time.  I do feel fortunate for having 5 years with my Dad, when this disease claims others earlier.  There are some really excellent treatments out there that can provide hope.  My Dad's body just couldn't take any more and he couldn't deal with not being able to use his mind anymore... that is what was so awful towards the end.  I pray that others will fight GBM and have good quality of life during the treatments.

I am so sorry for your loss.  When you lose your Dad, it is like a big hole in your life that is impossible to fill.

I lost my father to cancer in 1991.  It took awhile to adjust to the reality that my Dad was not here anymore.  But, after awhile, instead of crying every time something reminded me of him, nowadays I sometimes smile, when I think - I wonder what Dad would have thought of that.  The memory and horror of the pain of cancer gradualy gave way to the happier memories of him, and that is what I think he wanted.

 I hope you that God's earthly angels give you the love, comfort and support during the difficult times.  And remember - your father lives on in you - you are his living memorial and legacy.  From your post I can tell that he was loved.

 Hugs,

 

Gayle C, wife of John C, age 53, GBM warrior since Sept 06