Just Dont Know?

Hi John. I'm sorry to hear about your reoccurance with the tumor. I'd like to share my mother-in-laws story with you. It is somewhat similar but not exactly.

During her childhood years (ages 1- 10) my mother-in-law would have seizures. Doctors did have her on medication for them and they were kept at bay. Back then there was not the technology to find out exactly what was going on. Fast forward to age 16...it was time for her to drive and docs said she couldn't unless when off the seizure meds she did well.

They did all the tests they could do back then and took her off them. She did well so she got her license. She is now 46. From 16 to 46, she had no signs or symptoms of the cancer,tumor,etc. One night 3 months ago she passes out, is taken to the hospital and they find a tumor the size of a tangerine. Emergency surgery is done and 2 weeks later we find out she has GBM.

How do things seem to happen like this? Why weren't there any signs before it was too late? I know what you're thinking...and I can't explain it as she had no deficits leading up to her dx and currently for the most part now other than tiredness from treatment and some agitation issues. It's so horrible....I hope you keep beating this monster..God bless~

On 4/29/2008 bijou10 wrote:

Hi John,

I'm currently asking the same question.

Where do these tumors come from. I lost my dad 8 years ago to a glio.. and unbelieveably I'm now going thru the same thing with my Mom.

I read quite alot on the subject.

Can I ask what you do for a living?

My Dad was a machinist and I've read alot of about chemical exposure causing it. (petro-chemicals and plastics especially)

Also-- I believe environmental exposure may trigger it also. For example I read alot of cases about people living near old garbage dumps that have now been turned into parks-- now pretty-- but poisioning people thru the air and seeping into neaby water.

My husband, age 71, dx glioblastoma 12/6/06. Surrgical removal...no reoccurance of tumor until 4/17/08.  1st tumor in speech/n=memory portion of brain---reoccurant tumor invading motor-skills portion, just above where the previous tumor was excisedl Taking Temador again 5on 3 weeks off.  Trying to buy time.

to answer question of where these tumors come from:  We are participating in an international study with MD Anderson to try and find a family linked gene.  My husband's brother died with glioblastoma at age 66; his first cousin died with same at age 59.  He and his brother worked in same type of employment-ralated environment in a small town.....but his cousin worked in an office job in a completely unrelated field, in a city environment.

SO THIS BLOWS SOME OF THE THEORIES.  JUST HOPE THIS STUDY CAN HELP OTHERS IN THE SAME SITUATION. IT WON'T BE ABLE TO HELP MY HUSBAND, BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL GRANDCHILDREN AND GREATGRANDCHILDREN WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM IT.