Brain Swelling

hey everyone,
for anyone who's been followig my story, my father had a regrowth about 5 weeks ago and opted out of a second surgery. They up'd his dose of chemo and will check with MRI the end of June to see what is happening. Anyways, he's been having little spells ever since the regrowth which is in the left temporal lobe. Yesterday he had 2 really bad ones, lost the use of his right side for about 10 minutes, couldn't speak, twitching etc.... We brought him to the emergency room where they did a CT scan that showed a fair amount of brain swelling. They have started him on dexamethazone (a steroid) to bring down the swelling. If the swelling goes, should these seizures go to?
Anyone else had experience with swelling?
Thanks, Kara

My husband has had seizures from the brain swelling. He is currently taking 500 mg. of dilantin and 1500 mg of depakote for the seizure control and taking 16 mg. of dexamathasone daily. He has not had a seizure since April 29th. He does have problems with balance and when he is tired has difficulty getting the legs to work to walk. He is now on Avastin and cpt 11 (just had his second dose yesterday) and will have a repeat MRI in a couple of months. The radiation and Temodar did not work for him, he had regrowth noticed with his last seizure and it it inoperable.

Dx: 12/07 left occipital lobe about the size of a large grape, removed 90% on 1/9/08. He has right side perpherial vision loss from the surgery and confusion, loss of ability to find words he is trying to say.

Colleen

Absolutely we have had to deal with swelling.  Any major intervention surgically or radiation-wise mom had been on a steroid.  Post-op & radiation (10/07-3/08) she took as little as 8mg and as much as 16mg/day.  Finally in March I got her successfully weaned off.  5/08 she had radiosurgery (Gamma Knife) for 2 new areas.  The day after she had focal (rt-sided) seizures that we could hardly control.  Upping her Dilantin helped somewhat but adding 8mg of steroid/day back in did wonders.  At least she stopped shaking and regained strength so that I don't have to help her around the house!  Currently she only takes 400mg Dilantin and 4mg steroid/day.  She's doing great & is back to her old self!  Hang in there Kara!  Its all very frustrating - you just want your loved one to be well & have some quality of life!  I hope you find everyone's sharing of experiences helpful - I know I have!  This site has been my "therapy" when I need some strength!

:0)  Nikki

Mom Dx 10/07 GBM Lt.parietal lobe; 6wks rad/Temodar; 2/08, 4/08 Temodar rounds; 5/08 Gamma Knife f/2 new areas; next Temodar 6/08 & MRI 7/08; lives with my family

I had fatigue so bad,i could not stand.got me to the va hospital,put me on steroids,now,just before i start second ound of chemo maintenancei feel like a milon bucks.na wobblyness,no balance problem.hope second round goes okay.I am 76yrs young,strong,and ready for this fight.they initially gave` me 1year,we will see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!