Update On Mom

my original post was dated 11.06.05 about focused radation with temodar. just thought i'd update you all on mom.

she started her radiation treatments in early november along with 120 mg of temodar a day. she has completed both the radiation and chemo for now. she lost a swathe of hair around the sides and back of her head leaving a little patch on top and about a half inch at the base of her neck. she shaved that on down and looks a bit like a marine with a pseudo-mullet.

her spirits are unbelievably high. she has yet to feel any fatigue from her treatment, even though she entertained hordes of people at the house between thanksgiving and christmas. she is annoyed with everyone wanting to do stuff for her, as she insists that she can still do things herself. this cancer has made her feel very out of control and being able to do things for herself is one area she wants to be in control.

doctors initially planned on an mri at the end of january. for whatever reason, they are now looking at the end of march. depending on what they find out, she will most likely then go on a 6 six-week chemo regimen. she is not likely to do temodar again.

i am very thankful for this site as the support from everyone to total strangers is just amazing! best of luck to you all for happiness and good health in 2006!

jilly

Dear Jilly, I am so glad to hear that your mom is doing so well, she must really be a strong lady. Even with the dismal prognosis brain tumor patients are given there are so many people here who are doing amazingly well. My husband continues to do well and we are almost to the one year mark. His surgeon a year ago gave him six months. Doctors often underestimate the human spirit. Thanks for the update and keep us posted. Take care and have a Happy New Year.

Patty

Jilly:
it is great to hear that your mom is doing so well. And I appreciate that you posted the update because good news is sooooo encouraging to newly diagnosed patients and their families.

When my GBM patient finished the radx and Temodar cycles we have enjoyed a long relaxing period of "normalcy." (in between the MRI scans. )Hair grew back, and has very few side effects. It has been great. He was diagx in May 2004, still works, drives and golfs.
Good luck with it all.

Luvingwife

thanks so much for your cheerful replies. like you said, it is nice to hear about positive sides of an otherwise bleak and dismal disease. and as i said before, the way total strangers reach out and support other total strangers is fantastic. i just hope and pray that we can all report back with happy news in the future. best of luck to you all!

jilly