Astrocytoma tumor in the brain

On 3/19/2007 Soeler wrote:

Edward I need to know if ur ok.. I've read ur messages... I want to know if ur ok.. please please let me know...

Hi Parimal,

What ayurvedic medicine were you taking?

My brother has had an astrocytoma for ten years. Still looking for a cure/treatment. He has had surgery, radiation, and chemo.

For others seeking a treatment for glioblastoma multiforme, I just came across this tonight:

http://www.virtualtrials.com/news3.cfm?item=3913

On 6/16/2003 Blair W. wrote:

Hi, I was just diagnosed with an astrocytoma stage 3, two weeks ago. I am 21/F and my parents passed away 9/11. I am very scared and none of my friends really have any advice. Does anyone have any postive news or good advice for me? I would really appreciate it...I don't really have anyone to talk to. Anything would help, thanks!

blair my name is mark and my wife of 26 was diagnosed with astrocytoma 2 weeks ago while giving birth how are fairing against this? doing well were was the tumor in you brain? any advice for me?

mark 

On 10/20/2004 Alliesmommy wrote:

I am a 23y/o female and was diagnosed with a brain tumor a month ago. Biopsy revealed a Grade 2 diffuse fibrillary Astrocytoma. The neurosurgeon discourages surgical removal until I become more symptomatic and discourages radiation unless it progresses into a higher grade tumor. Any information out there? I would appreciate any input at this point and I am here if anyone needs to talk. Thanks and good luck to all

I'm kind of new to this whole brain tumor/cancer thing so bear with me.  About a month ago (8-6-07) I took my girlfriend up to Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL for Bariatric Surgery.  She was jsut starting to wake up  from the surgery when my world got flipped turned upside down.   I was hit with a grand maul seizure out of the blue.  I had no symptoms or anything.  I had no clue what was happening to me.  Evanston is a teaching hospital for Northwestern Illinois University, whom I later learned has one of the best oncology programs in the country.  I had a CT and an MRI done that night and they admitted me.  They did a biopsy on Thursday and on Friday they told me preliminary findings found a grade 2 astrocytoma.  I went home and have done alot of research on this condition, with probably more yet to come.  I live about 6 hours south of Evanston, so treatment up there was kind of out of the question, but my doctor up there is working with the doctors down here and vice versa.  Here's the way I understand.  A grade 2 astrocytoma left untreated may and most likely will progress to grade 3.  Grade 3 is more agressive,, where as it may take grade 2 many years to progress, 3 will move to 4 much quicker.  All are malignant, but grade 2 acts like a benign tumor.  Mine can't be removed surgically without causing brain damage.  We are treating it with radiation now before it gets any worse.  If I were you I'd get a second opinion.  Northwestern sent my tests to Washington University in St. Louis and someplace else so they could all agree and the cancer doctors here agree with all other findings.  Personally I would not be happy with the "wait and see method" or wait until it gets worse to ddo radiation. But thaat's the technician in me.  Preventive maintanence.   I get dizzy and can't walk straight and sleep alot more than I used to.  I haven't had a seizure in over a week so knock on wood. I hate it.   The lord put me in the right place at the right time for all of this.  I wish you luck.  I hope this helps.  If you have any more questions or just need to talk go ahead.  BTW, I'm a 30/m.  A little older,, but not by much. 

Later,

Josh

Ok, I just realized I replied to a message that was like 3 years old.  I feel very stupid.  I've just been looking for a board where I could possibly get information on my condition.  I almost feel bad referring to it as cancer, cause the way my doctors make it sound, a grade astrocytoma acts like a benign tumor, but I guess a little bit of cancer is kiunda like being a little bit dead.  If anyone has any information on this it would be much appreciated.  

Thanks,                                                                                                                                                    Josh

On 11/5/2003 Edward K. wrote:

Hi My name is Ed K. and I have written to a few people with cancer looking for info or suupport. I was diagnosed with astrocytoma stage 3 18 months ago and it does set you back upon hearing the bad news. It took me and my wife a couple of weeks to accept it and I finally said hey, its not getting me. It took my sister 11 years ago. Mine is inoperable and I went through 7 weeks of radiation and chemo at the same time. I still am doing chemo 1 week out of the month and every 6 months I go for a MRI to see how things are doing. Well as of June 03 I have a hole in my brain about the size of a half dollar and a finger that has shrunk from 1.6 cm to 1.2 cm. I will have one in December again to see where I stand. I am feeling good and I wake up every morning and thank god for another day. My chemo treatments are by a pill called Temodar and I take a pill called Anzemet. Which really works good. No nausea whatsoever. If you feel any change in your body while on any of your meds no matter what it is do not be afraid to tell your doctor what is happening. I had to many of times when I first started my treatments even when I was still in the hospital. The doctors get you started on meds which they do not know how your body is going to react to all the meds you have to take and they just keep changing it to where your body will accept them at the same time. Just do not let it get you down and keep telling yourself you are going to beat it. I had fun with my radiation when I lost my hair on my left side and it was starting on my right side. I went to the beauty shop and got a mohawk and had my hair dyed about 6 different colors just to show it that I was not giving up. I feel pretty fortunate for being given 6 months to 1 year and I am kicking the sh t out of it. I am going to try and send a photo of me with my mohawk just so you can have a good laugh. And that is what you have keep doing. Do not get down on yourself. Just keep thinking positive and enjoy every day to the utmost I know there will be days you will feel like crap but you must just keep your head up and keep thinking positive. wish you luck and if you need someone to just to reach out to get in touch and I will try and help. Ed from Bullheadcity

On 6/11/2003 Edward K. wrote:

Hi again. This is Ed again and I am doing fine. They say my astrocytoma stage 3 is going away. I have a hole in my brain the size of a half dollar from chemo and radiation. I have been tring to have positive feelings towards this and I know that does help. When I was first going through my radiation and chemo, I lost my hair on the left side of my head and I told the wife I was going to have some fun and get a mohawk. Which I did and I also had it dyed six different colors just for fun and I did have fun with it. My hair has since grown back to normal. It has been one year fighting this crap but I just keep thinking positive. You just cannot let it get you down. No matter what the doctors say make the best of it and live life as if it were to be your last day, but don't let it get you down. Take care and god bless everyone and their health.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with grade 2 astrocytoma.  My tumor was about the size of a lemon.  I was 35 years old.  After surgery I spoke with my surgeon and neuro-oncologist and chose to do the wait and see.  My tumor was about the size of a lemon.

After a year and a half I went through surgery number 2 to remove a tumor about the size of a shooting marble.  I just finished radiation/chemo drug and I have about a two week break before I begin the chemo process.  The main advice I would give is to remain or become an arrogant SOB and stay positive.  I am bald, but I lost a limited mount of weight.  I am not going anywhere anytime soon.