new diagnosis

Hello all - I just joined this board. My husband and I are Canadians and my husband is being  being treated in Canada. My husband was diagnosed May 28th with a left temporal parietal brain tumour, he has surgery June 13th, and started radiation and oral chemotherapy with temozolomide 140mg daily on July 3rd. What side effects have other people had with the radiation? So far he is doing well, but he is only a week into the treatment. Does dexamethasone make you "high"? He is on a very low dose right now, but is mentally very busy!!! Thanks 

Spudlady,

Funny name....lol  Keep your humor is the first thing. I will only referance myself on what I felt. Surgery, 2 years of Temodar, and 8 weeks of radiation. The Temodar started to take it's toll the longer I was on it. 5 days on 23 days off 420mg for the 2 years. For me the feeling of walking in a
fog" like mind set. I did have dex in the beginning but my Drs wanted me off of it as soon as possible. Seems the body can become a little dependent on it. Then followed by 8 weeks of radiation. All of this can take a pretty good toll on ones body/brain as far as emotions, anger, depression, the why me, etc etc the list goes on.Long story short a little anti-depression med went a long way for me. Also the family/caregiver as well. Make sure you are taking care of yourself during this. This is the emotional roller coaster we all would like to get off.......

HOPE

Damon

Dx Nov 07........No regrets

Hi Spudlady (is that name a reference to potatoes???????), Welcome to C.C. You will receive so much support here.  My son was diagnosed in 2008, and is still fighting 'the beast'.    As a caregiver, you will need to really look after yourself - it can be quite tiring and sometimes you just run out of steam and need to rest awhile.    Yes, I think dexamethasone can make you 'high' - in high doses.  My son is now down to 1mg daily.     I hope everything goes well for your husband and yourself, and remember:  mind yourself.  God bless. Marian

Thanks for the reply and the insight - Spudlady - I own a horse named Spud, which is also funny because he is a thoroughbred

The treatment effects from the radiation for my wife were MUCH more devastating than the cancer.. It caused my wy wife to become a demented zombie. Over the last two weeks, she has fallen twice for a total of 17 stitches and a huge chunk of skin off of her knows, hopefully she isn't aware much of this.. I am currently back in our hometown from our retirement home.. I have a meeting with my asset protection lawyer tomorrow (you are lucky, you are from Canada and would probably not need the services of this kind of lawyer if the need arose) and a meeting with her family in a coffee cafe a few hours before in discussing what I will be doing with her. Just ask alot of questions..Tell your NO that at ALL costs you want to stress "quality" of life over all other things... I did not do that..I was all gung ho, had the docs do EVERYTHING to help my wife survive ....and she did.....sort of.

On Jul 09, 2012 9:18 PM distancerunner wrote:

The treatment effects from the radiation for my wife were MUCH more devastating than the cancer.. It caused my wy wife to become a demented zombie. Over the last two weeks, she has fallen twice for a total of 17 stitches and a huge chunk of skin off of her knows, hopefully she isn't aware much of this.. I am currently back in our hometown from our retirement home.. I have a meeting with my asset protection lawyer tomorrow (you are lucky, you are from Canada and would probably not need the services of this kind of lawyer if the need arose) and a meeting with her family in a coffee cafe a few hours before in discussing what I will be doing with her. Just ask alot of questions..Tell your NO that at ALL costs you want to stress "quality" of life over all other things... I did not do that..I was all gung ho, had the docs do EVERYTHING to help my wife survive ....and she did.....sort of.

I am so so sorry that this is happening to you. What a hard road you are walking! I wish you strength, and I wish your wife ease and grace.

Hi Spudlady!

It sounds like we are on about the same timeline. We found the GBM IV on 5/26/12, had surgery on 5/30/12, and started radiation and oral chemo on 6/25/12. We have completed 9 of 33 radiation treaments. So far, so good. We are taking it a day at a time and trying to keep a VERY positive attitude. We have two teenagers in the house, so we try and balance out their normal attitudes. Ha, ha! We are just trying to stay strong and move ahead each day. Best of luck!

Tami

Wev are -There seems to be some positive stories out there. I sent you a private reply as well. I hope for the best for your husband and mine !