Daddy

My father was diagnosed with glioblastoma stage 4 on the 22 of August 2006. He is a very healthy man at the ripe young age of 54. I am so blown away that this happens this way. I am totally shocked by this matter as I am sure most of you were. I was wondering if anyone knew where to get information about this stuff. He is starting radiation and chemo on Tuesday.

dear Tif, there are lots of messages about GBM IVs in the brain cancer subforum of this message board. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/brain-cancer/1,0,119,5.htm -Amnia

You can find good information at the Duke University website for their brain tumor center. Also, The National Cancer Institute has good information once you navigate through their site, look for Howard Fine. He is the head of brain tumor research. Best wishes!

I just went and spoke with a gentleman yesterday that has a product that has given me much hope. I am going to my father's tomorrow to give him the product.

If the product is something homeopathic or an alleged "natural cure", make sure that you discuss this first with your dad's physician. Some of these products can actually interfere with chemo, and prevent the chemo from working as it should. Never give anything to a brain tumor patient without first discussing the possibilites of interaction with the oncologist. If it will not interfere, then, no harm, however, there are some things that can interfere. Good luck!

there are no products someone can give you that will help. there are people out there selling various juices and supplements and magical charms with amazing stories that have no value at all. do not fall for con artists. they know you are desperate and vulnerable and they are like vultures stepping in for the kill. giving yourself and your father false hope is counterproductive. I am going to put in my quackery quotes now. please take the time to read them, or at least the one about how quackery harms cancer patients. they are all very interesting and worth reading. 25 ways to spot Quackery: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/spotquack.html How Quackery Sells: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/quacksell.html How Quackery Harms Cancer Patients: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/harmquack.html Unfortunately, there are many people who make unfounded claims so they may profit from the misfortune of others. This is the case with whatever the product is that the person gave you for your father. In my opinion, the single largest advance in medicine in the last hundred years isn't vaccines or antibiotics, it is the randomized clinical trial. A randomized trial is the only way to determine whether or not a treatment is effective. Somebody stating "this treatment worked for me" is what is known as 'testimonial evidence' and is statistically invalid. I'm not saying there aren't alternative treatments that may help fight GBM, but I urge you to treat unproven treatments with a high degree of suspicion and thoroughly investigate the scientific basis of those claims. Good luck.