Grade 4 GBO

Hi Stella,

My husband was diagnosed with GBM in February 2012.  I spoke with the doctors and asked them not to talk about life expectancies with my husband.  It made a world of difference.  He pulled through the first craniotomy with flying colors.  His attitude was positive.  Then, unfortunately, during an office visit, the nurse practitioner (the most insensitive individual I have ever met) told my husband that he had a poor prognosis.  From that point, my husband became very depressed and now his zest for life is gone.  MY ADVICE IS TO DISREGARD THE STATISTICS!!!  Besides, there could be a breakthrough soon and you are correct -- miracles happen every day.  Believe me, I truly understand your devastation, but no one really knows what each day will bring.  So, carpe diem!!!  I pray each day for everyone suffering with GBM and for the families and caretakers. By sharing on this website, we are supporting eachother and staying on top of the plethora of information/treatments for GBM.  Stay strong--your soul mate needs you more than ever now. 

Does the reference to a GBO refer to a GBM with Oligodendroglioma components? 

Thank you, it was my mistake, a lot to take in in these last few days, it is a grade 4 gbm.

Yes, a little on the insensitive side is what we got too, I'm igniring all of those statistics, but not being blind to them, just praying.  Thank you

i agree with you.  People do so much better "without" hearing time expectencies.   They actually LIVE their lives and overcome medicine side effects better.  They give themselves chance to LIVE and be greatful to God. 

I wonder why they encourage standard treatment all at once after the operation instead of saving temodar or other chemo etc for when it starts to grow back the 2nd time and radiation for when it comes back the 3rd time? 

 I would think the combo of standard treatment all at once can weaken the immune system, body, and shorten the life span before it grows back.  I would think stretching treatment out over the years can add quality to life,as well.  Just a speculation.

GBM is a very fast growing cancer.  The tumor basically scatters cancer cells through out the brain.  That is why it just about always come back.  Heck the meadium survival with treatment is only around 13 months.  If you had surgery and waited, ur time frame for regrowth would be a lot less.  Even with surgery and standard treatment, I only got 6 months before full size regrowth.  Avastin is what is doing the trick for me now.

On Oct 30, 2012 4:29 AM vwxyz wrote:

i agree with you.  People do so much better "without" hearing time expectencies.   They actually LIVE their lives and overcome medicine side effects better.  They give themselves chance to LIVE and be greatful to God. 

I wonder why they encourage standard treatment all at once after the operation instead of saving temodar or other chemo etc for when it starts to grow back the 2nd time and radiation for when it comes back the 3rd time? 

 I would think the combo of standard treatment all at once can weaken the immune system, body, and shorten the life span before it grows back.  I would think stretching treatment out over the years can add quality to life,as well.  Just a speculation.

I  couldn't disagree more (as an actual patient with a GBM).  If my caregiver had lied to me about my disease I'd be really angry.

It's only by knowing the severity that I was able to muster the strength to fight and endure the nausea and vomiting from chemo.  It also gave me the push to research molecular biology and be able to discuss treatment options with my NO.

To me it would be like the intelligence community lying to an army general about to go into battle about enemy numbers to make them feel better.  How on earth can you plan a battle without knowing what you're up against.  It certainly didn't hurt in the Battle of Thermopylae knowing how many troops Xerses had.

That being said - no-one should be diagnosed with cancer without being referred to this article : http://www.cancerguide.org/median_not_msg.html

I say to my GBM - Mολ?ν λαβ?

There are  GBOs.  They are glioblastomas with an oligodendroglioma aspect.  Do a search and you'll find it.

Lorre

There are  GBOs.  They are glioblastomas with an oligodendroglioma aspect.  If you do a search and you'll find it.

Lorre