Gbm Stage 4 - Side Effects From Treatments?

Sister was diagnosed in June 06. Had craniotomy to remove tumor that was the size of a grapefruit...currently undergoing Temador and radiation I can't beleive the rapid deterioration in her condition; went out to eat on Friday then was confined to bed for 2 days and couldn't stay awake. Fine for the next 5 days but tired, today physically could not get out of bed and had to be lifted out by the nurses to go to treatments. Says she has excruciating back pain, and is unbelievably tired. Couldn't get up from the table after her radiation and had to be lifted again by the nurses. Based on my research I knew that Wk. 4 would be difficult on her and that she would begin to show side effects, but are they always this drastic? We have a follow up appt. on Tuesday with her doctors, but they rarely give a honest, real answer when we ask things... They told us her prognosis would be maybe 15-24 mos. Those of you who have been through this before, are these symptoms typical, or is she worse off then the doctors are advising me? I hate not knowing, if I know now, then I can accept, deal and grieve, I don't want to live with false hope. If anyone has any idea, please advise me based on your family's experiences. Thanks!

Your sister may regain some of her strength after her treatments and some recovery time by that time they will want to use the cyber my mother has had 2 brain surgerys temodar and 1 cyber hospice is helping i and my sisterim so glad i have this time with my mother and my sister i feel very close to my little sister ihave a middle sister who cant deal with it she lost 2 teenage daughters last year 1 in 9/12/05 and the other on 12/17/05 my mom was crushed and my family is still so sad from the loss of two beautiful girls mom had her second surgery on 3/2/06 her 57 th birthday we spent in intensive care so mom has survived 7 months she hasnt had any good days in awhile this web site is a blessing just to read others storys helps me face another day.Renee

The side effects of treatment are as bad as the disease. My mother seemed to get through radiation treatments alright, but continued to decline quickly and became so weak even months after radation. My mother did complain of back pain during and after radation. The back pain did eventually subside. The Dr. told us side effects could continue months after the completion of radaition treatments. Is your sister on steriods? My mother is and it has contributed to her weakness especially in her thighs. I am so sorry to hear of your sister. How old is she? Our doctors have given my mother false hope, she continues to think she will get better as she continues to decline. We are approaching our 8th month. It is very tough. I'm not sure that the doctors have the answers, I just know the outcome is devasting regardless of the severity of the journey. Best of luck and God bless. EL

I got a GBM stage 4 in 2004 in Miami. My boss was very good made sure I could get back to Ireland ok. I woke up after my first operation not able to move my left side. Which was not superising as the GBM was on my right hand frountal lobe. I now know that the left controls the right and vice versa. Then got a bone infection. on the way back on the areoplain. - Something about it would be better if you could still smoake as the air is circulated ore.Could have died apparently.