Fellow warriors:
I have not posted here in quite a while, but I want to share some good news we have. It might be encouraging to some. My H (now 62y/o)was diag w/ GBM in May 2004. Left frontal lobe. Surgery, External beam Radx, IMRT Radx Boost and 6 months Temodar. Clean Scans. Fatigue, but no real bad side effects. Recurrance in right frontal lobe Fall 2005. Started small and had monthly MRI to monitor. When it reached 1.1 cm (large enough to measure conclusively by a PET scan, it was confirmed tumor) we got 2 opinions w/ surgeons, but surgery not an option. GROWING FAST! 4.6 cm! Started chemo protocal of CPT11 With Avastin every 2 weeks. First treatment on 7/28. MRI on 9/06 shows that the treatment is already effective. Stepped down on Decadron. H feels good, some cramping and mild diareha with treatment. Still works, golfs each weekend.
The docs constantly remind us that the prognosis has not changed; they never know why one patient responds and one does not. The tumor will recur again and we will deal with that when it happesn. But today, we appreciate today. If we listened to the first doctor, we might as well have quit right then. She said 8 - 10 months survival, maybe a year. It is hard to stay positive, I know. But one day at a time is my new motto, and it is working for me.
Best of luck to all!
Luving wife
dear friend,
it's encouraging to know that some people are winning battles against the enemy, GBM. It gives people faith and strenth to keep fighting this war on GBM. Sometimes people forget that this was has to be fought at all levels in addition to convetional treatment, but also faith, hope, determination, mind and soul. Be beaten in one of them and you might lose the war. Keep fighting.
Luving...Thats Awesome!!!!Keep the old boy out there golfing.
I haven't seen you around for awhile. I'm still here since 03/05 and still "upright and mobile." I too, have not posted a lot.
My doc still reminds me that "less than 4% of us, make it 18 months". (positive attitude she has), according to their prognosis, I guesss we're now "legends". Surgery not an option for me either and i'm still on Temodar. Considering the 3 months they gave me, I can live with that.
Tell him to keep up the good fight!