Dad Age 50 Dx July 15th 2007
GBMIV Left Temporal lobe
Surgery July 19th 2007- complete ressection
No deficits
6 wks Temodol and Radiation
One month Break
Temodol 21/7 for 6 months
3 Clear MRI's
Last MRI on April 13th shows regrowth at original site, 1.4 cm in size.
The Tumor is superficial, basically touching his skull. I work as a nurse and saw the MRI myself.
Temodol has been stopped.
Radiation not an option again
We will be seing the surgeon tomorrow to see if a 2nd sugery is an option(although dad really doesn't want to go through another one)
And apparently decisions will be made by Wednesday in regards to what schedule/dose/type/combination of chemotherapy he will start up on and whether or not he will be having another craniotomy or perhaps travelling to have gamma knife.... which will take time to organize.
I don;t even know why I am writing... We were SOOOOOOOOOOo happy, and felt we were beating the odds to get to 9 months with no news of regrowth... Dad is feeling great.... has his energy back and is completely the same person he has always been....We never expected a new tumor was growing.
Im 23 and scared to death.
Its soooo hard to remain hopeful and positive?
Im scared he'll give up, Im sick of the crying. I just dont know how to handle it anymore. I feel like I am almost avoiding the situation, in denial and bound to crash at any minute.
Do any of you have any opinions on options here?
I think they are going to continue the Temodol--- only on the schedule of 5/23 instead of 21/7.... plus I think they are going to throw another Chemo into the mix of things. Any suggestions? Avastin is not available to us here in Canada.... not for GBM's anyways.
What about Gamma Knife?
2nd Surgery?
Special diets?
Anyyyyyy suggestions at this point would be greatly appreciated.
We want to get things rolling before this new tumor completely takes over. Just, dont know what the best road to take is.
I understand this is now a chronic disease.... and I understand that it will most likely.... eventually take over.
I do not want him to suffer.... I want him to have QUALITY time....
And at the same time, I want him to fight with all that he has.
I wish I could take it from him. I'd do it in a second.
Anyways, any thoughts would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Dad's Cheerleader--- Kara