On 10/20/2004 Alliesmommy wrote:
I am a 23y/o female and was diagnosed with a brain tumor a month ago. Biopsy revealed a Grade 2 diffuse fibrillary Astrocytoma. The neurosurgeon discourages surgical removal until I become more symptomatic and discourages radiation unless it progresses into a higher grade tumor. Any information out there? I would appreciate any input at this point and I am here if anyone needs to talk. Thanks and good luck to all
I'm kind of new to this whole brain tumor/cancer thing so bear with me. About a month ago (8-6-07) I took my girlfriend up to Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL for Bariatric Surgery. She was jsut starting to wake up from the surgery when my world got flipped turned upside down. I was hit with a grand maul seizure out of the blue. I had no symptoms or anything. I had no clue what was happening to me. Evanston is a teaching hospital for Northwestern Illinois University, whom I later learned has one of the best oncology programs in the country. I had a CT and an MRI done that night and they admitted me. They did a biopsy on Thursday and on Friday they told me preliminary findings found a grade 2 astrocytoma. I went home and have done alot of research on this condition, with probably more yet to come. I live about 6 hours south of Evanston, so treatment up there was kind of out of the question, but my doctor up there is working with the doctors down here and vice versa. Here's the way I understand. A grade 2 astrocytoma left untreated may and most likely will progress to grade 3. Grade 3 is more agressive,, where as it may take grade 2 many years to progress, 3 will move to 4 much quicker. All are malignant, but grade 2 acts like a benign tumor. Mine can't be removed surgically without causing brain damage. We are treating it with radiation now before it gets any worse. If I were you I'd get a second opinion. Northwestern sent my tests to Washington University in St. Louis and someplace else so they could all agree and the cancer doctors here agree with all other findings. Personally I would not be happy with the "wait and see method" or wait until it gets worse to ddo radiation. But thaat's the technician in me. Preventive maintanence. I get dizzy and can't walk straight and sleep alot more than I used to. I haven't had a seizure in over a week so knock on wood. I hate it. The lord put me in the right place at the right time for all of this. I wish you luck. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions or just need to talk go ahead. BTW, I'm a 30/m. A little older,, but not by much.
Later,
Josh