Just a quick note of hope to all those out there wth a diagnosis of Astrocytoma grade 3 --
I was at the Dr today due to headaches and he asked me about my family's medical history - I told him my sister had a brain tumor 22 years ago. He asked me what kind and I didn't know - so I called my sister and asked her - she said it was an Astrocytoma grade 3. The Dr looked amazed and said - "and she is still alive"
So I decided it was time to research what she had - and I found this message board.
My sister's diagnosis - I remember the time well - it was very difficult - brain surgery, radiation therapy - then mental illness. She became disoriented and extremely suicidal for 2 years - in and out of hospitals while they tried to find the right medications to fix what was messed up with the surgery. Finally 3 years after surgery and medicated she was back to almost normal.
She is still on a variety of medications for her depression and is more easily depressed now than she was as a child - but she is alive and well and active 22 years after the removal of her Astrocytoma grade 3.
Good luck to all of you...