Meredith,
I am sorry that the news from the new MRI is not better. Recalling the
reports and doctors' comments from my sister's GBM journey, a few
things come to mind.
First, we know little more than your S/Dad had surgery in June for GBM
where they were able to resect the tumor. I also recall that he had
a "chemo wafer" in the tumor site.
More specifics may be helpful as well, but also perhaps writing out his
daily foods/ intake and activities may help some "good eyes" in the
group find things which might be helpful concerning the protocol.
I do remember at least twice I came across patients whose journey was
similar and showed a regrowth (or questionable area), which when
additional surgery was done, it turned out to be necrotic tissue... so
what seems bad now, is not without the chance of error. One was Tom,
Another long term survivor who had a
regrowth is David M. Bailey. I think I could actually come up with one
or two more as well.
A quote I have had to remind myself of at times, which a vet told me
once, "Where the is life, there is hope." Often when things look bleak,
better things are just around the corner. It has been that way with
several on this list... For you and your S/Dad, don't give up hope and
don't resign yourself to believing the doctor's prognosis. Someone has
to "scue" (not sure if that is spelled right)the odds! Who better than
your S Dad?
I am not sure I would give much credit to the doctor's comment about
the chemo and radiation... My sister did agressive treatment with chemo
and radiation til the cancer took her ability to swallow... I know the
quality of her life suffered because of the side effects of the chemo
and radiation. This comment is to neither discourage or encourage, just
hopefully any decision is well thought out and researched and not made
out of fear. There have been some good posts lately adressing that very
thing. People in general, make poor decisions when they make them out
of fear.
Your post regarding the upcoming MRI spoke of him still working at
overcoming the effects of the last surgery, but overall feeling well.
His feeling okay is encouraging, even though I know you would love more.
I pray that some doors will open soon that will be real encouraging for
your family. Also, I pray for your S Dad's healing and that you each
feel God's loving arms supporting each of you as you search for more
help.
Your family will be in my prayers tonight.
Martha
--- "Meredith W." wrote:
My step-dad's brain tumor has grown back according to the MRI, we have
been at the BP for a little over 2 mos. This is so discouraging. They
said he has about 3+ mos to live and they wont be good ones with no
radiation or chemo. Ya know the brain is very different from other
organs and in many ways not as forgiving as it is teh central computer
for the whole body. When their is regrowth or swelling it can kill. So
we are trying to figure out whats best. We know radiation only delays
and seals the deal in most cases, so we want to keep going with BP but
there is so little time for it to work. He had a full resection - has
anyone here started BP with a full resection of their tumor - had re-
growth and then tumor shrinkage? Its one thing to see swelling but
this is growth where their seemed to be nothing before?
Any thoughts?
Thanks! Meredith
