Help. Panicked about possibility of a new tumor

• By Ann5419
• Reply 3389750
• September 19, 2012 at 6:53 pm
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You need to just enjoy the days as they unfold. Do not loss today waiting for tomorrow. If your partner is feeling good just relax. I spent my life worrying about tomorrow and forgot to enjoy what was right in front of me. I can't advise you on what is to happen but I can tell you to take each day as a blessing.

• By LIsaAC
• Reply 3390141
• September 19, 2012 at 9:56 pm
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Has he been on Temodar? I have an Oliogendroglioma with deletions and has kept my tumor stable without any radiation. I also had a partial resection Sept of 2010.

• By agbecky
• Reply 3392438
• September 20, 2012 at 5:44 pm
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My husband underwent chemo and RT for GBM during Janurary and February. At his one month after treatment MRI, there was a spot that showed up that they weren't sure about. I was very nervous about it. The radiation-oncologist just said it was "contrast enhancement" and was unconcerned. Our neuro-oncologist was more cautious and ordered another MRI the following month. In all, he had monthly MRI's in April, May and June. The "spot" continued to show up, but didn't grow or show any other signs of being a tumor or cancerous. We hadn't had an MRI since June, until yesterday. The MRI was clear. The suspicious spot was nearly gone, much less visible and smaller than before. They say this confirms it was just due to the radiation treatments. His MRI was excellent and we are greatly relieved. I hope you will have the same experience of it being just temporary due to the radiation and not anything to fear. Hold onto hope!!
Becky

• By Marcusg
• Reply 3394707
• September 21, 2012 at 12:58 pm
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Hi, thanks Becky & Lisa. I'm glad your husbands situation turned out to be nothing serious. At least it proves that sometimes these things can turn out to be harmless. I just hope that its the same here. To be honest he did a scan just before the RT which was clear and another after the RT which showed this 'Spot', I'd be really shocked that a new tumor could sprout up in just 7 weeks, whilst undergoing RT, so hopefully it is just a side effect of the RT itself. Unfortunately when there's the slightest element of doubt I can't help over-worrying about all the worst case scenarios. Lisa, he's not on any medication other than the anit-seizure Keppra and is seriously much fitter and healthier right now than I am so trying to focus on that.

Love & peace to all, M

• By DebbieMc (Inactive)
• Reply 3435946
• October 6, 2012 at 10:01 am
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I understand how you're feeling M. I too get over-worried. I am waiting for MRI results which I get Wednesday. If this one is clear like the last they will continue chemo but if it is not they won't. My family has been on an emotional roller coaster since my diagnosis in Feb 2012. Take care, Debbie

• By steven5
• Reply 3438133
• October 7, 2012 at 9:16 am
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Marcusg,

One of the hardest things to do is keep perspective while going through a brain tumor. I find you have to keep your eye on the positive aspects and not to panic over the negative stuff. After 7 procedures and surgeries in six years, I learned to deal with the panic by getting myself back on track. I write the positve stuff down in reminders, and closely monitor the progress. Set short term goals, medium term goals, and long term goals. I find in doing so I lessen anxiety and panic. If I need to put a picture on the wall, or a note on the refrigerator, to remind me of the progress I do it. Rather than a constant reminder of a tumor, an MRI can be a useful tool to monitor progress. The focus needs to be positive focus.

Steven

• By DebbieMc (Inactive)
• Reply 3438342
• October 7, 2012 at 10:44 am
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My friend just gave me the similar advice. My MRIs will be every 2 months so I have to find a way to deal with my emotions.

• By Mamike
• Reply 3440959
• October 8, 2012 at 11:35 am
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Marc:

Take a deep breath and relax. Grade 2 Oligo is not aggresive and is very treatable. I myself had a resection of a grade 2 in June 2011. It is a very frightening thing but, as was explained to me, Grade 2 Oligos are very slow growing and I most likely had mine for many, many years before I had my seizure, and that probably pertains to your partner as well. The second most importatnt thing with brain tumors, after type, is location. Where was your partners located? If it's in an area that is accessible then outcome is more favorable since the primary treatment of brain tumors is removal, or resection. The other factor with Oligos is the genetic deletions. If you have the deletions, the cells are much more sensitive to chemo and radiation. The final factor is what can you control? That means your diet and exercise habits. Keeping yourself in shape by working out and eating the proper foods can also help your body in fighting this tumor. Stop eating red meat, go organic when possible, eat lots of blueberries and take supplements , Tumeric in particular. There is a great anti cancer book written by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber , " Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life". Get it, read it and use it in your dailey lives. Brain Tumors suck but the one we have is very survivable. I've spoke to many long term survivors who have this same tumor, 13 year , 14 even 17 year survivors. They all have the same advice. Change your lifestyle and get on with living. Positive attitudes and engaging the enemy can help fight the beast. One other thing, stay away from cell phones!! I know the research says there is no connection but why take the chance. Get head phones or buds and use them whenever you use your cell phone. That's it for now, good luck and enjoy life! Life is good!!

• By j2xsurvivor
• Reply 3445029
• October 9, 2012 at 5:53 pm
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This sounds very Similar to my recent experience I am a 2x Olididoglioma brain tumor survivor . I go for MRI's every 6-8 months to check up on the areas that were operated on. My last one showed something and they made me wait week upon week.....Finally they cam back and told me I had to go back for additional tests. Of course I was scared! But why worry before there is really something to worry about,right? The test results came back fine and my Dr. said it was just the scar tissue from around the operation areas.... Whew! But when I had mine done they had to cut my scull open I'm not so afraid today! I just saw a show on TV and actually taped it on our kind of tumor (which happens to be extremely rare....aren't we the lucky ones!) where they don't have to do any cutting they just inject a tool through your ear or nose ( haven't had the chance to watch the entire show (the Doctor's ).
Amazing! So I wouldn't worry too much! Good luck with everything....Please keep me posted..(=

• By suzieta
• Reply 3446719
• October 10, 2012 at 10:33 am
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I am very new to this scene with my husband just having had his GBM4 diagnosis in August 2012. However, with having gone through the brain surgery, decadron (which made him CRAZY), and now radiation and chemo . . . I never in a million years thought I'd be saying this . . . . medical marijuana has been a God-send.

It's helped him with the physical pain, the effects of the decadron, the discomfort of radiation and chemo, nausea, anxiety, loss of appetite and insomnia. Maybe everyone will not have that kind of amazing relief, but he has. We are now learning how to cook it into cookies which is even more effective. My husband doesn't want to be smoking anything and the cookie (which he just tried over the weekend) was a huge help for him. He has been able to eat really well and not take the anti-nausea meds which made him very constipated. His prayer and meditation practice is also invaluable. Best to everyone - Suzie