Hello Smiley, How is it going with you all? This is not fun, watching our husbands going through this. If you want to chat!!!! ... View more

At least we finally got the information we were after, it may not have been the greatest but at least we can work with it. I do not like being in the dark as that wastes time. We will go home for a bit of r&r before coming back for treatment. Wishing all a Happy Easter. ... View more

At least we finally got the information we were after, it may not have been the greatest but at least we can work with it. I do not like being in the dark as that wastes time. We will go home for a bit of r&r before coming back for treatment. Wishing all a Happy Easter. ... View more

Hey Peanutz, After we had the tumour removed last year we had 6 weeks of radiation and 6 weeks of chemo (as a block) at the same time, then the chemo went to monthly sessions. We were told at the time that it is not normal to offer radiation for a second time in our case if another tumour came radiation would be considered. So now we are going to have another round of radiation for 6 weeks and it will be same dose or higher. We thought that since there is a chemo appointment sitting there we would attend and see what they can offer, whether we have the combined radiation and chemo, just radiation to start and do chemo later or finally no chemo. So now we sit and wait. ... View more

1232michelle, My husband was working as a bus driver when one morning slept in and had to be reminded about work, once there the staff thought he was having a stroke due to dropped face and sent him to hospital. The next day he was airlifted to PA and the specialist came by and informed him he would no longer be allowed to work. It was a blow as we were starting to build the house and required the monies. I too had to resign due to the care my husband would require. It has been very interesting since June last year. With GBM it is better to be diagnosed as a younger person as it is indicated that the older a person the less chance of long term survival. Health also plays an important part, if the person is healthy and had good brain function prior to diagnoses then a high success of survival but in saying that all specialists will indicate that as everybody is different and the brain so complex they cannot really give lenght of survival rates. At first when working with someone who is experiencing loss of brain function it can be very frustrating for both the person and those who are providing the care. It will take time for both parties to come to terms with the situation (it took me a few months to come to terms with the situation and how to work with my husband without taking away to much of his independence), I was lucky in a small aspect due to having worked for 11 years in the disability sector, which I could use when working with my husband. I have found by obtaining as much information from doctors, internet, forums have assisted me in understanding the situation. Ask questions no matter how silly you think they are, as it may be that they are not. With my husband the tumour played around with his blood pressure, so we purchased a machine to monitor the blood pressure which has been a fantastic help for both doctors and specialists. I also have started a diary (at first due to medical issues as advised by specialists) which I write how the day was in both medical and personal areas, I write the stories my husband tells about his life, about our daily lives, and in time I can edit and compile the information and give to children and grandchildren as a legacy of his life. Also take lots of photos when I can, again for legacy for children and grandchildren. The most important part of this all is to show love, support and enjoy life as much as possible with what time is left. ... View more

GBM GlioBlastoma Multiforme, has many forms/grades with grade 4 being the most aggressive of the four. It forms in the Glio Cells in the brain. The younger the person the better the results. It has been indicated in paperwork that it grade 4 GBM tends to happen more often in males between the age of 40 to 75 years of age. My husband was not quite 60 when we found out that he has a GBM (we had sent him to hospital with a suspected stroke due to drop in facial muscles). He had surgery to remove a 4 by 3cm tumour from right side frontal lobe. Within 2 months a second tumour started to grow on left side frontal lobe which stopped growing when the radiation (was in the line of fire of the radiation when specialists were radiating the remained of the tumour removed) and chemo started. We continued with MRI' every two months and in March this year, it was found that a third tumour (left side temporal lobe) has grown to over 3cm and after three weeks of phone tag and running around we have been informed that surgery will not be done on this tumour due to affects of surgery. So now we only have raditation and a possibility of chemo, we will know later this month. It has been an interesting ride through cancer, I have learnt so much, I also have found it sad due to watching the decline in my husbands health. Having a positive attitude, getting out there to enjoy life, take many photo', set up a network of family and friends all help in times like these. ... View more

Well we never got to do the 7th chemo session as the MRI in March indicated that the 1.2cm tumour is now over 3cm and we were sent to PA to see specialist. After three weeeks of phone tag and running around we found out that surgery will not be done. The new tumour is sitting in the left temporal lobe in the area of communication. We will be doning another round of radiation to start later this month and will see the chemotherapist to see what is on offer there. It is likely that we also have less than 12 months. ... View more

Well we never got to do the 7th chemo session as the MRI in March indicated that the 1.2cm tumour is now over 3cm and we were sent to PA to see specialist. After three weeeks of phone tag and running around we found out that surgery will not be done. The new tumour is sitting in the left temporal lobe in the area of communication. We will be doning another round of radiation to start later this month and will see the chemotherapist to see what is on offer there. It is likely that we also have less than 12 months. ... View more

Hello, My husband was diagnosed with GBM in June last year. He opted for surgery, along with radiation (6 week course) and chemo (temadol, 6 week block and then a monthly course). In Sept last year a small mark was noted, then in Jan due to slow progression in size was decided that it may be a side effect of medication, then in March this year at the last MRI the small mark had tripled in size to become another GBM. Now we are waiting to hear from hospital for surgery to be booked and start radiation in April. With the first GBM we were told with removal and treatment a life expcetancy of up to 24 months looks good, now we have been given similar stats as peanutz (3 months if nothing done, 6 months if surgery is done, 9 months with surgery and treatment). Since the diagnoses I have been writing a daily journal (at first it was due to doctors asking us to document for medical purposes and now I write everything from medical issues to how our day was). We try and go out as often as we can, we have family days when it can be arranged, even had a photo shoot. We continue to remain positive but also know that life is something we borrow, at first I was very upset that I would loose my soulmate but then realised that we all will pass in time from this world and take all opportunities to spend time with my husband for the time he has left.I look at it that at least I know that he has precious time left, where as if this had not happened and our world was without cancer does not mean that life would have been perfect as life can be taken so fast that we could miss the opportunity to say I Love You, or take back that word or action prior to losing our loved one. Peanutz:- the younger the person the better the chances (my husband is 60 and is on the borderline for age), an adult in their 40' has a better chance than someone in the 60'. GBM is very aggressive, and due to the fact that there are more than one type of cell which makes up the GBM, it makes it harder to get rid of as more than one treatment is required. I am wishing you all the best. ... View more

Hello Starline, When we found out my husband had cancer, I found going on the net to search for organisations and information in regrads to the cancer. Once i obtained the infomation I was able to assist my husband to understand the cancer. The internet has heaps of info, type in lung cancer and watch the info, at the end of the day it will depend how much you want to know, I feel the more the better as when you are armed with info it makes it easier when visiting specialists, and understanding the process. ... View more