Driving

CTTK06 · New User Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 7

Hello,

My mom was diagnosed with a high grade Oligoastocystoma in February. She had surgery on 2/10 and her last radiation treatment is Thursday 4/16. She will be off the temodar for 28 days then on 5 - that rotation for at least a year. She is going crazy not being able to drive and is driving me crazy asking when/if she can drive again. I just left a message for the neurosurgeon because her follow-up appointment isn't until May 18th. I am not comfortable letting her drive as I can see changes in her corrdination, short term memory, and decision making but haven't been able to tell her that yet. Has anyone else had loved ones who have been able to drive after treatment? If so how long after? Any suggestions/information would be appreciated.
Thank you
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Tonya
Mom dx 2/10/09 51 yrs young
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendakamuda

plugh · Regular Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 48

Not sure I can answer your question exactly - different people and circumstances mean different rules. I had surgery to remove a Grade II Oligodendroglioma in Aug 07. Initial symptoms had been partial seizure (never lost consciousness). When it was found on my MRI was told not to drive home (devastating news) and was not able to drive for 3-4 months after surgery. NeuroOncologist had to provide a report to NJ DMV to say I was seizure free and was ok to drive. Different states seem to have differnt rules - NY state has a no driving rule immediately you have a seizure for instance. I have to have my Dr submit a report every 3 months now saying I'm ok to drive based on his tests / assessment. The risks of driving are huge if you should lose consciousness or have some blind side defect due to the tumor. It was a huge pain but I did not want to take any risks. I wish you and your Mom all the luck in thre world as you deal with this.

Mama 2 2 · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Driving

Hi Tonya,

Sorry to hear about your mom's glioma. When my husband was diagnosed in 2002 it was just over a year before he could drive again - but he had also had 2 grand mal seizures before his first surgery.

After his second surgery 3 1/2 yrs later he had been seizure free the entire time and was restricted from driving for 6 months. Then in 2007 he had a seizure when they discovered the re-growth and it was another 6 months of no driving, but no surgery. As of now, he had a seizure in 2008 and he has decided on his own not to drive any more. We have 2 little ones, and the risk to him, the girls and everyone else on the road is not worth it.

It can be extremely frustrating, but he has now accepted it. However, as Plugh said, everyone is different and every state/province/doctor is different. They should do the neurological exams at her visit to check and see if they feel she is ready to drive. Until then, if you see deficits that may affect her driving maybe you could find a way to gently suggest that it's better for her own safety if she doesn't for a while.

~C~
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brainman · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject: Re: Driving

Tonya, I was specifically told NOT to drive for 6 months after my surgery but I had a history of seizures. If your mother has had a seizure, she should also not drive. The exact number of months varies between 6 and 12 months depending on the state.

I do not have a problem with not driving when someone else is available. However, others are not always available. I try to keep my driving to a minimum anyhow.
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Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
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My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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