question about oligodendroglioma

rosiegirl · New User Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

My boyfriend (who was 30 at the time) was diognosed with a grade 2 oligodendroglimo about a year and a half ago. They were able to resect almost all of the tumor, but because it was located in his left frontal they had to be careful not affect his speech and motor skills. He has had a pretty healthy recovery, no treatments...but as a person he has changed so much. I just wanted to know if anyone who has had brain surgery or who is close with someone who has had it has noticed major changes in mood and personality. I understand that there is going to be changes, but this is to the point of not even being the same person anymore. We have recieved so much positive information about this kind of tumor...but I feel like he looks at it as a death sentence.

brainman

Hi rosiegirl, I am so very sorry about your boyfriend's brain cancer.

I was diagnosed with a glioma grade 2 over 15 years ago. It took me a couple of years to come to terms with it. I know what you mean when you say he looks at it as a death sentence because that is how I felt about it. The cancer has had a profound impact on my life and outlook. Mine has affected my speech and right arm and hand. You can read my story by clicking on the link in my signature block. My cancer did recur in 2005 as a grade 3 oligodendroglioma. Nevertheless, I live on.

Be as patient as you can with your boyfriend. He needs you whether he knows it or not.

You and your boyfriend are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

In

Hi rosiegirl,

I am so very sorry about your boyfriend's brain cancer. I don't know much about BrainCancer, but had a friend who's Father had a tumor.

I think that any Cancer changes you- weither for the good, or bad. I do know that my friends dads- Personallity changed alot. I have heard that personalities change- even after treatment and no imeadiate fear of death etc. I don't know if this is true or not- Jim, But anything with the Brain is prone to change things such as personality, behaviour etc.

Stay strong, be there, and try not to take his frustration, fear too personal.

Good Luck. Inica
_________________
Thinking of you Inica

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rosiegirl · New User Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Thank you both for the support...I think that is amazing that you have made it through so much with a positive attitude. I truely believe that your attitude affects your recovery.

When he was first diognosed with the tumor (which was not cancerous) we were all very positive, even after the first doctor said it would probablly kill him, he went into surgery making jokes...but since then everything changed. He is on a very high dose of anti-depressents, and litteraly stays in his apartment alone playing video games or watching TV almost every night. If he does go out, its alone...he doesnt like talking or even listening. Whats even worse is that he is in sales so monday through friday he has to "fake it" basically acting as if his life is normal. No one understands that its far from that. He has treated me so horrible at times because he had a "bad day", and I truely think that he is unaware of his actions.....Im sorry I know this isnt a counseling session...I just want to know whats "normal"....I am going to read your story Jim and pass it along to him.....

Have a great day!

Derek

Rosiegirl,
You are the first other person who has noticed personality changes as a result of brain surgery.
My wife had a few centimeter diameter grade 2 oligodendroglioma, which was predominantly in the right frontal lobe, but also crossed the corpus cavernosum just into the left frontal lobe.
Unfortunately due to complications with haemorrhage and more resection needed there was more damage to the left frontal lobe than was originally anticipated.
The main differences are a lack of motivation and reduced productivity, which noone else notices as frontal lobe injuries can appear paradoxically normal.
Increased moodiness and less moderation or regulation of what the person says is also noted.
Strangely, there is more indifference to the tumour, than worrying about it being a death sentence, than what I would have previously expected, which is maybe not such a bad thing.
I hope your boyfriend improves, and becomes more interested in life,
Derek

brainman

Changes in personality and behavior with brain cancer greatly depend on where the cancer is located. If it is in the frontal lobe and other "personality" areas, it can cause significant changes.

As Inica said, just having any type of cancer can also cause changes in personality and behavior... sometimes positive changes, but most of the time negative changes.

I wish gliomas had the impact on us like it did to John Travolta's character in the movie "Phenomenon." That movie came out 4 years after my diagnosis. When close to the end the doctor told him that he had an Astrocytoma, I burst into tears because that is NOT what happened to me!
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Derek · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject: Corpus callosum

The mid-line of the brain is actually the Corpus Callosum, not what I stated above.
I have studied anatomy, but brain anatomy is not something that I ever really had to know about before this!!
From what I know a glioma that crosses over the corpus callosum is not a good thing, but every other prognostic factor has been to date.
Going back to the original topic, as brainman stated, any personality or behavioural changes that occur as a result of brain cancer and it's treatment, are not generally favourable ones - and often the sufferer lacks the insight to see that themselves.
Derek

Anonymous · Guest

Hi rosiegirl,

First of all I am so very sorry about your boyfriend's brain cancer.

In june 2004 I had an operation( I have a glioom grade II, astrocytoom, in my left partial brain ) and I can say now...it really did change my personality...sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a bad way. I've had therapy and had to learn to keep my emotions and anger under control...but it worked Wink

But I always stayed possitive and try to smile a lot.
It's really wierd if it does happen but you just can't beat that problem... it just happens...

I wish your boyfriend and you all the best and please try to be there for him because he really needs it even when he does not realize it.
Even when you think...why am i still being nice to him...

Andrea.

rosiegirl · New User Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

you guys nailed it, everything that you stated in behavior changes is exactly the way my boyfriend acts. His lack of motivation is pretty extreme though. I appreciate your input and I feel a lot more at ease about the situation. The hard part is that I have a 4 year old daughter (from a previous relationship) and I am not sure that I can allow the situation to take a toll on her. Do any of you have children and if so how has the situation affected them?

brainman · Last edited by brainman on Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:33 pm; edited 1 time in total

When I was first diagnosed, I had three children under the age of 7. My son was only 3. I have pictures of him visiting me in the hospital and sitting on my lap. I think it was good for him to visit me and not for me to simply disappear from his life. My children have always been involved in my hospitalizations and home care.

My children have really been hit hard by cancer since three of there grandparents have died due to cancer and since I have cancer as well. I think they have turned out alright and might, in fact, be better able to handle other problems in their lives because of this history with cancer. All of the four of use had different kinds of cancer. The closest was my cancer and my mother's cancer... both with gliomas.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Anonymous · Guest

I myself have a daughter from a previous relationship.
When I was diagnosed she was about to turn 6.
My friend took good care of her and brought her to school and all that...
But I am the on with the tumor and a daughter...and I was slowly becomming someone else, even if I didn't want to, it did happen.

She has been always with us from the moment I was diagnosed, we were very open about the situation to her ( in the language of a 6 year old )
And yes she sometimes was worried too, I am her mom, but it was never a too big tol on her cause we talked about it.

I had a hard time because I could not do the things a mam does with her daughter, as take her to school and play with her.
Now a walk with her to school every morning.

She is a very noisy and "jumping-around" child... Wink

no problem..but not good for my head.. I even get dizzy from all that because I can't handle noisy situations.

I hope he can talk about what is going on in his head, because that really helps him. ( and for you to understand how to handle )

Andrea.

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