My husband has oligodendroglioma

pauline · New User Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Location: PORTUGAL

hi, all i am new to this site. my husband was diognosed 5 years ago with ogliodondroglioma grade 2, the tumor was removed and radiation folowed, He recovered well, until Late August the tumor came back in another place. This time it was a grade 4 very agressive tumor. After surgery in september, he had complications massive lung emboly, and went back to the ICU. But he recovered, than chemo started, now he is starting his 6 chemo this week but the tumor is back again 2 cm. Temodol is very exspenssive but lucky my insurance pays 96 %. He is not doing well, i dont know how long the chemo can hold the cancer manageble, but i fear he will die soon he is only 65.

brainman

pauline, I am very sorry about your husband cancer. I you read my story (links in my signature block) you will see that I am a 15 year survivor of an astrocytoma (another form of a glioma) grade II. My cancer did recur in 2005 but as a grade III.

It sounds like your husband's cancer may now be a Gliobastoma Multiform (GBM). My mother died of a GBM in 1998 only two months after her diagnosis but she was older and opted for no treatments. By the time they found hers, it was very large and causing a midline shift of her brain.

You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.

Abraços,
_________________
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/

pauline · New User Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Location: PORTUGAL

Hi Jim thanks for the support my husband indeed has gliobastoma multiform (GBM). His left side is weak and his speech is affected althought he can stil speak but softly and with a slur. I find it very strange that he cant do simple things, (remotes) but can discus politics and knows everything. Also he has to be watched al the time as he sometimes fals down and i am not strong enough to help him of the floor. Lucky he has no pain, he is on steroids to make him stronger, and to controle the fluid in his brain. I find this site a comfort reading about other expierences. He is on dilantine and bloodthinners.

Regards
Pauline

brainman

Hi Pauline,

Sometimes, Gliomas affect people in very strange ways depending on where they are located. It is perfectly understandable (to me) that your husband has trouble with the remode but know trouble with talking about politics. One deals with motor skills (including possible his falling, by the way). The other deals with his cognition.

The steroids will indeed help him. Since to doctors probably concider his condition to be terminal it is likely that he will be on steroids for the rest of his life. The one major thing you should watch out for is stomach problems (ulcers).

Best wishes,
_________________
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/

Mama 2 2

Hello Pauline,

I am so sorry to hear of your husband's condition. My husband also has an oligo tumour, though fortunately at this point it is still grade 2. He was diagnosed 6 yrs ago and we are almost at the 6yr anniversary of his first surgery.

I guess you can find blessings in the fact that he can still talk politics and be involved in discussions of the sort. I think as long as you can see some positives in the situation that is incredibly helpful.

Best of luck to you both - you are in our thoughts.
~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

Our Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about7982.html
www.caringbridge.org/visit/eliasminatsis

Tammy · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject: My husband has oligodendroglioma

Hi Pauline,
I am sorry to hear about you and your husbands struggle with this nasty condition. There are alot of people here that you can relate with and get the strength you need to help cope. My heart goes out to you and your husband. I know you must feel like you are in the gutter at times, but try to keep looking at the stars. My prayers, positive thoughts are with you both. *hugz*
Tam~

Trigggl · Regular Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Posts: 25 Location: LR, Ar

Pauline,

Sorry to hear about the nasty recurrence your husband is having. I'm a survivor of Oligodendroglioma myself. Mine was diagnosed in 2004. I find it interesting that your husband was treated with radiation the first time. I was put on PCV chemo myself. Do you know what chemo your husband is taking now? I hear that there are now tablets that can be placed directly in the skull to be able to bypass the blood/brain barrier.

I hope things improve for you husband and that you will be comforted in some way during this time. I'm sure my wife can relate to you.
_________________
Greg --> 3 years and counting
http://www.geocities.com/trigggl/
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=365&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

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