Husband w/Oligo

Mama 2 2 · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:07 am Post subject: Husband w/Oligo

Greetings,

Here's a rundown of our story . . . 5 yrs & 10 mos ago (Jan '02 - at age 25) my husband had 2 seizures. Within a month he was in for surgery. The surgeon assured us he got the whole thing and we just needed to have regular mri's to ensure it didn't return (incase he missed a cell or two). We were pretty happy with the whole situation and getting more relaxed about the scans (hoping they would soon get farther apart), when in Oct 05 after a scan we got a call that we needed to come in. The tumor had returned. In Dec '05 (we now had a 10 month old baby girl) he had his second surgery and this time they decided to follow up with radiation. We were also now told that the type of tumor he had will never be completely removed with surgery, it will always come back but the radiation would slow the regrowth to 10-15 yrs. We were told that radiation should be more effective for him than chemo. Again, we were fine with the situation and remained really positive.

Fast forward to Sept '07, (3 days after my due date with our second baby) and he had a seizure again. His last scan (in July) had showed what we were told was most likely scar tissue from the radiation, but a new scan told us it was a regrowth of the tumor once again. Now they are treating him with chemo (temozolomide) and he will have another scan in Jan to see if it has been working.

I feel it is tough to get straight answers on some things from the medical team, and I try to respect that it's because so much is unknown and everyone is different, but with two small children it's really difficult to deal with so much uncertainty and to feel like our time is limited. I know because of that we need to make the most of it, but it's also difficult as it seems like we've been mislead somewhat or they have been incorrect as far as his scenario goes and it gets tougher to have faith. A resident we met with told us that the average life expectancy with this type of tumor is about 15 yrs (he's the only one who has put any type of time frame on things) and I'm wondering if anyone knows if that is to be expected? I'm reading many posts that state even less, around 10 yrs. . . he is young, but the chromosomes 1p/19q are not deleted and I understand this is not favorable and could lessen his life expectancey. Since are already almost 6 years since diagnoses, this is pretty worrysome.

Since they felt the radiation would work best, and that didn't work at all, I'm quite worried now that the chemo won't do much either - especially given the chromosome issue. Fortunately, however, the chemo hasn't hit him too hard as of yet. We have been told the tumor is a low grade (2) oligodendroglioma . Any input from anyone with similar scenarios would be greatly appreciated - I think sometimes it's easier to talk with people who have been through the same rather than the doctors.

Thanks for listening - sometimes even just getting it out to people who will understand is helpful!

~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

Our Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about7982.html
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Noid · Experienced user Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 57

welcom to the forum..and I'm so sorry to hear what your husband is going through. I'm still playing the waiting game, and have had no treatment yet, but I can empathize with you when it comes to doctors not giving much information. My doctors are keeping me mostly in the dark because I have a severe anxiety disorder, and I guess they don't want to make me worse. Well..i think honestly, I'd rather hear the truth than be left in the dark to search the horrifying internet to try to figure out my prognosis. My recommendations is to take things one day at a time, and to try not to look up any images of your husbands conditions. I did that, and couldn't sleep for a week. Shocked

plugh · Regular Joined: 18 Oct 2007 Posts: 18

I'm very sorry to hear about your husbands condition. hopefully the following information has some use though you probably have already been informed of this now.
I too presented with seizures (better prognosis than presenting with damaged brain function), had surgery with 90% removal in Aug this year and was told I have a grade 2 Oligo. I have to say I felt a little misled post surgery too - after biopsy I was told the tumor was 'benign' and thought this was all behind me. Later I was told by my neuro-oncologist that there is no such thing as a benign brain tumor - grade 2 is just a slow growing and therefore less malignant tumor than a higher grade.
As far as I have found out these tumors are almost never fully removable so the extent of your husbands resection was very good. They are well defined and the bulk reduction involves removing as much as possible inside the tumor but leaving whatever parts of the boundary layer have to be left due to the risk of damging needed material. They usually do come back eventually and usually at a higher grade (which your husbands has not so that is good).
Radiation is usually considered a one time deal since it damages good cells as well as bad. However, there are multiple chemo protocols so if one does not work a different one can be tried.
My doctors have told me that these tumors are incurable and the goal is to make this a chronic disease that can be lived with. Advice I have received is to be as agressive as you can and require answers from the doctors.
I wish you and your husband the very best.

ksplat · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Hi "C"
So sorry to hear about your Husband's Oglio. Welcome to this forum, it is a great community of support, info & comfort for sufferer's & carers.
My Bro was diagnosed earlier this year with GBMIV. He's still fighting the good fight & we are looking forward to spending Christmas with him. He reacted badly to radiation early on but has continued on Chemo (temodal)the whole time with few side effects. He is currently on monthly cycle - 5 days on 23 off chemo.
He has had 2 resections this year, as this type of tumour grows aggressively.
We are very sad about his illness, being a close-knit family. He has 3 adult children & 2 grandchildren (babies). Be positive always, make the most of each day. Ask lots of questions. Use & abuse this cancerforum as much as you like. We are here for you always.
Cheers, Aussie Angie.
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

brainman · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 2:56 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Hi C,
My heart goes out to you and your husband and two children. If you read my story (link is in my signature block), you will see that in 1992 I too started to have seizures and was diagnosed with a grade II glioma. I was treated with Chemotherapy only at that time. It did recur in 2005 as a grade III. This last time I had one course of chemo, total surgical resection of the tumor, following by 3 months of radiation therapy. My prognosis is not too good. They tell me it will probably recur sometime in the next 5 years. But the first time they told me that I would die within 10 years!!! I outlived that prediction Smile

and I hope to outlive this last prediction as well Wink

.

I read your post last night shortly after you posted it but wanted to wait until I had time to fully reply. I am glad others have already replied and that you can see that this community is full of very loving and caring people. Many, including me, have either been where you are or where your husband is. At the time of my original diagnosis I had 3 children under the age of 12. My son was only 3. In fact, it was on his 3rd birthday that I had my first seizure. I was out in the middle of nowhere, alone, when I had the first 3. At first, I just thought I was having a "brain freeze" but after the 3rd one, I knew that I had something major going on in my brain. I had 2 more seizures while driving back to the house. Fortunately, my seizures are mild and I was able to pull to the side of the road and apply the brakes. I was not able to make my right arm put the car into park. That was one of the worst days of my life.

I was fortunate to have the 1p/19q gene deletions and chemotherapy worked better for me than it will for your husband. However, it only gives me a slight edge over him. Chemotherapy can still work. I can hear the worry and even fear in your words. The prognosis is not good for either your husband or me. However, as I often say, I like to know my prognosis only in order to set priorities for those things I still can and want to do with whatever time I still have left. After setting those goal, I try to forget the prognosis and take one day at a time working toward my goals. It is easier said than done. Nevertheless, I try.

Your husband and you are in my thoughts and my prayers. Please, if you have any questions, ask and one or more of us will try to help.
_________________
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 · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:00 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Thanks everyone for all your replies and support - I love my family and friends dearly, but it's certainly comforting having people who understand what we are going through a little better (even if only through the computer).

Brainman - I would love to read your story, I've gathered much of it from other posts I've read of yours, but I intend to read the whole thing soon. Just knowing you've been around 15 yrs offers a lot of hope.

This has been ongoing for almost 6 years for us now, and what started out to actually seem like no big deal has just gotten progressively worse. I guess I'm starting to feel like I just need to accept the likelyhood that we will only have a few years left together and try to find a way to ensure my daughters will remember him. That is my biggest fear because I know I don't have many memories before 5-7 yrs old which is how old they could be (currently 2 3/4yrs and 2 months). One thing's for sure I will do everything in my power to ensure it happens. The thoughts, and certainly typing this out just seems so surreal still.

It's certainly not that we're losing hope of a better outcome, I think it's just coming to terms with the negative possibility (something I've never even considered before because we always have been so positive). I don't know - maybe it's just that the n-onc visits bring me down a little. We don't really fit with him personality wise and with this last visit yesterday he clearly just wanted to get out of there as we were his last appointment of the day - it felt like he just wanted to get the appoinment over with.

All I know is my husband is the only man I've ever loved and we've been together for almost 12yrs (met when I was 18!), and I plan to make the most of however much time we have left together.

Take Care!
~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

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

brainman · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

C, it sounds like you have a very loving relationship with your husband Smile

.

The greatest issue for your daughters as they grow up will be the feeling that their father abandoned them. These suggestions will help them to understand that he did not. I have been dealing with the **possibility** of my death for over 15 years now (if not longer). I am now thinking in terms of my grandchildren remembering me Smile

. There are a couple of good ideas going around about this very issue on this forum.

1. A diary. I have a diary-type book that is called "A Father's Legacy" published by Countryman. Is is not a dated diary but it does have space to write. Each page has a question for your husband to answer. They are open-ended type questions rather than just Yes or No questions like:

How did you and mom meet?

Describe the city where you lived when you were little.

Did you and your family take family vacations? Tell me about your favorite one.

And so on. You can probably find it or something like it in most bookstores.

2a. Cards for special days. This can possibly be the best thing your husband can do for his daughters. He can either buy cards or write notes for each of them for special occasions... like graduations and marriages... those dates when a daughter would love to have her father with her. Your husband can write a note in the card, but it in the envelope, seal it, and write on the envelope the name of the child and for what occasion. Then on that occasion, you give the card to your daughter(s). They are already wishing that he were there with them. This will be his way to tell them that he wishes that he had lived to see them on that special occasion in their lives.

2b. A different twist to this is to make a video recording for those special occasions.

I am doing 1 and 2a. If I had a digital camcorder I would do 2b. For my children who are all over 18 now... 2 are already married... I am thinking about special anniversaries and birthdays. My son is finishing High School this year so I have a graduation from college one for him just in case I am not around in 4+ years. I already have on grandchild and in April will have a second one. I am getting cards for them as well.

I am sure that you and your husband can find many other things for your husband to do, make, write, or tape so that your daughters will still be able to feel his presence and love for them.

Here is a link to a similar topic:

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=25647

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 · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:33 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Thanks for the suggestions brainman. I had a similar idea I was going to suggest to him - there is a great Canadian movie called 'My life without me' about a young woman with 2 daughters who is diagnosed with cancer (not brain mind you) and only given a short time left to live. She decides not to tell her family so they don't have to spend the last months in fear, etc. The toughest scene to watch is when she is sitting in her car making taped recordings to her girls for each of their birthdays up until age 18. I think I may wait until we see how the chemo is working to make the suggestion though. The fact that it's something we even are beginning to discuss is still surreal. Even reading the suggestions in your post, while helpful, was difficult.

We also need to discuss if/what/how we will tell family about our expectations for the possibility that there may only be a few years left. He is incredibly close to his mom and stepdad and his two brothers (he is the oldest) and it breaks my heart to think of how this will affect them. We still live close to his parents, but his brothers each moved 2yrs ago - one to Australia and the other to Norway. He has been saying for years that he felt he would never have the chance for the three brothers to all be together again and I always felt it wouldn't be an issue - but now it seems that way. One of his brothers wants to have everyone fly to Norway for a wedding celebration this summer, but there is no way he could get travel insurance and I don't know that he would be up to travel such a distance anyhow.

I've been pretty emotional these past couple of days, but I think it's also because I don't have much opportunity to get it out. I can't really let my oldest daughter see me cry, it is too traumatic for her (she's a sensitive soul). I also don't want to lose it too bad around my husband as I don't want him to worry about me. My newborn even sleeps like a dream, but unfortunately I don't benefit much from it as I am up so late each night either on-line, reading or having too much trouble turning my brain off. I think I need to get more sleep though as I passed out on the couch twice tonight and since my husband just started his chemo meds again he will likely be more tired and might need me.

My mind runs rampant at the best of times so this has been a challenge for sure, but it is nice to vent here . . . I just don't know how coherent it is! Well, I should probably do us all a favour and get to sleep soon (besides, my battery is about to crash on my laptop).

I'm wishing you all the best of health!

Cheers!
~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

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

brainman · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Adjusting to cancer is very difficult for anyone. In the beginning there is just so much uncertainty. It does seem like the world is moving around you in slow motion... like a dream or nightmare. People are speaking but it sounds like they are so far away that their voices sound mumbled and their words do not make sense. Questions kept running though my mind: "Why me? Why now? What will happen next? How will I cope and survive? Do I even want to survive?" It took a long time for me to come to terms with my cancer. Most people think of cancer as some invading force that has crashed into their lives... like an infection of some kind. I see it differently. I look in the mirror and think: "Wow. That cancer is MY cells turning on me." I think it would be easier to accept if I did think of the cancer as something alien to my body. However, accepting it as part of me has been a source of great strength and has helped me to overcome it... at least that is what I believe. I lie in bed trying to relax to tell those cells to slow down and not to grow so fast Very Happy

. I know that sound kind of crazy but I can aways blame it on my brain cancer Laughing

.

Vent on, C. I do all the time Laughing

.
_________________
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 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:29 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Good News! Very Happy

We had my husband's latest MRI scan on Jan 2nd, and though it was a long and exhausting day, we received the best news in that his tumour has responded to the chemo and has shrunk almost completely!!!

I must admit that we were not expecting to hear that, and neither was our medical team apparently . . . our n-onc didn't meet with us this time (again), but the nurse even said they didn't really think it would work. Acutally, one of the last things we had heard from our n-onc was that they wanted to move our scheduled Dec 21st appointment to Jan 2nd because of the holidays and "besides, most people don't want news like that before Chirstmas anyway" (acutal quote). He sure knows how to make you feel confident!

I was also glad it happened that my husbands parents were there - they have had a really tough time with this whole thing and have not come to any of his doc's visits and didn't even wait at the hospital during either of his surgeries (but they did visit the hospital after). I was SO worried about how they may have responded to bad news, but thankfully it was great news!

It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off our chests for the time being and we can breathe a little easier for now. It made the new year (12 yr anniversary of when we met) a little happier. He will stay on the temozolomide and we have another 3 months before stressing out over the next MRI. He hates taking the chemo, but it isn't too bad for side effects and if it's working, we won't complain. I've also found some complimentary treatment we are trying (ruta 6, spices, melatonin, etc, etc) as why the hell not!

I wish you all a Happy & Healthy New Year!

~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

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

Mama 2 2 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:47 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Oh yeah, one other thing . . . it turns out his tumour is actually a mixed glioma - mainliy oligo, but some astrocyte cells to making it an oligoastrocytoma.

It's funny because doing some 'research' (ie looking online until all hours of the morning) I started to suspect that his tumour may be mixed and asked. Why this wasn't clear to us before, I don't know. Maybe we were told and in all the haze we missed it somehow. . . . Ah well, I guess it doesn't change much.

Cheers once again!
~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

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

brainman · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Hi C, this is wonderful news. I am so glad that your husband is responding so well to chemotherapy Very Happy

. Yeah, I hear you about waiting for 3 more months before the next MRI. Believe me, even after all this time, I still become anxious before an MRI wondering if it will show a recurrence Confused

.

A "mixed" glioma is not too uncommon. In fact, at one point in the history of the studies of glioma, the term "astrocytoma" was used for a grade I or II glioma, "oligodendroglioma" was a grade III glioma, and "GBM" was a grade IV glioma. To a certain degree, this is still roughly true: How often have you read about a grade I GBM? I have never heard of a low grade GBM.

My original diagnosis was a astrocytoma grade II but when it recurred in 2005 it was diagnosed as an oligodendroglioma grade III. Since my new medical team could not get my original biopsy slides, they could not recheck that first diagnosis. My hunch is that I too had a mixed glioma. However, since the treatment options are all the same, I just usually say that a glioma is a glioma is a glioma Wink

. As far as I know, this is one of the rare cases where the exact cell type is not so important... the grade is what is important.

You and your husband continue to be 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/

Tammy · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Hi Mama 2 2 ~C~ *soft smiles*
How are you today? I am sorry to hear about your husbands condition and you seem to both have a loving relationship, honor that its special. I bet your children are special little angels as well. How is your hubby doing now a days? Any better than before? And his seizures were they partial or full blown before and now if any? You say its 6 years since the surgey? was that craniotomy or biopsy? Sorry for all the questions....I am on a question roll,,,,,,must be the drugs,,joking
I just have been reading your story. Your husband has gr2 oligodendroglioma and they operated right away? Is it still grade 2? And same kind? Makes me wonder why they only had a biopsy done on mine, no chemo or anything, do you feel maybe its because I have it on my right frontal lobe? Wonder if there is a difference. I never had a full blown seizure only half my body gets a creepy crawly feelings and I get almost like I am drunk,,,*no I am not a drunk* ha ha just feel like I have drank till I have a hard time to walk and speak, after I lay down and sleep for about 2-4 hours I am ok. I shall let ya go now, Take Care my friend! Until the next chat/type which ever =) *hugz*
Tam~

"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Mama 2 2 · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:26 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Hi Tam,

Sorry for taking so long to respond - it's been a rough couple of weeks as my husband has had a wicked cough and cold. He's been feeling just awful and exhausted but he keeps going to work. We had our ‘agency day’ on Wed, and his n-onc originally tried to brush off the cough as no big deal, but when he listened to his breathing with the stethoscope he realized how bad his breathing was and prescribed him an asthma puffer for a few days to try and help clear it up. Right now he’s falling asleep on the couch as usual, insisting he’s watching the game, and refusing to give me the remote.

Our little ones have been fighting the colds too, but the humidifier and lemon and honey 'tea' has been helping loads. My girls certainly are our angels. It was such a blessing that our baby was born just days before finding out about his tumour regrowth as it has really helped us keep positive with the new little life in our house.

Here's the longer version of how we found his diagnosis . . . When he had the seizures, the were full blown grand mal. First one at a bus stop downtown Vancouver at 12:30am. THANKFULLY there was someone else at the bus stop who saw it happen and called 911 - I sure wish I could thank that person. Last thing he remembered was sitting down at the stop, feeling really tired - next thing he knew he was in an ambulance. It sucked because I usually would pick him up from work, but he called that night and told me it would be a late night and not to worry about it. I also would usually wait up for him, but this night I had decided to go to bed. The next thing I knew the phone was ringing at about 2 am - I thought he must have missed the last bus, but he was calling from the hospital. Since he's a chef I assumed he cut or burned himself, so I was really shocked when he said it was a seizure. I drove downtown and we were at the hospital until 4am (I also threw up because I hated hospitals so much). They initially said that it was likely just due to the stress of his day and the cat scan showed nothing, but they would do some follow up tests in a couple weeks.

Just days before those tests were to be done his family doc called and asked what happened. Apparently something on the scan 'bothered' him and he would call back. An hour or so later he got a call from the MRI department to ask questions so they could schedule him in. When my husband asked when he would have one they said probably not for six weeks or so. Later that day we were called again and told he would be in the NEXT DAY for the MRI and that it was either a tumour, a cist, or something else I can't remember. The MRI the next day confirmed the tumour. SHOCK. Surgery was going to be in 2 weeks (Feb 18th '02). The day after we got the news, he was on the phone with his aunt telling her about it, and he had another seizure. He was home alone but she could tell on the phone that something was wrong. Thankfully (again) she was a nurse at our local hospital so she was able to direct the paramedics to our condo and tell them all the info about his tumour - because he was so disoriented when they arrived and he had forgotten about it (wipes out his short term memory). He was angry and didn't want to go with them because he was insisting he was fine. The worst thing about the most recent seizure (3rd) was the fact that our daughter, at the time 2 ½, witnessed it. It was the first one I had seen and was completely traumatic for me, so I can't imagine what it did to her. She was just screaming for daddy to stop and was crying so much I could hardly hear the 911 operator. To see him so disoriented afterwards was hard as here is a man you love, you've known 12 years, always so strong - asking the same questions over and over again, not remembering something I said just seconds after saying it, completely confused, slurring his speech, eyes glazed. I was worried about him having another for weeks, as for some reason it took some time before they got him back on the dilantin. The memory of it is still so strong in my mind.

Both his surgeries went great though - I couldn't believe he was out of the hospital in just a couple days each time - and they got the 'whole thing' (almost). Fortunately all three times it has been in the same area (though this time they said it was just on the 'lip' outside the area from last time) and they have always considered it grade 2 - though I really hope that's the case as it seems like a quick recurrence from the last surgery in Dec 05, followed by radiation ending in Mar 06 - they suspected possible regrowth on scan in July 07 and confimed it with the scan after his seizure in Oct 07. Especially since it was over 3 1/2 years after the first surgery before they noticed it again and did the second surgery.

I don't know why they wanted to operate right away though - I don't remember it being much of an option posed to us, just what was going to happen (though I guess you can always say no!). They did radiation after the second surgery because this was supposed to slow the inevitable regrowth (they said for 10-15yrs, HA!), and because of the 1p/19q present in his tumour, they figured radiation would be more effective. Maybe the location of yours has something to do with the 'wait and see' approach. I've heard from others that they take this approach more often now so long as it isn't causing too many problems for the person, as they don't want to use up all their 'bullets' too soon. You can really only do radiation once, only so many surgeries, and chemo has some limits too. I’m also a little worried because at our last visit on Wed, the n-onc said that they actually prefer to see a slow, gradual shrinkage of the tumour, rather than a sudden or dramatic shrinkage, because if it’s more dramatic it means that the tumour is more aggressive and likely to come back sooner. The nurse we met with last time said that she said it was dramatic shrinkage. He said it was not the ‘most dramatic’ he’d seen, but he’s always so vague, and I don’t always like asking too many questions that may upset my husband. He (the n-onc) even admitted to us he likes to keep a ‘straight face’ and doesn’t like to get too worked up either way. Tough to get a sense of what’s happening though . . . .

Well, there’s my novel! Sorry it’s so long – I’m such a details person . . . I tried to cut it down some but I’m obviously not good at that. I’ve just been having a rough couple of days with it all. That happens once in a while for me – usually around the days we have to go into town to the cancer agency, like now. Also probably because he’s been so sick and exhausted, but isn’t taking care of himself. I’m sure I’ll cheer up in a few days though – at least he’s awake now and really is watching the game! It’s a good one though we (the Canucks of course) can’t seem to pull a win out in regulation . . . .

Have a great weekend!
~C~
_________________
~Life's too sweet to be bitter~

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

Tammy · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:56 am Post subject: Re: Husband w/Oligo

Hello again ~C~
No need to apologize for a late reply, I understand. Also as one would say *better to have it late than never* =)
I cant imagine what it is like for you to go through all of this and my heart goes out to you. I am lost for words at this time and moment, but am replying to let you now I have read your reply. I want to thank you ever so kindly for sharing your story as I realize at times its annoying to keep repeating it. A friend

Tam~ *hugz*

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