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I figure I should start Part 3 although there as been no major change since August when I had my last MRI.
Something I do not think I have told you is that after a life-long dependence on my voice being clear and strong, my voice is failing me. It started in 2005 after my surgery and has not gotten worse or better since then. I now stutter. Some days my voice is very normal... like it used to be. But some days it is very bad. Sunday was a bad day in terms of my speaking clearly. I went to church but was so embarrassed that I left as soon as the minister said "Amen". Before service so many people approached me asking how I was doing and it was almost impossible to tell them. Going to church should be an uplifting experience but I felt worn down by all the care I was receiving . I know they meant well. However, I still felt embarrassment about not speaking clearly.
There may be something that could help. Does the stuttering get worse when you are around people? If so, maybe an anti-anxiety pill may help you with some of your symptoms.
I notice it more when I am around people because I try to avoid talking to myself .
It might have to do with stress but I have had this stuttering problem at times of low stress as well. And I have had "good days" when I was really stressed out about something.
It might have something to do with feeling tired. But, again, I have had times when I was really very tired and could talk normally.
My seizures do affect my ability to speak. In fact, that is their major presentation. So I think it is just post surgical scarring... at least that is what my neurologist told me.
Just one of those "little" things cancer has thrown my way that I have to adjust to.
hey Jim, how you doin? I ran into one of my counselors from last yr for sexual abuse survivors group; she told me on Thanksgiving day her brother announced to the family he has brain cancer. the docs found two seperate growths ( tumors duh ) on the left side of his brain. I gave her the web info for chooshope.com but couldn't remember the link for here. she's suppose to call me tonight to get it from me. will it be alright if i told her about you and maybe her family and brother could talk to you? the family is very discouraged and they really need to talk to someone who has beaten brain cancer and could give them some hope. well gotta go pick up my son from preschool. talk to you later, in my heart always, Kat
My Story : http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7371
~~ survivor fighter; been shot, stabbed, 3rd degree burns, head rammed into window, molestation, rape, and Cervical Cancer twice, been in remission over 9 mnths through level 3 malignance...~~~
AND I'M STILL KICKING!!!!
Kat, I will be glad to talk with him and help him in any way that I can. I am very sorry about his cancer and tell him about my experience too. It is highly unusual for a person to have two gliomas. Maybe they are connected... It will be interesting to talk with him. Sad, but interesting.
My Story : http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7371
~~ survivor fighter; been shot, stabbed, 3rd degree burns, head rammed into window, molestation, rape, and Cervical Cancer twice, been in remission over 9 mnths through level 3 malignance...~~~
AND I'M STILL KICKING!!!!
Jim, I just read your whole story here, and all the comments.
You're amazing. And you're doing us all a huge service. I don't think anybody except another cancer patient can understand exactly what this is like. Hang in there.
Thank you all for your support. It helps to be able to have understanding people around... even if "around" literally means "around the world via the Internet" .
I am almost totally asymptomatic at this time. I still have noticeable right hand and arm weakness and I stutter some days. I also continue to have balance problems so I do not dare climb on a ladder even to change a light bulb :P. But now of this is a significantly different from when I had my last MRI in August 07. My next MRI is Feb 19th. That will be my next update for all of you. Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement over these years. I wish I had started a forum like this back in 1992-3 when I really needed one :P.
Hi Jim, how are you feeling today. It get rough at times uh. I really feel for you, as you are dealing with your own cancer, yet you are here to help us. I think of you as an inspiring and selfless person. You are one of a kind,there are very few of you left here on this earth. I am sorry to hear about your complications and really feel for you. I wish that you will have better days ahead, take care my friend! We are always here for you as you are for us. Hang in there, as always you are in my thoughts and prayers.
A friend Tam~ *hugz*
I'll be thinking of you and your upcoming MRI. Praying for great news!
Amy (39)
*low-grade oligoastrocytoma in right frontal lobe, with 1p/19q codeletion and early anaplastic features (first observed Aug. 2007; diagnosed Jan. 200
*gross total resection July 2008 at Mayo Clinic http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=28526
Left my embrace to live with our Heavenly Father in October of 2007 and now breathes with ease forever. I will miss this gentle, giving soul with the easy smile for the rest of my days, but have faith we will be together again. He's just getting a little break from me!
We'll be thinking of you on the 19th and hope all goes well. I know how worked up we get around MRI days (we don't go again until Mar 26th and I'm already dreading it . . . ).
I really appreciate how much you put into this site - and hope you know how much you are valued.
Good Morning Jim, Just popping in to see how you are today. Been thinking about you and crossing my fingers for you to receive good news on your mri on Feb 19th. You have a lot of people praying for you on here and I believe prayers do indeed help in some way or form. Sending all my positive thoughts your way.....Any how was just stopping in to say "HI" and I was thinking of ya. Have a great day Take care!!
Good morning Jim. I have read quite a few of your postings, and as the sister-in-law of a wonderful brother-in-law with GBM IV, you have given me some insight to this horrible disease. He was diagnosed May 2007 and pushes right along. He still has traces that were left behind and his speech is also effected. You will be in my prayers and thoughts next Tuesday as you face another MRI.
Hi Jim
I'll be thinking of you on 19th as Preparing mentally for the MRI Scan is never a pleasant experience. As far as not having a strong clear voice... hey Mr I can hear you loud and clear all the way to Australia
Hugs
Dorothy
In Perth Western australia - Ex husband's diagnosis was January 2006, stage IV bowel cancer with mets to liver and lungs. March 2006 Bowel re-section, then two+ years of continuous chemo, folfox then folfirri with two years of Avastin. Then MAX chemo. Had radiation to pelvic area and radioactive SIRT spheres injected through the portal vein into the liver. Prognosis 22 months he lived for 36 months and did a few very long road trips in that time which he enjoyed.
. I know they meant well. However, I still felt embarrassment about not speaking clearly.
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The less you'll have people wondering how you are.... :P
9 Lives and still kicking 
