Grade 3, an anaplastic astrocytoma

kat96

AAIII

I was diagnosed in August, 1996.  I was fresh out of graduate school, 24 years old.  I ended up entrusting Duke with my treatments, which, except for external beam radiation, were clinical trials.  in 2004, my doctors told me that they felt that my cancer was gone and would not return.  It has not, and I have 2 natural-born children! 

AmyES

kat96 said:

AAIII

I was diagnosed in August, 1996.  I was fresh out of graduate school, 24 years old.  I ended up entrusting Duke with my treatments, which, except for external beam radiation, were clinical trials.  in 2004, my doctors told me that they felt that my cancer was gone and would not return.  It has not, and I have 2 natural-born children! 

Baby after AA3

I also have had a baby after an aa3! I was diagnosed one week after my first child was born in 2013. I did lose a baby to preterm labor in 2018, but that had nothing to do with the cancer. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl this past April 5 years and 7 months from my aa3 diagnosis. My first born that I had before my cancer diagnosis and my newborn are both happy and healthy!

I_Promise

blakebramlett said:

How is everyone?

I've found myself here like many of you have. MRI on March 12th straight to crainiotomy on March 13, 2017 for a  total gross removal of a 7cm tumor on my right frontal lobe. Pathology came back mostly grade II at first, but the center contained grade III A.A. and turned our world upside down. I will admit I have laid in bed at night and read (and reread) all of these individual stories that I am so invested in. Unfortunately, many of these stories just begin and I don't know what has happened to those that were fortunate to post in the first place. Do you feel the desire to live life more and stay away from the forum? Has your health gotten worse and have you moved to other forums? Has your health gotten better? I would love to know everyone's updates - this whole board has had an amazing and positive effect on my thinking and planning as I begin this journey. I look forward to hearing from everyone, should you have the chance. My name is Blake, 33 year old male, from Illinois.

Don't know if you will see

Don't know if you will see this message 4 years later, but yes in our case, we have been doing well, living our lives. My sister anaplastic astrocytoma survivor since 2011. 

I_Promise

AmyES said:

Baby after AA3

I also have had a baby after an aa3! I was diagnosed one week after my first child was born in 2013. I did lose a baby to preterm labor in 2018, but that had nothing to do with the cancer. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl this past April 5 years and 7 months from my aa3 diagnosis. My first born that I had before my cancer diagnosis and my newborn are both happy and healthy!

Wonderful news!!! ❤️❤️ Thank

Wonderful news!!! ❤️❤️ Thank you for sharing. 

Ghostza

So glad to read long turn

So glad to read long turn survival stories. 

AA3SurvivorNat

God is bigger than statistics

HI! My name is Natalie and I  also treated at MDACC for a Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma and I celebrated being 7 years completely  cancer free this year and like the title to this response says, I am a true example that GOD is bigger than "statistics". I understand how you ,  your nephew and family feels since I don't think I will ever forget the words that were said to me at my final check up after my craniotomy then  completion of treatment, I had several weeks of Proton Radiation.  At the end of my appointment either my mom or then fiancé asked the doctor a question as we were  finally leaving to return home after living away for 6 months and his response is something I will never forget , I can't quote exact words but it is close " She has a 99% chance of regrowth in the next 3-5 years " Well I have LOVED EVERY VISIT WHEN I GET TO PROVE TO HIM THAT I AM NOT JUST A STATISTIC AND THAT  I AM A SURVIVOR and no matter what may happen in the next 7 years I still " OUT LIVED" my statistical " expiration date"