I'm not a cancer survivor, sorry. My mom is ill.

Hi there. Sorry to interrupt if this is -as probably- only for cancer survivors.
If so, please dismiss my comment.
My mother, a clever, vital woman of 63, has been diagnosed a few weeks ago - today is October 28, 2011) with a grade III anaplastic astrocythome tumor on her brain. One day she was in her italian language class, and she had 2 brief episodes of "alalia". Could'nt speak clearly for a few seconds. That triggered the search, and the outcoming findings were sad.

She started with linear-accelerator treatment 2 weeks ago. My father -mostly- and I take turns to take her to the hospital to get 3 x 30" rays in her tumor.

I'm 39, a year ago I married my 9 years lovely girlfriend. Finally, we're expecting our firstborn -mom's 1st grandchild- in february.

Her condition has deteriorated a bit since. She has a slight tremor on her hand, and her speech is becoming difficult.

Now,

The doctors are reserved, they attend many people, so we get little information.
I know every case is different, but i'd like to ask a few questions if you don't mind,
about her condition:

- Can her condition be affected by the treatment? what I mean, are the rays affecing both the tumor and the brain zone -a delicate one, the elocuent zone-, so we have to assume her condition won't improve and that's a side effect of the tumor-slowing treatment?
- Is it more likely that the tumor hasn't receased despite the rays, so it's a downside way from now on?
- Basically, can we expect any improvement, or now is the moment to try to make a trip to a place she likes or something, because she'll only get weaker?
- Can I hold the hope of she taking in her arms her grandson, or should we keep our expectancies low on that matter?

Again I'm sorry if I don't belong in here. Seems like a knowledgeble place. Cheers and good luck to you all.

Manolo