Low Grade 2 Astroyctoma

jeremydublin
jeremydublin Member Posts: 1
in Brain Cancer #1
Hi there, this is my first time on this forum. My beautiful wife had her Cancer successfully removed in JAnuary 2010. Since then she has suffered no symtoms or any illness from the Tumour. We have had twin boys and have gotten married so its been a mad couple of years.

We are approaching the 2 year mark and Nadine is about to have her check up. We normally stay very positive but this month has been hard. I am worried on many levels. I am worried for her, I don't want to see my wife in emotional or physical pain. I'm worried that my babies will have no Mum. I'm worried for myslef taht I will be left with no wife and 2 babies and a mortgage. I know she is not a statistic and I have read some amazing stories and met some wonderful people who defy the odds, I just hope that she does. She is a remarkable person, full of life but her hope has taken a dip recently especially now that we are parents. I try to think in a positive way and she this as a challenge in life to overcome. Its funny how something so terrible can actually awaken the senses to whats really important in life. I never thought I would be in this situation. I look back and ask myself how has this happened to us. We have such a wonderful life, full of plans but there's always this thing lurking in the background.

I have to stop myself from mourning her while she is alive, I know this sounds terrible but the doctors and their stats say the worst is to come. We are all so different, thats what gets me through this. No-one can tell me that she is going to die as they don't have a crystal ball, so, until I'm told otherwise thats what I'll believe, I just wish my darling wife could do the same. Life can be so so cruel, maybe its a lesson that we have to learn this time round. I'm not a religious person but i am spiritual so that helps me.

If anyone can relate to me or has any words of hope, please drop me a line, I could do with it before Christmas.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Jeremy

Comments

  • chicken2799
    chicken2799 Member Posts: 105
    #2
    Merry Christmas
    There are many people on these Discussion Boards that are 17 and 18 year survivors. Do not give up because there is no Dr. able to put a timeline on anyone's life with this disease. I have AA3, diagnosed 10/20/09 and they were hoping mine would be a low grade 2. I was devestated when they told me that it was a 3, but here I am two years, and two months later with clean MRI's. I have a four year old that was two when I was diagnosed. I know how your wife is feeling! Tell her that her babies is what should give her hope and make her fight harder to keep herself healthy. If she starts feeling down and hopeless, pick her up and be her shoulder to cry on! When they first though mine was a 2, they said that it rarely comes back, and if it did it could take several years to form again. Just stay positive, trust me I know how much anxiety there is when it is time for the follow ups. I hope that all is fine on her MRI, and enjoy those babies!
  • Susan S
    Susan S Member Posts: 3
    #3
    Hope beyond convensional medicine
    Hi Jeremy, I am battling a glioma as well. I am starting radiation soon since my tumor is inoperable. I am seeing a naturopath that has suggested some supplements, vitamins, and exercise to help boost my immune system. I feel empowered just being able to take charge of those things in my life and leaving the rest to God. I can't tell you how important it is for you to stay positive for your wife. At times when I loose perspective, my husband has been able to help me keep things in perspective. Medicine will do it's job, but our believe that God is in control helps emmensely. I have found that when I have a positive attitude, my body responds in positive ways and I have hardly any symptoms, but when I am down and worried about the future, and decisions to make, my body falls apart. I don't consider myself to be religious either, but i have definitly become more spiritual through all this!

    By the way a great book that I've just starting to read called "Life Over Cancer" by Dr. Keith Block describes the benefits of integrative cancer therapy. Wishing you and your family all the best in 2012. It's good to know there are others out there gong through the same thing. We are not alone.
  • AshleyWF
    AshleyWF Member Posts: 46
    #4
    Hi Jeremy,
    I’ve written,
    Hi Jeremy,

    I’ve written, deleted, re written and deleted. I share so many of the same feelings you are experiencing, yet I am having trouble replying to your post.

    My boyfriend was diagnosed with grade II Oligodendroglioma in August of 2011. He had surgery in September. We were then told that a portion of the tumor is inoperable and the location also leaves treatment very dangerous. He did not have the gene deletions they hoped for, which left chemo unresponsive. When it does get to a point that treatment will be needed, radiation will be the way, but this way due to the location of the tumor isn’t going to leave him the same person he is today. We have been advised to take the “wait and see” approach. His follow up MRI is this Tuesday. Emotions are running high over here.

    Your comment about the doctors and there stats saying the worst is to come… is my reality. There is going to be a day that this is all going to be even more real. For now he is back at work and his usual chipper, hardworking self. One day though, and maybe even this upcoming MRI, will show that he may need to leave work and our journey down the “treatment” road will need to begin. I dread the “it’s all a matter of time” feeling.

    I was told when he was first diagnosed that in finding our “new normal” in all of this, we will experience both the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs. I think the time of year also plays into your emotions and how you are feeling, especially when a checkup is near the holiday season. I do believe it is normal to “mourn” them while they are alive and well. It is very difficult not to. This does however make you appreciate the time you have a little more, it allows you to say the things you need to say more often. My smiles when I look at him now are always genuine. I can feel at times something grab me, every inch of my heart and I am completely amazed at the brilliant, wonderful, strong and brave person he is. Nothing has ever made me live in the “moment” like this before.

    I pray your wife’s checkup results bring positive results. I at times feel bad writing here. Low grade should be a positive thing, so many people are dealing with higher grade cancers and more difficult situations. I have realized though, high grade or low grade, we all feel many of the same things. I hope to see you post again soon.

    Ashley
  • I_Promise
    I_Promise Member Posts: 218 Member
    #5
    AshleyWF said:

    Hi Jeremy,
    I’ve written,
    Hi Jeremy,

    I’ve written, deleted, re written and deleted. I share so many of the same feelings you are experiencing, yet I am having trouble replying to your post.

    My boyfriend was diagnosed with grade II Oligodendroglioma in August of 2011. He had surgery in September. We were then told that a portion of the tumor is inoperable and the location also leaves treatment very dangerous. He did not have the gene deletions they hoped for, which left chemo unresponsive. When it does get to a point that treatment will be needed, radiation will be the way, but this way due to the location of the tumor isn’t going to leave him the same person he is today. We have been advised to take the “wait and see” approach. His follow up MRI is this Tuesday. Emotions are running high over here.

    Your comment about the doctors and there stats saying the worst is to come… is my reality. There is going to be a day that this is all going to be even more real. For now he is back at work and his usual chipper, hardworking self. One day though, and maybe even this upcoming MRI, will show that he may need to leave work and our journey down the “treatment” road will need to begin. I dread the “it’s all a matter of time” feeling.

    I was told when he was first diagnosed that in finding our “new normal” in all of this, we will experience both the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs. I think the time of year also plays into your emotions and how you are feeling, especially when a checkup is near the holiday season. I do believe it is normal to “mourn” them while they are alive and well. It is very difficult not to. This does however make you appreciate the time you have a little more, it allows you to say the things you need to say more often. My smiles when I look at him now are always genuine. I can feel at times something grab me, every inch of my heart and I am completely amazed at the brilliant, wonderful, strong and brave person he is. Nothing has ever made me live in the “moment” like this before.

    I pray your wife’s checkup results bring positive results. I at times feel bad writing here. Low grade should be a positive thing, so many people are dealing with higher grade cancers and more difficult situations. I have realized though, high grade or low grade, we all feel many of the same things. I hope to see you post again soon.

    Ashley

    Dear Ashley
    My hope for your boyfriend is that it will never grow. Remember that because the doctors say "most" will one day start growing, it does not mean all. Also, if the time comes when he needs more treatment, maybe by then something else than radiation will be available.
    A good friend of mine is a doctor with a grade 2 anaplastic astrocytoma (I only know because he told me after he learned about my sister (AA3) He still practices and lives a normal life with his wife and kids.

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