Astrocytoma G2 frontal - temodar and radiation

stacy0611
stacy0611 Member Posts: 14
in Brain Cancer #1
Hi All!

I was diagnosed with a large, inoperable fibrillary astrocytoma last summer. I did 5 1/2 weeks of radiation (5 days on) and temodar (7 days a week), month off, then started my 12 months of 5on/23off rotation of temodar. I tolerated my rad/temodar schedule well, living away from home by myself to have treatment (single mom), but when I took the higher dose on the 5/28 schedule I became very sick. I had to be hospitalized has my counts were dangerously low. After two months and some serious ethical conversations with my oncologist, we decided it was best for me to stop. My counts have not been "normal" since.

I am 4 months out from stopping all treatment. I have a "pins and needles" feeling in my entire body. It started in my feet and hands and has progressed to almost everywhere. Over the last two weeks I have lost the feeling in my tongue and lips. I sometimes have difficulty swallowing. Has anyone had this happen after radiation/temodar?

Thanks!
Stacy

One other weird thing - I have red blotches when I wake up (maybe unrelated?)that go away once I am up and about.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    No specific help, but empathy
    Stacy,

    I don't have any answers for you about the numbness and tingling, other than to suggest that you talk to your doctor (which I assume you've done), but I certainly relate to the ongoing questions of which issues are real cause for concern, which are side effects we have to live with, and which are simply because the moon is full at the moment.

    It's a never ending series of questions which keep us awake at night. I'm constantly astonished at the sheer number of things which are tossed into the "side effect" category and which we just have to live with. Because the brain is the battlefield, these cancers affect every single aspect of our lives - and they bring major lifestyle changes, which have a profound impact on our emotions, energy and pysche.

    I know there's no alternative, but I think it's worth remembering that it's a very difficult process. I hope you find an answer, and that things go well for you. CindyO
  • stacy0611
    stacy0611 Member Posts: 14
    #3
    unknown said:

    No specific help, but empathy
    Stacy,

    I don't have any answers for you about the numbness and tingling, other than to suggest that you talk to your doctor (which I assume you've done), but I certainly relate to the ongoing questions of which issues are real cause for concern, which are side effects we have to live with, and which are simply because the moon is full at the moment.

    It's a never ending series of questions which keep us awake at night. I'm constantly astonished at the sheer number of things which are tossed into the "side effect" category and which we just have to live with. Because the brain is the battlefield, these cancers affect every single aspect of our lives - and they bring major lifestyle changes, which have a profound impact on our emotions, energy and pysche.

    I know there's no alternative, but I think it's worth remembering that it's a very difficult process. I hope you find an answer, and that things go well for you. CindyO

    Thanks for the caring words
    Cindy,
    Thank you for writing. I agree, it is a never ending process to think about what is "side effect" and what is cancer progression. I am just taking it day by day. I can't control what is happening, but I am more worried about the impact these up and coming things are having on my children. They see each day what is good and what is not.
    Thank you for your kind words!
    Stacy

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