Newly diagnosed, wanted to introduce myself

SkidBeatsCancer
SkidBeatsCancer Member Posts: 2
in Brain Cancer #1
Hello! My nickname's Skid, but my first name's Brian and I'm just over a week away from my 38th birthday. On Aug 8, 2012 I was originally diagnosed with a Glioblastoma grade IV tumor on my right frontal lobe. On the 10th I had surgery, which they were only able to remove 90% of the tumor. A biopsy was performed and just yesterday (Sept 4, 2012) learned that the actual proper term for my tumor is a grade III/IV astrotcytoma with gemistocytic features (anaplastic astrocytoma).

I'm still not released from my neurosurgeon to start my radiation and Temodar, but I have an appointment with him this afternoon. I've already met with both my radiation and medical oncologists and am tentatively set to begin treatments on Sept 12. I'm told radiation will be 5 days per week for 6 weeks.

I can be found on many other places on the web, such as Facebook and Twitter, and I've also got my own website that a friend of mine set up for me as a gift where I'm writing blogs and sharing news of events my many wonderful friends have set up for me. I live in southern Indiana near the Evansville area and have been a truck driver for the past nine years.

Looking forward to sharing more of my experiences and learning from all of yours!

Skid

Comments

  • BenLenBo
    BenLenBo Member Posts: 145 Member
    #2
    Skid,
    My son was
    Skid,
    My son was diagnoised with a Grade III Oli, last September. He is a survior, been cancer free
    since Neuro removed 99% of his left frontal lobe tumor. Benjamin also, had 6 weeks radiation and Chemo. Then was on Temodar for 5 day every 28 days for six months after. He just recently obtained his DOT Health Card , to begin driving Truck, keeping his Class A valid. Minnesota requires that every Health Card be registered at time of renewal. Helpful hint- take nausea medication one hour before your start Temodar, and do this at night after your evening meal. This eliminates the side effects of the Chemo. My son's treating facilities are Roger Maris Cancer Center, John Hopkins and Mayo. He is 100% today, and we were informed at the last MRI, he will be that way for 10,20, 30 or more years.
    Wishing you success in your fight against this cancer! Remember to ask lots of questions, and
    fight, fight, fight!

    Carol
  • SkidBeatsCancer
    SkidBeatsCancer Member Posts: 2
    #3
    BenLenBo said:

    Skid,
    My son was
    Skid,
    My son was diagnoised with a Grade III Oli, last September. He is a survior, been cancer free
    since Neuro removed 99% of his left frontal lobe tumor. Benjamin also, had 6 weeks radiation and Chemo. Then was on Temodar for 5 day every 28 days for six months after. He just recently obtained his DOT Health Card , to begin driving Truck, keeping his Class A valid. Minnesota requires that every Health Card be registered at time of renewal. Helpful hint- take nausea medication one hour before your start Temodar, and do this at night after your evening meal. This eliminates the side effects of the Chemo. My son's treating facilities are Roger Maris Cancer Center, John Hopkins and Mayo. He is 100% today, and we were informed at the last MRI, he will be that way for 10,20, 30 or more years.
    Wishing you success in your fight against this cancer! Remember to ask lots of questions, and
    fight, fight, fight!

    Carol

    Hey Carol! Thanks for the
    Hey Carol! Thanks for the reply!

    I'll be undergoing treatment close to me near Evansville, IN.

    I've got a sister who lives near Rochester, MN. I'm hoping to get up there before high school football season is over so I can watch my nephews play!
  • michral
    michral Member Posts: 14
    #4
    SkidBeatsCancer said:

    Hey Carol! Thanks for the
    Hey Carol! Thanks for the reply!

    I'll be undergoing treatment close to me near Evansville, IN.

    I've got a sister who lives near Rochester, MN. I'm hoping to get up there before high school football season is over so I can watch my nephews play!

    Hi All
    My husband (54) was recently diagnosed with GBM. He has undergone 6 weeks of radiation and is now on Temodar 5 days every 4 weeks. He has 3 tumors in his right temporal lobe and they are inoperable due to location (near a ventricle due to chance of spread). Since beginning treatment, we have had 2 MRIs and each have shown shrinkage thank God. He is very fatigued and weak from the treatments. He had a grand mal seizure that precursed our diagnosis. He is on Keppra 1000 mg twice a day and also taking Decadron - the medications are very strong and there are a lot of side effects. He was diagnosed on 03/10/2012 - but still going strong. We have a great neurosurgeon at Brigham and Women's in Boston and looking forward to a second opinion at Dana-Farber over the next few weeks for information on trials. Keep strong, stay positive, and my God bless you. We can beat this dreaded disease. I will keep everyone posted.
  • michral
    michral Member Posts: 14
    #5
    SkidBeatsCancer said:

    Hey Carol! Thanks for the
    Hey Carol! Thanks for the reply!

    I'll be undergoing treatment close to me near Evansville, IN.

    I've got a sister who lives near Rochester, MN. I'm hoping to get up there before high school football season is over so I can watch my nephews play!

    Hi All
    My husband (54) was recently diagnosed with GBM. He has undergone 6 weeks of radiation and is now on Temodar 5 days every 4 weeks. He has 3 tumors in his right temporal lobe and they are inoperable due to location (near a ventricle due to chance of spread). Since beginning treatment, we have had 2 MRIs and each have shown shrinkage thank God. He is very fatigued and weak from the treatments. He had a grand mal seizure that precursed our diagnosis. He is on Keppra 1000 mg twice a day and also taking Decadron - the medications are very strong and there are a lot of side effects. He was diagnosed on 03/10/2012 - but still going strong. We have a great neurosurgeon at Brigham and Women's in Boston and looking forward to a second opinion at Dana-Farber over the next few weeks for information on trials. Keep strong, stay positive, and my God bless you. We can beat this dreaded disease. I will keep everyone posted.
  • michral
    michral Member Posts: 14
    #6
    SkidBeatsCancer said:

    Hey Carol! Thanks for the
    Hey Carol! Thanks for the reply!

    I'll be undergoing treatment close to me near Evansville, IN.

    I've got a sister who lives near Rochester, MN. I'm hoping to get up there before high school football season is over so I can watch my nephews play!

    Hi All
    My husband (54) was recently diagnosed with GBM. He has undergone 6 weeks of radiation and is now on Temodar 5 days every 4 weeks. He has 3 tumors in his right temporal lobe and they are inoperable due to location (near a ventricle due to chance of spread). Since beginning treatment, we have had 2 MRIs and each have shown shrinkage thank God. He is very fatigued and weak from the treatments. He had a grand mal seizure that precursed our diagnosis. He is on Keppra 1000 mg twice a day and also taking Decadron - the medications are very strong and there are a lot of side effects. He was diagnosed on 03/10/2012 - but still going strong. We have a great neurosurgeon at Brigham and Women's in Boston and looking forward to a second opinion at Dana-Farber over the next few weeks for information on trials. Keep strong, stay positive, and my God bless you. We can beat this dreaded disease. I will keep everyone posted.
  • cali.callahan
    cali.callahan Member Posts: 2
    #7
    Hi Skid,
    My name is Cali and in June I was diagnosed with grade II Anaplastic Astrocytoma. I just finished my radiation treatments last week. I unfortunatly could not have surgery because it is on my optical pathways. I started a new clincal trial with carboplatin, melphalan, and etoposide phosphate. I was doing gamma knife radiation and taking Temozolomide. For being 20 years old this has been a real journey for me. It has been a very scary journey but also a great one (wierd to say) at that. My doctors, oncologist, radiologist, and neurologist have been the best people I know today. I just thank God every morning that I get to wake up. Take each moment one step at a time and know that many of us out there are here too. The hardest part for me has been reaching out and just accepting the help and love. Radiation was one of the hardest parts for me. But my tumor is finally, after 3 long months, shrinking and hoping and praying that this new treatment will be my final answer. Orginally my prognosis was 18 month to 2 years. Just found out on Friday that because of my response to the radiation, and chemotherepy that by april or may of 2013 if all still goes as planned and my tumor doesn't metastasize I should achieve remission. I lean on that to get my through the days that seem hardest. Its a long round but its going to be okay. Have faith and stay strong. =)

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