brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Anonymous @ 10:32 PM May 05, 2008

Anonymous — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:32:11 -0000

So sorry to hear about your father - this time must be very difficult for you and your family. My mother passed away from brain cancer and from diagnoses until she passed was about 9 weeks. I have also had 2 friends pass away from brain cancer, all were approximately 9 weeks. For a better answer to your question, I would keep an eye on his motor skills, his speech, the names he calls his children, what he calls familiar things, etc.

My suggestion to you is that while he is still cohesive enough, he get things in order. Consider getting a living will, durable power of attorney, executor of the estate, advanced health care directive, etc. You don't want to be in a position of going into probate. Also, if he is on Medi-Cal, you can call In-Home Support Services at 408-975-4899 for some assistance in caring for him if you plan to keep him at home.

Best of luck to you during this very difficult time.

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Melanie Haiken @ 12:22 AM April 24, 2008

Melanie Haiken — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:22:57 -0000

What Lola said was very true when I was caring for my father, who died of esophageal cancer, also after receiving a prognosis of three to six months.

What I'd suggest is preparing a list of questions for your dad's doctor. Tell him you want the "nitty gritty" version, you don't want him to soft-peddle the information. (Many oncologists will speak much more plainly if you reassure them that you can take it.)

Then ask about everything you want to know: what to expect right away, what to expect down the line, and what can be done for your dad to make him more comfortable as the cancer progresses. Good luck, and keep on checking in; I'm sure we'll hear from more folks with stories to share.

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Lola @ 06:48 AM April 23, 2008

Lola — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:48:08 -0000

I'm very sorry to hear your news, and wish you and your family strength during the coming months.

I have no information specific to your question, but wanted to add my voice to those talking about the time ahead of you.

I lost my best friend to Breats Cancer, and although the course of her illness was one of the most difficult times of my life, it gave us some beautiful times together too. I remember days spent just being close with her, talking and just making the most of each other.

It's a time to talk and appreciate each other.

Thinking of you x

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by KarenK @ 02:38 AM April 23, 2008

KarenK — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:38:44 -0000

I'm very sorry to hear about your dad. My mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2007 (she lived three months after diagnosis), and my main advice is to call a hospice facility immediately. They'll help you through the whole process and let you know the kinds of things you can expect--although, of course, every situation is different. Hospice is the most valuable resource out there, IMO.

And be sure to enjoy the time you have left with him. You'll eventually appreciate the fact that you had some warning of what was going to happen. The next few months are going to be very challenging for your family, but they'll have their rewards as well.

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by LauraL @ 11:25 PM April 22, 2008

LauraL — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:25:10 -0000

I am so very sorry to hear about your dad, Anonymous. Being given a time frame is, I feel, both a blessing and a curse. A blessing, in that you know that if there are things to do and say, now's the time to say and do them, while at the same time, a curse because you know too well how soon your life will change.

When my father was diagnosed, it was only days before he died. We spent the time we could with him, and he made sure things were done the way he wanted them - giving direction, signing documents, and just loving us best he could, as we loved him.

Even with all that, I have to say I look back on that time as a very intense, loving time, for we were all together for a while.

My best wishes go out to you.

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Anonymous @ 08:05 PM April 21, 2008

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:05:14 -0000

My dad was just diagnosed with gliobastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor. It's inoperable and we got the sad news that he has only three to six months to live. He's going to have radiation treatment, but that's just to reduce the swelling, it can't make the cancer go away. We're all really upset and the worst is not knowing what to expect. There's a big difference between three and six months! And we don't know how long he can expect to live independently. Does anyone have any experience to share?

Recent Posts in 'brain tumor -- how fast?' | Caring.com

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Anonymous @ 10:32 PM May 05, 2008

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Melanie Haiken @ 12:22 AM April 24, 2008

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Lola @ 06:48 AM April 23, 2008

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by KarenK @ 02:38 AM April 23, 2008

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by LauraL @ 11:25 PM April 22, 2008

brain tumor -- how fast? posted by Anonymous @ 08:05 PM April 21, 2008