Mother has a gliobastoma brain tumor

Hi Bunny,

Welcome to Caring's groups!  Thanks for posting.

I don't have any experience with the type of brain tumor your describing or the treatment for it.  I did, however, want you to know that I'll be thinking about you and your family.  I'm hopeful for you that you'll get some great support here. 

Both my dad and mother-in-law have suffered with brain tumors.  Both were benign, though my dad's has been recurring. 

 A GBM is a major ordeal, but through support, friends, and much prayer you can make it through.

My husband was diagnosed las fall, 2007/  He had surgery Jan.2008, radiation, chemo., and two additional rounds of temador chemo.  He looks good overall, but struggles with seizures and quite a bit of memory loss.  We are praying that both will soon go away.  We eat lots of veggies, brown rice, do the cottage cheese Budwig protocol, little meat and very little sugar.  It seems that cancer loves sugar so be careful. Our last MRI was stable, praise God, good news.  The next one is in one month. It can be a very trying and difficult time.  I am in edge a lot of the time, but trusting that God will be gloried through his healing.  I hope that this helps.  You do need to be on top of meds and what the doctors are doing.  You are your mom's best advocate.

Gladys

Hi Bunny,
       My Mom also has GBM & she's past the doc's expectations by 6 mo's already and still doing well except for some mobility problems cuz she also has arthtitis. I wish I had some great secret to tell you to make this journey easier for you but it's going to seam unbearably difficult at times, but aren't all Mother/Daughter relationships? I don't have any support groups in my area either it's kind of rural. We have a two hour drive to the doctor. I learned to accept help when ever it's offered and take comfort anywhere I can find it to avoid feeling so isolated. And get a big notebook with pockets & a calender to keep track of your Mom's meds, Dr appointments, insurance stuff and I made note of any medical stuff like reaction to meds or falls & stuff to ask the at next Dr visit.

       My Mom is still doing chemo 5days a month (she has problems w/ low platelets too) The only things that have helped her is to totaly eliminate chocolate and she drinks a mixture of Green Tea & Astragalus Tea (any health food store). And she's still on Keppra after 1 seizure we decided the benefit outweighed the risks. Make sure she doesn't just stop taking those or steroids you have to taper off. Also if she takes any supplements or vitamins take them seperately from meds. Calcium & vitamin D affect Keppra's potentcy. You can email me any time.

 This is interesting about the combo. of Keppra and Vit.D and Calcium.  I had not heard that these supplements affect Keppra's potency.  I will try to make this change with my husband tomorrow.  Thank you,

Gladys

Hi all,

Thank you for all your help.

Megigu, It sure sounds like we have alot of the same things going on right now. It is so hard to see mom which was once so strong and I always looked to her for answers and help now looking to me to see if she said the right things and looking at our expressions to know if she is thinking the right thing.

Moms platelet count is now up to 40. Her sugar is high then low. The steriod destroyed all the muscle in her legs but she is slowly getting that back too. She does little exercises and walks around (inside) the house. You mentioned that you moved back in with your mother, do you have any children? It is so hard sometimes for me to work full-time, take care of mom and dad and take care of my own family. I wish I could quit work and move in but thats not possibe. Mom only lives 7 miles from me so that helps alot. I feel that I am deserting my husband and son (12) but I have to do this. I couldnt imagine not being there for mom. Some people don't have it as good as we do. meaning there children or parents arent there for them.

Advice to me by a co-worker: There really is nothing you can do.  What will be, will be.  Just pray and put all your worries and fears in God's hands, and then enjoy your Mom.  I feel I spent too much time fretting and didn't really just appreciate having her.  One thing I have learned through the years is to not worry about things you can't control. 

You take care and I hope to talk to you soon. Email me anytime snyderba@comcast.net.

Hi, My name is Laura... I just recently came across your site about the GBM... i have a friend who had one on her spine 18 years ago... She and her husband did lots of research as she had just had 5 babies im thinking they call that quintuplets, but nevertheless... they found out she had this GBM on her spine and here is her webpage on her healing herself... miraculous woman I tell ya... her web page is www.elonnamckibben.com [elonnamckibben.com]  make sure you type it exactly... the other web page that stems from elonna's cure is www.outsmartyourcancer.com [outsmartyourcancer.com].   This stuff she used is called Protocel... all natural minerals that our body lacks everyday and the reason we get so run down and then giving cancer a chance to open up I guess.... this protocel stuff seems like a Godsend if you ask me.... I know one other person who was 15 and had leukemia, she used it along with her chemo/radiation and the doctors were amazed at how well she did with her first session... they then told the doc that they were using Protocel which can be used with chemo and radiation as its just certain minerals together that work together and go to your cells and kill off the bad, but leave the good cells alone.... amazing stuff i guess... The doctors told her to keep on taking it.... she is now in remission now for 10 years... still takes a maintanance dose of the Protocel though everyday to hopefully warn off the cancer for good.... Just read up on both web pages... there are lots of peoples testamonies on the outsmartyourcancer.com site.... God bless and please keep in touch.... here is my email lgreenawalt1@yahoo.com

I had surgery for a GBM stage IV on Sept 30; located in parietal lobe, about 5cm. Completely removed. On a strict nutritional program. No chemo or radiation at this time.  See link to my experience at:  www.healthyhints.org  with link to family journal.

Hi Everybody,

               In General,there wil some side effects during or after chemotheropy.

->>>>Platelets count wil be reduced:For avoiding this during chemo  for the patient   need to take  blood(palteletscell without replaement)this can be avoid to reduce Platelets count.With the doctors suggestion there need to use fo antibatic injections after chemo  which will maintain other blood cell count.

Example for preventing side effects while chemotherophy:

--->Chemo

---->Antibatic

----->inject required blood to patient(if necessary)

----->chemo

----->antibatic

------->----->inject required blood to patient(if necessary)

like this if chemotherophy is treated ,then it  maximum avoids the side effects.

Please  posts your questions or  sugesstion relating to this .

Thanks

Paru.