Brain cancer glioblastoma grade 4

Hi im just looking for support.  My mum has been diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma cancer.   She's 73.   Only 5 weeks ago she was her normal self,  I visited her that day and in the evening I got a call from my dad in a panic, my mum had collapsed and was in a bad way.   We all thought it was a stroke at 1st.   But after being examined we were told she had a siezure, had fractured her arm during the siezure and a scan had showed a build up of fluid and a mass on her brain.   At that time she couldnt speak properly, all her words were coming out wrong, she was very confused.    She had surgery a biopsy and the results maybe two weeks later.    The nurse and my mum who was  a lot better with her speach by then was sounding optimistic and we were praying it would be benign.    But it wasn't.   A huge shock,  to find out the news.   The nurse kept saying its treatable but not curable   Now since then,  my mum had consultation with neuro dr.   My mum doesn't want to know how long she's got left.   By the way she has shown amazing strength positivity and really appreciating every little moment.    She says she see colours as more vivid, music more beautiful.   She's also giving her sentimental jewelry to me and two of my sisters.    I have 3 sisters, 1 doesn't have any contact with any of us even though she's been told about my mum, she wants no contact.  Another sister started off involved but she has been absolutely awful to myself and my younger sister, then she's cut herself off.    So it's only me my dad and my youngest sister who doesn't live nearby so can only visit once  a fortnight.    I am finding it very stressfull,  very emotional and dealing with depression and anxiety two kids im struggling to keep being strong.   I want to help my mum but I feel under a lot of pressure,  my dad doesn't cope with stress gets very angry and stressy at the slightest thing and he also has copd.    My mum is due to start treatment on monday.   The Macmillan nurse has adviced me that my mum might live up to 12 months but it's an aggressive fast growing cancer and it could grow through treatment,  so it all depends on treatment etc.    I am still in shock, I feel angry, heartbroken and trying to enjoy every moment with my mum as its all the more precious.    If I try to talk to anyone I get told to stay strong and they are sympathetic but I dont feel strong.   It's just all happened really fast and a lot to deal with

  • Hi yes I know exactly what you going through as my nan has the same and was also diagnosed as having a stroke till she had MRI which confirmed the diagnosis but then to be told there's numerous tumours like clusters and gave her days we have all pulled together and stayed strong for her what ever she has asked for we have gave her played her favourite songs . Watched films she wanted to watch till her concentration went . Stay strong give her what ever she wants and be there for her. Make sure you get the correct help in place ring her gp and local district nurses for help. Stay strong. 

  • Hi my mum passed last year a year after her diagnoses. She rapidly declined in everyway after Christmas...nothing was explained about what was happening to her or what to expect...so when she passed it was a massive shock as she was up and down all the time steroids helped with speech and co ordination but eventually she was bed ridden confused could eat or drink in pain it was awful xx

  • I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely mum. We have had to read up ourselves about glioma and despite her decline we still don't know what to expect. The doctors don't seem to know how to help in a specialised way so we hope things will improve when she goes to the care home next week. Only 3 months ago she was driving, going to bingo and enjoying life. It is such a shocking disease and totally unexpected. We don't know how much time mum has and no one has helped us with that either, I would guess without steroids her decline would have been more rapid although every day she has changed. I am thinking of you all and hope that by discussing things it will make everyone more aware and to know we are not alone in our sadness. 

  • Oh my I could have written this myself ! My pops was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioma 6 weeks ago. He to has lost sight in one eye and muddles his speech (which he takes very light heartedly a lot of the time).

  • So sorry to hear about your Dad. Mum muddled male and female and everything is opposite. Her eyesight is deteriorating fast now and she is unable to walk unaided. Every day is different but we remain positive and value any extra time we have with her. Thinking of you at this difficult time

  • Hi. My younger sister passed away with Glioblastoma last year and I just wanted to say I am thinking of everyone who is going through this devastating cancer with their loved one.  As pixiejones has said you are not alone. My sister and I had a year together after her diagnosis and although we had a lot of tears we spent hours/days just chatting and laughing too. Cherish every moment and be kind to yourself. Xxx

  • my husband who is 52 has recently been diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma .. w.. on new year’s eve 2019 we were told it was a benign glioma but within 4 weeks it had transformed in to a grade 4...

    my husband hasn’t taken the severity of the diagnosis on board which is good but I have

    we have 3 kids aged 14, 12 and 8 so I’m trying to carry on as normal ... my husband has started treatment and is responding well.

     

    i try to live everyday as it comes but sometime can’t stop overthinking stupid stuff and feel totally overwhelmed , I just want answers but know that nobody has them x 

  • Hi Sal29, I just wanted to say how sorry I was to read that your husband has been diagnosed with Glioblastoma. It is very difficult to not to overthink, just try and deal with each day. I do remembering the overwhelming feeling I had. How are your children coping? I’m thinking of you. X 

  • thank you for replying x 

    the children know he’s got a brain tumour and needs radiotherapy as that was the first prognosis but we’ve not told them about it now being cancerous. At the moment my husband is well and I don’t want to worry the children too soon. 

    God knows if that’s the right thing to do but want to protect for as long as I can before he gets too ill.

     

  • I’m sure you’ve done the right thing, I think you know what is best for your own children. My thoughts are with you. Look after yourself too. X