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 Sal29, 

    Sounds similar to us, he was home after 3 days following brain surgery and was amazingly well considering what he'd been through.  

    How far along is your husbsnd with his treatment? Mine was feeling ok until almost the end of the 6 weeks radiotherapy and then he was just exhausted for about 3 months. He still gets very tired and needs to sleep for an hour or so most days. He struggles a lot with the name of things but if someone else had a conversation with him they might not realise. 

    He's got his 6th round of TMZ in a couple of weeks and then he should have a scan but don't know how covid-19 will affect things. 

    Has your husband managed to keep going with his treatment? 

    I hope your children are coping ok with all that is happening to your family 

    Take care x

  • Sal29,

    I'm new to this kind of thing but I'm not sure if we can message directly? I've sent a friend request to you to see what happens. 

    Its absolutely fine if you would rather stay just on this forum 

     

  • yes I’ve friend accepted your friend request! 

  • Yeha x he’s just his usual self apart from being a little more tired .. his speech can sometimes be slurry and his face twitches if he’s tired or anxious! 

    Hes just finished chemo and radiotherapy and has an appointment with his consultant on June 1st to discuss further treatment .. I think it’ll be the same as your husbands x

     

    take ca re and speak soon x 

  • Hi - so new to all of this.  We have had a shocking diagnosis of Glioblastoma right in the midst of lockdown for my very healthy dad.  He is 75 and a full time carer for my mother so this is a nightmare.

    Surgery is next week and it's been hard finding someone who will perform it during covid but, assuming he is negative of covid, it will happen on wed.

    if he is positive we wait 2 more weeks.  I have zero idea what to expect. The tumour is 5/5/4 cm.  What even is the prognosis.

    life is cruel as I ve had cancer myself and a chronically sick child.  I m a single mum and my dad has been incredible.  I d love some idea of what to expect and how to help him x

  • Oh, what a nightmare! Any updates?

    Each person's cancer is very different, so it's hard to know what his prognosis might be. We've seen a range of outcomes among members of the OurBrainBank community. Some have done really well from surgery, others have undergone a chemo/radiation regimen, others are on clinical trials. Many have lived YEARS beyond their prognosis, so it is possible! 

    I'm sorry your family is going through this, and hopefully you've found some support! Best wishes and virtual hugs from here!

    Stacey