A Preview of “The True Brew Cancer Survivor Guide"
Introduction
Tim’s Story: Glioblastoma Journey With Attitude
Hi. I am a 47-year-old Australian male, welcome to the emotional roller coaster of when I was diagnosed with a Primary Brain Tumour. My wife Steph and I document our journey. This is a Challenge, not a one-way street Prognosis.
Diagnosis: In November 2011 I started to experience a shaking hand after drinking a few coffees. My GP sent me for an MRI and I was found to have a Primary Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). It was the size of a grapefruit and located in my right Parietal lobe. I was hospitalised the next day and operated on within three days. Wow! What just happened? This is real!
The surgeon was frightened Pre-Op but confident Post-Op, saying he thought he had removed all of the Grade 4 tumour but that a bank of grade 2 and 3 tumours remained, as it was in an area he could not reach without causing significant brain damage. He said that when he opened my skull the tumour popped out and was red and angry looking. He said that if it had burst, I would have had no chance!
The Radiologist was confident that he had access to the tumour area and recommended 34 radiation sessions. My Oncologist was working with my Radiologist and my treatment included having the chemo drug Temozolomide, (otherwise known as Temodal) at 140mg per day for 45 days accompanied with the antiemetic (anti-nausea) medication Navoban for 6 days then Maxalon for each remaining day of the cycle with the Temodal. I was also on an antibiotic Bactrim on the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week. This occurred whilst I was having the radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
After the 6 weeks of radiation, I continued with 5 other sets of chemotherapy, this time Temodal for 5 days followed by 23 days of no medication. The first cycle was 300mg and the subsequent cycles all at 400mg. I also had the navoban (anti nausea medication) each day I had the Temodal.
This seems like a pretty routine way to treat your GBM. Your best chance, refined and tuned over the years for the best results, although a 98% failure rate remains.
Oncologist and Radiologist advise on what to expect.
- First MRI after 2 months of treatment, don't expect too much as debris from the surgery and radiation take time to dissolve.
- Dexamethasone is the steroidal anti- inflammatory prescribed which you take to assist with brain swelling.
This sounds quite mundane and regular at this stage. But I reckon 98% failure rate needs a review. I like to bet when the odds are in my favour. Although in saying this a 1% success rate is all I need. If the surgeon got all the GBM then we stand a chance. If the Radiologist had good access, then we stand a chance. My friends and family were right behind me and that makes a difference. I see it as just another challenge.
To make sure I didn't become a statistic and get the odds back in my favour I did the following things that made sense to me…
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