Talk Cancer

Question:

Thanks to the group, I had an easier time yesterday, when my 75 year old father succumbed to GBH brain tumor yesterday. The caregivers never told us what to expect, prognosis, life expectancy, etc.  They did tell us specific side effects to specific treatments, but hedged around the prognosis issue.  This newsgroup, and websites, and Steph in particular, provided excellent information. Real information is that 10 months is median life expectancy after glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) primary brain tumor resection; less with age. Dad and I discussed reality, about 2 months after resection, near the end of radiation, as he was about to start BCNU (Carmustine) chemo. They did say at about two weeks after surgery, that he would have been comatose by then without treatment. We had one year and 9 days after surgery. My dad was a self-employed accountant for the past 40 years, and an avid bridge player. He wanted to come back enough to do taxes, and play bridge.  Well, he did both, with a gusto.  2001 tax year he did 300 returns, including a dozen corporations.  We played in our once a month bridge group, and enjoyed the interaction with other players.  There is something different about bridge players. Special thanks to my step-mother for providing excellent care, and hospice for the end game.

Response:

Having optimistic but realistic expectations is the best way of dealing with any cancer diagnosis. Your family seems to have approached this illness and death in as good a way as is possible. I congratulate you all and wish you well. MIKE

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks to the group, I had an easier time yesterday, when my 75 year old father succumbed to GBH brain tumor yesterday. The caregivers never told us what to expect, prognosis, life expectancy, etc.  They did tell us specific side effects to specific treatments, but hedged around the prognosis issue.  This newsgroup, and websites, and Steph in particular, provided excellent information. Real information is that 10 months is median life expectancy after glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) primary brain tumor resection; less with age. Dad and I discussed reality, about 2 months after resection, near the end of radiation, as he was about to start BCNU (Carmustine) chemo. They did say at about two weeks after surgery, that he would have been comatose by then without treatment. We had one year and 9 days after surgery. My dad was a self-employed accountant for the past 40 years, and an avid bridge player. He wanted to come back enough to do taxes, and play bridge.  Well, he did both, with a gusto.  2001 tax year he did 300 returns, including a dozen corporations.  We played in our once a month bridge group, and enjoyed the interaction with other players.  There is something different about bridge players. Special thanks to my step-mother for providing excellent care, and hospice for the end game.

Response: