Vietnam Veteran: Brain tumor after prostate cancer

It is hard to see one's own degrading of abilities. I was also had tech as part of my career. It's become harder and takes longer for me to remember how to do things I used to do easily.

I am using this change in ability to explore what I CAN do and to finally look into alternative work paths that I've always wanted to explore. I hope that your brother can find his "new normal".

@taml You asked " What kind of doctor or medical person helps him be patient and try to heal before retraining his brain to find his empathy again". As you stated, these changes occurred due to your brother's surgery and perhaps the reason for the surgery. A doctoral-level neuropsychologist or psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D) would be the best professional to consult. It would be a good idea for your brother and his wife to ask his neurosurgeon for a referral.

You are so close to the Twin Cities that if there isn't someone in St. Cloud there will be an expert neuropsychologist or psychologist in Minneapolis or St. Paul.

Thanks for your response. You sound like a great person. My brother was head of IT for work. So not being able to figure out how to use a phone or TV remote or drive must be frustrating. His surgery was Dec 4th, so he has no patience. He's recovering physically pretty good, way underweight but eating good now. So I guess he thinks his brain should be healing just as fast. It's only been about 3 months since he quit being able to drive or use a phone. His temper is something we have never seen before. He's 65. He has always been the most patient person in the world. He has his wife, son and me for support. What kind of doctor or medical person helps him be patient and try to heal before retraining his brain to find his empathy again? Fingers crossed. Thanks for your info. You are a shining star ⭐. From St Cloud MN.

Being able to talk to someone that has a similar experience, Occupational Therapy? Clergy comes to mind. Best wishes.

White Matter disease with brain tumors
After years of VA knowing that I had ishemic brain disease and having served in Vietnam 1969 and they more so than myself knew that agent Orange contributes to this life changing disease and now I have a tumor on my brain. I have no family history of any of this and I found out that most doctors are saying they’re is no cure, so what can I do?

White Matter disease with brain tumors
After years of VA knowing that I had ishemic brain disease and having served in Vietnam 1969 and they more so than myself knew that agent Orange contributes to this life changing disease and now I have a tumor on my brain. I have no family history of any of this and I found out that most doctors are saying they’re is no cure, so what can I do?

White Matter disease with brain tumors
After years of VA knowing that I had ishemic brain disease and having served in Vietnam 1969 and they more so than myself knew that agent Orange contributes to this life changing disease and now I have a tumor on my brain. I have no family history of any of this and I found out that most doctors are saying they’re is no cure, so what can I do?

LIke yo I u my husband was in vietnam 1967-1970, approx dates, but was stationed in saigon, the airforce base Da nang, as a aircraft mechanic, while he was directly on the ranch handler aircraft, he was exposed as well the whole airforce base was defoliated with it. He too was dx'd with prostrate cancer, 3 months before the brain tumor, which is a stage 4 gbm but very deep in the brain stem area, we were told by the oncology group. that it is a primary tumor. HOWEVER< 6 months prior to the prostate ca dx, he was dx'd with hypertension and hypothryoridsm, and about 4 years prior had a mass which was benign but resulted in a partial nephrectomy. Prior to this at age 70, he was in good health, never had any issues with hypertensive in spite of family history and did take prostate medicine, but other than that at around age 76 this cluster of symptoms started, he is now 78 he did receive disability for the prostrate cancer which is considered a presumptive disability for agent orange but they deny any connection with agent orange and brain tumors. JUST that I do wonder with the cluster happening of everything, He has lived longer than expected, which was a year at time of the dx, but the last 4 months he has declined mobility wise. He did the treatment, but each scan shows no disease progression, but in person its much different, I plan to report it all to the va, because i still t hink there may be a connection and while we are very appreciative of the disability money, really not looking for anymore, just statistically adding up so that others may have the chance to received acknowledgement.