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GBM after two years of treatment survival of 69 year old man?
My husband 69 years was diagnosed with a glioblastoma grade 4. He had surgery, radiation and chemo. It has been two years and the GBM shows to be growing back. How much time does he have to live. Right now he is doing pretty good. He still drives. He says he doesn't hurt. He does has memory loss and gets very tired, he also is very hyper and compulsive. I am getting worried.
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Does your husband take any medication that could be causing the hyper and compulsiveness? I had a seizure and collapsed 18 months ago, and I too was diagnosed with glioblastoma grade 4. I have been on seizure meds since but the first medication I was given made me hyper and compulsive and I had a very bad case of always being irritated. Thankfully it was switched within 2 weeks of starting and I haven't had an issue since. There have been no changes to my daily activities. I still have my normal days of exercises, errands, taking my dogs for their walks, etc. etc.
The last of my chemo pills was done July 2024. I do get an MRI every 2 months. There is a slight change, the tumor appears to be growing back. The growth is very small, so we are just watching it. Physically and mentally, there are no changes either. I make sure of that as well by staying positive, I refuse to allow this to control me as much as and as long as possible. Will I continue with treatment if it is needed, that is debatable. I would much rather have a solution as to why I have the cancer and correct/change my life to make me better. Not to cure the problem and then have to go through another treatment because other body parts got damaged from the first treatment.
I am 63 years old, and I do want to live longer, but on my terms.
I do hope you can help your husband. First and foremost, make sure you both stay positive. Enjoy your lives together as much as you can.
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1 ReactionAs the previous comment suggested, check if the medication may be causing the hyperactivity and compulsiveness. My husband is a little over a year after diagnosis of GBM stage 4. Early on he had a seizure med that caused compulsiveness and irritability. The med was changed (sorry I can't remember the name) and the symptoms diminished. MRI's so far have been good, but like you I wonder (and worry) about the average survival time after a tumor starts to regrow. Of course this will vary depending on the individual circumstances. Keep up the communication with your treatment team and take it a day at a time with love and presence for each other. Wishing you peace and calm.