Hello,

Some background for me. I was diagnosed with a grade II Astrocytoma in 2011. Had surgery to remove the tumor. The surgeon reported he got all of the cells he could see--very successful surgery. Since the surgery I have been followed by MRI's and participated in a study to track the oncogene 2HG. No significant changes have been noted aside from what the neuron-oncologist early on thinks was scar tissue. For years there hasn't been any changes in the images. This is great. Also in 2011 I lost my dad to GBM--early 60's. He went from being well to gone in three months. I have seen the other side of this cancer and realize how different my situation is. It is amazing to be considered a long term surviver of brain cancer as there aren't many.

Since my diagnosis I have gotten married and am mom to my husband's kids. It is amazing because I never thought I would have that being diagnosed at 29. When I turned 40 I was so excited because I never thought that would happen. But then I wake up with the aches and remember the downsides of 40 :).

Well since the new medication has been in trials and now is fast- tracked for FDA approval I am eligible to take Tipsovo. This is amazing and what many have been waiting for. I have seen my oncologist personally over the last 12 years working on this. I am having such a hard time making the decision to take it or not. If it had been available 10 years ago I would not hesitant at all. I guess since I have (thankfully) been able to start living a normal life again it is hard to introduce a very new medication with no longterm studies on side-effects. However, we know the nature of these tumors and when they do start growing again it is often more aggressively. We would have tried anything to save my dad's life because we know how deadly this disease is. I am so grateful research is going forward and that is medication is giving new hope to those who have to deal with this terrible disease.

My hope is to talk to those who may be taking Tibsovo and find out your experiences and to also have others to talk to about this in general because not very many people understand. Thanks for taking the time to read.