Glioma in posterior fossa

Hello, @greatdayinmt67 I'm Scott and I was my wife's caregiver during her 14+ year war with her brain cancer. I offer my condolences on your diagnosis and while knowing each patient, their cancer, and their journey us unique to them, wanted to share some of our experiences.

My wife's tumor began in her right frontal cortex, and while that is different than yours, I wanted to say hang in there! I know the times of waiting, uncertainty, and not knowing can be, and for us were, some of the most challenging. We all crave answers for sure!

Due to several issues with the tumor's location, my wife being left-handed, and the tumor's intermixing with valuable synapses of her brain, she chose to forego radiation and chemo. Just her choice. She did need to have an emergency craniotomy due to some bleeding at which time they did as much resection as they could.

Many times over the years of her journey we were reminded that when it comes to a brain that is 'broken' in some way there is much that is still unknown, much art to the science of medicine, but also that breakthroughs are continually being made -- often times at record speed.

Others may have books to recommend, however, what my wife found was her situation was so different from the books that she found them of little interest and often no help. But again that was just her.

As her caregiver, I did find one book of help, which is a small book, broken in two with half for the caregiver and half for the patient. While it is a bit dated (written in 1995), we found it had many solid suggestions and information we both found useful.

One thing we did do during those early days soon after her diagnosis was to visit an attorney and write all new wills, our estate plan, get our medical directives, power of attorney, HIPPA, final wishes, etc. all taken care of. Over and over, this proved invaluable for us.

I hope this was of some help and please feel free to ask me any questions you might have. Do you have someone to help you out during these times?

Strength, Courage, & Peace

Hello:
After having discovered a brain tumor in my right frontal lobe; a surgical intervention in 2012 at the Rochester Mayo Campus has proved to have saved my life.
Physics is an interest in my life and applying a students interest towards learning about the facets of my dynamic survival has been great.
I would suggest reading about the dynamics of radiation technology for oncologics with regard to particles. Such as photon beams, proton beams, ETC.
When I was diagnosed, I was around 25 years of age. Presently, after having my 36th birthday this november, being alive and enjoying the whole of me as a person is what I consider to be a privilege of treatment.
I suggest looking into radiation based therapy right away.
The nature of my brain cancer was both rare and unusual for my age. After a gross surgical resection of the area containing the tumor, it wasnt yet clear for years, the stability of the surgical site. Usually, with a scenario like mine, a pateint has favorable odds to survive 3-5 years before a more aggressive version redevelops. Mayo Clinic has been a Miracle in my life. I stand cancer free and fully healed a decade later. Anything is possible; Everything can change;
All the time every time is sometimes the time.
Best regards in your journey and considerations thereof. If you ever need a listener, please ask. There is much I have seen. Take care and be well. Happy Holidays!!!

Nice to meet you @123carpediem. Nice username. You’ll be a great addition to the Brain Tumor support group and offer support and knowledge of your experience to others new to the scary words “you have a brain tumor”. I also encourage you to follow the Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Support Group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/adolescent-young-adult-aya-cancer/

Crazy, but at 36, you still qualify as YA! 🙂 You mention a student’s interest in physics. Is that what you pursued as a career too?

Hello and Thank you.
It would be excellent to connect with that support group. If my story or sentiments could provide support to anyone else, I would be much oblidged. Much thanks for reaching out and letting me know. Though I do not have an active career with Physical science at present; my library is extensive in certain areas of interest. Biophysics of human biology is among them.
Thank you for considering me still young. Truly, I am flattered.

Cheers