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My mother has been diagnosed with glioblastoma.
My mother’s name is Maria, she is 53 years old. Until November 12, 2025, she worked as an HR specialist. On that day, she came home for lunch and suddenly felt unwell — she experienced numbness in her right limb and confusion in her speech. She was taken to the hospital, where a CT scan showed a hemorrhagic stroke. Surgery was performed, and after a few days she regained consciousness.
A follow-up CT scan showed no abnormalities, and our whole family was relieved and believed she was recovering. We then completed a rehabilitation course together — her limb movement improved significantly, and her speech and cognitive function were gradually returning to normal.
However, late in the evening on January 17, 2026, my father called to say that my mother felt unwell again. She complained of facial numbness. This time, a CT scan revealed a tumor measuring 5 × 4 × 5 mm. Glioblastoma (WHO grade IV). I was shocked. I could not understand how no one had detected the tumor earlier, and it later became clear that it had likely been the cause of the initial brain hemorrhage.
Our neurosurgeon recommended another surgery, but we had to wait due to a large number of emergency cases. During this time, my mother was taking dexamethasone to reduce brain swelling. On January 29, surgery was performed, and the surgeons removed as much of the visible tumor as possible. Immunohistochemistry and molecular studies were also sent for analysis (results are still pending).
Our treating oncologist has recommended radiation therapy without chemotherapy, because my mother has “fluctuating platelet counts” (sometimes below 100). We are currently waiting to start radiation therapy.
I am asking for your help and guidance: what additional treatment options may be available to increase her chances of survival?
May God bless you. 🙏
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I am very sorry your mother has been diagnosed with GBM. Sadly, it is a very deadly disease. My husband died from it four years ago. However, since he died, I have met some people who have actually survived for several years after their diagnosis. One man was diagnosed at age 45 and is still alive today at age 61. That is very rare though. Another man I knew lived for about five years after he was diagnosed and he had a pretty good life during those five years. He was a younger man also. My husband was 76 when he was diagnosed and he only lived three more months. With all of that being said, since your mother is relatively young and it seems they caught it “early”, she very well could live for several more years. It is a cancer though that grows back. With treatment, she will hopefully be able to keep it in check though. My husband did some radiation but in his case I think it killed him quicker. His platelets went way down after a few treatments so we had to curtail any further radiation. Also, the radiation will kill good and bad cells. The “good” cells will not grow back. I know people though who have had some good results with radiation. Also, he did chemo but he didn’t have the good receptors for it to be very effective. If your mother’s receptors are good, then chemo might help her. I hope this helps. I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news but those are some of the things that you will be dealing with. I will also say that you and your father need to just enjoy every moment you have with your mother. No arguing over the little things. None of that matters. Just enjoy them as much as you can while they are here. I wish you the best.
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2 Reactions@kylebar Thank you very much for your support.
@handyl1808, how is your mom doing? What type of radiation will she be getting?
@colleenyoung Mom is feeling good, she walks on her own now (though she couldn’t before), has a very good / big appetite, and is taking dexamethasone 8 mg per day.
Radiotherapy will be performed on the Varian Halcyon system.
The oncologist says no TMZ will be added because MGMT is unmethylated and platelets are fluctuating; the latest blood tests showed 87 units.
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1 Reactionsending prayers for a recovery of the utmost. i pray that your mom can pull through and find support where needed. sending now================ prayer sent. may you have a blessed evening and angels spread their wings to protect your family.
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1 Reaction@randallshields56 Thank you, may God protect you🙏
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1 Reaction@handyl1808 Morning, well just wanted to say thank you for the blessing. Means a lot to me. i believe in angels and miracle's and the holy spirit along with ghosts and But God. prayer chains are the best because you can have thousands hear your prayers. so i am sending you now a prayer======================sent. the reasons i have the faith i do are because of numerous injuries, 2 brain surgeries and a multitude of other things that defy everyday science and sometimes gravity itself. Have a blessed day and ill tell my angel that you need some extra support.
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1 Reaction@randallshields56 Thank you very much🙏🙏🙏
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2 ReactionsThank you for the hug.
Most welcome and its just how support is susposta be. hace a blessed day
today.