It started with small things, mostly visual. In March, 1999, I traveled
to Washington DC for a meeting, then on to Ft. Lauderdale to meet my
family for spring break.
On the trip to DC I could not find my boarding pass shortly before
boarding. When I left DC the same thing happened. I just thought I was
getting very careless and gave it no more thought.
In Ft. Lauderdale more visual symptoms cropped up.
At a spring training game the scoreboard did not match the action on the
field. When I cam back from taking my daughter to the bathroom I had a
hard time finding my family. When we drove back to my brother's house I
stopped and had him drive because something did not seem right. Other
things cropped up. I type with two fingers while looking at the
keyboard. Instead of the "a" key I kept hitting Caps lock and realized
I was "shouting". When reading I realized I was missing words. My wife
thought I had had a stroke.
When I returned home, I called my doctor at home on a Sunday (yes, he is
that kind of doctor). He had a scan set for Wednesday, my wife and I
saw the neurologist and neurosurgeon on Thursday and the surgery was
Tuesday. I had radiation and chemo (BCNU) as well as stereotactic
radiation. I was very fortunate to be at University of Missouri
Hospital, a teaching hospital. Other doctors might not have been so
responsive to my symptoms.
I had a recurrence in 2001 with successful resection during which they
implanted Gliadel wafers.
In 2002, they thought I had another recurrence but it was only scar
tissue and radiation necrosis. I went out of network to UCSF for that.
My only issues since then have been medications and a small seizure in
addition to a minor impairment to my left side peripheral vision. I
continue to work full time, now at the State of Missouri. I know how
blessed I have been and I try to help others who are impacted by GBM and
other brain tumors.
When I turned 50 I told people there was a time in my life I never
wanted to turn 50 and now I couldn't be happier turning 50. I have
learned a lot of things from my experiences and these are just a few of
them:
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You learn quickly who is not comfortable with their mortality.
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Have someone with you to listen, ask questions and remember. A couple
of times the neurosurgeon responded to my wife that no one had asked him
that before.
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Don't fear knowledge. As my wife said many times," There is nothing you
can tell us that is worse than we can imagine".
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My shorthand for it is that I visit the future but I don't stay there.
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God does not do these things to us. He gave us the gift of life which
brings uncertainty and good and bad things. When tough times hit, He
can comfort us much as we can comfort each other.
Update 11/14/2007:
Nothing much has changed since my original submission. My health is still good and I continue to work full time and enjoy it.
I have gotten more involved with several web sites and email groups – NBTF Message Board, ABTA Sharing Hope Stories and CancerCare Online Support Groups. These activities help satisfy my need to help others living with cancer, especially brain cancer.
Update: 6/7/2008: I was featured on CNN!
Update 7/22/2010:
In March 2009, I had a grand mal seizure. Between that, the meds and some other issues I could no longer work full-time and retired in June of last year. I also applied for and qualified for disability. Fatigue and mental sluggishness have been issues. It is manageable and the good news is my health is otherwise good so long as I am careful about what I do. I have done physical therapy to help address some of those issues, like dizziness, balance and gait. I also did a neuro-pysch test which showed reasonable stability compared to the test done seven years ago. I did find it interesting that the test really could not cover some of my more significant issues like the speed and comprehension of my reading - both down noticeably. I also struggle somewhat with verbal instruction and memory, especially if it is complex.
Of course, the best news is I remain tumor free eleven years after the initial diagnosis and treatment.
I am still engaged trying to help others and that has been extremely gratifying. While there are many new treatments and new knowledge there remain fundamental truths about this disease that can be better explained by someone who has gone through this as a patient.
Update 2/8/2011:
I continue to enjoy my retirement and have had no serious health issues related to my tumor or treatments. I get satisfaction from assisting persons with brain tumors and their families.
Update 2/21/2012:
I continue tumor-free and with no significant health issues. I did start on a CPAP machine last August, not for sleep apnea but for shallow breathing. There was a suggestion it was a brain issue, i.e., some lack of signaling, but I have not had a definitive answer.
I remain actively engaged in the brain tumor community, primarily working with brain tumor patients and their families Besides VirtualTrials, I am in a Facebook group that has grown to over 300 people in just a few months and just found the http://www.cancercompass.com/ site which is somewhat similar to the VirtualTrials on-line support group. It does have a brain tumor group and uses threaded conversations. Also, you can search the site on a topic and find related conversations.
I am also very active in our Boys and Girls Club.
Update 7/20/2012:
My medical status is unchanged - tumor-free since 2001. I receive an annual scan and follow-up with my neurosurgeon. My health is good. I started walking in January with an initial goal of an average of 10,000 steps per day during the week. I was up near 20,000/day and since dropped to 15,000/day. Between January and July I lost 22 pounds. I also was more careful watching what I eat and in moderation.
By the way, I'm often asked whether I had any special diets or alternative treatments during my regular treatments and the answer is no. I have no idea whether anything else helps or not but I would take the advice for physicians - first do no harm.
Update 1/28/2013
Nothing has changed since the last update. I did start being involved with Cancer Hope Network. As always, I am gratified I have the chance to reach out to brain tumor survivors and family. I just wish those chances were fewer and farther between.
