Ok, thought I'd start a blog with whats going on...
Introduction:
15 year old sister was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma at the end of March 09. Surgery was succesful and the surgeon believes he got it all out. Orriginally they called it grade 2-3 mixed glioma because some of the biopsy was grade 2, and some grade 3. Also it was part mass part fluid. So, now she is about to start her chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
Get Blogging...
So, rather selfishly I hope to use this blog to talk about how I feel. Perhaps I should be thinking/writing more about how my sister feels. And I'm sure that sometimes I will. However, I don't live at home, and so far she's not been up for talking about the cancer... so lack of information probably prevents this being as much about her as it should be.
So, how have I felt. I think I've felt everything in the last month and a half! First what can only be described as sheer terror upon finding out she had a brain tumour which was to be immediately removed - will she live through the surgery?, will she be normal afterwards?, will she be able to move normally?, will she be incapable in any way?. Immense relief when she came back quite normal after the 5 hours of surgery. Pride at how well she recovered from her anaesthetic - she impressed all the nurses! Guilt at having to go home that evening, and again having to go back to work a couple of days later and Immense love for her, and my mum - a degree of love I don't think you know is there until something this significant happens.
Since then she has had her radio-mask fitted. Except that it didnt fit so they had to arange some gel padding for under her head so that the procedure is accurate enough. She was quite scared about that bit because apparently it was quite uncomfortable until they'd cut the eye holes... she says its much more bearable now her face can breathe a bit and she can blink! They went yesterday to collect her chemo drugs. She's having an anti-sickness one 1st thing, then after a bit the chemo one, then she has her radiotherapy each day at 11.36. At the weekends she also takes an antibiotic to avoid pneumonia.... She'll be rattling! She starts the drugs and the radiotherapy tommorrow morning.
Loosing her hair was always her ONLY concern... It's truly wonderful how the young mind works! She refused to believe it would happen. She refused to considor a hat. At her final face-fitting she was told about the expected level of hair loss and they suggetsed a wig fitting. The anticipated hair loss if far more extensive than any of us wanted to believe it would be and she always thought it would be barely visable due to the rest of her hair falling over the patches of baldness. She has now had a bit of a rethink,,, and mum succesfully got her to pick out a cool cap from accessorise! - Go mum!
So that pretty much takes us up to now. I have been more and more frequently visiting this wonderful site over the last few weeks, and have really appreciated the care and support I have found here. I hope to keep you all updated, and appreciate any comments you may have.
Love Bryony (bigsister)
