I was diagnosed with GBM July 2017 at age 44 after suffering a seizure at home and ending up in hospital an MRI and biopsy showed that I had a GBM tumour
The tumour was located in the moto cortex on the right side of my brain and was already affecting my movement on my left side. I went into surgery to have the tumor removed with the possibility of being permanently disabled on my left side. The surgeon was able to remove most of the tumor and I came out with the same mobility as going into surgery.
I then did 6 weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherpy and my movement in my left leg just kept on getting worse. My general physician sent me for an MRI and it showed that the tumour had returned.
My experience with the 6 weeks of radiotherapy was not the best as I detoriated through this period to the point where my balance and walking was terrible. The nurse from radiotherapy would wheel me in in a wheelchair as they were worried I would fall over. Radiotherapy just didn’t work for me
I had another re-section done and this time my surgeon told me I would definitely be paralysed on my left side. On coming out of recovery my neurosurgeon came in to see me and I could squeeze his hand. The smile on his face said I was not paralysed, the nurses even came over to ask me what was going on because they had never seen him smile before. It took a lot longer to recover but I came out walking again but with a bit more of a limp. Since the second removal I have been on Temolozide 5/23 day cycles for the month and I have done 8 cycles.
There has been no sign of regrowth at the moment and the cavity has shrunk, my seizures are under control and I don’t have many side affects from the Chemo just tiredness and nausea.
I live in Australia and cherish everyday I have left with my family as I know one day it will finally beat me, all stay positive and get as much out of life as you can because I am.
My theory is that every good month I have before it all turns to crap is another month I get to spend with my family.
