Adult Medulloblastoma diagnosis

Hi  and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm very sorry to read that you have been diagnosed with a medulloblastoma and that you can find very little information about it.

Although I don't have experience with brain tumours I'd noticed that your post had gone unanswered so I thought I'd see if I could help. I've had a look on Macmillan's website and found this page on medulloblastoma in adults. Hopefully, it might provide you with some information although, as by now you'll have seen your oncologist, you may already have this.

Wishing you all the best

x

Hi Heather 

 I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'm 45 and was diagnosed with a rapidly multiplying medulloblastoma that was inoperable as it was diffusely spread throughout the cerebellum, in Nov 2015. I then got a brain infection, contracted hydrocephalus and had to delay urgent radiotherapy whilst I recovered in hospital. I then underwent seven weeks of radio and six months of chemo. I couldn't complete the chemo and did 4 out of 6 cycles of the Packer protocol. I had my first clear scan in September 2016 and every scan since then has been clear.

I am still convalescing and my balance and memory aren't perfect but everyone is amazed at my recovery. I was told that if the treatment failed I'd be dead in the first year. 

I really understand the numb shock you must feel. 

But I can truly say that there is hope. My life is different but strangely better now. 

Please ask me anything you want to about it and I'll do my best to help. 

Warm hug 

Lynette from Oxford

Hey Lynette,

I'm sorry you have been through so much, but you are such an inspiration to me that you have pulled through everything. Thank you so much for sharing.

I am also in Oxford too! May i ask if you were treated at the Churchill?

I wish you all the best with your continued recovery and lots of hugs.

Heather 

xxxx

Thank you for the kind words. I was at the Churchill; what a coincidence!

I recommend hanging out at Maggie's ( cancer charity on the hospital grounds) if you have spare time. They are very caring and helpful and offer free counselling and other courses, as well as free tea, coffee and cakes. I still go there sometimes. 

I hope your oncologist gave you some clarity and support. Mine (Claire) said only one person had died under her care with this tumour in twenty years she had been treating adult medulloblastoma patients.

Feel free to get in touch again if you need help. 

Take good care xxx

Such a small world! Was your oncologist Claire Hobbs at all? She is mine and made me feel a lot more positive. 

Yes, i love the Maggie's centre! Only been a couple of times so far but it's a lovely, relaxing place.

So lovely to hear from you and perhaps we'll run into each other at Maggie's one day!

xxxx

Isn't it just! Yes  she is also my neuro-oncologist. How funny...

If you want to meet there for a coffee sometime let me know. 

Take care! X

What a small world! Dr.Hobbs also looks after my son. He was diagnosed  as Classic group 4 medelloblastoma October  2017.Having undergone surgery ,radiotherapy , he will have last cycle of Packer protocol.

Hey Lynette,

I hope you are doing well?

I just had a question; I've since found out that I am considered as having a large cell / anaplastic medulloblastoma, and whilst Dr Hobbs has given me a good prognosis, I've since become super anxious that i should be worrying about this type.

Would you happen to know any info about this type at all?

Thanks,

Heather 

Hi Heather 

I'm fine, thanks. I'm sorry that you've received some unsettling news. 

I don't know much about the different cell types, but I know mine was considered high risk and I had less than a year if the radio and chemo didn't work, which they did. They also said they were hopeful.

My experience is that the doctors don't provide false hope. 

I know it's hard to wait, but best to directly ask Dr Hobbs. She can tell you on balance what increases or decreases your risk. I found Google was not my friend... 

I know that I had high risk things such as it being diffuse and inoperable and multiplying rapidly and medium risk aspects, too. I still survived. 

I really hope you are again reassured and that the stresses of the process don't overwhelm you... 

Hugs and bestest wishes

Lynette 

Thank you Lynette.

I did also get reassurance from Dr Hobbs via my lovely nurse, and whilst this was news to me it wasn't to her and my prognosis stands as it was, so i feel that i don't need to worry. 

Just frightened me a bit seeing it written down like that!

Thanks again!

Heather

xxxx