Hi everyone.
my husband had a brain tumour removed in April this year.
he has had 6 wks of radiotherapy/chemotherapy tablets.
a month off them now into his 2nd cycle of maximum Chemotherapy tablets.
this journey has been horrendous.he was Once a man who worked almost every day, weekends as well a lot of the times, as he was self employed.
now I see him struggle going up the stairs.
this last cycle of Chema has completely floored him, his appetite( which was always good) has dwindled.
he Dosent talk about his treatment, always saying I’ll leave it down to the experts.
I would like to hear from ppl who are on the same journey. Thanks for listening to me x
Hi Teesie
welcome to the online community. So sorry to hear about your husband. It's beyond cruel.
I can relate only too well to your situation. My own husband was given a terminal diagnosis (GBM4) just over a year ago. He too had the surgery and the 6 weeks of chemo/radiotherapy but he declined to take any further treatment in January this year. I had to respect his decision.
Men aren't great in general about opening up and talking about things in my own experience. My husband rarely comments and merely shrugs and says "it is what it is." (Lord how I hate that phrase now!)
Everyone's experience of this journey is different. In some ways, we've been lucky. Physically my husband is still fit (he's a 52 year old marathon runner) and he's still able to run several times a week. His tumour impacted his speech and understanding so that's left him barely able to read, easily confused, he gets muddled up when speaking and can only follow simple instructions. His running is the last piece of his "old life" that he's clinging on to and I dread the day when he can no longer do it. I can see him slowly declining mentally and I'll be honest, its tearing me apart.
Make sure that you're taking time to take care of yourself. Don't underestimate the toll this is taking on you. Take some "me time" when you can. It's not being selfish- it's essential.
This forum and the (+) Carers only forum - Macmillan Online Community have been a great source of support to me over the months. There's always someone here who "gets it".
Remember too that Macmillan Support Services also offer lots of information, support, financial guidance or just someone to listen. It’s free to call 0808 808 0000. Most services are available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Have a look by Clicking here to see what is available. If you have any technical/medical questions, we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two to three working days for replies from our expert team.
Sending you a huge virtual hug. Stay strong.
love n hugs
Wee Me xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
You're very welcome, Teesie. It's so scary as you just don't know what's coming next. My husband has had a couple of episodes that they've said are seizures. There were two definite ones early on before his surgery but since then his seizures when they happen are more like a record getting the needle stuck - he just goes stuttery and on repeat almost. it worries me that it'll happen when he's out running or out with his friends who may not know what to watch out for.
He's also had an issue with blood clots since his surgery last year. There's one on the surface of his brain that if it moves or changes could cause carnage.
Some days it does just feel like one thing after another, doesn't it?
Hope you get some support from your dr in the morning. The last time they put my husband on steroids he decided he didn't like taking them but never told me. I discovered almost two weeks later that he'd been binning them! Honestly- worse than a child at times! His CNS gave him fits for that stunt.
Hang in there
Wee me xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
