Brain Tumors

[ptgatsby]

Originally Posted by Bushranger

It really is something that only a doctor (probably a specialist) could advise you on. The details of any particular case can be very important.
Doctors probably try to steer clear of giving an overly optimistic or pessimistic prognosis.

Absolutely something that is case dependent, so you'd have to listen to the doctor.

My advice would be to buy the ticket, however, if possible. This kind of operation will always be uncertain.

[ygolo]

Statistics in response to your question taken from Brain Tumour Australia

I think you better buy the plane ticket.

(From EXECUTIVE SUMMARY)
1.5 According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) only one in four persons diagnosed with a brain tumour will be alive five years following their diagnosis on average, if deaths from other causes are excluded.

(From HOSPITAL INPATIENT STATISTICS)
In [2000 to 2001], there were 4,739 separations from hospitals in Australia of persons with a principal diagnosis of cancer of the brain or central nervous system, with an average stay of 11.2 days. There were 659 deaths.

The appendix on p. 23 may help you ask the right questions.

I don't know what part of Australia you are from, but there may be a local support group that could provide the information (and support) you need.

During the Awareness Week the Canberra Hospital in Australia will have a display in its main entrance foyer publicising the local brain tumour network.

Joanne McLoughlin from the Wollongong Hospital in Australia is also planning a local activity which she hopes will attract media attention. Karen Jackson from the Western Australian Cancer and Palliative Care Network and her group of local people also have plans for an appropriate activity [...]

One of our supporting organisations, the Sydney-based Cure for Life Foundation, will hold its 5th Annual Cranes for Brains Day on Friday, 26 October, as part of the International Awareness Week. Children from all around Australia will participate in a paper crane fold-a-thon or casual clothes dress-up day in support of CFL fundraising efforts.

As part of its contribution to International Brain Tumour Awareness Week the newly-formed Adult Brain Cancer Support Association of South Australia will be holding a "Picnic in the Park", in Botanic Park, Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide, on Sunday 21 October, at 12.30 p.m. Contact Linda Aitken for details O403 171 017 or Linda.Aitken at health.sa.gov.au (substitute @ for at).

Members of the brain tumour support group associated with the Cancer Council Queensland (Australia) will be holding an awareness activity for patients and their families on 27 October to coincide with the International Brain Tumour Awareness Week.

Di Murphy from Australia will undertake a trek of the Great Wall of China during 13-20 October with friends from Australia, the USA and UK. Di intends to donate the mileage she covers to the IBTA's Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours. Funds raised will be donated to Brain Tumour Australia. Here is a photo of Di and her son Joel who was diagnosed with a haemongioblastoma benign brain tumour in January 2006 and had it successfully removed and is now living life to the fullest. Those wanting to sponsor Di can contact her at: murphs4 at pnc.com.au (substitute @ for at)

Mr Simon Baker of Australia, a former Olympian who won the World 50 kilometres racewalking championship in Spain in 1989, has given his support to the Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours and has issued an invitation to other world sporting champions to lend their support to the project. Ms Kerry Saxby, former World Indoor champion and the first woman in the world to racewalk 20 kms in under 1 hr 30 mins, also supports the World Walk.

The International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA) - Walk Around the World & Awareness Week

Brain Tumour Australia Inc - Social & Emotional Impact - The family

[ptgatsby]

*shakes head* INTPs!

[Jennifer]

I'm really sorry, Jeff.

I would buy the ticket as well. When symptoms come on so suddenly, I take that to be a bad sign -- I assume it to mean rapid growth, especially bad for brain cancer. (Anything that puts pressure on the nerves in those regions of the body could cause a great deal of damage.)

Obviously I have no idea of the details, but I would go. Take care of yourself and your family.

[lastrailway]

Originally Posted by JivinJeffJones

It's not me, it's my mom. The cancer is malignant, I don't know too much more than that, since we've only just found out. Operation soon. The symptoms came on suddenly -- over the course of a day, 2 at most. I don't know if I should drop everything and buy a ticket tomorrow, or if I have enough time to wait and see what the outcome of the operation is. I dunno how honest doctors are when informing family of probable outcomes etc. I don't know much about it, really, except that my maternal grandfather died of a brain tumor and that it wasn't a drawn-out business.

Sorry to hear about your mother. I would buy the ticket if possible.
Wishes for a good outcome

[Natrushka]

Buy the ticket, Jeff.

Best of luck

[creativeRhino]

Jeff,

go be with her if you can. There is no time like the present. My heart goes out to you. Anybody dealing with a brain tumour needs somebody to be with her each time she sees a doctor - to support and take notes.

Also, check out the Brain Tumour Australia website. Brain Tumour Australia Inc - home. There is a wide range of info there covering medical/practical stuff and where to find support.

There is also a yahoo egroup ozbraintumour where you can get support.

I have had the misfortune to need similar info. My ENTJ husband died of a brain tumour about 4 1/2 years ago. I could sadly almost write a book about type and dealing with brain tumours, and all the issues that come up medically and psychologically. The adaptable "plastic" nature of the brain adapts to the incursion of the tumour and so most diagnoses happen relatively late in the piece.

keep us posted....

[JivinJeffJones]

Thanks for all your replies and advice, MUCH appreciated. Enough said.


So it looks like it was actually a mild stroke instead of a tumor. There is a blood clot in her brain doing the damage, though they aren't totally sure if the clot is obscuring a tumor. Apparently the oncologist jumped the gun in pronouncing a tumor (instead of "probably tumor"). So no operation is necessary, and the symptoms should hopefully improve. She'll get more tests done in 3 months to find out if there is actually a tumor there, but the seem to doubt it now.

This means that the cancer which is causing her tumor-count to be so high is somewhere else, though they still don't know where. She is going through chemotherapy. Still, a tumor somewhere else seems like good news compared to a brain-tumor. Unless it's one of those "Phenomenon" brain tumors.

[Ivy]

Wow. "No brain tumor" seems like very good news. I'm sorry about the other developments but they all seem more manageable than a brain tumor.

[creativeRhino]

jeff,

so glad to hear that. If they've scanned your mother and can't find any "spots" elsewhere then the chemo is a good idea - she could be at a ridiculously early stage and that is the perfect time to tackle it.

If your mother has "deficits" (to use the standard term) - ie speech, movement problems - rehab is important. Lots can be done with various therapists to make sure she manage any issues that don't resolve over time.

The brain is an amazing thing - very plastic (adaptable) for somethings but not so for other things.

Even though the Dr was an alarmist, I'd rather have an alarmist than a casual "wait and see-ist" any day.

Believe me, what ever your mother faces now, it just has to be better than a brain tumour.....