glioblastoma multiforme grade 4

today we found out my husband has a glioblastoma multiforme grade 4.  how long with radiation and chemo does he really have?  they could only get a small piece of the tumor out surgically.  

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
The median survival is about 1 year for patients with glioblastoma multiforme.  About 5% of patients survive for 5 years or longer.  Radiation therapy substantially improves survival.  Chemotherapy using temozolomide can be given and continued until disease progression.
Good luck and God bless.  

[MotherShipK]

Thank you for responding.  I don't want any false hopes here.  
I know a grade 4 is probably the most difficult to fight, but my husband is ready to do what it takes to survive.  We were blessed with our first grandson just one week ago today and that is a true gift and blessing to help us all through this.  As you can imagine there is a flood of emotions on both sides of the spectrum.  Again thanks for responding.

[tuppie69]

my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family my father also has stage 4 and we found out in july and he had a 1/4 of his brain removed and friday we found out 2 have come back and it is so hard to go threw,we have had all the ups and downs and he did the radiation and chemo  that have taken there toll on him for sure and it is a hard battle I only wish you peace in all of this,we are preparing for our last Christmas and its very sad and my father is only 60 and he has been my whole world and my daughter just had his first great granddaughter on sept 26th and she and my children  to is what he is using to get by and it is what makes him smile so hold them dear,all my hopes and prayers ,Kim god bless you all

[MotherShipK]

Thanks for posting the note Tuppie69.  Not many people understand as I can see you do.  It must be difficult for you to watch your father, but keep strong as he is doing that for you.
My hubby had his second brain surgery.  They removed most of the tumor, but there are fingers to it that extend into the other side of the brain and wrapped around where the spinal fluid is. He fell in the shower and it took me a good hour to get him up and to the bed. He refuses to go back to the hospital. He begins radiation and chemo this Thursday, The doc said that after a month of this therapy, they will MRI his brain and see if it's working.  If the tumor has grown, they will discontinue the radiation and let nature run within him. We celebrated 25 years of marraige this year, had our first grandson, he survived his Abdominal Arotic Aneurysm surgery.  Now he falls into the hands of cancer and it just isnt fair.  Last week we were in the ER for blood clots in his lungs which is common for brain cancer patients after surgery.  I'm getting ready to leave for work now.  It's tough to juggle all of this, but I have to pay the bills which are piling up.  With all of this, when I hold my grandson life regenerates within me and it makes me feel good.  I hope you get that same kind of feeling within you so you can smile and laugh too.  Love to you all.

[venkatkommi]

hi friends,
my brother was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme and he is in stage 4.

A 6 week Radiotherapy is completed and chemotherapy  treatment is ongoing and he is at home at the moment.

Me, family and friends are preying and hoping that he will be ok.  

He has two loving kids and the kids knew something fishy and they also know that there is a serious problem with their father, but not sure that his survival chances is less then a year.
My brother is very cheerful never scold his children even once. Now he simply smiles (like a child) at us as though he was perfectly alright. He is bit introvert and never shows any pain on his face. I am not sure if he knows that he has brain cancer and very close to death.

It is just unbelievable how this awful disease - cancer - is all around us.

We are also planning to start breathing exercise for him. A very very good and dear friend of mine had cancer for the last 2 years. she also was treated in the "formal" ways with heavy radiation and it was very very difficult. and then she started all kinds of other ways - ways that are much more known in India than here - she did the same breathing course we did, she started to practice it daily, she changed her food habits, she did all kind of alternative things and it helped. just recently, after 2 very very serious years of brain and lung cancer - they told her that the cancer is starting to back off and they also stoped the radiation therapy. anyway, what I want to say - that more than ever, I believe now that it is all in the mind - you all, and especially him, need to concentrate in positive energy and a true true believe that he can beat this awful thing. I know how difficult it is.

Hope is the only thing left with us. I will think about all of  you  and focus my positive energy in him getting better.

[peaches3550]

I lost my mom to a gbm 2 yrs ago.  It was a very short time from diagnosis to her passing.  I'm sorry for all those suffering.  

I don't know the name but they used a new experimental chemo for her.  It's main side effect is turning the skin green. (maybe that info will help). It seemed to stunt the tumor but as it was unable to be removed there was little to be done for her.

Stay as positive as you can. Gather a support system around you. Pray, pray pray! God does work miracles still
. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11