glioblastoma multiforme stage 4

[Amandas_Mom]

my 21 year old daughter has been recently diagnosed GBM grade IV  - she did 2 craniotomies- we see the oncologist Monday - we will then find out when the radiation and chemo will begin... everything I read is saying 1 - 2 years life expectancy - I just am unable to accept that..
realistically I need to know how this will affect her? will it be her motor skills? eye sight?? 1 of the tumors were on her optical nerve ( her sight is still real fuzzy) the doctors say the remove all- but there are tenticles..??.. I live away from her, I flew out to her side the day she underwent her first surgery... I am scard to go home.. how quickly can this affect her again?

[pupchow]

I am so sorry for you.  My son was diagonisieed at age 22 with a gbm grade 4.  He has had 3 surgeries.  The tentacles were explained this way:  A tree has roots.  You can cut the tree but the roots are still there.  That is what a gbm has.  You can't see all the roots.  This is why they grow back.  My son was given 9-18 months and we were told if he made 2 years to thank God.  We thank God every day.  It has been over 5 years.  April 30,2004 was his first surgery.  Now his tumor is progressing and is inoperable now because it has spread to the other side of hhis brain.  For those 5 years he worked every day and has had a great life.  Now he has lost the use of his left side.  We have had to put him in hospice now.  He is 27.  I still thank God every day for him.  There is always hope never give up.  He has baffled all his doctors but miracles can happen.  My daughter and I have just decided you have to BELIEVE!!!  I hope I have helped you a little.  I will be praying for you and your daughter.   Good Luck and just BELIEVE

Janet

[MotherShipK]

My heart and prayers are with all who have GBM and their loved ones.  
There is a site, brainhospice.com that has much end of life information.  The first time I went to it I knew what stage my husband was in. Usually the doctors wait too long to put their patien on hospice.  Maybe it's because it's a statement of what is to come.  
GBM patients are tough.  They fight hard.  They love us.  We in turn care for them with the respect and dignity they deserve.  I pray for all of you as I was in your shoes just a few weeks ago and still can't believe my loss.  I can't imagine this bestowed on my child.  GBM took my husband.  I pray you all have a transistion of love that surrounds you and your family.