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how do I tell if brain swelling from radiation
by queen209, Jul 14, 2009 09:09AM
My husband is being treated for a glioblastoma multiforme. He has already had 4 weeks of chemo, and this is his second week of radiation. How do I tell if he is getting brain swelling from radiation. I think he has a barely noticable swelling on the front portion of his head, but may be just mistaken and it may have always been that way. Would you be able to see something like brain swelling? The tumor is on the left side of his brain and very deep so surgery was not an option. it has also affected the thalmus on both sides. Also, how do we tell if radiation and chemo is working? Is there a way to know other than a MRI. They have told us they will not do a MRI until radiation is complete because of brain swelling.
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You cannot see brain swelling at all. You may be seeing swelling under his skin, if he's taking steroids. They probably have your husband on steroids to prevent excessive brain swelling.
I don't know about your husband's particular case, but, in GBM, it's likely that the purpose for the radiation and chemo is to extend his life a bit, as well as to improve the quality of his remaining life. Again, I don't know what you've been told, but, in most cases, the patient won't survive beyond a couple of years.
They will make you do MRI's every couple of months, probably, and .. I honestly don't know why they make you do that. You will know when things are progressing again, by the way your husband is. The brain controls *everything,* and so the challenges are varied and sometimes unpredictable.
This doesn't mean that you can't have hope, or that you can't find joy in your days now. My dear husband Michael has passed away from GBM, and has been gone for 2 years tomorrow, but I will never forget the joys that we shared during his last months with me.