Rob's MRI: Update Glioblastoma Multiforme (brain cancer)
tanadashoes
time. Rob has been downgraded after his last MRI. The tumors are
growing back and now there isn't much we can do about it. We're talking
months and weeks now.
In order to try to slow the growths down and make Rob's live easier and
more painless, he will be going back on chemo, but only every 6 weeks.
His oncologist is pretty sure that Rob won't make it until June 19,
which is Mandy and Jim's new wedding date.
I'm not surprised, although I am grieving. Rob has been having
increasing problems with some of his bodily functions and motor skills.
His cognitive abilities are also slipping. I want to bawl my eyes
out, but right now I don't have it in me. I guess I'm still shell shocked.
All purrs and prayers are welcome and we are grateful to you all for
them. Rob, as you know, is my life. My other and better half. My
everything. I've been expecting it, but I never thought it could hurt
this much.
CSM
I'm so sorry to hear your news. No matter how long you expect things
to one day get worse, it's devastating when they do. You have my
heartfelt sympathy; I wish there was more I could offer. Feel free to
give in to your emotions, and know that you have many who are
supporting you in your time of need.
---
CSM
J
> We knew it was going to come eventually. However, we'd hoped for more
> time. Rob has been downgraded after his last MRI. The tumors are
> growing back and now there isn't much we can do about it. We're talking
> months and weeks now.
Words loved ones never want to hear. I'm sorry Pam.
I just received a gift from my cat, a reminder that my life's been full of
soft, warm, lovin' times; interspersed by rough lickin' sessions. You will get
through them Pam and I'll be here as often as I can, should you wish to bend
our ears.
Hugs
J
sheder1
> We knew it was going to come eventually. However, we'd hoped for more
> everything. I've been expecting it, but I never thought it could hurt
> this much.
It is a long and lonely road facing you. Treasure every minute you
have together I wish I could tell you something different. All I
know is that the body and mind as we knew it will be gone, but you
will find, as did I, that your other and better half will always be by
your side. You will feel the presence and the same helpfulness as you
had when he was here in body. I know this from experience. Four
years later and Franzi is still with me. Blessings.
~*LiveLoveLaugh*~
news:vtudndgGQv9Pl57W...@earthlink.com...
Pam,
I am so sorry to hear this. I saw you post it in the cat group, and I
really didn't know what to say. I still don't!! Just know that you and Rob
have many, many prayers coming to the two of you.
Stay as strong as you can.
--
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Laurie
((��.�� ..��
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*~*LiveLoveLaugh*~*
All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.
~Abraham Lincoln
figgertoes
> We knew it was going to come eventually. However, we'd hoped for more
> time.
Pam, I am so sorry to read this. I remember hearing of all your
shared experiences - the road trips, the kitties, celebrations - on &
on. Many of us know the chill that comes when we learn that
everything that can be done has been done & time is short. I will
always remember Rob & hope your remaining days together are filled
with love. May you find peace in the days ahead. Please stay in
touch.
Many hugs,
Fig
tanadashoes
Thanks. It gets hard sometimes.
Am I right in that this will go fast? He seems to be a little worse
every day. I thought I'd prepared myself for this, but I haven't. It
is going to be rough for us all.
Pam S.
J
> It gets hard sometimes.
>
> Am I right in that this will go fast? He seems to be a little worse
> every day. I thought I'd prepared myself for this, but I haven't. It
> is going to be rough for us all.
((( Pam )))
Probably different. Socks' liver was involved. He'd lost weight.
I think Socks' died when Fig was not there.
They still don't know what my son died of - 3 coroner's differ on opinions,
I was spared sitting with him - his girlfriemd had misplaced my phone number
I would expect seizures? maybe brain bleed? then coma?
Define worse please. There may be clues based on what's currently happening
and the part of brain that the cancer's currently affecting
Alayne's husband (same - glioblastoma) started getting angry amd violent so
reluctantly she had to have him placed in a nursing home where they kept him
sedated. (her) Tony had asked how he'd die.
I lied to him (withheld information/my opinion) for fear he'd take his life
to spare her seeing him like that.
Back later, luv.
Gotta sleep on it - I may have older posts, if I can remember how best to
find them
J
sheder1
>
> "Am I right in that this will go fast? He seems to be a little worse
> every day. I thought I'd prepared myself for this, but I haven't. It
> is going to be rough for us all."
Fast/slow. Same. Fast-because the time you are physically together
is passing.
Slow because you don't want him to endure the suffering.
There is no way you can be prepared. Just keep on loving, caring and
praying.
Most deaths are easy at the end. Another gift from God, I believe.
You will not be able to turn back the clock, so be with him as much as
you can be now. And when the time has come, do not look back with
regrets. You will have done what you could to the best of your
ability. He would not expect anything more.
J
> Am I right in that this will go fast? He seems to be a little worse
> every day. I thought I'd prepared myself for this, but I haven't. It
> is going to be rough for us all.
>
> Pam S.
http://groups.google.com/advanced_search?q=&
Search total...@emailaddress.com from July 1 03 through end of August and
also see September 20 (more on what he had experienced before he died.
J
J
> Am I right in that this will go fast? He seems to be a little worse
> every day. I thought I'd prepared myself for this, but I haven't. It
> is going to be rough for us all.
>
> Pam S.
I forgot. This was Steph's opinion....(he was wrong unless he meant the last
few days).
"It's very variable, but the commonest picture is one of gradual loss of
motor function over a few weeks, then increasing drowsiness, then loss of
consciousness."
J
tanadashoes
That is about where we are now. The gradual loss of motor functions. It
is strange though. I think of it as a death dance. . . one step forward
two steps back, side step, two steps forward and one step back, side
step, three steps back then one step forward. two steps forward, side
step. Rob is sleeping more and can no longer understand written word.
It hurts him. He used to read his way through all kinds of stress.
Pam S.
J
> J no> wrote:
> > I forgot. This was Steph's opinion....(he was wrong unless he meant the last
> > few days).
> > "It's very variable, but the commonest picture is one of gradual loss of
> > motor function over a few weeks, then increasing drowsiness, then loss of
> > consciousness."
> > J
> >
>
> That is about where we are now. The gradual loss of motor functions. It
> is strange though. I think of it as a death dance. . . one step forward
> two steps back, side step, two steps forward and one step back, side
> step, three steps back then one step forward. two steps forward, side
> step. Rob is sleeping more and can no longer understand written word.
> It hurts him. He used to read his way through all kinds of stress.
>
> Pam S.
See if Rob's hearing contagious laughs helps with stress.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIfhOF-w1XI
J
figgertoes
Hi, Pam,
J is right - both fast & slow. Just as you want to have Rob around
for a long time but don't want to prolomg his suffering. I have very
limited experience & Socks had a very rough time at the end, which is
not typical. Socks lost his verbal communication entirely but
eagerly ;lapped ice cream the night before he passed.
It will be OK. You will be OK. It's a difficult process to be a part
of with someone you love. It is very sad that cancer takes such good
people so young. At least we had quality time to prepare as well as
one can.
Remember hearing is often still acute when other senses fade.
Does Rob still have the Russian hat? Was thinking of Socks & Rob &
that hat!
I will be thinking of you & Rob. Keep in touch as you want & are
able.
Many hugs,
Fig
tanadashoes
Thanks Fig. Rob wore the Rooshan (our joke) hat out to breakfast in
November and we have not been able to find it since. We asked at the
restaurant but they claim that no one ever saw it. That doesn't
preclude that someone fell in love with it and walked with it. I just
know that if it in the van, it is very well hidden and if in the house,
the cats have taken it to nest in again.
Today Rob was like a teen ager. He kept patting my bottom whenever I
was around him. Then he threw up all over my side of the bed. Sigh. I
figure he'll be a 5 year old again in the morning.
He is so tough inside and never ceases to amaze me.
Pam S.