Brain cancer

[sawbuck44]

We thought my dad's main problem was copd and lower lumbar stenosis. Now we find out he has a brain tumor. We are supposed to see the neurosurgeon this week for his diagnosis and treatment plan. The PA said from the way it looks, it's cancer. They did a ct scan. They call this a Primary Brain Tumor. They did a ct scan below his stomach and didn't find any others so at this point it doesn't look like it metastisized. Although this past Saturday they did another ct scan of his lungs. Haven't heard about those yet. The tumor is 4.6 cm. Not sure how large they get. The neurosurgeon said it was 'aggressive.'

Dad says 'do what you have to.' I told him 'one day at a time, right pop?!' he said 'Yup.' His favorite word. So now we say "ODAT."

For those of you who have asked, what are the symptoms you experienced. My dad is totally immobile now. We thought is was his back problem as stenosis can cause immobility. We thought that with his copd and back problem, his muscles deteriorated due to lack of use. It hurt him to move and he lost his breath - even being on oxygen 24/7.

There is no memory loss, I've read that it occurs once radiation therapy begins. I am going up every day (I've only missed two since he's been in the hospital starting on 4/4) to communicate while we can. He's never complained of a headache of loss of vision or double vision. He has been slow to answer questions, seems to daydream, and sleeps a lot.

Besides the copd and stenosis, he also has high blood pressure and diabetes.

I will post after our talk with the neurosurgeon.

[sawbuck44]

Thursday, 5/17 the neurosurgeon will explain to my dad about the biopsy, now scheduled for Monday (was going to be tomorrow). They had to postpone due to a blood thinning med my dad was on. Had to stop it for a few days.

The doc said that if it was attached to healthy cells he would stop at the biopsy and not try to remove the tumor. Radiation would be the treatment. If he can remove it, he will. So many questions. I'll let you know as soon as I find out what kind of tumor it is so I guess that will be next week.

[n9ne]

^^^Really hope all comes out well..keep us posted..im sure it will though

[HELLASRULES]

Hi Sawbuck44
Just wanted to say I hope your dad's tumor is operable and they can get it out of there. I know brain surgery sounds scary and believe me it was! I had a 2 cm tumor removed in December. The surgery was easier than the cyberknife "surgery" (basically pinpointed radiation) they did a month later. I had the surgery on a Wed. morning and was dischraged that Friday morning. I didn't even need anything stronger than acetameniphen.
I 'll keep your dad in my prayers for good results on Monday. He sounds like a strong man, with a great supportive family.
Hellas

[sawbuck44]

The neurosurgeon talked to dad and my sister this morning. Surgery is 7:30 am on Monday (5/21). Doc said that the tumor is not in an area that controls memory so that should not be an issue. Dad asked if he'd be able to walk again and the doc said if we can remove it, yes. Too many what if's still to know how things are going to turn out. Doc did say that his stenosis was not the reason he wasn't walking and that it wasn't too serious.

The scan the doc compared the new one to was from June 2006. So within that timeframe this tumor grew. We always thought it was his shortness of breath and his back pain that kept him from walking. Boy, were we wrong. Just wish we could have discovered it sooner before it completely disabled him. Now he will have an uphill battle to regain strength and muscle.

The doc said because of his copd, he will be in ICU longer than most people. He will have a breathing tube so he won't, of course, be able to talk for a few days.

I'll keep you all posted and thanks for being there.
Kim