started 5th round

So far so good. Started my 5th round of chemo, my last MRI was stable. Feeling a bit more tired and I lost 20 pounds, my short term memory doesn't last all day. Now what was I saying?? The kids are all back in school and are all doing well, Looking forward to our cruise in a few weeks. Bette

Well after my first round of chemo my cancer has shrunk a bit . I am now on my 2nd month, with little or no side effects except for fatigue. Wish me luck........ Bette

sorry so long

I guess I would have posted sooner if I had new info.Well I was on the clinical trial for 2 months, and it did not work. My tumor has started to grow again. I started on a different chemo on Friday 5/18. It is a more conventional chemo, Infusion of Avastin every 2 weeks, and oral temodar daily for 3 weeks on 1 week off. I will have my next MRI in 4 weeks. So far I'm feeling quite well. I appreciate all of your concerns and well wishes.
Hopefully this treatment will work, If not I am still a candidate for surgery again. Think positive thoughts like I do, Summer is coming and the kid's weeks are packed with camps etc. We also booked a cruise for October. Oh and SSDI finally considers me disabled, they say That I was disabled since the very start. I appreciate all the wonderful people that have helped us get by until now. We would not still have a house without your generosity.......... Thank you, Bette

Chemo & SSDI approval

Well it has been 2 weeks since I started my chemo trial and all is going well. I take it orally every day. very few side effects. I do have to go in once a week, and on week 4 - I'll be in 3 times in one week, one day for 10 hours of test. I feel it is all worth it, I have great confidence that this will work.
Today I received conformation that after 19 months of dueling with SSDI they feel that I have been disabled since day 1. What a long arduous process. Thank god it's over. Bette

Feb 23rd 07

Met with my Dr yesterday. I am going to go on chemo. There are many variables as to which ones. we are waiting for some tests, should take about 2 weeks. It will probably be a clinical trial in it's 2nd phase.The pathology came back on the tumor as a Glioblastoma grade IV. The Small amount of cells that were left behind are the targets. Hard to believe they could grow a t an alarming rate if not treated. I'm feeling great and I'm ready for the good fight.. Bette

The road ahead

Into each avenue there always seems to be some pothole's. And even more if you live in Marlboro. Well the pathology came back on the tumor and it has changed type and to a grade 4. The good thing is we got alot of it out last weekend. I have an appointment with my NO this Thursday. and we will go over my options. There is an oral chemo that they have had great success with, and it seems to have fewer side effects. I will update next Thursday after my appointment. I'm also feeling well enough for some calls. My Mother in-law Cecilia is back in the hospital again, complications with her Alzheimer's. Keep good thoughts, Bette

I'm Home now and I'm amazed at my success

I feel very good, kept most of my hair and fell head over heels in love with my surgeon, Dr Peter Black.... Although all the pathology has not come back, It seems to have been more of a success than was ever expected. It seems that the tumor was kind of capsulized. So it stayed together, and was easier to take out. He said my first MRI looked good but there was still some swelling, I will see Dr Black in about a month and half with a new MRI. My future looks great and maybe even a little more normal, If thats at all possible. I also have less deficits than before. no finger toe or face numbness!!!
Thanks for your kind thoughts, prayers and notes.
Bette

She is doing great

I just spoke with my mother and she feels much better. The nausea is gone and the pain is manageable. She is doing great and should be going home on Monday. The surgery went very well and she can give more details to you when she comes home.


-jessica

Saturday Morning update. please note:

Hello everyone,, Sat, 11:00am>>> Jessica is at the hospital bed side with her mom, Betty is having a rough time this morning and requested that no one comes in to see her @ the moment. Surgery was only 12 hours ago.. She is still in ICU and heavely medicated. She's ok.. But can not comfortable coverse @ the moment..Prior to coming in please check back on this Blog, Or please contact Jessica..508-308-0244 or Al at 508-820-5844 or mickey @ 508-485-5101.. Thanks everyone, Al:)

She's out

She is out of surgery and all went well! The doctor said he "got all of it"!

NOT QUITE!

Surgery actualy started at 7:53 pm so it looks like it will be midnight before we know anything.- Jessica

SHE IS IN!

Bette went into surgery a little after 4:30. The doctor said he expected her to be out somewhere between 8:00 to 8:30pm tonight. I will update the blog when I have news. -jessica

STILL WAITING!!!

Well it is 2:45 and bette hasn't gone into surgery yet. She is waiting in a pre-surgery family waiting room with chris(her husband). Looks like this is going to be a long day, hopefully not to long but I probally won't be updating the blog until after 7pm at the earliest. When I have some type of news I will let everybody know... Jessica (bette's daughter)

2/8/07

Pre-op went fine today. Surgery is now scheduled for 1:30 tomorrow.We know how that can change though.
Going out with the whole family for dinner tonight. We're eating at the Naked Fish "Brain Food" you know.
Har Har...... Bette

Surgery date

My surgery is scheduled for this Friday February 9th at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Should be around 12:30. Dr Peter Black is my surgeon. I have complete confidence in him. Wish me luck.
A family member will be updating this post after my surgery.

Girls night out

Went out with the girls last night and we had a great time. Jacki gave me a picture of the 2 of us when we were about 12. It made my night! I knew I was once thin. Thanks girls for a memorable evening.

First post

Hi, My name is Bette and i was diagnosed with brain cancer in 9/05. I have undergone a brain biopsy and I had 6 weeks of radiation last year.Which seemed to stop it from growing
I have MRI's every three months. Which have all shown no new growth until my last MRI.

12/26/06 My December MRI has shown new growth. My Neuro oncoligist believes it may now be operable. He met with the tumor board the next day at Dana Farber. Dr Peter Black also agreed. So onto new test to see exactly how close it was to my motor area.
1/5/07 Met with Dr Black and he believes the cancer is behind the motor area. He said he can do the surgery in February. YEAH!!
As far as surgery side effects. Not positive, could have some motor problems on my left side.Hopefully temporary. Probably will not completly get rid of my seizures.