Answers

So we have the answers. Dad has what is called a glioblastoma multiforme. This is one of the most common and most malignant brain tumors. They don't have stages of brain cancer, but they do have grades. The scale is 1-4 with 4 being the worst. Dad's is a 4.

We got to the radiation oncologist at 2:45 and we talked to the nurse for a long time. She told us that they usually wait until 3 weeks after the biopsy to start any sort of treatment on the patient.

When the doctor came in and spoke with us, she told us that we needed to start treatment this week. They had to do a CAT scan to do the mapping and planning for the radiation therapy and they had to make a mask of Dad's head so that when he is getting the treatment they can get the laser to focus on the correct spots on his head. Then they scheduled us for the first radiation treatment on Thursday. We will have radiation therapy 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

When we went to the oncologist right after we were done with that and he said that in addition to the radiation therapy, Dad will also undergo chemotherapy, but it will be in the form of a pill. He will take the pill 7 days a week. He said that for the most part, the effects of the radiation won't start to show until around week 4 and then he will get really tired. He said that generally the chemo pills will make the patients very nauseous, but he prescribed a couple of medications to help prevent that.

The median life expectancy for this type of tumor with treatment is 11 months to a year and a half. We will get through one day at a time and enjoy each day that we have with Dad.

Again, we appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers!