Thread: All Is It Really Time To Stop Treatments? messages

OMG.  I am sorry.  I too find it so hard to believe that he is still so functional.  No chance some spots are necrosis?  I second the idea that maybe radiation (stereotactic radiotherapy) on the newer spots would be affective for a time.  Did he have any success with the initial radiation, any shrinkage?  My husband responds well to the radiation, more so than the temador and avastin so far.  His new sites had not been...

My heart is with you. This is such a difficult decision to make. My husband was diagnosed January 5 and passed away on May 11 in Hospice.  He had been thru more surgeries and treatment in those few short months.  Unlike your husband, he was not able to walk, limited speech, and the eating was slowing down.  I needed to bath him, shave him, etc.. But, he was going thru rehab and occupational therapy and was progressing nicely, until...

Is your husband being treated by a major brain tumor center? I would call around and get second opinions. Check out clinical trials. Do not give up hope!  We are all pulling for you! Many patient's with recurrences do well and survive for a very long time. Hang in there and keep the faith. Holly Husband dx with GBM IV 2/12/09

Yesterday my husband's NO said that nothing was having an effect on his tumor and it was time to stop treatment and look into hospice.  My husband was dx on 2.26.2009 surgery 2.28.09 followed by radiation and temodar for 6weeks.  At that time his left parietal lobe tumor was supposedly gone.  He started Advastin once a month 8 weeks after surgery and continued with the temodar on the 5/23 schdule for 2 cycles.  At that time...

I would not give up till you and your husband are ready.  Don't have any regrets so if there is a second oppinion you want to try or a trial you want to look into then you should do it. If you are comfortable with your doctor and what your doctor is saying then go with it, if not then continue on to find what you are okay with. Hang tough.

Im very sorry you're hearing this news. I would ask if there's a possibility they can do radiation again and just focus on the right side.  My Sister had radiation 3 times and the last 2 times it was done twice a day at lower doses to minimize the side affects.  It helped with the physical side affects and anxiety.  I believe you fight this thing as long as you're able to maintain...

  On 10/21/2009 tisha55 wrote: Yesterday my husband's NO said that nothing was having an effect on his tumor and it was time to stop treatment and look into hospice.  My husband was dx on 2.26.2009 surgery 2.28.09 followed by radiation and temodar for 6weeks.  At that time his left parietal lobe tumor was supposedly gone.  He started Advastin once a month 8 weeks after surgery and continued with the temodar on the 5/23...

Tisha, count me in on the Keep On Keeping On team. I would explore other drugs, radiation, Novocure, vaccines, you name it. Unless I thought we'd given it all three chances, and then I'd go somewhere else. How can it be time to stop trying when he's still so very alive? I know some cancer patients say enough to chemo etc. and go totally macrobiotic or whatever. There's some dignity in that, too, and I respect the choice....

I'll add my 2 cents to the debate. I don't understand the decision to stop treatment either. Put a healthy, functioning man in hospice? Anything preventing more surgery or gamma knife or something?  Trials are often hard to access and qualify for--which is fine if you have time. You've got to talk with his NO and ask about other options--they haven't tried everything and haven't given it much time it seems. ...