cancer
...o return to a more 'normal' state. I had one more surgery (my third within a years time) to 'clean it up' in there, so my neurologist explained. After all the surgeries, I'm happy to say, that I'm doing quite well considering my disabilities. My husband is an 'angel' and helps me with the things I can't do with one hand Adult brain tumor What is adult brain tumor? Adult brain tumor is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells begin to grow in the tissues of the brain. The brain controls memory and learning, senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch), and emotion. It also controls other parts of the body, including muscles, organs, and blood vessels. This PDQ summary covers tumors that start in the brain (primary brain tumors). Often cancer found in the brain has started somewhere else in the body and has spread (metastasized) to the brain. This is called brain metastasis. A doctor should be seen if the following symptoms appear: frequent headaches, vomiting, or difficulty walking or speaking. If there are symptoms, a doctor may order a computed tomographic scan, a special x-ray that uses a computer to make a picture of the brain. A magnetic resonance imaging scan, which uses magnetic waves to make a picture of the brain, may also be done. Often surgery is required to determine if there is a brain tumor and to see what type of tumor it is. The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the type of brain tumor and the patient's general state of health. Brain Cancer In March of 1983, at the age of 32, I suffered a 'grand mal' seizure as I was getting ready for work one Friday morning. I was diagnosed with a very serious Glioblastoma Multiforme, and was given 3 months without surgery and six months with surgery. My husband told my doctors not to reveal these figures to me, so all I was told was that I had a 'brain tumor'. My husband finally told me after I'd outlived their prediction! And here I am today! I underwent the first of three craniotomies right away they weren't able to get the entire thing out of my brain, and I was told this, of course, I was scared. I knew a brain tumor was nothing to sneeze at! I had very aggressive radiation therapy for six weeks after the surgery, but it grew again almost as if it were feeding off the radiation and 'chemo'! When it grew it began causing physical problems for me, my left side began to grow weak and eventually became useless. I had another craniotomy about three months after the first. My doctors after deciding how to fight this malignant cancer trying to eat my brain, decided to 'implant' 'radioactive seeds' directly into the tumor! Well, it took awhile but it eventually killed it, although I never regained the use of my left side. I can walk with the use of a cane and wearing an AFO on my left lower leg. I even drove for a while after that and took a few courses at the local community college! And returned to my part-time job for a little while longer after everything was done and I began t...