Oligoastrocytoma

Name: John Vang

Type of Brain Tumour: Oligoastrocytoma

Grade of Brain Tumour: Grade II

A little about you: Hello, I am a 34 year old male living in California. A CT scan in February of 2011 revealed a 3 cm-wide "dark spot" in my right Medial temporal parietal lobe. An MRI confirmed it most likely to be a Tumor. Had a Needle biopsy which was inconclusive and ended up having a Craniotomy in August which diagnosed the tumor to be a grade II oligoastrocytoma. The craniotomy removed about 80% of the tumor with the remaining 20% too closely wrapped around an artery to risk removing. Opted for radiation therapy (December 2011 to January 2012) to treat this remaining 20%. 

Going through this experience, I've found connecting with others (either through direct communication or reading blogs) to be reassuring and comforting and I started my blog in hopes that someone who is also unfortunately sharing the same experience might find some level of reassurance and comfort in it as well.   

Blog name: My Life With a Brain Tumor

Blog link: http://havnot.blogspot.com/

Name: Deirdre Kohler

Type of Brain Tumour: Oligoastrocytoma

Grade of Brain Tumour: 2- 3

Bio: In May 2006, at the age of 30 and shortly after the birth of my 3rd child, I found out I had a low grade tumour in the left Temporal Lobe. I have seizures occasionally. The seizures are mostly complex partial. My symptoms are dizziness, inability to speak, vision disturbance and sometimes stomach cramps. In 2008, 2 years after diagnosis, I had brain surgery. My tumour was 7cmx5cmx4cm, I had headaches and couldn’t get out of bed. The doctor gave me 6 months to live if I didn’t have the surgery. After the surgery I was diagnosed with a grade 2 – 3 oligoastrocytoma. In January 2009 I had radiation and 6 months of chemo. The tumour has shrunk and remains stable. It seems to have shifted to be a grade 2. So far I am feeling good and have managed to pick my life back up. I started painting for the first time in 2006 after my diagnosis. I have had 2 exhibitions and sold quite a lot of paintings. (www.kohlerprojects.co.za) You never know how much your life can change – even for the good – when you are diagnosed with a tumour.

Blog name: Blog of a brain tumour and life

Blog link: http://kohlerprojects.blogspot.com