Oligodendroglioma

Laurie (left)

Name: Laurie Barram

Type of Brain Tumour: Oligodendroglioma

Grade of Brain Tumour: 2

Bio: In 1990 I had a Grand Mal epiliptic Seizure in my sleep. I started to take Dilantin but had another one twelve months later. The seizures slowly became more frequent throughout 1991 and 1992 and the Dilantin dose was steadily increased. In 1993 we decided to repeat all the earlier tests in an effort to find out why the epiepsy was getting worse. That time the result of an MRI scan stated “...an atypical low grade cystic Glial or neuronal tumour such as a ganglioglioma could not be excluded.” The tumour was in my right Frontal Lobe and I had surgery to remove it. The pathology testing reported that it was a benign low grade (WHO 2) astrocytoma. I had annual scans for five years. and there was no sign of recurrance so my neurologist announced that I was "cured". Thinking I had put it all behing me, I got on with my life, bushwalking, rockclimbing and doing all the outdoor things I love. Unfortunately, I had another seizure in my sleep in November 2006 and an MRI scan revealed that the tumour had grown back in the good brain tissue below the previous site. I had a second Craniotomy and this time the pathology result described it as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. A followup scan in January 2009 showed indications of a further recurrance, we waited a few months and further MRI scans showed a definite regrowth below the previous occurance and this time it was touching the Corpus Callosum. My surgeon told me that if it invaded that structure, it would become inopperable. So I had my third craniotomy in May 2009. This time we followed up the surgery with combined chemo and radiation therapy in an attempt to mop any remaining tumour cells. While in some ways I am thankful that I am fighting a low grade tumour, the second recurrance has certainly caused me to adjust my thinking about how best to live with this thing and I have found that I have not bounced back as quickly as I did after the first two craniotomies.

Blog name: Oligo-Lucky

Blog link: www.oligo-lucky.blogspot.com

Name: Jen Crowley Searle

Type of Brain Tumour: Oligodendroglioma

Grade of Brain Tumour: Grade II

Bio:

My name is Jen, and this is the journey of living the gift of life with my husband Mike and our 3 sons, while I also battle brain Cancer.  Some days are good, some days are not so good, but all days are a blessing.  I promise to be open – sometimes painfully (sorry).  But this journey is all about trying to document this for my children, for being cheap therapy for me, and for hopefully helping a few others who might be going through something difficult in their own lives.  So come on in, pull up a chair and put your feet up.

On Tuesday, June 12th 2007 I was diagnosed with a brain Tumor, named Bob. The following month, I had brain surgery and pathology revealed brain cancer (oligodendroglioma, grade II). I have been doing well with MRIs every 3, 4 and then 5 months, until recently. I have a recurrence now (named Bozo), and we are going through the whirlwind of trying to research and figure out our next steps to defeat Bozo.