Six new BT Blog Buddies Added!

Name: Heather Roberts

Type of Brain Tumour: anaplastic astrocytoma

Grade of Brain Tumour: 3

A little about you: Heather (now 32) was diagnosed with brain Cancer Grade 3: Anaplastic Astrocytoma in April 2008; and on April 24, 2008, she had her first of two surgeries to retract her Tumor; her second surgery was June 12, 2008. Even though both surgeries were considered successful, the entire tumor could not be retracted. She completed 6 weeks of radiation with low dose Temador and then completed 11 months of high dose Temador.  After 11 months, her body said, “No more!” Her left side shows some deficit, but she is able to work and lead a mostly normal life.  She now travels to the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) to see Dr. Susan Chang every four months for her check-ups. She will be closely monitored for any changes for the rest of her life.  The past three years have brought many challenges: Heather lost a grandfather (2009) and a grandmother (2010).  Her 3-1/2 year relationship with her fiancée ended as her grandmother’s health was declining, and she was forced to call off her wedding in 2010.  Then later that year, she was diagnosed with Graves disease, which is now under control.  However, through all of this, Heather remains upbeat, positive, and thankful for so much. 

Blog name: Heather’s Journey

Blog link: leapforacure.org

Picture: Heather is in the middle.  Her two sisters, Michele (L) and Amy (R) stand with her.

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/

Your Name: Kevin "Wash" Pratt-King

Type of Brain Tumour: Glioblastoma Multiforme 

Grade of Brain Tumour: IV

A little about you: 25 when diagnosed in late 2009, in school to be an architect. Lives in Arizona with his wife/caregiver Tashi. Now 27 and "retired" to spend his days writing sci-fi short stories and creating "steampunk" art. A huge couple of geeks and "Browncoats" - people who love Joss Whedon/ Firefly series.  They live with their two cats and various fish.

Blog name: Learning To Hope

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

Name: Jennifer K. Giliberto

Type of Brain Tumour: An Infultrating Grade II Astrocytoma was removed from my right Temporal Lobe

Bio: Wife to Paul and mother to three children and three rescue dogs. I’m also an advocate, volunteer and Domestic Goddess (I jest) of everything in-between in a place I fondly refer to as “crazyland”.

Oh, yeah… there’s this: I’ve got a brain tumor. Well, let’s be honest…shit happens and it could be worse.

Blog name: Grey Matter Life

Blog link: www.greymatterlife.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.

Name: Lucy Cunnington

Type of Brain Tumour:

Grade of Brain Tumour:

Bio:

As of yesterday, 18th November 2011, I was told I have a brain tumour for the second time. THe first time was back in 2006, when I was halfway through my PGCE course. I came to a conclusion that higher education and I do not go well together. In 2001, I was in the final year of my English degree when I was hit by a car in a hit and run asccidet which nearly cost me my life, and left me permently disabled. I had to take a year out of my degree cours, was in hospital for 4 months, and spent about 10 months learning how to walk again and wondering why the UK wasn't more wheelchair friendly! So then I was faced with postponing my PGCE too!

Statistically if you've had a brain tumour (BT) you are more likely to have a reocurrance eventually, than never at all, so I always knew it was likely. Then literally two days after I got back from Taiwan, I had my first Seizure in five years, recognising the symptoms I phoned the hospital and following scans had my suspisions confirmed.

I have decided to write this as I found last time a lot of friends couldn't handle it and didn't know what to say, so hopefully this will bridge the gap. I don't feel ill at the moment and my lovely doctor has given me some snti-seizure drugs to make life more comfortable. I will Be updating this regularly. I am also asking people to make donations to BT buddies- a great charity that supports, sufferers, survivors and their friends and families. please go to my just giving page: Lucy Cunnington is fundraising for BT Buddies

Blog name: Statistic of One

Blog link: http://statisticof1.blogspot.com/