Sandi had just one radiation treatment. I'm guessing it was a massive dose.
I believe that hyper fractionated therapy was first used several years ago so yes, it sounds like she had a massive dose.
If I'm not being too intrusive how did you discover you had a brain tumor?
It was a long and circuitous route. My initial symptom was headaches. After a while, I visited my quack PCP who diagnosed the headaches as sinus. With all the trees and fauna in the Atlanta area, it made sense. Many here suffer with sinus problems. Over time, the headaches got worse. He still said that they were sinus related and could even be caused by a change in atmospheric pressure, as when a high pressure fronts comes through. Made sense. Next, I was playing guitar one day and could not control my smallest two fingers on my left hand. It was then that I realized that my fingers had been tingling and numb for some time. PCP said it was due to neck disc. Then the hormone imbalances manifested themselves. Of course, I had no idea what was going on but I was deeply depressed which was high unusual for me, tired, poor concentration, memory, etc. I could no longer function at work. By this time, problems were showing up clinically as in blood tests. My sodium levels plunged which make you weak and listless. I was referred to a hematologist who concluded that although my sodium levels were low, they were not alarming and to keep a check on them.
Finally, I knew something was wrong. I never ever suspected a brain tumor. They happen to other people don’t they? I basically read my PCP the riot act and he finally, under pressure, decided to send me for a CT scan. It was clear. The doc at the facility referred me to a neurologist who diagnosed migraine headaches.
Then, in August of 2005, I became really ill. It felt like the flu. After a few days, I called my doc and talked to the office nurse. After telling her my symptoms, she instructed me to immediately go to the hospital. Since I was unable to drive at that point, I waited for WW to come home from work. I told her what the nurse said. WW called her BF who is an RN. BF assured WW that doctors and nurses just tell you that to cover themselves. WW talked me out of going to the ER. It almost cost me my life.
The next day, I was much worse. I again called my doc’s office and was scolded for not going to the ER. I told them I wanted to go to their office to get evaluated. They refused but I finally talked them into it. I called DS2 who drove me to the office. The doc took one look at me and told my son to get me to the ER immediately. Fortunately, it was a block away. By the time we got into the ER, I could no longer walk. They brought out a wheelchair and whisked me to the back. I went into a coma and didn’t wake up for four days. I learned that I had pneumonia, pericardial effusion, hyponatremia (low sodium) and although I didn’t know it yet, a brain tumor. The hyponatremia was 114; levels below 115 are associated with death. What I didn’t know until later is that the docs had told my family to say goodbye to me, that there was no way I could survive what I had plunged into.
I was visited by two docs, a neurologist and an endocrinologist. They told me that they thought that I had a brain tumor based strictly on symptoms. Honestly, I was in denial. I asked them questions and they had the answers and wanted me to get an MRI. An MRI is no fun and it takes approx. 75 minutes not counting setup. I did not get it during that stay. I still felt awful and told them I would get it later. Later was in November. By that time, I again had pericardial effusion and hyponatremia. I got the MRI in the morning and on the same day, I was sent to the ER. This time I went.
The next day, a team of docs entered my room. When an entire team enters your room at the same time, trust me, it can come to no good. There was a neurologist, neurosurgeon, endocrinologist and radiation oncologists. The first words were: ToddAC, you have a large tumor. The only word that I heard was “large”. It stood out for some reason. I never believed that I had a tumor, let alone a “large” one. I jokingly asked: in the tumor business, what constitutes large? 4 Cm I think is what he said. I was alone because WW and sons were at work. Then the docs took turns explaining the location, size, problems it created and treatment options. The sole treatment option was radiation. There was a possibility of chemo but it is something I would refuse. The neurosurgeon said it was inoperable and even doing a biopsy was risky. The size of the tumor could be charted with successive MRI’s and a reasonably accurate prognosis could be made.
After we were finished, they left the room. They told me that the most important factor was my attitude. I agreed. Now, how to tell my boys. They obviously knew about the MRI but how would I tell them about the tumor? By this time, I knew that WW had been having an A although I had not confronted her yet. I didn’t figure she would care much because it was obvious that she had fallen madly in love with OM and I also had been given my I love you but I am not in love with you speech. My guess was correct. She didn’t want me to tell our sons. Once she entered the world of chronic lies associated with her cheating, her lying knew no boundaries. I told her to get lost that they had to know. It was very difficult telling them. I still get choked up when I remember the scene and my telling them. They wouldn’t leave after that. One spent the night with me and the other two wouldn’t leave until 4:30 in the morning.
I was immediately put on hormone therapy and after two weeks, I awoke one morning feeling like a 25 year old. The difference was amazing. I had already started the infidelity diet, unwittingly, and even WW told me I was too skinny. One of the hormones help me to gain some weight back but I still don’t have much of an appetite. I decided over the weekend to start eating more healthy which means I’ll get the local deli to deliver most of my dinners.
Sorry, didn’t mean to go into so much detail. It just sort of came out.
When she was informed that she had a brain tumor they told her, oh BTW it's inoperable, do you have someone who can bring you home? I hope your Dr. was more sensitive with you.
The docs were a little more sensitive than that; well, not the neurosurgeon. He was a horse’s a$$. The others were excellent. But you know, they deal with it day in and day out and they do get a little cold and removed. I guess they have to deal with it.
