My wife has been diagnosed with cancer

[Courtesy Flush]

Shortly after our 26th anniversary my wife had a recurrence of a tick that she'd been having for the last few months. This time, it was accompanied by her feeling disoriented -- almost like momentary amnesia. Long story short: She has brain cancer.

Her diagnosis is type II oligodendroglioma, but it has spread all the way to the opposite hemisphere of her brain, which some people tell me is a sign that it is more serious than a routine type II. Even if it's a routine Type II, it is incurable, but treatable.

We're going to M. D. Anderson cancer center this week to get a full workup and lay down a treatment plan. So far, none of her doctors has been willing to talk about a prognosis, and I don't know if that is because it is truly uncertain or if they just don't want to further traumatize her with bad news.

This week she'll go through a battery of tests, basically a repeat of all the tests she's already had, because they like to start from scratch at Anderson.

We've been together for 30 years -- since we were teenagers. We've always been bulletproof, and have never had any serious problems. Now all of a sudden everything is uncertain.

Folks, count your blessings, but not your chickens. Live for today. I saw the GD post by the guy who just lost his wife. I just hope there's no similar post in my future.

Good vibes welcomed.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. i wish you the best and my heart almost breaks hearing this

i dont really know who you are, but your story touched me.

all my love and hugs and best wishes

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Courtesy Flush...

I am very sorry to hear this devastating news...

My very best vibes to you and your wife...

I do live for today, and the people I love in my life know full well I love them...for you never know when the thread will be cut.

Keep us informed as you can, OK?

:hug:

[Rosie1223]

3. I've heard nothing but good things about the people at MD Anderson

Your wife is in excellent hands there.

Best wishes and good vibes for you both.

[MorningGlow]

4. So sorry to hear that, CF

Keeping you and your wife in my thoughts. :hug:

[Tikki]

5. Surrounding your family with Mega-Good Vibes...

That you know her so very well...this will be such a comfort to her as
the days move forward.

Tikki

[Rambis]

6. Good luck!

:grouphug:

[blueamy66]

7. I am so sorry.

I am sending good vibes and wishes your way.

[joeybee12]

8. Good vibes coming your way...I hope for the best...

:grouphug:

[Deep13]

I can only hope the docs can fight it off.

My best thoughts and wishes go with you, for whatever that is worth.

[Pool Hall Ace]

9. I am so sorry you are going through this.

Major vibes to you and your wife. :grouphug:

[seemunkee]

10. Good luck

My heart goes out to you and your wife.

[Arugula Latte]

11. I'm so sorry to hear this.

I don't know what else to say except we're all pulling for your wife and for you.

[momto3]

12. I am so sorry to hear this.

MD Anderson is a fantastic place and your wife will be in the hands of experts. Here are some reputable websites that may help you:

MGH Brain Tumor Center Home Page:

http://brain.mgh.harvard.edu/

Brain Tumor Society:

http://www.tbts.org/

American Brain Tumor Association:

http://www.abta.org/

My field of expertise is breast cancer, so I do not know much about brain tumors. The best advice I can give you is to keep a notebook at hand at all times. Write down any questions you might have for the doctors and take notes when you see the oncologists. Do not be afraid to ask any questions - the doctors should be willing to answer your questions and help you understand what is happening and what to expect in the future.

If you have any questions, I would be willing to try to point you in the right direction for answers. Send me a PM.

My thoughts are with you and your wife.

Tracy

[NewJeffCT]

13. Best wishes and a lot of good vibes

for you & your wife.

:grouphug:

[graywarrior]

14. Every good vibe possible is coming your way.

[Call Me Wesley]

15. Good vibes coming for your wife and you.

Hang in there.

[BlueIris]

16. Wishing you the best from the BlueIris Family. nt

[Love Bug]

17. Good vibes to both of you

May you be surrounded by all good wishes as you both go through this journey together.

[Bertha Venation]

18. My thoughts are with your wife and you, C.F.

:hug:

[driver8]

19. Sending good vibes your way...

and hugs, too!! :hug:

[zanne]

20. My nephew had brain cancer.

He's been cancer free for three years now. Sometimes it seems impossible that things will get better, but the fact is, sometimes they do. Keep the faith, and all my best to you and your wife.

[onestepforward]

21. Sending healing vibes to your wife

and comforting vibes to both of you. MD Anderson is a top notch cancer hospital and it would be my first choice for myself or any loved one in the same boat. :hug:

[ChickMagic]

22. I am so sorry to hear that

I do know that a grade II oligodendroglioma is considered low grade.
I don't know if that helps at all. It does mean that it grows slowly.
It can progress to grade III, but it doesn't sound like it has.

I hope the best for you and your dear wife. As a cancer survivor, I
know the fear and pain associated with it and all my good thoughts and
prayers will be with you as you navigate this. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[BuelahWitch]

23. I'm sorry

:hug:

[lightningandsnow]

24. Best of vibes to you and your wife...

:hug:

[LisaM]

25. Good luck to her, and to you

I am glad she is at a good place.

[mnhtnbb]

26. Wishing you hope and faith and many positive vibes.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

27. Good vibes coming your way

to you and your wife.

[Bossy Monkey]

28. All good vibes for you and her and a very successful treatment n/t

[hippywife]

29. Wishing you both as many vibes as can be gathered

and sending healing thoughts your way. I truly hope that they can do something to help her and that the diagnosis isn't as dire as they suspect.

:hug:

[Skittles]

30. aw Courtesy Flush

wishing the best for you and your gal :cry:

remember, someone is always here for you on DU - always

[Midlodemocrat]

31. They're not going to give you a prognosis until they see you.

MD Anderson is the creme de la creme of cancer hospitals; she will receive the best care there. Their protocols are not always in line with other doctors, but they've had some amazing results, especially with a cancer such as this.

My best vibes and prayers to you and your wife. Anecdotally, I have a friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer 15 years ago; she's still going strong.

Take care.

[Demoiselle]

32. All the best...vibes, prayers, luck, hugs.

How wonderful to be together for 30 years. I'll think about you and offer a prayer every day.

[GreenPartyVoter]

33. I am so very sorry *hugs* Will be sending along all thehealing vibes I can muster.

[kwassa]

34. Best wishes and prayers and vibes and everything else.

It sounds like she is in good hands.

[hedgehog]

35. My prayers are with you both.

[Haole Girl]

36. Sending the best thoughts, prayers, and vibes

Your advice is good, btw. Thank you for reminding us to count our blessings.

[applegrove]

37. Vibes to your wife & your whole family

[pitohui]

38. i am really sorry to hear it and wish you and your wife all the best

i have no useful advice, all i can do is send hugs and vibes

we are all thinking of you guys!

[SeattleGirl]

39. Good vibes and healing thoughts to you and your wife, CF

:hug:

[Capn Sunshine]

40. Good Vibes and Good luck

IN the meantime May you both enjoy each other as you should, and I hope the news is ultimately good.

[Politics_Guy25]

41. So sorry to hear this

Best wishes to your wife and you. You are in my prayers.

[Odin2005]

42. (((HUGS)))

:hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

43. My deepest and sincerest thoughts, prayers, best wishes, positive vibes, healing energy

and whatever else good I can extend to you and your wife are extended to you and your wife:hug: :hug:

[The Midway Rebel]

44. Hang tough!

Lot's of prayers for ya'll.

[Born_A_Truman]

45. Please add my prayers and healing thoughts for your wife!

I wish you both all the best!

[csziggy]

46. Sending good thoughts your way

:hug:

[Drum]

47. Energy & vibes with you, all the way....

I fell in love---at age 45---last year, really for the first time. I know what I feel even after a year, and I can barely imagine what those 30 years you have would do to sharpen my feelings in such a situation.

I'm pulling for you and your wife!

[donheld]

48. So sorry

[amitten]

49. Hugs and good vibes and mostly HOPE. n/t

[DFW]

50. Good vibes from Germany

It hits you like a big sledge hammer, doesn't it?

When my wife got her cancer diagnosis almost 9 years ago, it turned our lives upside down, too.
We had been together for 27 years then. She came through it, so we lucked out, but her brother
got a stage 4 glioblastoma, the kind of brain cancer that Teddy Kennedy had. He beat the odds
by survivng his diagnosis for 2½ years instead of the usual 6-9 months, but he was gone at age 52.

The right treatment, a strong will to live, and a healthy life style can put off bad things for
long time--with some cancers a VERY long time. Do what you have to, do what you can, and make the
most out of what time you can spend together, whether it's 1 year or another 50.

Three years after my wife had her cancer diagnosis, I nearly dropped dead from a heart condition
I didn't even know I had. I had it treated and changed my diet drastically (you want the definition
of torture? Try living in Europe, and be forbidden from eating cheese). I lucked out, but the
surgeon who worked on me said it was "just in time." So do you wife a favor, and get yourself
checked out. She'll last longer if she has the peace of mind of knowing you're OK, too.

[CrawlingChaos]

51. Courtesy Flush, my heart goes out to you

I particularly feel your pain as I just lost my beloved Mom to cancer a couple of weeks ago, but hers was a very aggressive, high grade type that didn't respond to treatment, and that is certainly not going to be the case with your wife.

I just did a bit of Googling and found type II oligodendroglioma patients at the Cancer Survivors Network talking about really long survival times - decades even. It seems to be slow-growing and very treatable.

I am particularly optimistic since you're going to M.D. Anderson for the very best care (makes a huge difference). I predict you and your wife will have many happy years together ahead of you! All my thoughts and prayers coming your way for a VERY successful treatment and speedy recovery!

[bobmorr1]

52. I'm so sorry

The book that just came out Knockout by Suzanne Somers has alot of information on new treatments worth learning about. Here is the link on the book.

http://www.suzannesomers.com/Knockout/

Hope things work out for you.

Bob

[Callalily]

53. Good vibes are being

sent for your wife as well as for you and your family.

:hug:

[WinkyDink]

54. {{{CourtesyFlush and Mrs. CF}}}

[mentalsolstice]

55. Best wishes and hopes that it's manageable! nt

[anneboleyn]

56. I have cancer too and I am 36. My every sympathy is with you and your wife!!

Thank you for telling us to remember that each day of good health is truly something to value, because once it's gone, your life changes in ways you can't imagine. Keep a file folder for your wife's treatment (if you don't have one already). We found this incredibly helpful because there was so much paperwork with insurance, imaging reports, blood work-ups, etc. My husband and I share the deepest empathy with you and your wife. I think we are younger than you (we are in our mid 30s and I think you are in your late forties) but we know how painful it is to imagine having to lose a spouse. And going through treatment is very hard -- your wife will need you in every way. You may need extra help if you can afford it or please ask relatives to help.

My very best wishes for you and your wife -- she will get OUTSTANDING treatment at Anderson. I go to Hopkins for my treatment as my cancer is extremely rare and I know that Anderson is considered one of the very best in the world.

Please stay in touch if you wish and join a support group if you can -- I have found that these are very helpful.

[madrchsod]

57. my prayers be with your wife and you....

yes... live for today, tomorrow will wait.

[Dinger]

58. Good Vibes Sent

And prayers too.:grouphug:

[quakerboy]

59. oh man. So sorry

I cant imagine. I saw that post too, and just didnt have anything worthy of being said. Here either really. I wish her and you the best of luck with this

[NYC Liberal]

60. I just can't imagine. (((HUGS))) and good vibes going your way.

Hang in there and keep us posted on how she's doing. :grouphug:

[rockymountaindem]

61. Best wishes, friend

Hope all will be well.

[snagglepuss]

62. Sending good vibes, positive energy and healing thoughts.

:grouphug:

[Maraya1969]

63. Sending light and love to both of you.

[Highway61]

64. So sorry to hear this

You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.

[MissMillie]

65. Sending you lots of good vibes, and much love

hold on tight to each other... you're both going to go through a pandora's box of obstacles and emotions.