I wonder what part of his brain is affected.
My mom died of a Glioblastoma Multiforme. She lived 6 months and one days from her first (known) seizure. I found her (returning home from HS) on the Kitchen floor. Once mom was hospitalized many bruises were found and they thought she possibly had other seizures (when she was home alone). She never complained of dizziness or headaches, and the initial diagnosis was a stroke (how many brain cancers could have been misdiagnosed as “strokes” in the generations before CTs, etc?). In the morning she was fine, I found her on the floor late afternoon, and within a couple days her speech was gone. Seizures (even w/meds) came regularly (once she was stable then the 1st surgery). Glios are stunning in their growth and with the damage they cause.
She had two surgeries (resulting in an indentation). She also had radiation. All that resulted in was the growth of the glio slowed. My mom was breathing on her own til the end, but lost the ability to speak BEFORE she had her first surgery (seizures had to be stabilized). She eased into a vegative state, but anti seizure meds could not control the violent seizures she had (some times dozens a day). Dental issues (from breaking her teeth and biting her tongue occurred because the fury of her facial spasms made mouth guard dislodge). I say all this because from what I recall (30 years ago) the tumor is invasive w/the Multiforme referencing how the cancer spreads out (like taproot) around and between healthy brain tissue. So I question where this gentlemans tumor is located and what functions that portion of the brain governs. My moms seizures were so violent she made her hospital bed “jump” w/the wheels locked and with her restrained (to keep her from falling out of the bed).
I am thrilled to learn ANYONE can BEAT this horror. I also hope that he is being treated at a teaching hospital where every nuance of his tumor can be recorded, studied, and learned from.
I must add, that from my experience with my mom (and what “blanks” filled in when I was older) I can say I fully understand why Ms Maynard did what she did and her families support of her decision. If you read longer accounts of her final days, she opted for the suicide because she started having seizures. And again, I wonder what part of her brain was affected, what it controlled and what damage those initial seizures may have caused.
Saying a prayer for the repose of the soul of Miss Maynard and prayers for this gentlemen’s continued VICTORY over an awful cancer