My father-in-law

Well here we go, have not blogged in a while and have noticed that a few of my friends (namely the Cachinator) has become really good at it. It’s been a great way to keep in touch over the years and I’d like to get back to that. There has been plenty to blog about…

First off right before Christmas, after the passing of my Great Grandmother Erin & I found out that her father had a brain tumor. It’s really surprising news as I have never known anyone with a brain tumor. I hope to document thoughts, feelings and observations as life marches on. I’ve learned a LOT about this particular type of disease, clinical trials, types of brain cancer, the medical field, insurance, finances, medications and the like. It feels like my next big project after the wedding and I feel I work harder to understand this than I do at work. Maybe because it is new, maybe because it is more complex?

The short is my father-in-law has been diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme, it is the most aggressive type of brain cancer and is inoperable as it sits right in the center of his brain. Average median survival time w/ conventional treatment is 14 months. He is debating clinical trails between his bouts of sleep, headaches and confusion.

He is taking dexamethasone, a steroid that reduces brain swelling. It makes him much more active and takes away the migraine like headaches. He is also taking all kinds of other things and his medication schedule has taken on a life of its own. I’ll write more as time goes on regarding the different types of medication, including the $1,700/month out-of-pocket Chemo drug Temodar (and that is 20% of the total cost).

And my father-in-law’s spirits are up and down. Some days he loves having everyone over. Other days he hides himself in a room and gets angry when others bother him. And sometimes both of these happen on the same day. I have a hard time putting myself in the same situation, knowing how I would react. Part of me tells me I’d react the same way, part of me thinks that I’d be researching this thing full time. Only time will tell what this thing will look like.