Brain Tumor Action Week

[Guest]

This almost sounds like a bad joke but I wanted to share with Lit friends.

This week is National Brain Tumor Action Week. There is a large group of people meeting in Washington, D.C. to promote research and education for this horrible situation.

They are using hats printed with the statistics of loved ones - sort of an AIDS Quilt for brain tumor victims.

Here's the link:

Brain Tumor Action Week - Duke University

Many of you know I lost my brother about 9 months ago to a brain tumor. It was sudden and horrible. He was gone just 86 days from his initial diagnosis and our family is still working through this tragedy.

BUT - my parents have become very proactive and are in fact in Washington, D.C. They have a hat with my brother's statistics to add to the cause. (I'm trying to add the picture but it isn't cooperating!@#$% - Where is Harold when I need him???)

Anyway - I just wanted to get the word out. I hope there will be a great deal of coverage for this event!

 

[Guest]

let's try the pic

I don't know if this works or not, damn it!

BUT - if you can see the pictures of the hat, the term GBM refers to Glioblastoma Multiforme, The Stage IV refers to the type of cancer, and the dates refer to the day of biopsy results and the day of death. (That's what the organizers of the site wanted.)

Glioblastoma Multiforme is pretty much the worst type of brain tumor you can have (though it is actually very common). It is extremely aggressive and in Stage IV is almost always fatal.

OK - I am hoping to see news coverage of this event this week!

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Thanks for sharing that, Sarahh. I'd like to extend my sympathies to you and your family and am glad to see that something is being done by way of activism. I liked the doctor's quote in the article and hope the desired effect is achieved. Awareness is the first step and I don't see how people could ignore such a statement.

~lucky

 

[A7inchPhildo]

That is such a sad story. My heart goes out to the families who have to deal with such tragic fatalities.

I often wondered why you had a candle in your siggy. I think it may be harder knowing you are going to loose a loved one than to deal with fate of the moment.

Thanks for the hat pictures, and the awareness of what a few courageous people are doing to shed some light on the issue.

My deepest thoughts to you, and your family.

Phil

 

[neonlyte]

Sweetsubsarahh

I know it is a strange thing to say but it is almost good to see you writing about this, it indicates you are dealing with the grief.

I have a close friend who has struggled with a brain tumor for many years, I don't know what type, she refuses to discuss it. During that time there have been periods when she has locked herself away from friends afterwards blaming the medication for reducing her to an almost zombie like state. Again, I dont know what medication she takes, only that it essential to control the condition.

Now, everything appears to be stable, she has returned almost to the fun loving person of her twenties though still experiences memory lapses, confusion and a degree of depression. Throughout this time she has raised a family, children born before the diagnosis, and continued her work as an artist. The work she did before the diagnosis was dark, forbidding almost predicitve of her soon to be condition. Her work today is lighter, vibrant reflecting her enjoyment of each day she is given.

NL

 

[Guest]

Thank you, lucky, Phil, neon -

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I don't know how well I'm dealing with things, actually, but I think my parents' pro-active stance is helping them cope. I submitted all the information to my local TV stations and I hope they cover the story about the rally.

(My brother's widow and his two young kids aren't going to D.C. because it is still too painful for them.)

My extended family took care of my brother (with the help of Kansas City Hospice) at my parent's home. We all helped write his obituary, do the funeral planning, and we were all with him when he died.

The entire situation continues to seem surreal to me. At times I believe things are going well and then I have to close in mentally for several weeks just to get through. I suppose that's all part of the ridiculous stages of grief - and I don't think I ever want to be lectured on THAT crap again!

I still have a great deal of anger. It was necessary last summer because it was all I could call on for strength. (It's hard to rely on family when everyone is hurting so much.) Hopefully that will ease somewhat, but I can't imagine myself someday just accepting the loss, the absolute waste of a good person.

And as for writing erotic stories? I haven't been able to write in my style. I finally have a new story almost completed but it is so dark. It contains rape and murder and I don't even know if I'll submit it to Lit but a good friend told me I should get it out of me onto paper. (And she's right - thanks, Colly)

Thank you everyone! I hope we all see something about D.C. on national news this week!

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

sweetsubsarahh

I join with the other in offering whatever sympathy I can communicate over this impersonal medium.

And I thank you for sharing the information about Tumor Action Week. Truth be told, the old Rumple unit had a non-malignant, pituitary tumor removed about twenty years ago. So as we say down south, I've got a dog in this hunt.

On a scale of bad-to-worse, my situation and your brother's were on opposite ends. Thanks to sinus headaches and a sharp ENT, mine was even detected early. But I may have a slightly greater sense than most of the emotions you're working through. Consider this a hug.

Rumple

 

[ABSTRUSE]

My heartfelt sympathies go out to you and your family. I hope someday you find the peace you need.
~A~

 

[Guest]

Sarahh, I just want to add my own words of sympathy to you and your family. Thanks for letting us all know about this very worthy cause.

Lou