The Hardest Thing to Say

 

This is my little boy singing one of our family's favorite songs.  Lately, it has become more meaningful because it is exactly how we are all feeling about Glenn.

For the last few days, Mom and I have been discussing how we should go about writing this post.  It is a difficult one to write. The words are as difficult to say as they are to hear.  We have always tried to overshadow the negative aspects of GBM with all of the positive progress Glenn was making, but this time, that won't happen. Our skies are grey and we are begging, please don't take our sunshine away.

On Sunday, the 27th, Glenn began vomiting up blood.  So, once again, he was rushed to the ER.  After several tests, the doctor decided to do a CT scan.  The results were fuzzy, but it looked as if another tumor had formed. There was a lot of swelling and inflammation around the tumor area which was causing all of the problems Glenn had been experiencing the past week or so.  Glenn was sent home for the night, but was scheduled for another MRI on Monday night.  On Tuesday morning, Mom and Glenn met with the neurologist to go over the results.  Sadly, the MRI confirmed that another tumor had grown and his original tumor had grown larger than it was before the chemo and radiation was started.  After this devastating news, they scheduled an appointment for the next day with the oncologist to see what could be done.

When the oncologist walked into the room, he looked grim.  He told them that when he looked at the results of the MRI, it made him sick to his stomach.  He explained that the Temodar had not worked and they would not be giving him any more. He discussed a last-resort measure that can be taken, which sounds more unpleasant than GBM itself. He said the disease is aggressively progressing and will just snowball at this point. Because the tumor is in a different lobe of the brain, surgery is not an option.

The bottom line: we are losing.  We are losing the fight, we are losing options, and worst of all, we are losing Glenn.  The doctor gave him 6-8 weeks, possibly 2-3 months.  We are devastated. 

We have found an alternative treatment that should provide quality of life. Glenn has started taking it and between that and the steroids is doing pretty good. He has his mobility back which has helped immensely. We are still focusing on all of the positive things we have but the gravity of the situation is not lost on us and we continue to fight for hope.

Please continue to pray for our family.  We really need comfort and positive thoughts at a time where its hard to find either.  We really appreciate all of the kind words and acts of service that people have done for Mom and Glenn.  We will continue to keep you posted as we face the unthinkable over the next few months.

~Lindsay