Patient's Husband Talks About His Wife's Experience of Being Treated for a Recurrent Brain Tumor
Renée N., a 38-year-old wife and mother of three children, lives in Dingman’s Ferry, Pennsylvania. She was treated for s recurrent brain tumor at the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Note: As a result of the seizures she suffered at the onset of her cancer, Renée is unable to remember much of what happened to her. As a result, her husband, Dan, provides most of this information.
Describe the type of cancer you have.
Head & Neck. Astrocytoma Grade 4. (Bi-polar brain tumor)
How/When did you discover you had cancer?
On October 16, 2001, Renée was working as an administrator in a jewelry store and had a sudden seizure at work. The ambulance took her to emergency. She woke up briefly, but had no memory of her husband, three children or her sister. Later she was transferred to University of Medical & Dentistry New Jersey (UMDNJ). Renée had a craniotomy on October 23 and they discovered she had a malignant tumor. The family all got together and told her she had cancer.
What was your reaction?
Renée simply accepted the news. Dan was shocked and afraid.
What did you do?
Renée was released on October 25 and seemed to be doing okay, except for her memory loss. However, exactly two months later on December 16, Renée suffered a partial stroke and Dan rushed her back to UMDNJ. On December 18, the surgeon performed another craniotomy, at which point they discovered the tumor had spread to the other side of Renée’s brain and was now bi-polar. Renée did not recover as well from the second surgery and was confined to a wheelchair.
At that point, the doctor told Dan that Renée had six weeks to live. Dan decided not to tell Renée because she was unable to comprehend the news at that time. Renée’s family gathered itself around her and tried to be as strong as it could, then just waited.
Renée, however, despite the fact she was no longer receiving chemo or radiation therapy, started a spontaneous remission and seemed to grow stronger as the six weeks came and went. In June 2002 (six months after the second operation), as Renée continued to improve, Dan took his family on a vacation for a week to Mexico, after which they decided to get a second opinion; several second opinions. But the doctors still felt there was nothing they could do for Renée.
In August 2002, Dan took Renée to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey where she was treated with chemotherapy and more radiation therapy.
When Renée completed her course at RWJUH, they went to University of Pennsylvania Hospital because Dan had heard they used a new kind of radiation treatment. However, after conducting an MRI, the doctors felt that Renée’s tumor was too large to irradiate.
Late in January 2003, Renée suffered another seizure and was rushed to Newton Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. It was while they were in the emergency room at Newton Memorial that Dan spoke with Nellie Gramp, a head nurse who strongly recommended that he contact her neighbor Stacy Goetz, the director of oncology services at the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center in East Stroudsburg and ask about IMRT. Dan called Stacy and she set up an immediate appointment with Dr. Greenberg.
Renée and Dan met with Dr. Greenberg early in February and he told them he thought intensity-modulated radiosurgery (IMRS) could help Renée.
When did the treatment start and end?
How many treatments did you have in that time?
March 3, 2003 through March 7, 2003. 5 consecutive treatments.
Was it painful?
No.
Were there any side effects?
Dr. Greenberg explained that there could be some hair loss and possible increased seizures. Renée did lose some hair but has not had a seizure since the treatment and the tumor has shrunk.
How was the procedure described?
Dr. Greenberg explained to Dan and Renée how IMRS focuses more accurately on the tumor than standard radiation and spared the healthy tissue around it.
Are you happy with your decision?
Yes.
How do you feel about your doctor and staff?
Renée and Dan think that Dr. Greenberg and his staff are absolutely wonderful. While all of the doctors were telling them that there was nothing they could do, Dr. Greenberg said, "We can help you."
How are you doing now?
Renée is progressing very well. She is, however, unable to drive because of the possibility of a sudden seizure.
What’s your advice to others?
Keep up hope. Never give up. Maintain a positive attitude.
