Over the past few weeks we have trawled the internet to bring you details of current blogs about brain tumours. Each blog is written by someone affected by a 
Brain Tumour and provides insights into what it is like living from day to day.
Below are details of all our 'BT Blog Buddies' with Oligodendroglioma's:
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Laurie (left)
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Name: Laurie Barram
Type of Brain Tumour: Oligodendroglioma
Grade of Brain Tumour: 2
Bio: In 1990 I had a Grand Mal epiliptic Seizure in my sleep. I started to take Dilantin but had another one twelve months later. The seizures slowly became more frequent throughout 1991 and 1992 and the Dilantin dose was steadily increased. In 1993 we decided to repeat all the earlier tests in an effort to find out why the epiepsy was getting worse. That time the result of an MRI scan stated “...an atypical low grade cystic Glial or neuronal tumour such as a ganglioglioma could not be excluded.” The tumour was in my right Frontal Lobe and I had surgery to remove it. The pathology testing reported that it was a benign low grade (WHO 2) astrocytoma. I had annual scans for five years. and there was no sign of recurrance so my neurologist announced that I was "cured". Thinking I had put it all behing me, I got on with my life, bushwalking, rockclimbing and doing all the outdoor things I love. Unfortunately, I had another seizure in my sleep in November 2006 and an MRI scan revealed that the tumour had grown back in the good brain tissue below the previous site. I had a second Craniotomy and this time the pathology result described it as a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. A followup scan in January 2009 showed indications of a further recurrance, we waited a few months and further MRI scans showed a definite regrowth below the previous occurance and this time it was touching the Corpus Callosum. My surgeon told me that if it invaded that structure, it would become inopperable. So I had my third craniotomy in May 2009. This time we followed up the surgery with combined chemo and radiation therapy in an attempt to mop any remaining tumour cells. While in some ways I am thankful that I am fighting a low grade tumour, the second recurrance has certainly caused me to adjust my thinking about how best to live with this thing and I have found that I have not bounced back as quickly as I did after the first two craniotomies.
Blog name: Oligo-Lucky
Blog link: www.oligo-lucky.blogspot.com
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More coming soon!
You can also view BT Buddies Blogs from people affected by other tumour types here...
