Not sure if it's bad news or just a blip but the brother in law is not doing well
he's been incredible since the brain tumor diagnosis back in November 2023. Heroic levels of endurance going for treatment and he's been doing well - they've had holidays and he's been doing a bit of work. Over the last couple of weeks he's had to stop some of the treatment as he's had seizures while it was taking place. Apparently his coordination is getting worse and he's disorientated and can't be left alone with the kids as they'd not be able to cope if he had a fit or a fall.

I'm not being included in the detailed conversations about his health, but he has a tumor the size of a small orange in his fucking head so. Well.

Anyway. Not sure if he's going to plateau at this level or get worse quickly or slowly, but he's probablly not going to get much better.

We're trying to be stoic and thankful for the good times we've had up until now.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:24, archived)

Oh fucking hell mate, I'm really sorry to hear that.
How awful.
( Mr. Tea 'ulmmm'/'mmneurgh', Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:42, archived)

Trying to balance not overdamatising things as we could be in this holding state for some time
but also be realistic. I also feel like a total shit talking about this while he's still alive and after he's been so resilient up to now - the sod may rally and get better for a while.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:52, archived)

Love and best wishes mate

( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:46, archived)

Thanks.

( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:54, archived)

Sorry to hear that, sending my best

( Cheers Cheers, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:55, archived)

Cheers.

( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 9:56, archived)

Oh fuck
Is there no chance that the tumour can be removed?
( Smash Monkey 2 Anyone know a good therapist in South Africa?, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:06, archived)

No. They tried about 14 months ago but it's too big and is too integrated into the brain's blood supply
they've managed to shrink it a bit over the last year with a whole range of therapies which is how he's done so well for so long. BUT the centre of the tumor doesn't have a blood supply so none of the therapies can reach beyond the outside. We always knew that the treatments would hold things off, not cure him.

He's on such a high regimen though that nobody can tell if it's the brain tumor or the drugs that are causing the problems, but if he goes on steroids again to overcome the symptoms it will likely speed up the cancer.

These are the decisions to be made.

Live better.

Or live longer.

And there are two young kids to consider.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:14, archived)

Shiiit.
No possibility of radiotherapy, then? Or would that damage too much healthy tissue?
( Mr. Tea 'ulmmm'/'mmneurgh', Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:17, archived)

It's really difficult in the brain
my other half does this and the really hard part of the job is stopping the radiation affecting the body away from the tumour. Normally it's to prevent the risk of causing cancer in the long term, but even as a palliative thing to administer enough of a dose to have an impact on the brain tumour you risk frying the healthy brain tissue. It is an absolute fucking bastard.

He's had one dose early on but they may try again as there's fuck all to lose now.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:29, archived)

Yeah, that's kind of what I thought.
Best of luck if he gives it another go. (And if he decides not to.)
( Mr. Tea 'ulmmm'/'mmneurgh', Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:57, archived)

If it was me, I'd choose live better
What's the point of living longer if you're suffering?
That's just me, though
( Smash Monkey 2 Anyone know a good therapist in South Africa?, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:19, archived)

I think most people would
but the idea of taking a course of action that would mean your kids having less time with you. Christ. That's not a decision I could imagine.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:26, archived)

Yeah, it sucks
The twins were only 10 when my sister died, and her eldest lost his dad less than a year later. They're more resilient than you think, kids, they'll be understandably very sad,but they'll bounce back, especially with other family around to care for them.
( Smash Monkey 2 Anyone know a good therapist in South Africa?, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:39, archived)

I like to think they will
I just can't help but think about how everyone is going to feel, and how HE feels. I mean, he's still alive.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:56, archived)

I know
Just enjoy every moment that you have left with him
( Smash Monkey 2 Anyone know a good therapist in South Africa?, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 12:12, archived)

Fuck, that's rubbish.
Get in as much quality time together as possible, whatever happens.
( .Yeti., Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:33, archived)

We've done our best

( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:35, archived)

:(((

( Queef Smegwin U r a 🔔🔚, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:35, archived)

Yeah

( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:36, archived)

Shit, that's rubbish.
Have an internet hug.

*hugs*
( Aardvark and so at last, I understood, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:36, archived)

This makes me cringe to my very core
but thanks.
( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 10:43, archived)

FUCK YOU GAROLD YOU GET AN INTERNET HUG WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT
*HUGS YOU EVEN HARDER*
( Aardvark and so at last, I understood, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 11:00, archived)

ningles, mateyplops!

( Queef Smegwin U r a 🔔🔚, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 16:28, archived)

sorry dude

( mofaha ┐( ˘_˘)┌ ʅ(́◡◝)ʃ, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 17:38, archived)

Thanks. We will get through it.

( garold you're on mute I SAID YOU'RE ON MUTE, Mon 3 Mar 2025, 18:16, archived)