My Brother-In-Law Has The Same Cancer John McCain Had

[JimGinPA]

He became incoherent all of a sudden one day last week and when they took him to the hospital they found a brain tumor. He was operated on pretty quickly and they removed most of it but the prognosis isn't very good.

While he was recovering from the surgery the doctors came in to check on him and at one point asked him a series of questions, like, "What year was it?" etc. One of the questions was "Who is the president?" My sister said he smiled real big and said "Hillary Clinton" and the doctor said "Yeah, we'll accept that answer".

[catbyte]

1. I'm so sorry.

I wish your family all the best for the battle ahead. BTW, good answer!

[qazplm135]

2. that's tough

but good that he has kept his sense of humor!

[imanamerican63]

3. I am sorry to hear that about your brother.

Cancer is a nasty disease and I will say a prayer him and your family thru this difficult time.

[democrank]

4. Stay strong and keep believing

[maxsolomon]

5. Glioblastoma.

It took my mom in 6 months after diagnosis and surgery, 10 years ago. She wasn't the same person after the surgery, either. Sounds like your BIL might be in a bit better condition.

McCain and Ted Kennedy lasted a bit longer after their diagnosis.

Condolences.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. Sorry to hear that.

Been down that road with a Sis In Law as well as a Brother In Law. It's a bitch,and helping with his personal affairs would really help. First thing after he is stable,arrange to take him to someplace he has always wanted to go and never though he would make it too. Just do it,even if it is for only a few hours. You will see what I mean.

[MyMission]

7. Glioblastoma is supposed to be rare

But I've heard of far too many cases since John McCain was diagnosed. Ted Kennedy had it too, as did Beau Biden. And I know of several non-famous people who've also had it. Makes me wonder if cell phone use can contribute to its formation, or what other factors might cause it. That's my research and statistics training inserting itself.

I wish your brother in law all the best. His sense of humor will help him through this difficult time.

[volstork]

8. I'm so sorry.

Just lost a dear friend to glio this spring. Best wishes to your family as you navigate the coming days.

[peggysue2]

9. Your brother-in-laws answer made me smile

As well as the doctor's reply.

As for the glioblastoma diagnosis? The prognosis is grim as I'm sure you know. My husband and I had a dear friend who died in January with the same cancer. Remarkably, he outlasted the professional prognosis, went nearly two years. Because of where his cancer started, the surgery was not recommended. After two rounds of chemo and radiation, he went off treatment, went home and lived out what was the rest of his life with his wife and family near. Remarkably too, he always remained cheerful, amazingly upbeat. He was bedridden, could no longer walk. But the cancer did not (until the very end) affect his ability to think or talk or update his Facebook page, daily. Even John McCain was very active until the very end, and he was a good deal older than our friend.

Tommy led a good life. He was a kind, good man and from what his wife told me, he had a good death. Peaceful and unafraid. He made the most of those last two years by inspiring everyone around him. I miss him. But he went out the way he wanted to, the way most of us would like to I suspect.

Good luck to you and your family.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. I'm very sorry this cancer has found a family member.

[Beaverhausen]

11. I lost a friend last December who fought hard for 4 years

she lived way beyond the usual life expectancy of someone with Glioblastoma

look into Optune https://www.optune.com/

So sorry. Its a rough one.

[LeftInTX]

12. I'm so sorry. Sounds like it came on with no real warning.

[csziggy]

13. I'm so sorry - that is a very tough diagnosis

My oldest sister died of it in June 1993. She was diagnosed in 1991 just before Thanksgiving and told the family on the holiday. She was a neurological physiologist and her contacts with neurologists got her a lot of then very advanced and experimental treatments which prolonged her life from the original three months to over eighteen months.

There are new treatments using DNA and viral treatments - I have not been able to keep up with the cutting edge. They may still be experimental and not generally available, though.

Best wishes to the family and I hope they make it through the hard times ahead without too much disruption.