My husband was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor almost

3 years ago. He was only 32 years old and had just finished law

school. I was pregnant with our first, and consequently only child.

His diagnosis came out of left field after having a seizure he was

immediately diagnosed. The doctors were inconclusive as to what

stage the cancer was. Half said he had a mixed oligo astrocytoma

(WHO II), the others said it was an anaplatic astrocytoma (WHO

III). To make things even worse, the doctors cannot decide how much

was removed, his surgeon claims to have taken out 90% of the

visible lesion and the oncologist thinks it was more like 30%. We

have traveled the county to find the best doctors. Some were

trigger happy and wanted to radiate his whole head, likely

resulting in him losing his ability to work as a lawyer. Other

wanted to do NOTHING AT ALL!!! We finally found some solace with

Dr. Arenson in Colorado. He has been through hell and back. The

surgery left him paralyzed on the right side, radiation made him

tired, and chemotherapy sick. Today things look a little better

(hopefully) he is stable after 12 MRIs and able to walk, work, and

play. For our family, we have to live in 3 month cycles, happy when

the MRI is unchanged fearful in the weeks lead up to the next. We

try to keep our spirits up, especially around our young child but

the fear of living day to day is daunting. We wish ALL of those

afflicted with brain tumors the best of luck. And hope the recent

news of Ted Kennedy brings the issue of Brain Cancer, the lack of

funding for Brain Cancer Research and Healthcare for ALL Americans

into focus, not just for our family but for all families.