Humanity: Brain Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, Tenth edition (ePub)

Brain Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, Tenth edition

INTRODUCTION BY HENRY S. FRIEDMAN, MD

CHAPTER 1: WHERE, WHEN, HOW, AND WHY ME?
Starting now
How to use this guide
Starting now: a guide to the Brain Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
Survivor story #1
CHAPTER 2: FROM DAY ONE, A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
Tools to help you get organized
Location, location, location
A personal diary
Legal documents
Major parts of the brain and associated functions
Power-of-attorney legal documents
Phone numbers
Second "expert" opinions
The role of caregivers and loved ones
Support for caregivers
Mind, body, and soul: faith in healing and emotional wellness
Impairments and strategies for coping
Survivor story #2
CHAPTER 3: UNDERSTANDING BRAIN TUMORS
What is a glioma?
What does "tumor grade" mean?
How long has the tumor been there?
Are brain tumors the same as brain cancer?
Can brain tumors be removed surgically?
What are the survival statistics for patients with brain tumors?
Survivor story #3
CHAPTER 4: YOUR MEDICAL TEAM, QUESTIONS TO ASK, AND BRAIN SCANS
What questions should I ask my medical team?
All about brain scans
Survivor story #4
CHAPTER 5: TREATMENTS OF BRAIN TUMORS
Standard-of-care treatment for high-grade glioma
Treatments and the Food and Drug Administration
Clinical trials
Neurosurgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Tumor Treating Fields (TTF; Optune)
Long-term side effects
The Brain Tumor Virtual Trial
Survivor story #5
CHAPTER 6: ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS
The mainstream path of treatment development
How alternative treatments are developed
Survivor story #6
CHAPTER 7: COMMON MEDICINES FOR TREATING SYMPTOMS
Medications for pain relief
Medications for swelling
Medications for reducing seizures
Medications for reducing nausea
Medications for improving mood
Medications for reducing the formation of blood clots
Survivor story #7
CHAPTER 8: SEX AND FERTILITY
Effects of treatment and medication
Birth control
Sex, surgery, and brain tumor treatment
Fertility
Survivor story #8
CHAPTER 9: "REAL WORLD" AND ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS
"Real world" support groups
Online support groups
Survivor story #9
CHAPTER 10: INSURANCE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The cost of cancer care
Understanding your insurance
Financial assistance
Survivor story #10
AFTERWORD BY AL MUSELLA, DPM
APPENDIX: THE VIRTUALTRIALS.COM WEBSITE OF THE MUSELLA FOUNDATION