About Brain Tumors: Living with a Brain Tumor

Ways to keep from letting a brain tumor take over one's life include:

Setting goals and priorities
Making vacation plans where possible
Try to continue involvement with family, friends, and religious groups where possible.

Continue some type of exercise. For many of our patients, a program of exercise walking is helpful, no matter what the distance
Eat a fairly healthy balanced diet that includes some protein and some vegetables. For most people, a drastic change in diet is not recommended.
Many brain tumor patients experience constipation, sometimes worsened by medications. Consider a high fiber diet, extra fruits and vegetables, a natural over-the-counter stool softener (senna 2 pills daily), and liquid milk of magnesia (1-2 Tablespoons daily when needed)

Most people (patients and caregivers alike) find it helpful to talk about their situation with people they trust
Consider attending Brain Tumor Support Group
Let us know if you feel overwhelmed

Know your medications. A helpful step is to keep an updated list in a computer, with a copy in your wallet or purse and an extra copy brought to clinic visits. Include any complementary medications (e.g. from a health food store) or dietary supplements.
Use a medication tray. This greatly reduces missed doses or extra doses.
Inform the neuro-oncology nurse 734-647-8906 of any major change In symptoms. If in doubt, call 734-647-8906.

If your appetite is excessive, try to keep food consumption from getting out of control. This especially means setting limits high-calorie foods.
To minimize the chance of steroid myopathy causing weakness around the hips, regular walking is all the more important.
To preserve bone strength, consider adding calcium (1200 mg per day) and vitamin D (800 I.U. per day).
If your sleep is poor, ask your caregivers if your dexamethasone can be taken early in the day to minimize effects on sleep.