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Brain tumor in Hippocampus
Wed, 04/26/2017 - 10:29Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
Hello everyone. I'm new here and not sure which category to post my issue within. My 32 year old son was diagnosed in oct. 2016 with a brain tumor in the right temporal lobe and then later told it was in the hippocampus. He is currently having seizures, taking Aptiom in an effort to control them. He's been seen at UCLA Brain Tumor Center and told the tumor is inoperable. They expressed that the collateral damage from taking the tumor (and the hippocampus) would leave him as "quasi permanent Alzheimers". I've requested his medical records so that I can have others (Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, and a surgeon at University of Oklahoma) take a look for a second opinion. My son is suffering massive depression and suicidal thoughts. He has stopped communicating with me- haven't heard from him via phone/text/message in 2 weeks. I see where he is "active" on FB from time to time although he doesn't post anything but he has told me he doesn't want to talk to anyone. Does anyone have any recommendations for me? I live across the country from my son. Thank you for any replies.
Sorry that you are going
Submitted by mereloaded on Wed, 2017-04-26 - 19:26
Sorry that you are going through this. Yes, I have advice.1- The news are pretty upsetting for your son. It is quite natural that he doesn't want to talk to anybody. He needs time to process this.2- Obviously, this is very upsetting for you too. Your son doesn't want to upset you/make you sad, so it is quite possible that he is trying to avoid having you feel sad. Also, if you are freaking out (and rightfully so) perhaos he really doesn't want to deal with soothing panicked relatives on top of what he already has to deal with. 3- Dies he live alone or with others? You coukd ask if you could visit IF and only IF you are mentally prepared to deal with the reality of seizures and not freak out/cause a scene, faint, dramatize etc. He doesn't need to worry about others or feel like a freak show that makes others scared. You may also ask to help if you can (taking a pet that no longer can be taken care of, arranging appointments, bill paying, transportation or whatever is needed). You may also ask if talking to a counselor, member of the clergy if religious would help. Or send a care package of pictures from home, old toys or cherished mementos from home,,favorite cookies, hand made blanket etc.Good luck. Sorry to hear.