On 26 October 2023, less than a month ago, I was playing soccer in the same way I do each week, in an over 60s competitive kickaround with the lads. My right leg felt strange, like a numbness, which had started a couple of days earlier.
How did I go from this relative health to full-on brain cancer treatment in a few weeks?
I write this not as a medical record or an analysis of brain cancer. There are better places for such research. It’s more about how quickly events can change, none of us knows what might happen and everyone will be different.
Thursday, 26 October
Advised by local GP to go immediately to North Shore Hospital by ambulance to check leg numbness. Did not take any overnight clothes, expected to be out in a couple of hours. Scans showed shadows or marks deep in the thalamus where information from the body’s senses is processed. Held overnight before transferring to ward.
Saturday, 28 October
Finally completed full MRI and met with neurosurgeon. Greater detail from MRI showed brain tumour cannot be removed as extremely sensitive part of brain, too dangerous to operate. Only possible action is biopsy to determine type of tumour and small brain samples for analysis. Met with another neurosurgeon who specialises in such surgery and will operate as soon as possible.
Wednesday, 1 November
Given operation priority, checked into hospital for more MRIs, interviewed by anaesthetist ready for earlier start tomorrow.
Thursday, 2 November
Four-hour operation, passed the first hurdle that a small percentage of patients don’t survive. Stayed overnight in ICU, feeling fine but groggy. Surgeon said operation went well, stay in hospital for a couple of days.
Friday 3 November
Transfer to ward next day. Tried walking but was shocked how unsteady on my feet. Physio said normal after brain surgery so walked around ward to gain confidence. Right leg numbness not improved, tingle in hands. Surgeon visited to review expectations for first week. Taking anti-epilepsy and steroids to control brain swelling each day.
They plan to include me in new global drug trial, the first Australian patient, by the end of November after recovering from surgery. Good candidate as live near hospital and never in a clinical trial before. Treatment will run in parallel with normal techniques. Met with three doctors from Singapore excited to be starting in Australia.
Sunday, 5 November
Went home but slept a lot. Not worried or distressed, quite comfortable. Able to see a few friends over coming days but only for an hour until needing to sleep again. Walk a couple of times a day, fine at night. Surgeon suggested gradual reduction in doses of drugs, especially steroids which they prefer to avoid.
Friday, 10 November
Met with neurosurgeon again who will stay close to my case but pass me more to specialists in oncology, radiation and chemo. Calm and confident advice from professionals, impressive treatment, no false promises. Confirmed as Stage 4 glioma, any theories about Stage 2 or 3 not relevant. Met with main oncologist who will handle chemo, who prefers me to stay on steroids and anti-seizure tablets until we know reaction.
Sunday, 12 November
Bad day, probably came off steroids too quickly last week. No energy, leg painful. Walking worse and brain confused, struggling with details.
Tuesday, 14 November
Appointment with radiation oncologist who will lead my case now. Clear explanation of what will happen. He expects to start chemo and radiation towards end of November, prefer to wait at least three weeks after operation, then initial six weeks of treatment.
Wednesday, 15 November
Vague, sleepy. Eat little. Tried to attend an event but could not coordinate after getting ready. Based on new MRI, oncologist decided far more brain swelling than expected around thalamus although no tumour growth. He decided to cancel including me in the global trial, suddenly treatment urgent and will commence in a week. Placed onto extra steroids to cover tiredness.
Friday, 17 November
Oncologist rang again late Friday and wants to start treatment immediately, no benefit in waiting and clearly worried about energy levels and my brain swelling. Fitted for Kevlar mask which locks head tightly into position for radiation (actually, x-rays) of tumours in brain. More than one area to target. Doubled the drugs on the weekend to avoid sleepiness. Felt fine with higher doses.
Monday, 20 November
Full radiation treatment starts. Head must be held perfectly still. For the next six weeks, need to attend hospital every day except weekends, plus chemo every day to support the radiation. Monitor steroid use closely as they can erode strength and muscles, so a fine balance.
Tuesday, 21 November
Good walk, feeling fine, met again with radiation oncologist. Happy with results from first two days of radiotherapy. Impressive knowledge and approach, I’m happy I’m in the best care. Radiation is carefully designed to target exactly the right area of the brain, leaving healthy parts while focussing on the tumour. Oncologist is far happier with the decision to push ahead quickly as scans last week were not good but I have improved from the brain swelling.
So that’s where I am. Better than a week or two ago but taking nothing for granted. Multiple medications every day, blood tests every week, regular meetings on progress.
Thanks for the hundreds of kind messages, apologies for inability to respond, trying to stay well and active, sleeping where needed. Amazing wife and family, great friends, still feeling good and optimistic but nobody knows.
Graham Hand is being treated at North Shore Hospital in Sydney but the names of experts involved have been withheld for their privacy.
Graham announced his initial diagnosis here.