Updates

November 2018
Reoccurrence of GBM, located in my left temporal lobe again. Because of the small size of this reoccurrence, I will be going through Gamma Knife radiation.

March 2017
Biopsy & diagnosed with aPXA in the pituitary. In April I went through 5 weeks of radiation.

Oct 19, 2016
WOW I have not updated my web for two years! I am sure many wonder if I am still alive. YES, I’m still alive and continue to fight hard to survive. I did have my 6th recurrence in August 2015. It was inoperable, so I had Gamma Knife Radiation treatment. Within 4 months of the Gamma Knife, the MRI showed there was no seen tumor! Great news. Now it’s October 2016, a year after the Gamma Knife, and my MRIs keep looking nice and clear. My last year has been a challenge. I began having many partial simple seizures. Last year all my focus has been trying to get the seizures under control. I’m still trying new anti-seizure meds, trying to find one that takes the seizures away. But overall, still out having FUN with my family. I get my next brain MRI this November 2016 and I hope it looks nice and clear too.

Oct 16, 2014
I’m still alive and loving life! In May 2014 I had my 5th GBM recurrence and went through my 6th brain surgery with Dr. Berger at UCSF. All seen tumor was removed. Because past genetic test MGMT showed the Temodar would not work well for me, I decided to not take Temodar again. And I did not qualify for any clinical trials I was interested in. So I decided to start taking Metformin, DCA and following a low carbohydrate diet, trying to lower my blood glucose and starve off any remaining cancer cell. So far my MRIs post surgery look nice and clear, no seen tumor. There is a lot of highlighted areas surrounding my tumor cavity, all from radiation damage. The radiation is causing weakness in the vessels, causing tiny “micro-bleeds” in the left hemisphere of my brain. But overall, I’m doing well and still getting out being active and having fun in life!!!

Feb 1, 2014
This March 2014 will be 1 year since my 4th GBM recurrence and 5th brain surgery. I recovered well and am busy with life. This June 2014 I will get to celebrate surviving the GBM 14 years! My MRI shows a new questionable 5mm “spot”. Not sure what it is yet.

April 30, 2013
The two questionable “nodules” ended up being my fourth recurrence of the GBM. I had my 5th brain surgery on March 13, 2013. The two GBM tumors were located in the “dura” (the tissue that covers and protects the brain)that covered the tumor cavity (over my left temporal lobe). All seen tumor was removed. I recovered from surgery quickly. The genetic tests came back with good news. The EGFR (growth factor) came back negative. The PTEN was negative for deletion. And the IDH1 was negative. Those three test showed good news for a GBM (genetically about as good as a GBM can be). Consequently I decided to not take any chemo or treatment at this time. To boost my own immune system I will continue to eat healthy & organic, take many supplements, exercise, simplify life, and lean on God for strength. So I am still out loving life and having fun!!!

Jan 29, 2013
It’s now January 2013 and I’ve survived the GBM 12 ½ years! My last four MRIs have shown two new “nodules” located on the edge of my tumor cavity. I’m getting an MRI every 6 weeks to keep a close eye on them. They have not changed much, only about 4mm in size. But they look suspicious like either the GBM is back or are two clusters of malformed vessels caused by my last surgery. I am being patient and am at peace waiting from MRI to MRI. I feel physically great, out having fun x-country skiing this winter in the beautiful snow. In terms of my brain, I’m having a harder time understanding what people are saying if there is background sounds or they talk too fast (diagnosed with “audio processing disorder”) Overall, I’m out busy with my family loving life!!!

I recently made a new video in hopes to encourage others battling brain tumors. It’s of me and my husband Matt climbing Mt Whitney the summer of 2012 and ending it with a message of hope to brain tumor fighters! Go to YouTube, search for Cheryl Broyles and you will find it. Hope it uplifts your spirit!

Feb 18, 2012
I’m now an 11 year and 8 months GBM survivor. Still alive and loving life. My last MRI on Jan 27, 2012 looked good, no seen tumor. However, there was something new there. The MRI report says, “There are scattered foci of magnetic susceptibility within the left hemisphere, likely to represent microhemorrhages due to post treatment changes or radiation induced cavernous malformation.” I looked at the MRI and counted 16 of them, all near my left temporal lobe tumor cavity. So far I’m feeling OK, I guess we will track them over time and see what happens.

Feb 20, 2011
WOW it’s been a year since I’ve updated. My last MRI was on Feb. 11, 2011 looked nice and clear, no seen tumor. I am still on no treatments – but I am still eating organic, eating healthy foods, exercising 5 days a week, reducing stress, leaning on Christ for strength, and am still taking LOTS of supplements. I’m feeling GOOD! Now it’s been 10 years since I was diagnosed with the GBM, after 4 brain surgeries, radiation, and over 3 years on Temodar, I am still alive and loving life!

Feb 1, 2010
This last year has gone by so fast! In a good way! All of my MRIs have looked nice and clear, no seen tumor. I have not been on any treatments. The brain tumor board at UCSF suggested that I just get MRIs every two months and “keep and eye on it”. I’ve now been off Temodar for 11 months now, and I feel great. My last MRI was Jan 15th 2010 and it looked good. A wonderful way to start out a new year!

March 14, 2009
My MRI at UCSF on Feb. 6th 2009 showed new tumor growth. Approx. 4mm, Located on the meninge located right over the tumor cavity. I went into surgery on March 9th with Dr. Berger at UCSF. Pathology showed it as a returned GBM. This was brain surgery #4. I am recovering very fast and well, making sure I sit around and relax for two weeks. Then we are going camping, having fun bike riding, and fishing bass. Fun fun fun. I am waiting for the genetic test results on the GBM before knowing what treatment I’ll take next. Life is good! I feel blessed!

November 5, 2008
The bone doctor took out all of the metal screws and pens, and wrapped my hand/wrist/arm in a normal cast. He said it looks good!

October 17, 2008
At UCSF I could not have an MRI because of all the metal in my wrist. Instead they did a CAT Scan. It looked nice and clear. Still on Temodar 330mg the 5/23 schedule.

September 14, 2008
While picking wild blackberries with my two boys, I slipped and broke my wrist. A bad compound break, when the bone breaks out of the skin. The bones broke in 4 places. After a few hours in surgery, I had 4 screws and 3 pens to hold it all together again. My bone doc wanted me to stay off the chemo to allow my bones to heal. I told him, “NO – I’m not going off chemo, my brain is more important than my arm!” I stayed on the Temodar.

August 15, 2008
My MRI at UCSF looked nice and clear. Still on Temodar 330mg the 5/23 schedule. Summer school break time is fun with my two boys Grant and Clint. Our family went backpacking in the Sky Lakes Wilderness, camping along the Coast of Oregon, and now busy with Grant’s football season starting.

June 20, 2008
My MRI at UCSF looked nice and clear. Still on Temodar 330mg the 5/23 schedule. My book Life’s Mountains was officially published!!! YA

April 25, 2008
My MRI at UCSF looked nice and clear. Still on Temodar 330mg the 5/23 schedule. My blood counts are not too bad. Things are going well, just fatigued from being on Temodar. I had a fun weekend in San Francisco Ca., walking along the beach and the Golden Gate Bridge.

February 2007 – GBM Reoccurrence, treated with brain surgery at UCSF

August 2004 – GBM Reoccurrence, treated with brain surgery at UCSF

June 28, 2000 – GBM diagnosis