Hi NLeslie
My husband was diagnosed with the same tumour in 2000, unfortunately late last year it was upgraded to a GBM 4.
We tried to change our diet to eliminate all processed foods and meat, we also introduced juicing vegetables etc 5 times a day. John was okay to start with, but after a while he became so unhappy with the lack of meat and like your husband he loves chocolate and sweet things. His attitute was affecting the family and the diet change stressed him, so I reluctantly re-introduced these items but have reduced the quantity.
Like you, John and I reversed roles. I became to main income earner. He started to bring life style balance into his life. We live close to the beach in Perth, Australia; he joined the local surf life saving club gym and would work out three times a week and then go to the beach.
As a family (we have 2 kids, now 10 and 11 years old), in the last 5 years we started to have overseas holidays, mainly to Bali, as it's inexpensive to travel to Bali from Perth. We also travelled to China. Having family holidays was the best thing for all of us. The trigger for this change was because the tumour started to regrow, but luckily Temodar stopped the progression. Prior this this, we thought that we could not afford holidays and concentrated on paying the mortgage quickly.
In the last year, his tumour was upgraded to a GBM 4. We can't have anymore chemo or radiation. His platelet levels were not recovering and he was having bleeds within the tumour. Not good news.
What I'm trying to say, enjoy life as a family. Go on holidays, let him eat what he wants, cause if he's like my husband, the stress is not worth it.
My husband is permanently bed bound now so his quality of life is not great, but we are very greatful that we have enjoyed life to the fullest while he was able.
I
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