Every year, around 24,000 men and women are diagnosed with tumors in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor and accounts for almost 48% of the central nervous system tumors.
Glioblastoma is often diagnosed around the age of 64 and is more common in men than women. Your dad’s been diagnosed with this type of tumor. It’s time to talk about the importance of home health care.
Glioblastomas Are Graded
Glioblastomas are given one of three grades with Grade IV being the worst. These fast-growing tumors may be surgically removed, but it can be hard to get all of the tumor. Generally, glioblastoma is considered a cancer that is hard to overcome.
That doesn’t mean that your dad’s oncology team won’t try. There is the chance he could be among the group that does survive it. Typical treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical removal.
During surgery, the skull is opened. The cancerous tissue is removed. This helps lower the amount of pressure within the brain that causes some of the symptoms like migraines, dizziness, and vision issues.
Following the surgery, make sure your dad has a home health care team at his home. Once he’s well enough to go home, he will need a nurse to help with IV medications, wound care, and infection monitoring.
If his incision isn’t healing correctly, the nurse will talk to doctors to determine what steps to take. It can prevent your dad from having to go back to the hospital, where he feels stressed and uncomfortable.
Should your dad need medications for pain management, his nurses are there to administer them following his surgeon’s instructions. If he’s in a lot of pain, the nurses can work with doctors to adjust his medications, and prevent a return trip to the hospital.
After the surgery, your dad may need chemotherapy and radiation treatments. At home, he may become very ill and dehydrated. Nurses can set him up with IV fluids and medications that help ease nausea. He won’t have to get in the car while feeling sick and out of it.
What If It’s Grade IV?
Grade IV is noted when the brain is damaged and there’s no chance for surgical removal. Generally, life expectancy at this point is no more than 15 months. Usually, treatment plans shift to comfort care.
As soon as you know that your dad’s health is worsening, talk to his oncology team about home health care services. His nurses can set up IV lines for medications. If he needs a feeding tube, home health care nurses can take care of it.
Your dad’s vital signs need to be monitored. Nurses can take and record his blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation levels. They’ll talk about them with your dad’s doctors and change his care plans if changes need to be made.
Ask his doctors about home health care benefits. They can help you understand the services your dad will need.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Health Care in Gainesville, VA please contact the caring staff at Passion Home Health Solutions LLC today at. 703-462-9141
Sources:
https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Glioblastoma-Multiforme
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