Sadie's brain tumor

Who was Sadie?

Sadie was our daughter. At 15 she was diagnosed with a very malignant brain tumor. Despite radiation and chemotherapy the tumor continued to grow, and she passed away 13 months later.

Why this website?

During Sadie's illness we scoured the Internet searching for information about brain tumors, treatments, and, once she was terminal, other people's final days. All the personal stories we found were very comforting to us: not because they offered us hope, but because they helped us understand what Sadie was going through. This site is our way of contributing to others walking this frightening path. We hope Sadie's site helps make the journey a little less lonely.

What kind of tumor did Sadie have?

We aren't sure. Her MRIs suggested glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), but her biopsy was inconclusive. After a second and third opinion, her medical team concluded that she had either GBM or a supratentorial PNET. The biopsy seemed to favor PNET, and that's what they treated her for. Her post-treatment MRIs, and her ultimate outcome, seemed to indicate it was GBM after all.

Comment or question?

Feel free to contact us.

Resources

A comprehensive site with detailed information about end-stage symptoms, the value of dexamethasone, hopsice considerations, end-stage landmarks, and stories from other caregivers during the final days. Oriented toward GBM, but useful for any family in the last stages of brain cancer.
A detailed account of Sandy's 7-year battle with GBM, including her final days, written by her husband. A truly inspirational woman.
Detailed updates from Danielle's sister Mila and others, documenting Danielle's 1.5-year battle with brain cancer through her final days and death.
Krista writes about her continuing battle with GBM with clarity and humor.