Candice's GBM Treatment
Donation protected
My name is Shaquille Jordan. My fiancee's name is Candice Logue. She is the only child of her mother's, but the 3rd and youngest daughter of her father's.
Candice and I met in 2011. I didn't see her as a future girlfriend at the time, I saw her as a friend. But we were sort of close and communicated consistently throughout our friendship. A year later, I had developed and attraction to her and feelings for her and decided to ask her (shyly) on a date. She accepted. We bonded almost instantly and realized we had more in common than we believed we did at first. After our first date, we decided we would be together.
Fast forward 5 years into September 2017. I had planned to ask her to marry me at my family reunion that summer, but we couldn't attend due to outside interference, so that plan fell through. I had kept the bridal set in a drawer in our room, nervous about how I was going to ask this amazing woman to marry me. Eventually I just worked up the courage to ask, but in my infinite nervousness/lack of self-confidence, I made it seem as if it were something else, and I'm happy she didnt grow to hate me for it. She's such an angel and a forgiving soul, and once she accepted, we began to plan out our future together. We knew there would be hardship, trouble, difficulty, and pain, but we never fathomed that it would get as difficult as it had...
About before Thanksgiving 2018, Candice began feeling discomfort in her right hand. She's a team trainer at Whole Foods Market and half of the time, she's at the computer at work all day, so at the beginning, we assumed it was early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. When she went to get it checked out, she was given a steroid to restore strength. After a while, the discomfort ended up spreading throughout her wrist and forearm. Within days, she was unable to move her right hand altogether. It was then (unfortunately) that we decided that she should see a doctor a second time.
She went to an orthopedic doctor on November 28, the week after Thanksgiving. She'd been experiencing mild headaches on top of the loss of movement in her right hand. It was later that night that I had gotten the worst phone call I have ever gotten. The doctors had informed her that there was a tumor in the back of her head. To this day I regret not being there with her to hear the news because she was so upset. Her voice seemed calm, but I could hear the sadness and upset in her tone as well because news like this is a ton to absorb at one time. I was heartbroken, as was she.
She was admitted to Rush University Medical Center in downtown Chicago that same night. The next day, she was in surgery, getting her biopsy done and also having a shunt inserted from her stomach to the back of her head. Through it all, she had kept her spirits high and kept a positive mind the entire time. After 6 days in the main hospital, she was moved to the Johnston Bowman Center for physical therapy. Thankfully they got her right arm back to serviceable strength, but due to the neurological damage from the tumor, movement hadn't/hasn't quite been restored to her right hand yet.
As of December 31st, she's doing regular physical therapy, but we have since found out that the tumor is malignant and is a Stage IV glioblastoma. The aggressiveness of it will cause her to have to take chemotherapy medications as well as having to do radiation therapy 5 times a week for 6 weeks.
ABOUT GLIOBLASTOMA:
Glioblastomas (also called GBM) are malignant Grade IV tumors, where a large portion of tumor cells are reproducing and dividing at any given time. They are nourished by an ample and abnormal tumor vessel blood supply. The tumor is predominantly made up of abnormal astrocytic cells, but also contain a mix of different cell types (including blood vessels) and areas of dead cells (necrosis). Glioblastomas are infiltrative and invade into nearby regions of the brain. They can also sometimes spread to the opposite side of the brain through connection fibers (corpus callosum). It is exceedingly rare for glioblastomas to spread outside of the brain.
Glioblastomas may arise de novo, meaning they begin as a Grade IV tumor with no evidence of a lower grade precursor. De novo tumors are the most common form of glioblastoma and tend to be more aggressive and tend to affect older patients. Alternatively, secondary glioblastomas may progress from a lower-grade astrocytic tumors (Grade II or Grade III) and evolve into Grade IV tumors over time. In general, these tumors tend to be slower growing initially, but can progressively become aggressive.
Glioblastomas are generally found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, but can be found anywhere in the brain. IDH mutant glioblastomas tend to arise preferentially in the frontal lobe.
With standard treatment, median survival for adults with glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, is approximately 11-15 months.
Glioblastoma can be difficult to treat since some cells may respond well to certain therapies, while others may not be affected at all. Because of this, the treatment plan for glioblastoma may combine several approaches.
The first step in treating glioblastoma is a surgical procedure to make a diagnosis, to relieve pressure on the brain, and to safely remove as much tumor as possible. Glioblastomas are diffuse and have finger-like tentacles that infiltrate the brain, which makes them very difficult to remove completely. This is particularly true when the tumors are growing near important regions of the brain that control functions such as language and movement/coordination.
Radiation and chemotherapy are used to slow down the growth of residual tumor after surgery and for tumors that cannot be removed with surgery. Additional treatments such as angiogenesis inhibitors may be used for tumors that recur or those that are non-responsive as a second-line agent. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) may be also be offered especially for recurrent tumors in adults.
Prognosis:
With standard treatment, median survival for adults with glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, is approximately 11-15 months.
There are factors that can contribute to improved prognosis, such as younger age at diagnosis (less than 50 years), near-complete removal of the tumor in surgery. Important molecular markers are determined after biopsy or surgery, which provide information for diagnosis and prognosis. For patients with IDH mutant glioblastoma, the prognosis is significantly better (median survival of 27 – 31 months) compared to IDH wildtype glioblastoma (median survival 11-13 months) after diagnosis. Another marker, methylation of a gene called MGMT promoter is also an important marker. MGMT is important for the stability of genes in all cells. When it is methylated, it is inactivated. This makes cancer cells more sensitive to certain chemotherapy drugs such as temozolomide because the DNA gets so damaged that the cells die.
Incidence:
Glioblastomas represent about 15% of all primary brain tumors. Glioblastomas are slightly more common in men than in women. IDH mutant glioblastomas account for approximately 10% of all glioblastomas.
Age Distribution:
The median age at diagnosis for glioblastoma is 64 years of age, and risk increases with age. IDH mutant glioblastomas develop in patients significantly younger with a median age of 48 years old. Glioblastomas are rare in children.
Risk Factors:
A very small percentage of glioblastomas are inherited as part of other syndromes such as Turcot Syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Neurofibromatosis type 1. The vast majority of glioblastomas occur randomly, without inherited genetic factors. The only confirmed risk factor is ionizing radiation to the head and neck region. Studies of environmental and genetic factors contributing to glioblastomas have so far been inconclusive or negative. However, there appears to be a decreased risk among individuals with a history of allergies.
Genetic Profile:
Glioblastomas are currently diagnosed as IDH-wildtype, IDH-mutant, or rarely as Glioblastoma NOS when IDH status cannot be determined.
Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype tumors
IDH-wildtype glioblastomas harbor a great deal of genetic abnormalities:
Alterations of large pieces of chromosomes can occur and can increase or decrease the number of copies of certain genes that are found in those pieces
Gain of chromosome 7p in combination with loss of chromosome 10q is the most common genetic alteration in glioblastoma. This is associated with an increase in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and a decrease in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN
Glioblastomas may also have too few copies of chromosomes 9, and 13
Genes can also become mutated. Some common mutations in IDH-wild-type glioblastoma include:PTEN is a tumor suppressor, which can become inactive or absent when mutated
EGFR stimulates cell division and can be stuck in the “on” position when it is
The TERT gene increases longevity in cells. Mutations of the TERT promoter make this gene more active, allowing the cancer cells to continue to divide
There can be alterations in other cell growth signaling pathways including PDGFRA, PI3 Kinase, and Met, which stimulate the cancer cells to grow and divide
Alterations in other tumor suppressor pathways are also common including p53, retinoblastoma, and CDKN2A. These genes would normally block uncontrolled growth, but the alterations block the function of these genes.
Glioblastoma, IDH-mutant tumors:
Have mutated genes
All of these tumors have a mutation in the IDH1 or IDH2 gene. This changes the way the cells make and use energy, which changes many aspects of how the cells function.
ATRX, which is involved in turning genes off, can be mutated, causing it to not function properly
The tumor suppressor gene, p53 can also be mutated, resulting in loss of control over tumor growth
Loss of a large piece of chromosome 19, known as 19q, is also common for this tumor type
The DNA in these tumors tends to be hypermethylated, meaning that genes are inappropriately turned off
The way that chromosome interact is frequently altered, causing oncogenes such as PDGFRA to be over expressed.
(Source: https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/glioblastoma-gbm/)
OUR ASK:
Those who know Candice know her as a selfless and patient person who tries to help out others as much as she can. She's never had a day in her life where she didn't put in hard work and sacrifice for the benefit of someone she felt was worth it. She's always been a realist, but still seems good in everyone and tries to help them be the best person they can be.
Now, if it's no bother, she needs our help.
Plenty of people live with glioblastomas, but very few with so much left to give and so much life left to live actually live with this. We moved back into her mother and grandmother's house (her grandmother is a breast cancer survivor) so we could be closer to family so we can get her as much support as she needs. She will live a long and prosperous life and spread her story so others living with this type of cancer will know that this isn't a death sentence, and they can fight and win.
We thank you all for the love, support, and donations. We will try to have updates regularly on her condition.
Candice and I met in 2011. I didn't see her as a future girlfriend at the time, I saw her as a friend. But we were sort of close and communicated consistently throughout our friendship. A year later, I had developed and attraction to her and feelings for her and decided to ask her (shyly) on a date. She accepted. We bonded almost instantly and realized we had more in common than we believed we did at first. After our first date, we decided we would be together.
Fast forward 5 years into September 2017. I had planned to ask her to marry me at my family reunion that summer, but we couldn't attend due to outside interference, so that plan fell through. I had kept the bridal set in a drawer in our room, nervous about how I was going to ask this amazing woman to marry me. Eventually I just worked up the courage to ask, but in my infinite nervousness/lack of self-confidence, I made it seem as if it were something else, and I'm happy she didnt grow to hate me for it. She's such an angel and a forgiving soul, and once she accepted, we began to plan out our future together. We knew there would be hardship, trouble, difficulty, and pain, but we never fathomed that it would get as difficult as it had...
About before Thanksgiving 2018, Candice began feeling discomfort in her right hand. She's a team trainer at Whole Foods Market and half of the time, she's at the computer at work all day, so at the beginning, we assumed it was early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. When she went to get it checked out, she was given a steroid to restore strength. After a while, the discomfort ended up spreading throughout her wrist and forearm. Within days, she was unable to move her right hand altogether. It was then (unfortunately) that we decided that she should see a doctor a second time.
She went to an orthopedic doctor on November 28, the week after Thanksgiving. She'd been experiencing mild headaches on top of the loss of movement in her right hand. It was later that night that I had gotten the worst phone call I have ever gotten. The doctors had informed her that there was a tumor in the back of her head. To this day I regret not being there with her to hear the news because she was so upset. Her voice seemed calm, but I could hear the sadness and upset in her tone as well because news like this is a ton to absorb at one time. I was heartbroken, as was she.
She was admitted to Rush University Medical Center in downtown Chicago that same night. The next day, she was in surgery, getting her biopsy done and also having a shunt inserted from her stomach to the back of her head. Through it all, she had kept her spirits high and kept a positive mind the entire time. After 6 days in the main hospital, she was moved to the Johnston Bowman Center for physical therapy. Thankfully they got her right arm back to serviceable strength, but due to the neurological damage from the tumor, movement hadn't/hasn't quite been restored to her right hand yet.
As of December 31st, she's doing regular physical therapy, but we have since found out that the tumor is malignant and is a Stage IV glioblastoma. The aggressiveness of it will cause her to have to take chemotherapy medications as well as having to do radiation therapy 5 times a week for 6 weeks.
ABOUT GLIOBLASTOMA:
Glioblastomas (also called GBM) are malignant Grade IV tumors, where a large portion of tumor cells are reproducing and dividing at any given time. They are nourished by an ample and abnormal tumor vessel blood supply. The tumor is predominantly made up of abnormal astrocytic cells, but also contain a mix of different cell types (including blood vessels) and areas of dead cells (necrosis). Glioblastomas are infiltrative and invade into nearby regions of the brain. They can also sometimes spread to the opposite side of the brain through connection fibers (corpus callosum). It is exceedingly rare for glioblastomas to spread outside of the brain.
Glioblastomas may arise de novo, meaning they begin as a Grade IV tumor with no evidence of a lower grade precursor. De novo tumors are the most common form of glioblastoma and tend to be more aggressive and tend to affect older patients. Alternatively, secondary glioblastomas may progress from a lower-grade astrocytic tumors (Grade II or Grade III) and evolve into Grade IV tumors over time. In general, these tumors tend to be slower growing initially, but can progressively become aggressive.
Glioblastomas are generally found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, but can be found anywhere in the brain. IDH mutant glioblastomas tend to arise preferentially in the frontal lobe.
With standard treatment, median survival for adults with glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, is approximately 11-15 months.
Glioblastoma can be difficult to treat since some cells may respond well to certain therapies, while others may not be affected at all. Because of this, the treatment plan for glioblastoma may combine several approaches.
The first step in treating glioblastoma is a surgical procedure to make a diagnosis, to relieve pressure on the brain, and to safely remove as much tumor as possible. Glioblastomas are diffuse and have finger-like tentacles that infiltrate the brain, which makes them very difficult to remove completely. This is particularly true when the tumors are growing near important regions of the brain that control functions such as language and movement/coordination.
Radiation and chemotherapy are used to slow down the growth of residual tumor after surgery and for tumors that cannot be removed with surgery. Additional treatments such as angiogenesis inhibitors may be used for tumors that recur or those that are non-responsive as a second-line agent. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) may be also be offered especially for recurrent tumors in adults.
Prognosis:
With standard treatment, median survival for adults with glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype, is approximately 11-15 months.
There are factors that can contribute to improved prognosis, such as younger age at diagnosis (less than 50 years), near-complete removal of the tumor in surgery. Important molecular markers are determined after biopsy or surgery, which provide information for diagnosis and prognosis. For patients with IDH mutant glioblastoma, the prognosis is significantly better (median survival of 27 – 31 months) compared to IDH wildtype glioblastoma (median survival 11-13 months) after diagnosis. Another marker, methylation of a gene called MGMT promoter is also an important marker. MGMT is important for the stability of genes in all cells. When it is methylated, it is inactivated. This makes cancer cells more sensitive to certain chemotherapy drugs such as temozolomide because the DNA gets so damaged that the cells die.
Incidence:
Glioblastomas represent about 15% of all primary brain tumors. Glioblastomas are slightly more common in men than in women. IDH mutant glioblastomas account for approximately 10% of all glioblastomas.
Age Distribution:
The median age at diagnosis for glioblastoma is 64 years of age, and risk increases with age. IDH mutant glioblastomas develop in patients significantly younger with a median age of 48 years old. Glioblastomas are rare in children.
Risk Factors:
A very small percentage of glioblastomas are inherited as part of other syndromes such as Turcot Syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Neurofibromatosis type 1. The vast majority of glioblastomas occur randomly, without inherited genetic factors. The only confirmed risk factor is ionizing radiation to the head and neck region. Studies of environmental and genetic factors contributing to glioblastomas have so far been inconclusive or negative. However, there appears to be a decreased risk among individuals with a history of allergies.
Genetic Profile:
Glioblastomas are currently diagnosed as IDH-wildtype, IDH-mutant, or rarely as Glioblastoma NOS when IDH status cannot be determined.
Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype tumors
IDH-wildtype glioblastomas harbor a great deal of genetic abnormalities:
Alterations of large pieces of chromosomes can occur and can increase or decrease the number of copies of certain genes that are found in those pieces
Gain of chromosome 7p in combination with loss of chromosome 10q is the most common genetic alteration in glioblastoma. This is associated with an increase in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and a decrease in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN
Glioblastomas may also have too few copies of chromosomes 9, and 13
Genes can also become mutated. Some common mutations in IDH-wild-type glioblastoma include:PTEN is a tumor suppressor, which can become inactive or absent when mutated
EGFR stimulates cell division and can be stuck in the “on” position when it is
The TERT gene increases longevity in cells. Mutations of the TERT promoter make this gene more active, allowing the cancer cells to continue to divide
There can be alterations in other cell growth signaling pathways including PDGFRA, PI3 Kinase, and Met, which stimulate the cancer cells to grow and divide
Alterations in other tumor suppressor pathways are also common including p53, retinoblastoma, and CDKN2A. These genes would normally block uncontrolled growth, but the alterations block the function of these genes.
Glioblastoma, IDH-mutant tumors:
Have mutated genes
All of these tumors have a mutation in the IDH1 or IDH2 gene. This changes the way the cells make and use energy, which changes many aspects of how the cells function.
ATRX, which is involved in turning genes off, can be mutated, causing it to not function properly
The tumor suppressor gene, p53 can also be mutated, resulting in loss of control over tumor growth
Loss of a large piece of chromosome 19, known as 19q, is also common for this tumor type
The DNA in these tumors tends to be hypermethylated, meaning that genes are inappropriately turned off
The way that chromosome interact is frequently altered, causing oncogenes such as PDGFRA to be over expressed.
(Source: https://www.abta.org/tumor_types/glioblastoma-gbm/)
OUR ASK:
Those who know Candice know her as a selfless and patient person who tries to help out others as much as she can. She's never had a day in her life where she didn't put in hard work and sacrifice for the benefit of someone she felt was worth it. She's always been a realist, but still seems good in everyone and tries to help them be the best person they can be.
Now, if it's no bother, she needs our help.
Plenty of people live with glioblastomas, but very few with so much left to give and so much life left to live actually live with this. We moved back into her mother and grandmother's house (her grandmother is a breast cancer survivor) so we could be closer to family so we can get her as much support as she needs. She will live a long and prosperous life and spread her story so others living with this type of cancer will know that this isn't a death sentence, and they can fight and win.
We thank you all for the love, support, and donations. We will try to have updates regularly on her condition.
Organizer
Shaq Jordan
Organizer
Maywood, IL
