My sister was diagnosed with an optic pathway giloma (a brain tumor which is on her optic nerves - luckily it's benign) about 3 and a half years ago, she had about a year of radiotherapy to stop it from growing.
It seemed to work, but we found out late last year that it had grown again and she now has lesions on her brain stem and spine. She's going through chemotherapy and is okay at the moment, but earlier on, she took a turn for the worst. She had constant headaches, violent mood swings and she was sick all the time.

The doctors didn't know what was wrong with her and she was basically a human experiment for months, while they tried to figure out what was wrong with her. She had about 17 operations in the span of 5 months, because whatever they did kept going wrong. She had hydrocephalus (where the CSF builds up in the brain) and she had a cerebral shunt fitted in, but there was about 3/4 times where it wasn't draining and times where the CSF was leaking from the scars on her head.
Luckily the shunt is working now but she will probably never have the shunt out again.

Despite all this she remains as mentally strong as ever, however I have taken a turn for the worst. I quite serious depression from November 2006 to about July 2007, and it now seems that I have manic/bipolar depression.

I appologise for how long this is, but I wanted to see if anybody has any advice about what to do for my depression; if anybody has any similarities, or differences with what me and my family have gone/going through; or if people just want to comment on what I have written.

Im so sorry to hear about your sister... Really good to hear how strong shes been through it- you must be so proud, and a lovely sister for being there for her.

As for your depression, maybe try going to see someone? Like, a professional... I can't think the name, but there are people that can help.
Hope your sister gets better, and things start looking up for you.
xXx

=[ Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like really tough time for you and your family. It's great your sister is still going strong, after all that has happened..

With your depression, you really should see a professional, and make sure you talk to your family about it so they can also support you. Just remember your sister is doing well and if you're feeling good, she will too.

Good luck and be happy..
xx

Give your sister my love and keep some for yourself
My aunt went through this and in the end i learnt we just gotta be happy with the life god has given us and make the most out of every possible situation.

really sorry to hear that just give her all the support you can!

thanks, for all you comments. I'm going to see a therapist again (i'm on the priority list), but there is a long wait, so i'm a wee bit annoyed about that. My sister didn't take that too well. Apparently, when the letter came saying that I had to wait even longer, she went off on one, talking about how stupid they were and how she would call them and have a go at them. Was sehr funny to hear. Cheered up my day.

anywho, thanks again

xxxxx

If The Perfessional Doesnt Work Think Of Someways To Use All Tht Energy In Something Tht Can Ditract U Like Swimming Running Music Drawing Writing U No Stuff Like Tht

sorry to hear that man, i hope shes looking forward to a strong recover, and I think you should too

Im really sorry to hear about your sister & I hope she recovers 100% !
As for you theres lots of people you can go to about your depression
Firsty friends & family are an obvious choice & theres also doctors you can
see who can help you. If you dont feel up to telling anyone go do something
that can take your mind of the situation a little bit, take up a hobby something
you can really get into.