Symptom Monitoring

• a common symptom that people report

• a physical, emotional and/or mental tiredness that doesn’t seem to go away completely. 

• Can happen without warning

• Can cause usual day to day activities to be much more difficult

• Can occur especially with treatment or medication

• Can cause difficulty in concentration or inability to understand new information

• Can be localized to a certain area of the head or neck, or generalized.

• Treatment lines for the brain tumour can also increase headaches- speak to your health professional team to manage these.

• Reduce lighting and noise, rest, drink plenty of water- as per your health team’s advice.

• Can make a person or their loved ones scared or anxious

• Can be focal seizures- communicating differently, brief jerking, fiddling with clothing, appear to be confused or dazed

• General seizures; involves involuntary muscle activity or convulsions along with others.

• Seizure diaries may be useful to take this to the GP

• Antiseizure medication has side effects that may impact quality of life, speak to your team more. Some people report behavioural and mental health changes from some medications.

• Particularly due to treatment

• Monitor food and water intake and watch for weight loss or gain

• Discussing with your health team or Peace of Mind Foundation as an allied health referral could be beneficial.

• Confusion, needing more time to process information and ways of communication can change, depending on where the brain tumour is

• It can be frustrating for someone with a brain tumour with these new challenges, so simple strategies could be helpful depending on the individual:

  • Provide one piece of information at a time

  • Don’t ask more than one question in a sentence

  • Speak slowly and clearly

  • Reduce background noise, other stimulus such as noise, movement, lighting can make things more difficult

• Weakness on one side or parts of the body

• Changes in gait or ability to walk

• Change in functional ability or sensory impairments

Speak with a Peace of Mind Foundation team member to discuss strategies and referrals that may be helpful, such as allied health or cognitive rehabilitation.Item description

• It is common for anxiety, depression, frustration or anger to present itself after diagnosis.

• Keeping a mood diary may be useful to discuss with a supportive person such as a peer, psychologist or counsellor

• A few key things each day may improve daily life:

  • Delegate tasks to friends and family

  • Simplify each day – whether its planning, or having one appointment/task per day, this can be helpful

  • Don’t plan or look ahead too far when overwhelmed

  • Get outside where possible

  • Keep your basic needs met each day- am I hungry, thirsty, tired or lonely? 

  • Keep in touch with key supportive people, even when you may not want to.

  • Call your team member at Peace of Mind

    • We have peers that can support you – someone who may have experienced what you are feeling

    • Support groups

    • Counselling and financial assistance