Last updated: 1/14/2000

I am a 15 year survivor of an anaplastic astrocytoma grade 3. In 1984 just one week after our third child was born, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I had been having focal seizures in my arm for several months. After having a Cat Scan, I was told I had a brain tumor. I was then referred to Dr. Ransahoff at NYU. He informed me that the tumor was an astrocytoma and was inoperable. The tumor was located in the right parietal region. Being left handed surgery was not an option at this time. I went for six weeks of whole brain radiation at North Shore University Hospital. This shrunk the tumor 30 percent.

In December 1988 the tumor recurred and I had my first craniotomy at NYU. The surgery was performed in January 1989, by Dr. Ransohoff who removed 70 percent of the tumor. On biopsy it was revealed that the tumor was an anaplastic astrocytoma grade 3. Following this I underwent a year and a half of BCNU chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. I remained in remission for a period of six years when once again the tumor recurred.

In February of 1995 I was treated with interstitial radiation (brachytherapy or radium implants) by Dr. Ehud Arbit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. One year later in May of 1996, I underwent further surgery for removal of radiation necrosis also at Sloan Kettering.

At this time I remain in remission and my case is followed closely by Dr. Mark Malkin at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I credit my long term survival to many things:

• being educated with respect to our disease
• seeking out the very best physicians at the very best institutions
• having a positive attitude
• maintaining an efficient immune system through exercise, humor, faith, relaxation and good nutrition (I especially love pizza!)

In order to maintain a healthy immune system we need to do the things that allow us to feel good. Having the love and support of my wife, Sheila and my children Brian 21, Megan 19 and Matt 16 has been crucial to my survival.

Despite the fact that I have some deficit, I can LIVE with it. My goal is to help others with cancer and give them hope and inspiration and show them that they can not only SURVIVE but that they can THRIVE.

In the past my family and I have attended brain tumor conferences in San Francisco, New York, Boston and Providence. One in which I spoke on the issue of long term survivorship. I am currently on the support line for the National Brain Tumor Foundation. You can reach me at (631) 765-4387 or Sconneeli@aol.com