Living with a Brain Tumour

A range of therapies can support you in your recovery. These may be available at your cancer treatment centre, community therapy service or through a rehabilitation specialist at a rehabilitation hospital.

You may also be referred to individual allied health professionals (e.g. physiotherapist, occupational therapist) in private practice. Ask to see a therapist experienced in working with people after treatment for brain or spinal cord tumours.

• Physiotherapy – your physical abilities may be affected. Physiotherapy can help you learn how to move more easily, develop muscle strength and improve balance. Moving and strengthening your muscles can reduce tiredness or weakness related to treatment. If you can’t move easily, you may be able to learn techniques, such as using a walking stick, to help you stay as independent as possible. A neurophysiotherapist specialises in treating physical changes caused by damage to the central nervous system. 
• Cognitive rehabilitation – your memory, language skills, concentration, planning and problemsolving skills (executive function) may be affected. A neuropsychologist, speech pathologist or occupational therapist can help improve these cognitive skills. They may use memory strategies, speech therapy, technology such as calendars and reminder alerts, and word puzzles. 
• Exercise  a physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist can give you advice on how to increase physical activity and exercise safely to improve circulation and mobility, reduce swelling, and increase both your heart and lung fitness. They will also help you find ways to return to activities you previously enjoyed. To find a physiotherapist in your area, visit the  Australian Physiotherapy Association and to find an accredited exercise physiologist, visit Exercise & Sports Science Australia.
• Speech therapy – your ability to talk may be affected, which is often called aphasia. A speech pathologist could help to restore speech. Speech pathologists also work with people who have difficulty swallowing food and drink (called dysphagia). To find a certified practising speech pathologist, visit Speech Pathology Australia.
• Sight – you may lose some or all of your sight as a result of a brain tumour, depending on what part of the brain is affected. Vision Australia can teach you tips and strategies to live independently.
• Occupational therapy – if you are finding it harder to do everyday personal activities (e.g. showering, dressing, preparing a meal) or more complex activities (e.g. work and driving), an occupational therapist may be able to help. They can offer a range of strategies and aids to help you manage fatigue, physical and cognitive changes so you can improve or maintain your independence. To find an occupational therapist near you, visit Occupational Therapy Australia.

These occur when the whole brain is affected, and typically involve the whole body. The most common type is called a tonic-clonic seizure (previous known as a grand mal seizure).

A seizure often starts with a loss of consciousness. The person’s muscles may stiffen, their limbs may jerk rhythmically, and their breathing may be shallow for up to two minutes. They may bite their tongue, and lose bladder and bowel control.

Also called partial seizures, these occur when one area (lobe) of the brain is affected. Focal seizures affect one part of the body, such as an arm or leg.

Symptoms of focal seizures depend on the area of the brain involved and may include:

• twitching, jerking, tingling or numbness
• not being able to speak
• changes in vision or hearing
• strange tastes or smells
• a feeling of deja vu

Focal seizures may also cause a brief loss of consciousness, changes in mood, and memory loss just before, during and after the seizure.

• Remain calm and stay with the person while they are having a seizure. Refer to their Seizure Management Plan, if they have one.
• Do not hold them down or put anything in their mouth.
• Protect the person from injury (e.g. move hazards, lower them to the floor if possible, loosen their clothing, cushion their head and shoulders).
• Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance if it is the first seizure the person has had, if the person is injured, if there was food or fluid in the person’s mouth, if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes or if you are unsure what to do.
• Time how long the seizure lasts so you can tell the paramedics.
• After the jerking stops, roll the person onto their side to keep their airway clear. This is particularly important if the person has vomited, is unconscious or has food or fluid in their mouth.
• Watch the person until they have recovered, or the ambulance arrives.
• If the seizure occurs while the person is in a wheelchair or car, support their head and leave them safely strapped in their seat until the seizure is over. Afterwards, remove the person from their seat, if possible. Roll them onto their side if there is food, fluid or vomit in their mouth.
• Explain to the person what has occurred. In many cases, people are confused after a seizure.
• Allow the person to rest afterwards as most seizures are exhausting.
• For detailed information and an online tool for creating a Seizure Management Plan, contact Epilepsy Action Australia. 

• Have a driving assessment to check your ability to return to driving. This may include doing an off-road assessment or having an electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess seizure risk.
• See an occupational therapist driving assessor, a neurologist or rehabilitation specialist to work out the type of problems you may experience while driving (e.g. a slow reaction time). The focus of the assessment is not to suspend or cancel your licence: it is to work out if it is possible for you to safely return to driving.
• An occupational therapist may be able to teach you driving techniques to help with weaknesses or show you how to make changes to your car (such as extra mirrors). You may also be able to drive with restrictions, such as only in daylight, only in automatic cars or only short distances from home.
• Some people feel upset or frustrated if they have licence restrictions or can no longer drive. You may feel that you have lost your independence or worry about the impact on your family. It may help to talk to a counsellor or someone who has been through a similar experience. Depending on your situation and your health, it may be possible to return to driving later on.
• Follow any licence restrictions. If your doctor says you are not safe to drive, you must not drive unless they change that medical decision. If you ignore the restrictions, your licence may be suspended or cancelled. You may be fined if you drive while your licence has been suspended or cancelled. If you have an accident while driving, you could be charged with a criminal offence and your insurance policy will no longer be valid.
• Talk to your doctor or visit Austroads.