The Effects of a Tumor on Family Members A tumor that is found specifically in the frontal cortex can cause many physical and emotional changes that can affect the way you interact with your family. Some of the functions of the frontal lobe are attention, abstract thinking, problem solving, intelligence, creative thinking, inhibition of initiative, judgment, mood, major body movements, control bowel and bladder, memory and reasoning (taken from www.ect.org. What this means is that you will experience these symptoms not only internally but also externally. Members of your family may start to notice the decline in your health and worry If you are diagnosed with a brain tumor, it is important to share this information with your family and friends, although it can be a very difficult conversation to have. , it is important that loved ones are informed This conversation will not be easy to have in fact, it can bring up many emotions and difficult questions to discuss (taken from www.braintumor.org). close to answer questions and minimize any fears you may have. The patient's doctor is certainly a good resource, as is the Internet and the library. If revealing this news may seem impossible, you can seek help from a social worker (hospitals often have one on staff), a church, or a therapist. It is important to expect a change in the dynamics within the family. This change may be due to financial difficulties, schedule changes, emotions, stress, etc. There are certainly stages of acceptance that your loved ones may experience. The stages of acceptance are: denial, anger, resolution... middle of paper ... this information may not apply to all individuals. As mentioned previously, the type of treatment and severity of the tumor will determine individual capabilities. ReferenceBear, J. (1997). Stages of grief. MSN Cancer Forum. Retrieved from the Internet on April 28, 2005. http://www.cancersurvivors.org/Coping/end%20term/stages.htmFeuerstain. (2005). Becoming good again through fulfillment at work. American Brain and Tumor Association, retrieved from the Internet on May 1, 2005. http://www.abta.org/wellaagain7.phpThimble, MH, (1990) Psychopathology of frontal lobe syndromes. Seminars in neurology. Retrieved from the Internet on April 25, 2005. http://www.ect.org/effects/lobe.htmlThe Essential Guide to Brain Tumors. Retrieved from the Internet on April 25, 2005. http://wwww.braintumor.org