audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - During Christmas week 2015, doctors determined that Dr. Robert Bolding had a terminal aggressive tumor, a GBM or Glioblastoma Multiforme, growing in the right side of his brain. The right hemisphere processes music. He was given only a few months to live. Dr. Bob had only a few warning signs that something might be wrong. He thought it was possible that he had perhaps had a stroke. He had numbness on his left side and his family said his behavior was odd. Bob was inclined to ignore the headaches he had been having, he figured maybe it was the weather. Bob is not one to worry. But there was one thing deep down that was bothering him, it was the fact that he was not able to sing and he didn't know why. That was the symptom he noticed that got his attention. The typical survival rate for glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive type of brain cancer, is 15 to 17 months, but new types of treatment designed to battle the tumors have been shown to extend survival rates by years. According to the American Brain Tumor Association more than 12,000 new cases of glioblastoma are diagnosed in the US each year, and recently the aggressive brain tumor was discovered in Sen. John McCain. After going through brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, Bob started fighting his Glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain tumor, with a relatively new therapy called an Optune cap. For 20 or more hours a day, he wore an electrode cap and a backpack that delivers an intermediate-frequency alternating electric field to his brain. So many people always surrounded Bob in his life. Since he was diagnosed he was able to walk his daughter down the isle and he got to meet his grandchildren. On May 26, 2018 - 2 1/2 years after his diagnosis Dr Bob passed away peacefully.. surrounded by the people he loved most.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
January 1, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING looks in the mirror the day he came home from the hospital after his first brain surgery. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given a few months to live. Here he is at home shortly after his first brain surgery. He sought treatment through the Memphis VA Medical Center while also trying any alternative treatment his family could find including the Optune Cap. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
Dr. ROBERT BOLDING, after his first two brain surgeries where they attempted to remove the brain tumor. A close up reveals a long scar with sutures. Bolding of Memphis Tennessee, discovered Christmas week that he had an aggressive brain tumor. His diagnosis is GBM, or Glioblastoma multiforme. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor. These tumors often infiltrate the surrounding brain tissue.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/ZUMA Wire
January 18, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given only a few months to live. Bob was a man of deep faith and he was prayed over by church members while being anointed. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
January 23, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given only months to live. Those first few months he lived very deeply, enjoying cigars with his friends while he adjusted to the idea of his inevitable death. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
February 3, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING shares a moment with DR. JOAN KAUFMAN, of Radiation Oncology, in the hallway. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. He sought treatment through the Memphis VA Medical Center and always spoke highly of the care and staff he received at the VA. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
February 3, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING receives help from his wife INGRID, who helps him keep his balance in the hallway as he leaves the hospital as he sought treatment through the Memphis VA Medical Center. He was treated with Chemo and Radiation following his surgery. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given only a few months to live. Bob loved the people and care he received at the VA and eventually became an ambassador for them during his illness. After about a 2 1/2 year fight, he passed away May 26th, 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
February 26, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING wears a mask during radiation treatment. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. He sought treatment through the Memphis VA Medical Center where he fought a hard fight; he had chemo and radiation. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
February 26, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - A medical worker looks at x-rays of Dr. Robert Bolding. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given only a few months to live. He sought treatment through the Memphis VA Medical Center where he was treated with Chemo and Radiation following his surgery. He also tried alternative treatments his family found including the Optune Cap. After about a 2 1/2 year fight, he passed away May 26th, 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
April 13, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING adjusts an Optune Cap while enjoying a cigar at the cigar shop. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. One of the alternative treatments he tried was an Optune Cap which emits a low-intensity electromagnetic field to stop or slow cancer cells from dividing. He wore the cap for about 18 hours per day. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
April 13, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING wears an an Optune Cap and smokes a cigar. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. He sought treatment through the Memphis VA Medical Center while also trying any alternative treatment his family could find including the Optune Cap. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patient's own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
April 24, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING walks with his wife INGRID. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. Bob lived the majority of his life in the home he grew up with his wife, Ingrid Bolding and children. He met Ingrid in Germany, when he was in the service. One of the alternative treatments he tried was an Optune Cap which emits a low-intensity electromagnetic field to stop or slow cancer cells from dividing. He wore the cap for about 18 hours per day. He lived much longer than expected. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
May 21, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING gives a kiss to his daughter KATHERINE HAAGA on her wedding day. His daughter moved her wedding day up by several months at the advice of the doctor, so that her father could walk her down the aisle and dance with her. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given only a few months to live. One of his immediate goals when he learned about his inevitable death, was to walk his daughter down the aisle during her upcoming wedding. She moved her wedding date up from fall to spring in hopes he would live long enough to give her away at her wedding. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
December 14, 2016 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING shares a moment on the couch with his daughter KATHERINE HAAGA. The chemo and radiation treatment made him very tired. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. Bob's wife and children cared for him every day as his health declined, doing whatever they could to bring him love and comfort and healing. In June it was reported that there may be a new type of vaccine that uses a patientÕs own immune system to battle the tumor in hopes of extending survival. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
//www.karenpulferfocht.com/blog/drbobsbrain
© Karen Focht/ZUMA Wire
July 1, 2017 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING receives a kiss from his wife INGRID at a patriotic ceremony. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. Bob and his immigrant wife Ingrid were both very proud Americans. He participated in a patriotic ceremony last July. Bob did not get out of the house much anymore at this point in his illness. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
February 28, 2018 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - DR. ROBERT BOLDING beat the odds by living long enough to see KATHY, his youngest daughter, give birth to her first child, CHARLOTTE. The family gave Bob goals in hopes to give him incentive to hang on a little bit longer. MARTIN HAAGA, is holding the baby. KATHY is at right. INGRID, Bob's wife and Kathy's mother is behind Bob. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given only a few months to live. His family gave him milestones along his journey, hoping it would give him incentive to hang on and fight for his life. He lived long enough to see his youngest daughter get married and give birth to her first child this spring. Bolding lived for two and a half years. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
May 26, 2018 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - Family and friends of Dr. Robert Bolding hug the morning he died. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. When Bob passed away at home, he was surrounded by his loved ones. It was hard for his family to say their final goodbyes and to let his physical body go. He donated his body to science. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
May 26, 2018 - Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - The morning Dr. Robert Bolding died, his body is draped with a flag and taken from the house on a stretcher. He was draped in a flag because he is a veteran. Bolding was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme an aggressive terminal cancerous brain tumor Christmas week, in 2015. He was given months to live. When Bob passed away at home, he was surrounded by his loved ones. It was hard for his family to say their final goodbyes and to let his physical body go. He donated his body to science. He passed away May 26th 2018.
© Karen Pulfer Focht/zReportage.com/ZUMA Wire
