KerryToo Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Two weeks ago we were devastated to find that my Mom had a brain mets - originally they estimated it's size to be 7 cm, but turns out that it was 3 cm with inflammation. Mom underwent Radiotactic Surgery at City of Hope last week. I went home to be with her and was amazed at the treatment. Very little discomfort - only annoying aspect was the placement of 2 small screws in the skull to position the head during the actual treatment. Next day, a radiation treatment that the Neurosurgeon said was completely successful, no side effects, and expectation of "long survival". Unbelievable! In fact, Mom says that she feels better than she has in about a year. All symptoms gone. I took her shopping right after (at her request). Just a note to tell everyone that a diagnosis of brain mets is not always a death sentence. In fact, Mom and I commented that we wished that the original lung tumor could be treated as easily and effectively as the brain mets was. Here's to a bright outlook and many blessings in 2005 ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I agree - it's amazing what technology can do today. And imagine in 20 years, 30, 50. Wow! A while back, I read an article where they have these little plastic disks that hold chemo. They are implanted next to tumors in the brain, and the disk delivers chemotherapy right to the tumor so that it gets to it in enough quantity to treat it, and it is localized to that one spot. Amazing. There are things, I'm sure, on the designing tables as we are typing here that will continue to amaze us as they become more and more common. And aren't we fortunate to be able to take advantage of them. Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Dear KerryToo, Congratulations on your mom's wonderful news! This is great news, and there are many people that have had Brain Mets and had them (zapped) and they are doing just fine and are long time survivors. I will hope the same goes for you mom. Best wishes to you and mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Great news, Kerry, and very timely. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Kerry, So glad for your mom and you. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Wonderful news Kerry, Thanks for sharing. sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathyr Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Great news!!! I am so happy for you and your mom. It is wonderful when something "good" happens for us. It's too long and inbetween. I hope 2005 continues to be a healthy, happy year for your family. CathyR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 That is great news.I'm happy your mom did so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBeth Posted January 4, 2005 Share Posted January 4, 2005 Great news for you and your family. I'm very happy for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Kerry, Good hospital and good doctors. This is where I had my treatments. City of Hope. Blessings and prayers, Karen PS- I PM'd you. Did you receive it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted January 5, 2005 Share Posted January 5, 2005 Kerry, thanks for sharing your good news. Brain mets seem to be the the thing that scares us the most about this disease, and its nice to hear that the reality isn't always necessarily as awful as we think it might be. Wishing you both well. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I have to say as well, thank you so much for sharing this good news. that is just so wonderful! And it gives others so much hope. Love the name - City of Hope. they certainly provide it, don't they! KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jana_W Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 That is wonderful news and thank you for sharing it. I am very happy for you. My Mum is currently undergoing radiotherapy for brain mets, and reading your post made me feel better about it all. Hope things continue to look up for you and your Mum. Jana xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hi Kerry, Thank you so much for sharing this good news. There are a lot of new people on here, and some older ones, too, that really needed to hear this. Tell you mom congratulations and keep it up! Blessing to you, too! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 KerryToo, Here's to hoping your Mom has an uneventful and complete recovery. Thank you for sharing this with us, it is encouraging for many of us. Hoping that your Father in Law has some answers soon and that things will go well for him, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted January 26, 2005 Share Posted January 26, 2005 Hi Kerry, We haven't heard from you for a while. Praying all is well for you mom and Father in law. Please keep us posted. We are here for you... God Bless, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerryToo Posted February 12, 2005 Author Share Posted February 12, 2005 My Mom continues to do great. They have reduced her steroid medication and now she's slowing down a bit - back to a regular pace. She was running like a deer in the woods there for awhile! They have given her a "hall pass" until late March when they will do an x-ray and cat scan to see what's happening. She is our Good News story. As for my FIL - He has NSCLC but we still don't know his stage but my guess is that it is stage 4. He had malignant plerual effusion, lymph node involvement in multiple sites, and amazingly enough - his primary tumor is tiny. He is very private and doesn't ask the questions that we would from his doctors, so we don't know details. He is on oxygen 24/7, unable to lay down, is extremely weak, losing weight and in alot of pain. I don't think he has very long to live to be honest. Partly his health, mostly his broken and very lonely life since his wife died last year. We are all he has left. We try to make his time as upbeat as possible and are there for him 500%. It's difficult and very sad. Thank you for caring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted February 12, 2005 Share Posted February 12, 2005 Hi Kerry That is GREAT news on your Mom . But I am very sorry to hear about your father-in-law. I'm sure it is very comforting for him to have you all in his life. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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