karenl Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Well, I have not wanted to post this news, but am looking for information and support. Earlier this week, Mum had a head CT due to some cognitive symptoms that were of concern, and 4 brain mets were discovered. She started dexamethasone immediately to reduce the swelling, and is commencing WBR next Thursday. I have pm'd Cheryl about this already, as she is just a couple of steps ahead of us, and of course she has been very supportive and I am avidly following her posts, but I wanted to share it with the rest of you now, in the hope that you can provide some additional info on what to expect, and how to best deal with the treatment and its effects. I know that there has been alot of bad news on the board lately, but if anyone has a spare hand for us to hold, we'd appreciate it! It's suddenly gotten very dark down here....... Thanks in advance Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Oh sweetie, I am so sorry to hear this news. Lots of love headed your way! Give your mom some extra hugs from all of us. love and fortitude elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Karen, You are a great support for her and I am sure she will gain strength from you thru this difficult time. You know you can call on me anytime. Yes, we are holding you, your Mum and Jane in our prayers. Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Holding your hand, Karen, as we travel together down this path. At least there is something you can do about it. As long as the doctors are still fighting it, that is a good thing. Wishing for the best possible outcome. I know others will have more info for you. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I don't have much in the way of information, but I can lend you my support and wish you all the best! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Hi Karen, So sorry to hear about this...shoot. Yes, we have had our bit of not so good news lately. I don't have any words of experience to give to you...(yet) but I know that there are members of our group who have gone through it. TAnn comes to mind. Someone will be by to help with details. In the meantime, all of my good thoughts and prayers will by going to you gals down under. Keep up the fighting Spirit! Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Karen,it sounds like the drs. are being aggressive and acting quickly.That is good.Tell your mom to hang in there and you are all in our prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 karen, fear is understandable, but rally yourself. WBR does and will work. my mom had 7 mets and all were zapped after 15 treatments. steroids work quickly, very quickly to reduce symptoms so watch for her appetite to increase and the symptoms to dissappear. mom ate like a horse on her steroids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Before coming here, had someone said to me "brain mets," I'm afraid I would have called the undertaker and just folded my tent. In this forum, I've read SO many times of people getting on top of these with WBR, then coming here to tell us about it -- unbelievable to me only a scant 6-7 months ago, and now it's a fairly common occurrence. Amazing. I remember sitting in the hospital, talking to my sister when we first heard the "cancer" word, but still not knowing where it was, exactly what kind it was, etc. I told her I was sort of like President Bush and the troops (!) -- I figured I had plenty of troops to fight cancer, but if it was in too many places in my body, I didn't know if I could fight that. Fortunately, I didn't have to make that choice then, and with God's blessings maybe I won't, but I didn't know then what I know now -- that the people who come here and post know all about that stuff. They have the same fears as me, but they suited up and jumped into the fray, and they constantly amaze me with their insight and strength every time they post. Now, I know I can do it because they can. They did. They still are. And so will I. So can your mom with your love and support. Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justakid Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Karen- I am so sorry, I am kind of worthless right now since I have my brain MRI this coming Monday. Hopefully by Tuesday I will have my results, everything will be fine and I can jump into your corner. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Karen, so sorry to hear about this... were all here for you, keep your chin up! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Hopefully this helps: Cheryl was first fitted with a mask made of plaster. They put you on the table and raise it up to the ceiling where the radiation begins. Some say a distinct odor appears for a brief moment. The smell occurs when the radiation changes the air quality from O2 to O3 for that short period of time. The whole treatment lasts less than 1 minute and is painless. You don't even have to shed your clothes. Please tell your Mother it is quite uneventful. There are some side effects, ie; hair loss. tiredness and some dizziness as well as some nausea. Cheryl is doing chemo w/ the WBR so it's hard to say what is causing what. Hope this helps...will keep you posted. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Sounds about like the PCI, Jack -- except, did she see the lights? Some of us who had PCI saw streaks of light while the radiation was going in -- did Cheryl? It was really strange! I didn't go quite as high as the ceiling, but they did raise the table, and the radiation machine went around me. Except for the bleepin' mask, the treatments aren't so bad, huh. Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Actually, she did comment on her eyes "strobing" after the procedure but didn't mention that happening during treatment. The nausea has subsided a little bit, but she is very tired. God bless her, last night @ midnight she crock potted a roast and also made brownies. The roast is for our supper tonight. She is an awesome cook and refuses to give up. She is a very strong woman and we are going to beat this. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I've got a hand for you to hold right here... And a really long arm that's stretchable enough to reach you too! I'm sorry to hear this news of your Mom... You and she will be in my thoughts and prayers. ((((hugs)))) to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindseysmom Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Karen, I'm so sorry that your Mom is having to go through this. You know that support is as close as your computer. Everyone here is so wonderful. I will say a prayer for you and your Mom. Best Wishes, Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Karen, My hand is always here, as are my prayers. Love, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mum. Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenl Posted January 15, 2005 Author Share Posted January 15, 2005 As always, thank you everyone for your support. This is a very scary time for us, and I am so grateful to this board for providing the hope that is so hard to find anywhere else! My very best wishes to you all. Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Karen (and Jana, too), It's going to be ok. I just know it. I won't bore you and everyone else again with the whole story about my husband's good news story with his brain mets. I'll just summarize it with he had eight and he's doing great! IT'S GOING TO BE OK!!!!! Love and hugs! Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Don't have anything to add, just prayers for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Karen, Prayers are headed your way. I hope it won't be too hard on her. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy P Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Thoughts and prayers heading your way - hoping the WBR does the job. Much Love, Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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