rmm17 Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Last night in the ER they did a CT scan and CT scan with contrast on Mom. The scans showed that the cancer had shown up in the part of her brain that controls speech. They put her on steroids and sent her home. She's feeling a lot better. The Dr's say there's nothing else they can do. She had her full dose of radiation for PCI. So does that mean that they cant do anything to reduce/eliminate the mets in her brain with radiation? Are there any other options. We are finding a new oncologist to give her a second opinion. I just dont think i am ready to say goodbye yet. And and i am worried about my brothers. They are only 18 and i dont know how thiswill affect them. Thanks. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdjenkins Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Please check into Cyberknife for your Mom's brain mets. My Dad used cyberknife for his brain mets and it was 100% successful with very little side effects. It is my understanding that you can receive Cyberknife radiations even if you have had previous brain radiation. There is a website on Cyberknife that can tell you the locations. Hopefully there is one close to you. Don't give up hope on your Mom. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Rochelle I am so sorry to read this today. I agree with Denise, please check into the cyberknife. I have read some excellent things about this procedure! My very best to you. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebsSky Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Gammaknife can do the trick too. Do some research on the net, my Mom had brain mets and she could not have anymore rad because of PCI, but they were going to give her Gammaknife. Good luck with it Rochelle and keep us posted. Prayers for you, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 (((((Rochelle))))) I'm sorry you got such awful news... Praying that a second opinion and some sort of kick-butt treatment will bring some hope and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyanne Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Rochelle - Don't get ready to say goodbye...don't give up on her. I am sure this news is devastating...but you are doing the right thing by getting a second opinion. Will be thinking of all of you, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Rochelle: here are some cyberknife links: http://www.cyberknifesupport.org/forum/default.aspx?c=4 http://www.accuray.com/SiteLocations/index.aspx Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ma's kid Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 ((((Rochelle))))) Please do visit the links that Don so kindly provided..print out the info so you can read it and then go back and refer to it if needed. Praying really hard for your mom, you and your brothers. Remember, hon we are here should you need anything. Blessings, Libby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilliBr1 Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Oh Rochelle I am so sorry to hear this. I think you are right to get the second opinion and I would check out the gamma knife. I will continue to keep your mom in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Rochelle, teenagers cope better than we sometimes give them credit for. They may respond differently, but they are more aware than we realize. Hang in there. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 I cannot give you any advice on your question but you certaninly received some good advice already. I just want you to know that I am praying for her for better results. Hang in there and like Don says, teenagers can cope better than you think. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Rochelle, I am so sorry to hear this news. My prayers are with you and your family. Kelli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Rochelle, I understand how devasting the news of brain mets can be as I went through that with my husband. You keep searching for a Dr. that is willing to fight along with you and your mom. Please check into gamma and cyber knife, many good results reported. Keeping your family in prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Yes, I agree that there definitely should be the option of gamma or cyber knife. Why are they saying there isn't that option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Rochelle, According to leading professionals at MD Anderson Brain mets are not always a death sentence. Please read the following link for some hope. http://www2.mdanderson.org/depts/oncolo ... -05-1.html I'll keep your mom in my prayers and I do hope you find a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelofcharlie20 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hi Rochelle, So sorry to hear about the mets. My Father had gammaknife for his brain mets and it was successful. I definitely understand for you feeling not "ready." I don't feel ready either..... Sorry for not having any good advice on how to deal with that as I am going through it myself as well. Regards, Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 21, 2006 Share Posted September 21, 2006 Rochelle, I responded to your other post... Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 My mother just started radiation, and I made sure to ask if the symtoms start coming back, what then? Answer: targeted radiation (Like the Gamma or cyber knife stuff) and a lower more longterm dosage of Steroid. God Bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Q Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Rochelle, No matter how well-prepared you think you are, you will NEVER be ready to say goodbye. I swear we need our mothers in perpetuity! While you are bracing yourself for the worst, expect and hope for the best. Don't borrow worries, just deal with what's at hand. Your mom is exploring her options with a second opinion. Trust in that, and get a third, or fourth opinion, if necessary! If your mom still has the will to fight, help her get an onc who will do just that. And many blessings to you. You are wise beyond your years, and have a good and giving heart. ~Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrashej Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 Many hugs. So sorry about your situation. I know how devastating the diagnosis of brain mets can be. My father had four lesions at the time of diagnosis. Back then, before the dreaded cancer, I didn't know anything about cancer treatment other than sometimes they get chemo and/or radiation. Never knew anything about brain mets or gamma knifes or anything! My father got WBR, but that was it, and they told us that would just prolong his life by a few months. Nothing was ever mentioned about gamma knife. I was upset about that after my Dad died. My understanding however, is that if you have 4+ mets they do not do Gamma knife. I wonder why???? Anyone know?? If you can remove three, why can't you remove 4? Too much trauma to the brain? Hmmm. You are in my prayers. I hope you get good news. Seek out all the info you can. Get second opinions, multiple tests. BE SURE. You can only do the best you can do, but in retrospect, I wish I had been more proactive and educated about my Dad's condition. He died so suddenly though that I never got the opportunity to research all that much. Stay strong, I know it is hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed70 Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Rochelle~ I'm sorry to hear of the mets. Check into cyberknife. Go to the site that was mentioned in a previous reply. Blessings, Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I am sorry to hear it I hope the second opinion gives you better news. The first pulmonologist wrote my mom off and here she is almost 3 years later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted October 6, 2006 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Rochelle, So sorry that you received such devastating news. I agree with the others that you should look into cyberknife. With Keith, we were told that even though he had full dose radiation to his entire brain, if needed he could still do cyberknife. But, he would have had to go to a different hospital to do it because it was not a technology they offered. So, by the doctors saying there is nothing they can do; what they may be saying is that there is nothing "THEY" can do, but there may be something a different center can offer. Seek the second opinion. Plus, Keith had over a dozen brain mets and they were still going to consider him for cyberknife so please still look into it. You are in my prayers (((Rochelle))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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