patty z
12-17-2003, 11:48 PM
thinking of you today, holding you close in heart and prayer. Wishing you only the most competent, compassionate care givers throughout your procedure.
As for the Herceptin. It does absolutely no good for brain mets, dear.
I have just started treatment with Temodar. An oral chemo given orginally for primary brain cancer...now shown to have some small response in brain mets. I won't know for a while yet if it has been at all effective for me.
But, I also found a study that was done using the oral chemo Xeloda in conjunction with Temodar, that gave a bit higher response rate....so that will be discussed with my med onc, soon.
I have my THIRD Stereotactic Radiosurgery scheduled for the 22nd... Monday. I have been able to 'buy' myself time this way for 6 to 8 months at a time, as I have refused WBRT and more small lesions keep coming.
I have also been like you, very nearly asymptomatic with my brain mets. Only a few small symptoms that COULD have been from something else...
You will most likely be given a small dose of Decadron to take with dose diminishing over a period of a weeks time, or so... a 'step down dose'... Unless you have more severe symptoms or side effects, that should be enough for now.
I know you are terrified...I do not mean to sound so matter of fact...just trying to give you some input and hope it will help in some small way.
bighugs,
pattyz
As for the Herceptin. It does absolutely no good for brain mets, dear.
I have just started treatment with Temodar. An oral chemo given orginally for primary brain cancer...now shown to have some small response in brain mets. I won't know for a while yet if it has been at all effective for me.
But, I also found a study that was done using the oral chemo Xeloda in conjunction with Temodar, that gave a bit higher response rate....so that will be discussed with my med onc, soon.
I have my THIRD Stereotactic Radiosurgery scheduled for the 22nd... Monday. I have been able to 'buy' myself time this way for 6 to 8 months at a time, as I have refused WBRT and more small lesions keep coming.
I have also been like you, very nearly asymptomatic with my brain mets. Only a few small symptoms that COULD have been from something else...
You will most likely be given a small dose of Decadron to take with dose diminishing over a period of a weeks time, or so... a 'step down dose'... Unless you have more severe symptoms or side effects, that should be enough for now.
I know you are terrified...I do not mean to sound so matter of fact...just trying to give you some input and hope it will help in some small way.
bighugs,
pattyz