Brain mets/change in one pupil

[judiek]

Good Evening,

I am not a frequent poster here but was hoping I could ask you a question. I am her2 negative with mets to lungs and liver. I have been reading this forum for 2 years and have learned so much from many of you.

We were on vacation and I had to be admitted to the hospital because of fever, chest pain, headache and infection. The ER doctor noticed that my left pupil was 2-3mm smaller than my right. I saw my onc two weeks ago and he did his routine neuro check...I know he would have said something to me about this. I believe that this has just recently happened. The did a ct of the head, chest and adomen. The ct of the head was clean. I am aware that this won't pick up anything smaller than 6mm. I see my onc tomorrow and he will examine me. I think he will suggest an MRI. I just happened to have a second opinion consult today regarding clinical trials and that once said that it's very possible the I could have a tumor pressing on a nerve. I'm a wreck. Oh, I have had a headache for 5 days now.

I know that many of you have been treated successfully and just wondering if any of you had this as a symptom.

I appreciate any input...thanks

Warmly,

Judiek

[StephN]

Hi -
And sorry to hear you hare having these problems.

I am a brain mets patient and they always check my pupils. Never any change. My mets are not in the Cerebrum however, where the centers for the eyes are.

Just get the MRI and you will have the answers. Good that you are already lined up with an appt.

What did they say they infection was all about??

Headaches always make things worse. Try to take something to get that under control if you can.

[judiek]

Hi Steph,

I was hoping that you would see this. The infection was UTI...rest of cultures are pending. I didn't think they needed to keep me overnight but they said with a fever of 102 they wanted to keep me. They treated me with levaquin. The fever is gone but my headache continues.

Thanks for your input...your story is amazing...I remember viewing your pictures when you were treated for the brain mets. I hope I will be back to report good news!

Warmly,

Judiek

History

Discovered lump Sept. 2002 (mammo didn’t pick it up).

Had 3 mammo’s in my 30's...not to sure mammo’s did me any good.

Dx Oct 2002-just turned 41.

IDC and pagets disease, stage 2B, grade 3/3, nottingham scale 9/9.

3cm, lumpectomy,clean margins.

er/pr-pos, her2 neg, 2/25 nodes..

Nov 2002-March 2003-FEC (5fu, epirubicin, cytoxen).

March 2003- started tamoxifen.

May 2003- finished rads (33tx).

June 2003-CT/PET Scan- clear.

Started 3 month check ups w/lab.

July 2003-Lost my brother.

Dec 2003-complete hysterectomy/lost my father 4 days later.

Jan 2004-extensive mets, both lungs & liver, pleural effusion(labs normal)stopped tamoxifen .

Feb 23, 2004-CLINICAL TRIAL AVASTIN/TAXOL.

April 27th, 2005-DONE WITH AVASTIN/TAXOL...PROGRESSION.

15 months on trial which made my 5 lung nodules disappear/started with 9 liver nodules...now have 4 left -Progression was small pleural effusion around lung, heart and some slightly enlarged nodes in chest and abdomen.

May 6,- Sept. 14th, 20005-ARIMIDEX...didn’t work.

Sept 14, Progression to lungs and liver again...looking for another trial.

Oct 5, 2005-Started another clinical trial...XELODA and TIPIFARNIB...CEA now 15.0

Dec 1, 2005-Progression to lungs and liver again...OFF XELODA/TIPIFARNIB trial .

Dec 27, 2005-Started NAVELBINE

Dec 29-31, 2005-Hospitalized to drain 2 liters off right lung lining.

Jan 10-15th, 2006-Hospitalized to drain 2 more liters and dangerously low counts/ Lost my MIL.

Jan 24, 2006-Last tx of NAVELBINE...symptoms worsening

Jan 31, 2006-Started GEMZAR @25% reduction. CEA is @37.0

March 16, 2006-Ct showed significant improvement in chest and liver! Tm’s coming down.

June 19, 2006-CEA @3.4 and CA27.29 is 15.8!!

WE NEED A CURE

[Barbara H.]

Hi Judie,
You have certainly been through a lot, but it appears that Gemzar is working for you. I am also a brain mets survivor. I would request an MRI.
The mother of one of my daughter's friends who is a doctor and who is fine now, was sick with a condition that made her pupils be a different size. It can happen with other conditions than a brain tumor. You will just have to check it out, but the waiting game is not pleasant.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.