Phooey--Brain Mets
 

I am having double vision, and I'm also having trouble with balance. I haven't fallen but I'm quite wobbly.

I had a brain MRI Thursday and learned yesterday that I have three brain tumors and some swelling. I will start taking Decadron for that on Monday. And I will meet with the neurosurgeon on Wednesday.

The report says all the tumors are "resectable," which sounds like a good thing.

Any relevant experience, strength, or hope (or encouragement of any kind) would be welcome.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Sorry to hear that you are not now NED in your head, but you will be soon again. By "resectable" I hope the doctor means that you can get after those three spots with something like cyberknife or other radiosurgery. Maybe proton beam.

For me the decadron was the worst part about the whole process of treating my brain mets. I was very compliant with the pill schedule and this will keep you somewhat wired. At times I just talked and babbled because my mind was spinning from that drug!

I will be following for good news!

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hi Amy,

Just seeing this after answering your other post ... standing by with StephN to hear those brain mets have been resected to the trash bin never to return!!

Carol Ann

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Thank you, Friends.

I have confidence in my cancer center and my oncologist. I am hoping for the best.

Decadron makes me "wired" and causes unpleasant personality changes, but I understand the need for it. I don't imagine we want our brains to swell!

I've had a good six years. I hope to see many more good years. No need to despair at this point.

Amy

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy, sorry to hear this news. Hope the treatment will totally eliminates the brain mets - you can take heart from the many women on this site who have beaten them, including our poster girl, StephN. All digits crossed for a great outcome.
Best wishes..... Pam

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Phooey is right! And resectable (as others have pointed out) sounds good to me.

Janis

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Luck is such an important, but random, factor, isn't it?

I'll keep you posted.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

I'm sorry you are going through all this, Amy. Cancer doesn't fight fair. I'm glad you have a great medical team you have confidence in, sounds like you are in good hands and getting excellent care.Wishing you the best and rooting for ya, Paula

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Sorry for your news. How big are the lesions? It is unusual to resect more then one lesion unless they are situated closely together.

Gamma knife is a better option if the leisons are less then 3cm and aren't causing mass effect. My wife has had 19 lesions treated by Gamma Knife over the past 18 months and they have all now virtually gone. The side effects are minimal.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Sending hugs Amy ❤️

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

POOPITY-POOP, Amy! Gosh, I just want to swear up a storm at his news! Sorry, but seriously I just want to cuss a blue streak! Cancer makes me so mad!

I am so sorry you are facing this. "Resectable" does sound as though you will be a candidate for cyberknife or some such. When will you hear more about your plan for treatment? I am believing for an amazing response and outcome with whatever treatment you choose.

You have my sympathy about the need for decadron. That stuff made me a new level of wacko! I hope you don't pull all-nighters watching a marathon of "Ice Road Truckers" as I did once! I will keep you in my earnest prayers. Please keep us posted as things move forward.

In your corner,
Laurel

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hi Amy

Just wanted to say "thinking of you" & fingers crossed for a great treatment plan.

Juls

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Thanks everybody!

I will start targeted radiation treatment next Friday. Just 5 sessions. If all goes well I'll be back to normal in a few weeks.

I will get a leave of abscence from my PhD program--with a due date extension.

Feeling hopeful.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,

Holding the thought for you that exactly that happens!

Consider those mets GONE!!!

Standing by here with you,

Carol Ann

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

So sorry you are going thru this. Prayers sent.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,

I haven't been on the site much lately and was so bummed to see that you have brain mets. You've been through so much already it just seems so unfair that you've now got to contend with this. I don't know what to say. I hope your treatments are effective with manageable side effects. I'll be sending healing thoughts your way.

Take care,
Brenda

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy, I am hoping that your brain mets are knocked out from the radiation. Sending good thoughts and prayers from Canada.

all the best
caya

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,

I just checked in after a short absence. Yuck, yuck, yuckity YUCK! I'm sorry you have to deal with this now. My fingers and toes are crossed for you. Keep us posted. I hope you are back to your PhD studies in no time at all, you've worked so hard.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,
I am in the Denver area. Nina is 5.5 years remission from Brain mets from HER+. Call me at 269-598-2863 or email me at chemengmba@aol.com. We used Intrathecal Herceptin and Toptecan. Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Boulder is doing the systemic but Nina flies down to MD Anderson in Houston Texas for the IT herceptin treatment because that is where we started. Resectable means they are likely leptomeningeal, but confirm that. I have helped 25 to 30 women get treated with a high level of stability or remission. Carol from Malta, Mario's wife, is one of the few that has had the cancer come back, but that was after four years.
Paul

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,

I'm hopeful that the targeted rads will eliminate the mets. Good luck with the treatment!

All my best,

Joan

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

IT can turn on a dime! I just need to rest and wait

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy, all the best with your next treatment and the successful outcome we all want for you. Thank you to ROLEPAUL who is helping to share his knowledge about treatment for brain mets with other women per his post above. Our Her2 site is the best! ❤️

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hey Amy,
Ugh - sorry to read about the brain mets. Rolepaul is a great resource. Also wanted to mention that I had a single met gamma knifed in 2008. Nothing's come back.

The steroids wreck havoc with emotions, I have to use Ativan to try to counter some of the hyper zipping. Even just the 40 mgs prednisone I take as premeds prior to herceptin each cycle make me crazy. Today is come down day and I'm a mess, but it does pass.

So glad that you seem to be staying steady. Sending tons of good wishes.
xo Flori

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hi Amy

Hope you are doing well.

I'm missing everyone's updates & posts. Seems very quiet on here recently!

Take care
Juls

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hi Juls (and All)-

I was thinking the board has been very quiet as well. Hopefully everyone is enjoying their summer. Has anyone had any fun adventures, family bbqs or other fun summer activities?

Donna

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,
I've Been thinking of you and I'm
Sending well wishes!
Melissa

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hey, Amy, I hope you are feeling ok. You are on my mind.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy? I am worried about you. Please check in, if you can.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Oh, sorry! I've been meaning to check in.

I'm still recovering from the brain mets and/or radiation. Quite impaired physically. Slowly getting stronger. Still here!

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Sorry you struggling along, but glad you are getting stronger after your recent treatments. You keep whacking those moles, sister! I will remember you in my prayers.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Hi Amy
Just saw this.
Glad to see your post & that you are feeling stronger.
Take care
Juls

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

So glad you checked in and are still here, Amy!

<3 <3 <3

Carol Ann

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Thanks for checking in!

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Glad you checked in. Get the R&R you need.

Huge hugs

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,

So glad you checked in. You had us all worried. Hope you get stronger each and every day.

Take care,
Brenda

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Good to hear from you Amy...... rest and recuperate.
Marie x

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Good to see you Amy! xx

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Amy! Amy! Amy! I was so worried for you. I am thrilled you have checked in. R&R, lady, R&R! Stay strong. Much love.

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

I haven't been on the board in a very long time and am sorry to hear you're dealing with this but glad to know you're getting stronger. You have a lot of support and love behind you!

Re: Phooey--Brain Mets
 

Amy,
Thinking of you - here's to stronger
And stronger each day!
Melissa