Call from my doctor
 

Today, I got a call from my doctor. (Yes, I know it is Sunday). She asked me to be at her office at 9:00am. She stated that she has not seen the results of my MRI, but that we would look at the results together. She also told me to take 2 Decadrons this afternoon and one before I go to bed. She also ask me to bring someone to the appointment with me. Does anyone have any ideas of what to make of that? I am extremely nervous now, even though she said she has not seen the results of the MRI. Remember, it was done late Friday afternoon. I cannot figure out why she would want me to take the Decadron. Again, any ideas?

Vanessa, I can only assume your oncol wants to start you on a treatment tomorrow that will need a predose of prednisone. Please take her advise and take someone with you so there are two people taking in and digesting the info she has for you. As hard as it will be, please try to rest tonight and not worry about tomorrow until tomorrow. I will be watching for your post tomorrow. Take Care, and sleep well. We need restive sleep to help us heal. Peace Karen

If she fibbed about the MRI, tell her you'd appreciate that she discontinue the fibbing practice. I know they curb some of the info to keep us sane, but I don't think that works while prescribing premeds.

If you're the kind of person that wants to know everything, tell the onc that's what you want from here on out. I haven't decided yet if I want to know everything so I let my onc slide when it comes to exact numbers on tests etc. (then I ask the nurse ever so casually)

Very mysterious. I hope there's some sort of benign explanation. I know who's not sleeping well tonight. Keep us posted. Bev

scary to wait to hear what your doc has to say...
 

Hi, Vanessa -

It's such an anxious time - waiting for results...

When I had some similar symptoms - not falling, but loss of balance and dizziness - my oncologist also sent me for a brain MRI, and then called me into his office on short notice.

In my case, it turned out that the culprit was a fairly large (robin's egg- sized) bcmet tumor in my cerebellum (balance center). It had grown from nothing to that size in only 10 months, and was too big at that point for stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS - CyberKnife). It was near the surface of my skull, and fortunately, it was encapsulated, and the entire met was removed surgically.

I still have occasional balance/vertigo problems, but am in physical therapy and am almost back to normal, almost 2.5 years later.

I have no idea if your situation is going to be similar to mine, or very different. In your shoes, I'd be very anxious, too - and, in fact, I get anxious over scan results in general, each and every time, whether the doctors' concern gives me the jitters or not.

That your doc told you to take some Decadron before she sees you may indicate that she thinks there's there might be swelling in your brain, that she wants to control - but maybe not.

Just writing to let you know that there's someone out here who's been through the agonizing wait, imagining, and then received bad news, and got through it. I hope that your news tomorrow is much better than what you might be imagining!

Whatever you find out tomorrow, I'm pulling for you to make a full recovery, and to be able to hold that baby granddaughter in your arms with confidence - no more falls!

(((hugs)))
Sandy in Silicon Valley

It sounds to me, too, like she has either a treatment in mind or another test or scan of some type... and if so, that could be why she needs you to bring someone with you. She might just be acting from an abundance of caution. The fact that you have fallen may worry her and she might think that you shouldn't be driving yourself anywhere until she finds the cause of the falls. I am not predicting that you will see anything on the scan, but when we found mine, they were tiny (5 pin pricks and two smaller than 9 mm), my onc and rads onc both told me that by law they had to advise me that I was not supposed to be behind the wheel of a car with known brain metastasis. I know this is agonizing, and it would be silly to suggest for you not to worry. But, please don't worry, at least not too much.

Vaneessa put everything and God hands ....and try to sleep and tomorrow go to your doc ..just thinking the worst that can be is maybe something really small with a lot of solutions ..and what about if only are some precautions or is nothing and we all worried ....let wait until tomorrow ...i know is hard but we need to hear all this good things that sister said all the times ....are excellent when our faith is low ...so keep it up and show yourself your strengh

My experience
 

Dear Vanessa -
I had just written a response and a Google update just wiped it out!

My feeling is that this news does not bode well for a clean scan. My med onc was calling me before I even got home when my MRI showed mets.

He had not actually seen the scan but had a call from the radiologist who read my MRI that something showed and I should immediately start the decadron. This was because I had some diffuse inflammation and they want to start curbing this right away. Any treatment will cause more inflammation, except Tykerb.

The practice is that the radiologist calls the med oncs if there is something new or tumors are enlarging so they can act quickly and get the patient back in.

My best thoughts go with you to this important appt. You may not see this reply until you get home, as it is late on the west coast.

Vanessa
You are in my prayers that the scan will be fine, but if not, be thankful it has been caught early. Sending a big hug and lots of love.

Dear Vanessa,
I am sorry you have to go through this waiting, even for one night. It is early Mon. morning and you are in many "sisters" thoughts and prayers. Trust you Dr. Remember we are all fighters. You have two wonderful new grand babies to watch grow up.

Donna

Dear Vanessa,

I am so sorry that you are having to go through such an agonizing wait. My thoughts and prayers are with you that all turns out well.

Love, Kelly

Dear Vanessa, hoping and praying for the best results. Hang in there, hugs, Jeanette

No zzzzzzzzzz's
 

Hi Vanessa,

Was up at 4 am and could not sleep and I bet you were up as well. Should have had some instant message going to you to share prayers !! Big hugs ! These wonderful gals have you full of knowledge and what to expect but most important....full of power coming your way.
Hugs, Bonnie

Vanessa,

I know how scary not knowing is. It sounds like you are in good hands and your docs have a plan of action ready to go, whatever the results are showing. Hold tight! NED is on its way!

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

Thinking of you
 

Vanessa, and hoping you're doing alright...keep us posted...we're all thinking of you.

Thinking about you and sending prayers for strength....

Oh, I just saw this Vanessa. I am so sorry your onc called you on a Sunday. Tell her if she was trying not to stress you out, it didn't work!!

Argghhh. Be strong and know we are all routing for you!

She may have gotten a call from the radiologist that read the MRI, and is trying to give some advance warning.

I know the only time I received a call to come in before the doctor's office even opened, was when I was told the outcome of my biopsy. The radiologist had called my doctor at night, at her home and informed her.


I hope for the best outcome for you.

Vanessa,

I too would be concerned if I got a call from my oncologist on a Sunday - not to mention to take Decadron and bring someone with you Monday morning. I'm hoping that it just means that she has a treatment plan that she wants to discuss with you and that someone should be there simply because of your falling episodes. Please let us know what happens. You're in my prayers.

Vanessa ~

I was so worried when I read your message about falling down and was hoping it was chemo related. Just as so many others said I know that you were not able to sleep last night....what an agonizing wait. I wish there was more we could for you. I'm hoping for the best.

Ruth

Vanessa,
I'm thinking of you today, along with everyone else here, and am sending you cyber hugs and prayers. Please let us know how it goes with the doctor today...