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Joan M · 05-20-2009, 08:04 PM

Barb,

It's great that the Gamma Knife is shrinking those brain mets. I know you've been working hard on finding the right treatment and doing a lot of traveling and I'm glad the scan showed good results.

I had a similar experience with Decadron, which I think is responsible for the fungus/mold infection in my lung where I had the RFA. Two months after the RFA I went on the steroid for several weeks after brain surgery, and I believe that as my lung was still healing the infection took hold. It started in the cavity in my lung where the tumor was burned.

I know you've mentioned about the upper respiratory infections, and I hope weening off the Decadron will clear that up.

Joan

05-20-2009, 08:04 PM	#7
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Barb, It's great that the Gamma Knife is shrinking those brain mets. I know you've been working hard on finding the right treatment and doing a lot of traveling and I'm glad the scan showed good results. I had a similar experience with Decadron, which I think is responsible for the fungus/mold infection in my lung where I had the RFA. Two months after the RFA I went on the steroid for several weeks after brain surgery, and I believe that as my lung was still healing the infection took hold. It started in the cavity in my lung where the tumor was burned. I know you've mentioned about the upper respiratory infections, and I hope weening off the Decadron will clear that up. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!