[Believe51]

Gerri, you did not mention how old she is, as we age we have changes occur in the brain that are not always mets. Personally, I have had brain issues in the past. There must be a good amount of edema to be on 4mg of Decadron but the good news is that they only see one. The words whole brain radiation should not even be mentioned at this point and never may. Cyber Knife might be mentioned and if so Brenda has a great video of the procedure that will help her, I will find the post if Brenda doesn't beat me to it. Have her ask the neurosurgeon if 2 mg would be provide the same results for her, Decadron is not always easy. I am with Darlene in saying the control of mets within the body is important and allows targeted therapy to take place in the brain, results...breast cancer as a cronic disease. I think you know I do not say this belittling to the matter at hand. Several doctors from different facilities have told Ed, "If only we could cut off your head, you would be all set." He has been fighting severe brain met situations for two years, it began with 'many numerous salted areas of the brain. WBR, 2 Gamma Knives and two years later, the same situation.

I would surely call her oncologist and ask if he has a neurosurgeon he trusts so she has a choice for later options if need be, always better to have more than one recommendation and an endorsement from an oncologist is more sound IMO. The important thing is she already has an appointment with one and when she sees her doctor she will have an idea of what the neurosurgeon suggests. She will need to have a specialist involved in her care other than her oncologist now and it is vital that she is comfortable with that specialist. Have her ask about the later use of Temodar for brain mets. This drug is not for everyone and there is a window of when you can use is. Keep this drug in her list of options in case she ever can use this.

Of course the pet will help see what is happening in the body. If her body has remained cleaned then the brain can be her focus. This is enough too, this is a frigtening thing to experience but please remind her of our Heros here at our Her2 home. Look at our awesome Warriors, one of the greatest is our Founder Christine. If your friend is in need of a personal journey (and she sounds shy), I would strongly advise to please have her e-mail Joe for their words. Remind your sweet friend that this is just a different part of her journey that you will guide her through all the unknown she faces. She will not be left to perish and as time goes on she will gain the confidence that the brain can be kept controlled if strongly maintained. If the body is not clean then I would look for a more targeted chemotherapy regime (Tykerb/Xeloda), but that it neither here nor there right now. Besides, there are chemo drugs in the works that will be passing the BBB and can be options for others in the near future. Either way I would ask how the oncologist felt about adding Herceptin again. Breast cancer that enters the brain has been known to play hide and seek from brain to body to brain, etc. Then sometimes it leaves the brain never to return. Please urge her of the importance of becoming more assertive.

I send love to you Gerri, you are such a wonderful support to us all. I feel that with you as her friend and part of her support, she will do fine. Again Sweetheart, I do not say this lightly, we know the seriousness of breast cancer mets. I will be following her journey now so please update us as she goes. I will keep her in my prayers as she faces appointments, scans and the waiting......Uggh! Maybe you can teach her to breathe, it is a frightening time for her and we all know how important this is. I hope some of this post can help, I have been so sad myself and my mind has been jumbled lately. One thing I do know is that I love you and wish you strength for helping yet another Warrior through the winding roads of bc.>>Believe51