Calling all stage iv sisters

[janice]

Introducing myself.
Single mom of two, ages 14 and 10.
Dx de novo stage 4 12/2010. Er+/Pr+/Her2+. Responded well to tx for 2.5 yrs.
Aug PET showed NED (yay!) but... something "suspicious" on brain. MRI showed 8 enhancing lesions, 2 large (apparently, 40% ish of Her2+ get brain mets! Herceptin doesn't penetrate BBB.) My brain mets were asymptomatic, which considering the volume, I think is unusual.
Now getting Whole Brain Radiation. If mets shrink enuf, will get Stereotactic Radiosurgery to what remains.
Will start Kadcyla on Fri. I am trying to get Perjeta, too.
Want desperately to live a long time for my kids, who really need me.
Was glad to see on here that there are some who live a while after brain mets, as the stats are so terrible. Want to hear encouragement!
-Janice