Help me

[Shahyan]

Hi:

I havent been on this website ever since there was an upgrade and I had to re-register. Today, I am depressed, overwhelimingly so, that Im not able to even think straight. My sister posted something on my mom's condition earlier and she got some answers, but not many...is the prognosis really that bad.

My mother basically had a recurrance to the liver in Feb 2005 , had Taxol, then Novalbine with Herceptin and after 8 months of treatment was declared clear. She has been on maintenance herceptin since then. For the last 2 months she has been complaining of a headache, until the pain was soo unbearable that we just had to have a CT scan for the whole body and brain. The result (about 4 days ago) suggested multiplr mets through out the brain and a small 1 cm lesion in the exact same spot of the liver found in Feb 2005. Right here (in Pakistan) Drs have very little time and hence it is difficult to discuss everything, plus ur so distraugt u forget so many other things......Ive almost lost all hope of a long term remission for my mom or even much survival time.........pls pls tell me something that may make me think otherwise........Im sorry if Im depressing, pls help me

Shahyan

[Cathya]

Shahyan;

I am so sorry to hear of your mothers situation. If you go to Christines story....go to home page, click on Community and then Members Stories.....you will find some comfort as she had brain mets and is now NED for a number of years.

I have seen on this site that there are a few chemo's which also cross the blood/brain barrier such as Xeloda and Temodor. She could also be treated with targeted radio-surgery such as cyberknife. So, as you can see there are many options. Many women on this site can comment in a more informed manner on this. There are also many women who have subborn mets which continue to bother them and they have been able to control them using herceptin and other chemo drugs. I am sure they will offer you more insite but look around this site and you will find many inspirational stories and also idea's and suggestions you can offer your mother and her oncologist. Hang in there and do not give up hope. Please keep us informed. All of my best,

Cathy

[Barbara H.]

Shahayn,
Don't give up hope. This is a disease that keeps coming back for most people, but can be treated. Many of us have had brain mets, including me, and have been treated and are doing OK. You just never know how the treatment will work. The best thing is not to project too far into the future and take one day at a time. It is also important to be informed, understand the disease and treatment options, and demand the best care your mother can get.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Sheila]

Shahyan
It is very hard when it is your mother, but you must grasp hope from people on this site who have overcome much worse....none of us know, we fight each battle as it comes, ask many questions so we are informed and pray alot. You need to encourage your mother that with treatment there is hope...we are all here for you and your Mom.

[Lisa]

Many women here have been diagnosed with mets to their brain. I, personally, had 7-20 smaller ones. Since there were so many in so many places, I wasn't "eligible" for spot radiation treatment. Therefore, I underwent Whole Brain Radiation. My particular treatment was everyday for 21 days (weekends off). That was almost 2 years ago, and so far no recurrences.


I've also had recurrences of liver mets. 3 years ago, I had about 25% of my liver involved. Then after several types of chemo, although I still have SOME lesions in the liver, it is much better than before.

As for hope, don't ever give up. Definitely ask your mom's doc about brain radiation. And keep us posted.

Love and light,

Lisa