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Brain Mets - new or old?
Well,
I thought the dizziness was linked to all the pain meds from my stupid back surgery. But I haven't had any pain meds for two weeks, and I still keep losing my balance.
Soooo...I'm back on Decadron (8mg/day), and I'm having a brain MRI on Wednesday afternoon. Usually, I get results the same day, but since my MRI isn't until late afternoon...I guess I'll have one sleepless night ahead of me.
Besides the balance issue, my handwriting is off, and my vision has improved (ironically- when my brain swells, it must change the shape of my eyes or something)...all the same symptoms as right after Gammakife, so there is definitely hope that the swelling is from the large tumor still healing...evidently, swelling can be a sign of healing too. As long as the swelling doesn't get out of hand, it's okay.
The other option is that I have some sort of new met activity in my brain. That would make me VERY sad...because that would mean the Tykerb isn't working. Very disappointing news indeed, if that turns out to be the problem. If that's the case...I'm in much worse shape than I thought I was. I was really hoping to be healthy, or at least healing for a good while yet.
Please pray for me friends...for healing...but also for strength, in case the news is not what I'm hoping for. I still have lots of fight left in my spirit...but I'll be honest...my body could use a little break. Makes me think of our Sheila. She's such an inspiration to me...and like many of us...I miss her.
Think of me on Wednesday...I'll let you know as soon as I know.
Denise
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1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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