Abraxane, brain mets, brain surgery, oh my!

[Cindy H.]

Good morning all...time for an update.

1) Started Abraxane Thursday for my stubbern lung mets. They gave me nausea drip and steroids as premeds. Abraxane took 30 min. I started feeling yuckey Sat. less on Sun. Not nauseous but tired. My knee and hip joints ached a little. My taste buds are gone but will return in a few days. I ran 2 miles Thursday and 3 miles yesterday and continue my at home work outs. Exercise is wonderful therapy for me. I will get Abraxane every 21 days until September.

2) Brain mets....results of MRI 3mm tumor in Thalmos, 4mm tumor on cerebellum and 3x3cm tumor on cerebellum. I see the neurosurgeon Monday to schedule the craniotomy on the big tumor then the plan is for gamma knife 10 to 12 days later on the small ones. Onc put me on 16mg/day of decadron. Two weeks ago I started feeling dizzy, had problems with my handwriting and was having trouble speaking. 32mg later symptems abated and I'm fine but hate these Devil pills. Have to take 20mg of Ambien to sleep. I lost 3 pounds (A good thing)

3) I'm still working everyday (financial analyst) and have wonderful family support and support from co-workers. I feel uplifted by all of the wonderful thoughts and prayers. I am very much a positive person who has never been a worrier (I leave that to my husband) and I really feel that I will get through all of this. I have a great deal of hope and faith.

4) Hair should blow out just before craniotomy so I guess I'll get shaved (they will shave half of my head in the hospital anyway) and get my Laura Bush wig cut. Time to buy more headgear and head wax!!

God Bless,
Cindy
Whew, glad I got that trip to Paris!!!!!!!!

[*_Velva_*]

Cindy, GOD BLESS YOU! You are going through a lot & seem to be handling it well. Will the Abraxane cause your hair to come out? I had a craniotomy in Nov. 2004, 3.9cm in cerebellum, and they shaved surgery area, but shoulder length hair covered it. Then in Jan. one Taxotere balded me. Now about 3/4 inch long.
Are you scheduled for any radiation after craniotomy? My 1st MRI showed some scar tissue, my 2nd was clear April 4th, started having some headaches about a month after, had MRI & something suspicious at previous craniotomy site. Am going back to meet w/radiologist, neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist June 6th &7th.
My craniotomy surgery was pretty easy to recover from, hope yours is too. Velva

[*_Cathy_*]

Hi Cindy- God Bless You. Keep up the great attitude! You are an inspiration.! Onward and Upward! Cathy

[Esther]

Cindy, I was impressed enough when I got to the part that said "I ran 2 miles Thursday and 3 miles yesterday and continue my at home work outs."!!!!

Then you said that you are still working....wow! You are one strong determined lady. Good luck to you with the rest of your treatments.

Thanks for the update!

[Cindy H.]

definately total hair loss with Abraxane....my hair isn't that long now anyway. This will be the 4th time I've gone bald. Thanks for the feedback o the craiotomy. Yes, Gamma knife next. This journey is becoming quite a trip!

[StephN]

HEY Cindy!
So you have now joined this very exclusive brain mets group here, and I must say that we are NOT happy to have you, but you ARE welcome.

I am just curious as to why the crainiotomy for the largest tumor if you are having the Gamma Knife anyways. Is it the size? If it is in the cerebellum it should not be difficult to get with the radiosurgery.
My largest tumor was 3 cm (both in cerebellum) and my docs had no problem tackling it with the Gamma Knife. In fact they said it could be up to 4 cm before they would really feel that GK might not be the best approach.

Sorry for the Decadron - at least you did get in the nice trip to Paris with your hubby before starting that stuff! I am still working through the side effects of my time on that drug earlier this year. Just holler if you are getting hit too hard with those steroids and we will try to help you with lessening some of that.

If you can keep working full time through big doses of Decadron AND the Abraxane - you get the Spartan Woman Award from me!

[Guest]

Steph,I hope you're right about the tumor size. I see the surgeon Monday and will mention this to him. Maybe I'll luck out and only have to gamma. How long did it take to gamma your 3cm? Did you have scar tissue?

[Barbara H.]

Hi Cincy,
You are a great inspiration. I wish I knew about this website when I had my surgery a year ago.
I wish you all the best and keep us informed.
Best,
Barbara H.

[Lolly]

Cindy, I am constantly amazed at the stories we hear on this board. It really gives me lots of hope that I'll be able to handle the bumps in this road knowing it's been done so well by you and the others here. Keep us posted on your procedure, and especially what the neuro says about Gamma on the larger met.

<3,
Lolly

[Christine]

Cindy

I'm sure this challange will be worth it after all these tx's are finished.
Most of the craniotomy's in the cerebellum area of the brain are easily accessed a nd should recover very well. From there surviellance with MRI will be repeated at vaious intervals.
My warm well wishes for a speedy and easy recovery.

Losing weight before surgery is not advised, so eat normally.

Happy to see you active on our board.
Hugs, Christine

[StephN]

Cindy -
My 3 cm tumor took 50-some minutes to "Gamma". The smaller 1/2 cm one took about 20 minutes.
The smaller one is completely gone and the larger is still shrinking. They say it will take a few months to resolve itself. It was behind my left ear.
I had a big bald place from the larger tumor, but it is filling in. There is no evidence from the outside other than the hair loss that anything was done to me in that area.

My tumor marker CEA is down to .9 - which is about as low as it ever was, so they are pretty sure this tumor is inactive now.

Best wishes for a good consultation.

[Cindy H.]

Steph, thanks! The only thing that makes me think that he might not gamma the big one is that about 1cm of it looks to be solid tumor and the rest of it is a fluid (don't know what kind) filled sack. How long do I get to stay on the Devil Decadron????