One New Brain Met

[CourtneyL]

Well crap on a crapstick, as our dear Brenda would say. I've got another one too. This one is a small 3 mm lesion on the right side of my frontal lobe. Onc is currently talking to my rad onc at UCSF to see if we can Gamma this spot. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't. Of course, if you ladies (and gentlemen) have any thoughts about it, I am all ears. I'm going to stick with the Tykerb/Xeloda for now since I think it is probably helping to prevent lots of new brain mets. And with each successive radiation treatment, I also believe the BBB gets easier to pass. So just maybe, some of these drugs are getting in there and doing something good.

So in the meantime, we'll think about Gamma and hopefully do something soon to blast this latest one to oblivion.

I thought I'd be devastated with the news but, strangely, I'm not. My biggest fear is running out of options. And since it looks like I've dodged the WBR bullet one more time, I take comfort in knowing that it is still in the back pocket.

All thoughts are welcome.

Much love,
Courtney

P.S. I hope you fabulous ladies are out and about living it up and enjoying this glorious holiday weekend!

[freyja]

Not what we wanted to hear, is it? Wow, I'm giving cancer one more big swift kick in the @&& for you, today. The cancer is weak and you are still strong. You've got the upper hand. Play it for all it's worth...and may the Force be with you!
Celeste

[Jackie07]

Courtney,

Thanks for sharing your wonderful spirit. What a fighter!

I don't know if Gamma-knife procedures have changed much since mine were done in 2001. I think there is a criteria of the tumor size for using GKRS. If it is too small, I think they can use cyberknife or other stereotactic radiation method.

Looks like those tumors did respond well to the radiation. That's good news - the new one will be blasted away soon. Keep the faith and keep us posted.

[Darlene Denise]

Courtney: Well f*ck this news! Sorry, I'm french and there just isn't a better word for cancer, so I tend to use it a lot!!

Sorry for the downturn. Hey, 11 is my unlucky number and I don't appreciate you trying to horn in on my unlucky brain met number.

Let's make a deal, we stay at 11 successfully treated ones and no more...ever!!! Eleven is our limit!

I will be hoping you get the treatment of your choice and ride the gamma one last time.

May the force be with us.....Darlene

[Yorkiegirl]

Courtney I'm really bummed about hearing this new's.

Thoughts and prayers going out for you.

[Faith in Him]

Hi Courtney,

Darn it! Well, I am hoping for the Gamma to get that pesky spot. Who is your rad onc at UCSF? I had Dr. Hsu for hyperthermia rads. I liked him alot.

[Sherryg683]

I just want to say your website is beautiful as you are also. I love your spirit and you are right. You fought off ten of these, one more doesn't stand a chance. I think I would push for gamma again also..sherry

[Becky]

Dear Courtney

I'm sorry about your latest news. I just want to remind you and everyone that Temodar (another oral chemo that is used for brain cancer and brain mets) also passes the blood brain barrier. Although you may need gamma knife on this new pesky bugger, perhaps adding Temodar might be a thought to knock things down.

Ask your onc about it. It might do the trick or it might be something he doesn't want to add to what you are taking now.

I am thinking about you.

[hutchibk]

Crap on a crapstick!!!

Your plan sounds just right. Whack-a-mole those suckers as they come up...

Are you still on Tykerb/Xeloda/Herceptin? or just Ty/Xel?

[rl2]

Seems like you have had some of the best medical care that anyone could have with this disease, and I suspect you will be fine, even if you need more treatment. You are in terrific hands. Keep going.

[lexigirl]

Ah heck Courtney. I am sorry that a met has popped up. It does sound like you have a good med team that will kncok that met out of there! I am happy that your spirit is good. Stay strong sister!

Lexi

[StephN]

Hi -
Wish I knew what a "crapstick" is, but the image seems appropriate for brain mets!

Sorry you have to slug another one of those little buggers out of the ballpark, but hopefully this is last of the sneaky little devils.

As for TEMADOR, look up Pattyz's posts, as she has been using this drug (in combo with others) for at least a couple of years and has been able to keep several tumors in good control that way.

[bejuce]

Hi Courtney,

This sucks!!! F$@&ck this cancer already! But, hey, we are all here cheering and praying for you. You are in good hands and making all the right choices.

You have inspired me with your strength and spirit and they will continue to shine as you beat this one.

Love,

Marcia (bejuce)

[Lori R]

Courtney,
I think you have the winning combo.....fantastic Drs, new technology AND a winning spirit.

I am confident that you can beat this met back quickly.

Sounds like there are many other options in your basket.

Thinking of you....Lori

[hutchibk]

You know, I have never known what a crapstick was... but the imagery, ahhh, the imagery. My significant other has said that phrase as long as I have known him (14 years) and it was just so freaking funny, I adopted it straight away. I cuss more than him (he's a good nut, pretty squeaky unless he's REALLY mad, and I am more like a pirate or a drunken sailor) so, I try and use clean, yet depictive, phrases around him. Crap on a crapstick really works in many different settings, I must say.

[Darlene Denise]

Ladies: Yep, love the crapstick word, I'm french and like Brenda cus like a drunken sailor, so does my breast surgeon. She's great! Oddly, I respect people who know when to interject just the right cus word. My dad was a frenchman and was a submariner his whole career in the USN, that must be where it get from.

We Metsisters have all been handed the "ol crapstick" along with "crap on a cracker" and I've sure had my fill of "shit sandwiches."

I have learned many things on this site including new and improved saucy language...thanks Ladies!

[alicem]

Courtney,

I agree with everyone here. This news sucks!!

Your fighting spirit really stood out to me when I first joined this site. You are so inspirational to me. Reading your journal entries really helped me get through my chemo journey. I rejoiced in the good news that you wrote about and likewise I am now saddened by this latest turn of events. That being said, you are such a fighter and you will lick this, I just know it. Remember, all of us here are joining in the fight with you.

Wishing you all the best and adding you to my prayer list.

Love, Alice

[Joan M]

Courney,

Yet another brain met, but with the follow-up you're catching them small.

I'm due for another brain MRI next month and will be holding my breath.

What can we expect from cancer? Or as I always say, What do you expect from a pig but a grunt?

Joan

[Darlene Denise]

Courtney: Just doing a check in to see how things are going and how you are doing. Let us know some scoop soon.

Take care...Darlene