8 years since brain mets ... and counting

[StephN]

Hello everyone -

I just spent a good share of today at my medical center having a brain MRI and then seeing my doctor for the result. (Not to mention some waiting around as they were super busy and running late today!)

So, good news once again. No new spots or problems with the old places. I did have a year or two with some complications after my initial gamma knife (see signature), but it all levelled out and has been a dull routine since the end of 2006.

At this juncture they see me every 8 months, but I lobbied to get it pushed to 10 months before the next screening. (Hope the tumor board will agree.) Since I have quarterly blood draws and am otherwise followed, I think that is a reasonable interim.

So, for those of you going through or close to treatment for brain mets, it should get better with a little more time. That is my wish for each and every one of you.

[dearjilly]

StephN, Congratulations and thank you for posting. I needed to hear it just now (I was having a down moment), and I logged on and saw this. I'm so happy for you. I am so happy that you give us metsters so much hope.
Here's to many more years of NED!
Jill

[jacqueline1102]

Hello,

How wonderful!!! I always appreciate your posts, Steph; always so filled with wisdom and hope for all of us. And how great for you to have scans every 10 months. Enjoy!

Take care,

Jackie

[Midwest Alice]

Wow steph, wonderful news!! Thanks for the up date

[sassy]

You GO Steph!!!

Thanks for being one of our major heroes!

Cheers!

[CoolBreeze]

You are what we all dream about. Congratulations!

[KDR]

Steph,
Thanks for sharing your uplifting update. Eleven years away from liver mets and disease free. Champion!
Congratulations,
Karen

[NanaJoni]

Congrats, Steph. And thanks for letting us share in your good news.

[JennyB]

Yay hoorah swinging from the chandelier - am very happy for you and all those around you especially us!
Jenny x

[CarolineC]

Congratulations! I look forward to your posts and also agree that you give us so much hope. Thank you so much!

Caroline

[Mel3]

Congratulations, Steph! I was thinking of you today and thought about checking in to see how you have been, now I know, fantastic!

[conomyself]

That's so wonderful! Congratulations Steph!!

Rachael

[Pamelamary]

Thanks Steph - we do need news like yours!

[michka]

Congratulations! I will raise a glass of French wine for you Steph!
Michka

[Bunty]

Steph, fan-bloody-tastic! Great news.
Cheers Marie x

[Ellie F]

Congratulations Steph. Lovely to hear such good news.
Ellie

[Ellie F]

Congratulations Steph. Lovely to hear such good news.
Ellie

[NEDenise]

YAY!
You, my friend are a mentor, a trail-blazer, an inspiration!!
When I grow up...I want to be just like you! :)

Denise

[caya]

Great news Steph, thanks for sharing.
Big congrats, you go girl!!

all the best
caya

[nsebesta]

Great news StephN! I too just had check-ups and got the all clear. So that makes me 8 yrs out from liver mets!

I was wondering how often they did scans on you now. I finally talked MDAnderson into every 6 mos. I've been on that schedule for about 1.5 years. Maybe after the next check-up I'll ask for 8 mos.

Thanks for sharing your great news!

[StephN]

Thank you all.

Nsebesta - did you have brain mets or only liver mets? You do not have a signature posted.

My brain MRI has been every 8 months for a couple of years. I get a CT of chest, abdoman and pelvis once a year now. These are two separate doctors - one follows my head and the other follows by body from ears down.

I also have frequent blood draws and 3 different tumor markers checked, so I have a lot of coverage to tip off to any disease getting active again.

[Joan M]

Steph,

You are my inspiration!! Congratulations!!!

Joan
xo

[nsebesta]

Steph - I only had liver mets - 2 of them in 2004. Had surgery in Feb 2005 to remove them. NED since then. I've been through 4 oncologist at MDAnderson. So for about 6 yrs I had CT scans, chest x-rays, mamograms, etc. every three months. I just finally put my foot down b/c I thought that was to much radiation. If I would have had active disease I could understand so many scans and test. One doctor was about to stretch it to 6 mos and then left. She apparently didn't put it in my file and the next 'new' doctor didn't want to do that right away.
I too have blood work done at the same time. I've discussed with my doctor going off herceptin - I'm just not brave enough yet. What made you decide to stop?

[ElaineM]

Congratulations !! Keep up the great work. Whatever you are doing is working.

[SusanN]

AMEN!! I have to say I got "Glory Bumps" reading this!!
I am so happy for you StephN!! :)
I have followed a bit of your posts...ALL of your are bringing me SO much wisdom, knowledge & encouragement!!!

Tomorrow, I FINALLY get my port placed...then next week celebrate the big "50" bday and will most probably begin my journey of TCH chemo next week as well.
I AM GOING TO TRUST GOD IN ALL OF THIS AND PUT HIM IN THE "DRIVER'S SEAT!!"

I have to say, I THANK GOD for every new day and breath I take as does each one of us!!!

Blessings to ALL of you!!

[Rolepaul]

8 years is fantastic. Nina will be coming up on May 30 with one year of NED. You are definitely an inspiration to all those who have had Brain involvement.

[JillaryJill]

All I can say is Wow....fabulous!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!

[KristinSchwick]

Thanks StephN, you are an inspiration to all of us. I know dear Courtney really looked up to you and learned alot from you. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Kristin

[karen z]

Hooray>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[rava]

That is so great news!! Congratulations!
I love reading your posts since our initial diagnos is so alike.

[fullofbeans]

StephN this is amazing! Very happy for you XX

[Jean]

Steph,
Such Happy News! You are always positive and always displaying hope to all. Continued blessings being sent to you.

Jean :)

[LeahM]

This is wonderful...thanks for sharing!
Leah

[Jackie07]

That is great! Thanks for sharing the wonderful news!

[KG1993]

Great news for those of us who are suffering with brain mets/family members with brain mets! Congrats. You keep the hope alive for us!

[Patb]

Great news, time flies and I cannot believe it has been
that long. What good news.
patb