Support Needed
 

Hi,

I actually noticed that I posted in the wrong category last night. Due to the serious situation I am "rattled".

Monday moringing I am having a brain met removed surgically in the language area. They tried treating it with Gamma Knife and it didn't work. I am so scared. They will be putting in Gliadel wafers to kill any cancer that they have to leave to avoid damage.

Usually, I am posivitive and confident and ok....this time I'm SCARED.

I haven't been writing everyone back on here as I did faithfully as I have been going through all kinds of tests etc and must admit I've been concentrating on myself and at a loss for words.

I am particularly bummed because I had a clear PET scan right before the dreadful MRI and it appears they finally found a chemo mix that is working for me.

Thanks for even reading my message.

Barb

Oh rats Barb

One thing that is never needed is a set back, especially of this kind. However, you have a plan forward and it seems to me, a team that is aware not to cause more harm that good.

I will be praying that when the surgery is over that the first thing that you do is yell at the nurses for a warm blanket. My thoughts will be with you on Monday. What time is the procedure so we all can pray together for you in unison?

Big hug to you

Hi Barb-
I've got to admit that when I was DX w/a brain met it was the scariest of all 12 years of fighting for me - and I've been thru a lot including in '02 watching my cancer spread and not responding to chemo after chemo and basically knowing I was on my way out right in front of my cherished kids. So I became very present and focused on each day it seemed like I had some peace. And then some luck - finally with herceptin working.

With the brain met - I felt like the only thing "I have" is myself/my brain and how in the world can I cope if that is somehow compromised - and the "me-ness of ME" is not there? I was so scared.

I think it's a scary scary thing and all you can do is decide to have faith that somehow everything will be okay.

Many here are praying for you (Bill will be paraying) and try to imagine the abundance of strength that exists in this community - imagine all of us standing around you and supporting you through this scary time. Try and really imagine us - it will help I think.

Wishing you an easy time.
Flori

Prayers for you
 

I am praying strong prayers that you can get some peace over this. I feel your fear but know we collectively lift you up in prayer.

Take care of yourself.

Tonya

Barb, so sorry you have to face this surgery and it's something that would scare most people so can understand your worries. I just want to wish you a sucessful surgery and quick recovery. You'll be in my thoughts and prayer's on Monday.

Surgery is starting at 7:30 a.m. my time Monday (almost 1 right now). MRI with stickers very early in the a.m.

Barb, of course you are scared. It will be good to have it DONE and behind you. Anticipation is terrible. I like what Flori said about envisioning us surrounding you with support. Your Higher Power there too. Keep the faith.

Barb many prayers going out to you for a very successful surgery on Monday.

You will be in my thoughts. Best of luck to you,

Hopeful

I am so sorry you are dealing with this and I can understand your worry. I am sure your doctors are very capable and know what they are doing. You are in good hands. I am praying for you that all goes well and that they get everything they need to without disturbing anything they shouldn't.

Barb,

I will be praying for you too.

Amelia

Barb,

Prayers from Central Texas! I was going to share my craniotomy experience. But then I noticed that you've had the experience already. So your concern is mainly on the language area, I guess.

The PBS film on brain plasticity talked a lot about how flexible the human brain is. From my own experience, I learned that exercise - blood circulation - improves my brain function. I had a whole month worth of speech therapy after my craniotomy and have been talking non-stop ever since.

With the new technique and instrument doctors possess these days, I am very hopeful that your language ability will not be affected much, if affected at all.

Remember it's a 'use it or lose it' situation with our nervous system. With proper rehabilitation and/or prevention effort, the outcome is bound to be much better than you have feared.

You will be in my prayers! Praying for successful surgery on Monday and great results!

Hi Barb,

I'm so glad Becky asked you the time and said we would all pray in unison.......................we will Barb.......right ladies and gents?

May you feel those prayers at 7:30 Monday morning sweet sister.

Love to you,

Mary Jo

Barb, we will be there and paraying for you, sweetheart! Please give us a shout when you feel up to it.

My thoughts will be with you,
Barbara H.

My healing thoughts are with you all weekend and
especially Monday morning. Take care and know
that we care. We all have our journeys and our
fears and its good to share these.
patb

I will be saying HUGE prayers, thinking HOPEFUL thoughts, and waiting to hear how well you came through it. :)

Big hugs and take care,

Barb,

I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Feel our strength upholding you.

Barb,

Prayers coming to you from Canada.

all the best
caya

Barb,

Add me to your list of supporters. Will join in the group prayer at 7:30 Monday morning.

Take care,

Hi Barb,

I moved over my response from the other category (and thanks for your response, too):

You have my full support.

I know how you feel. had brain surgery on Oct.17 to remove a lesion that was 1.9 cm x 2.6 cm, or almost an inch. It was also near my speech center in the left frontal load, but far enough away to not cause a problem. I did not have the gliadel wafers.

This area is easy for surgeons to reach so I know the location will help them get out as much as possible.

Why might the doctors have believed that your tumor was not treatable? Because of it's location near the speech center? Because of its size? Both?

I'm praying that all will be well, that the tumor will be removed that the wafers kill the rest, and that you have a quick recovery.

The scan results sound great!

Joan

I will be praying for you Barb. I am sending you a big hug and all my love. Remember God is always present.

Paty

I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck.

Barb,

Yes, count me in on praying for you. Sorry you have to go through this.

Dear Barb -
One thing to keep in mind is that what the surgeons are going to remove may NOT be cancer regrowing.
It could be NECROSIS or dying tissue.

This WAS the case with me and Barb H. We each had MRIs that looked to be tumor regrowth in the tumor beds of previously treated tumors. The path report showed NO cancer - only necrotic tissue.

This is my 'parayer' for you. That what they find on Monday is NOT more cancer.

Have a serious chat with your surgeon before they sedate you. Ask him HOW HE KNOWS it is more cancer. From my experience the scans cannot yet differentiate between the dying or growing tissue.

Christine also had a scare that a brain tumor was growing back, but she waited it out (gutsy lady that she is!) and it resolved in about one year.

Very positive thoughts going your way. Especially since you are doing well in body now!

Barb
 

Barb - What a strong woman you are! I will join in prayer Monday am.

Courage
 

Robert Frost: The best way out is always through.


I'm with you, too.
Celeste

hugs and prayers <33 nothing is insurmountable in life not even all this scary stuff. i really hope everything goes super well on monday and you have a speadyyy recovery

Support Needed
 

I am sending positive thoughts your way for success on Monday and beyond !!

Steph N - thanks for the information. I will be doing some last minute checking tomorrow at my appointment before I do this.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. As I "calm" down about this once I am home I hope I can return back to normality and read and comment where appropriate and be back to good ole me!

Hi Barb,
I know it's scary but we'll keep our Faith. You will be in thoughts and prayers on Monday morning. Big hugs!

Love,
Gemma

Barb, Praying for a most positive outcome! Ceesun

Barb
 

My prayers will be with you tomorrow too, Barb. Sending good thoughts and blessings your way!!!

Barb,

I will be praying and thinking of you this morning.

Amelia

Barb,

I pray that all went well with you and I am sending you all good positive thoughts.