A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

As you know I was told Friday that I might 'have a couple of years'. Had the weekend to come to terms with that. So, saw my oncologist today (the chief oncologist, had different one last Friday). He showed me the scan of my brain and said 'you have too specks, very very small'. I asked if I was considered terminal now and he said no!! My lung has completely cleared and he thinks wbr and gemzar will fix the brain 'specks' (my new fabourite word), and the skin/chest. So I left feeling a lot better than I had last Friday. Am still taking it one day at a time and am hoping be here a little longer. Courtney, I asked about your trial but he said he would not consider it just yet - but he did say if I get any more brain mets then cyberknife will be an option.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Delaney,
I am glad your news got better. It's such a roller coaster ride. I have been on it for the last 3 weeks too. Please stay positive and hopeful. Your stats look pretty darn good. Specs; that doesn't sound like much to me.

Sending you hugs and prayers,
Kris.....

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

So glad to hear that things are looking up, Delaney. Do not lose hope, dear one. Two specks should be very, very easy to treat. Is there anyway you can get targeted radiation to these spots instead of WBR? Any chance you could travel outside the country to get this done?

Don't let the doctors put an expiration date on your head. They have no way of knowing how long you will live. New drugs are being developed every day. Vaccines, radiation, gene therapy, etc. There is so much hope for us HER2 gals. There will be something to get you to NED, I know it.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Delaney
Do they really need to do WBR? I would have thought "specks" suggests you are are a good candidate for targeted radiation. If they are intent on WBR can they spare the limbic system? Read a good article about radiation which I will try again (was unsuccessful on my last attempt) to post in Articles of Interest. That is fantastic news about skin and lung mets. Plenty of reason to hope.
Trish

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Specks.....I'm with you, that is a beautiful word! Now on to gone! Celebrate this good news.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

I was wondering about the WBR for just 2 small specks, too. It seems like a lot of radiation to healthy tissue to zap 2 small specks. Research time for you, I think. Our poor brains are beleaguered enough.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

I like the doctor you saw today better than the one you saw last week.
Hopefully the new therapies will take care of all your little specks.
By the way, I came across something you might want to read about photodynamic therapy and breast cancer skin or chest wall mets.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00862901
Take care.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Hi, Delaney,
I'm glad you are feeling more under control, and that your lungs are clear.
Nobody can predict how long you have to live, neither the doctors.
I also have brain mets, but mine are not specks, and I did not have WBR, I think it should be saved for later. Since you have just 2 specks, you should try to zap them with target therapy SRS, like Gamma Knife, Xknife, Cyberknife, Novalis, etc. My first radiation oncologist wanted me to do WBR, but I refused, I wanted surgery, but I ended up having Xknife. Do your research, you have time. Suggest your doctor to do Cyberknife now for the 2 specks, and WBR if there are a lot more specks in the future.
I hope and pray you make the right decision. Hang in there.
Hugs,
KarLa V.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Much more promising news than last week, in view of the specks being so small maybe they'd reconsider the WBR for something less invasive even if it means travelling if not available here?
What a difference a Dr with differing views can make!:)

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Delaney, I am so glad to hear things are looking better.

Kris, I am glad things are going well for you too.

Amelia

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Delaney, I was so happy to read you post today. Yes, I like this onc better than the other one. I have not had to deal with this, as of now, but there are people on this site that will be able to guide you in the right direction. I am so happy that you were given hope. HOPE is what we all need and I wish you the very best. I will be praying for you. Best Wishes, Mary L

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Delaney,

I am so glad the whole picture has turned around. I did not know how to answer your last thread when you were feeling so down about having to have radation treatment of the brain. Our brain is a very 'fluid' organ. Since we don't use but 3-5% of all of our brain cells, plus the fact that those neurons can reconnect and form new routes (brain plasticity) - we can bounce back from the treatment if we work on it (physical exercise + mental exercise + nutrition)

I think the whole brain radiation has the benefit of eradicating the 'unseen' specks hidden in the dark. But if you use Gamma-knife or Cyberknife, you can always do another one when new 'specks' show up.

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Hi Delaney,

Never give up. Sounds like really good news. Heres a link you may be interested in. Sounds like you dont need it now coz the Gemzar will get your specks....Anyway here it is I would always go for Cyberknife over WBR.......Londons not far from Ireland after all......

http://www.thelondongammaknifecentre.com/

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Hi Delaney,
This is the first time I have posted anything on this site or any for that matter. I read your note and all the subsequent comments by other women - you all seem to be so knowleageable about breast cancer and so positive too! What would you suggest so I too can understand all these medical terms (and their implications)? I received my not so good pathology report (subsequent to a right bi- lateral mastectomy and lymph node removal) only last Friday and although I understand some of it - grade 3; stage 2; ER- PR-; Herr2 positive; primary tumor 1.6 cm; 2/22 lymph nodes positive for cancer, there seems to be so much more I should know...
Thak you,
Lisa

Re: A little speck of not so bad news (maybe)
 

Welcome Lisa. I am not the most knowledgeable about this site but there is a Newcomers section( I can't even get the terminolgy right) but I think the purpose of posting there is to ensure you get welcomed properly. I never did post there but I am just picking things up as I go along. I'm not quite sure which bits of your report you don't understand so can't be much help there but do keep posting. Good luck with your treatment.
Trish