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Becky · 12-11-2006, 01:59 PM

Dear Eric

As far as brain MRIs - I only get one once per year but I am not Stage 4. That was a battle onto itself. If I were Stage 4, I would insist on a brain MRI every 6 months. My rationale for getting one for myself (and it kept my onc quiet over ever other one I've asked for is- my brain is who I am. Period. Not my breasts, not my liver, not my arms - My brain is me). And Caryn's brain is who she is. Protect it as much as you can.

As far as the markers are concerned, if hers never change much, watch it and get retested often. Mine are up and down within a range all the time. If they ever went higher than the highest high, I would get it redone (and I have). I still believe its easier to topple a giant who is just getting up than one who has completely risen and is standing at full height.

12-11-2006, 01:59 PM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Dear Eric As far as brain MRIs - I only get one once per year but I am not Stage 4. That was a battle onto itself. If I were Stage 4, I would insist on a brain MRI every 6 months. My rationale for getting one for myself (and it kept my onc quiet over ever other one I've asked for is- my brain is who I am. Period. Not my breasts, not my liver, not my arms - My brain is me). And Caryn's brain is who she is. Protect it as much as you can. As far as the markers are concerned, if hers never change much, watch it and get retested often. Mine are up and down within a range all the time. If they ever went higher than the highest high, I would get it redone (and I have). I still believe its easier to topple a giant who is just getting up than one who has completely risen and is standing at full height. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"