sad and disappointed

[charlotte]

well, we got part of the answers we were looking for with my mother.. Her brain has 2 many to count(metastics)The Dr. is going to do a cat scan on her monday
The Dr. is looking for the primary site... I thought it might be from her lungs...

So much sadness. by father will soon be a year passed away, with colon cancer.. I just don't understand how it can grow that fast.. she had a mri of the head less than a year and was (clear)... all of the other tests are coming back normal.except for her blood being anemic.
I don't post a lot as it seems , I have little good news to report.. a
an update of me of sorts.... I had a pet scan week ago, and all of my body shows no sign of cancer....EXCEPT
the mets (bc mets)to my chest, 2-polops and a new one in the axillary..this 5fu cream is doing its thing , I guess I this is good news for me.!!!

She goes to the Dr. again Monday and we will see what is going on.... she has no clue as to what is wrong with her....(she is 85)

Please pray for my mother... I can't imagine her not being around...


thanks , for any input
charlotte

[BonnieR]

Charlotte, just to say I feel your sadness and I am sorry you have to deal with yet more cancer in your life. I wanted to offer a hug and some prayers. God bless.....

[Mary Anne in TX]

Charlotte, I'm so sorry that your mom's news was not good. I send my love and prayers.
I'm glad to hear that the creme is working for your skin mets though. Best wishes and please check in again soon. ma

[Pam P]

I'm sad to hear of your mom's news. And sad to hear that this comes so soon after your dad's passing too. I'm praying for you to be surrounded by support and peace and hope - and for continued stability in your health.

[pattyz]

Charlotte,

Having brain mets for six years now, I can say that there are drugs that might help control your mom's 'too many to count' mets. I would hate to see her undergo WBR at her age.

It may be difficult, not knowing her primary, yet there are many cancer types treated with the same drugs.

I have had mixed successes with Xeloda and Temodar.

Lomustine / CeeNU is an older chemo used as it crosses the blood brain barrier.

Sutent has shown to be somewhat effective as a targeted drug.

However, all these are Oral meds. Need to be taken with and without food. I don't know if your mom would be able to follow the schedule on her own...from what you say?

In other cases, a course of Decadron can help with syptoms of brain mets... and a daily dose less than the old traditional is now found to be just as effective, lessening a bit the side effects of the drug itself. Long term it is dangerous. So, it depends on that.... what will be considered as a 'prognosis' for your mom.

XERECEPT is a drug w/orphan approval status that is being trialed to replace Decadron in cases of 'long term need'.

There are many chemos and targeted drugs being trialed together or on their own for brain mets or primary brain cancers.

Gemzar, Ixempra, Doxil are examples of chemos.

Irinotectan, Patupilone, Sorafenib are examples of targeted drugs.

Then some have had good response with Boswellia Serrata.

Overall, your mom's age and general health are the main issues for ANY kind of treatment....... They all have side effects, some very severe. So, it comes to the question of her quality of life, doesn't it?

If it were me, at that age, in rather poor health overall, I think I would opt for trying a low dose of Decadron first. But, since I don't know the details it is a bit difficult to say......

I can say how sorry I am for the loss so recently of your dad, and now this diagnosis for your mom. And hope I have not offended you with my 'opinions'.

Hoping for the best outcome for you all,
pattyz

[Believe51]

I embrace you as you help Mom through this hard time. Your plate is surely full and I ache for you. I am sending you my sympathies to you and your family as you heal from the loss of your Dear Father. The stresses you are facing are many, I wish I could give you a hug, so I am sending you a giant one right now. On the brighter side, I am thrilled that the 5fu cream is working its magic. May it continue to give you wonderous results.>>Believe51

[ElaineM]

I am sorry to hear your news, but I am sure you, your mother and her docs will be able to get to the bottom of what is going on and decide what to do about it. Try to stay positive

[juanita]

can't help at all except to add prayers and send hugs with positive thoughts your way.

[Joan M]

Charlotte,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom.

It's very tough. My mom is also 85, and she takes no medications for anything ... except Alzheimer's Disease. She barely knows my family, by brothers, her sister.

I'm praying that your mom will be able to receive treatment that will help shrink the mets.

Joan

[charlotte]

Thanks to all who replied... this place is comforting to me...
as for my mother, we will take another test Monday and see if the primary tumor can be found......
I honestly don't know if mama can withstand chemo.......

[BarbM]

Charlotte, how is your Mom doing? She is in my prayers. It's so hard...My Mom is 86..has a heart issue she just wants to ignor...keep you chin up.

Is the 5FU cream still working for you? I just completed my 2nd round of rads for skin mets. I was taken off of chemo (Gemzar/Herceptin) for 8 weeks...the mets seem to have spread, ugh! I was stable before the break. Started back on chemo yesterday and have a PET on Friday. When I see my Onc next week, I will suggest the cream and perhaps a switch to Xeloda & perhaps Tykerb.

[Jean]

Charlotte,
I understand and feel your pain, as my mother was 86 when she became ill....the choices are difficult when our parents reach this age and are often facing other medical issues which will be effected by treatment.

I can only say what every your decisons are they will be the right ones...wishing you all the best during these stressful times.

Kind Regards,
jean

[Shobha]

Dear Charlotte, you and your mom are in my prayers. Think positive thoughts as much as possible although I know it can be difficult at times.

[charlotte]

a little update on my mother and me!!! I hope so much to not be discouraging to others on the board.
As for my mother , believe it or not , she had a tooth pulled yesterday.. the pain pills are working like a charm... while we were chatting, she said" you know if something was really wrong with me, I don't think I would like to know"...I was going to hand off this painful talk and make the Dr. do it... Now, I don't know...
will figure this out later..
My world is still here...I have had another outbreak of skin ca.. 5 fu cream has lost that loving feeling,,, the Dr. marked on my chest, where he could safely go this time.
I told him , I did not want to look like a fried turkey.. he has no sense of humor.. looked me straight in the eyes and said, I don't fry people , I radiate them.. guess I made him mad??
2 weeks ago, I tripped and fell on my concrete landing and landed on my ribs... of course it had to be on the side that has had surgery done on it.... I am starting to feel better these days.
that was a painful journey.
So, thanks to all who inquired about my mother, and me... It made me feel special.... love, Charlotte

[Believe51]

You are special and very loved!!>>Believe51

[chrisy]

Yes, Charlotte, you ARE very special. You are carrying a lot - so you must be very strong as well. Hang in there

[WomanofSteel]

Sending out prayers for you and mom. Stay strong!

[Bill]

Charlotte, you and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers. What wonderful women you are!

[Lani]

did they ever find out where your mother's primary tumor was?

Sending my best wishes and prayers your way,
Lani

[vickie h]

Sweet Charlotte, More prayers for you and your mother are coming! You keep putting one foot in front of the other, knowing that we are all here for you and that God is holding your shoulders. The path is long, but it is filled with wisdom and light. Please let us know how you are both doing. WE LOVE YOU, Vickie