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Just wanted to include a couple more items from my meeting with med onc today.
Firstly, I let him know that I had been very much empowered by this group's message board and he could see the difference it made. He is a very knowledgeable and thoughtful doctor and we interact well.
My CEA tumor marker is up to 10.7 this week with normal 5 or less (checked every 3 weeks). He says it is obvious that this brain met is making this protein and will be a good one to follow. (He will keep the CA27-29 as well - hasn't moved.)
He was happy that the tumor board had met and recommeding Gamma Knife which was his thought also. He feels I will do well with that, and EVEN SAID that I may never have more mets if this is a success.
That was said on the basis that I am in a patient class of a "responder" (he joyfully declared me a "COMPLETE responder") and this is also in my favor, as mentioned by the rad onc.
Based on my findings this week, he is also going to order a brain MRI for another patient in my trail who is NED. He had this in mind, but now he will not wait. I don't know her Her2 status, but she is very young!
His main concern seemed to be that we do all we can to keep the rest of my body taken care of from cells that may come back from the brain tumor. No need to change from 3-weekly Herceptin and adding the Zometa back from 6 weeks to every 3 weeks.
I do not have a radiosurgery date yet, but we made a followup appt anyway, based on when he thinks I will have the first MRI post Gamma.
I asked about monitoring my spine to the rad onc. He said there is nothing in my leptomenengis and no spinal tap or MRI was needed.
Now you have the latest! Thanks again for the prayers and encouragement.
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