sister update

Hello Everyone,
I just got back from Ottawa…went to my sister’s chemo appt with her. While she slept (that
Benadryl can really knock you out!), I read through her file..what a mistake…I didn’t sleep all night. My biggest question at this point is, can one receive Gammaknife if there are extensive mets elsewhere? I read a report from her rad. that said something to the effect, “husband mentioned Gammaknife, but I explained to him that this would not be an option after WBR because of her stage of cancer�. I feel as though they are giving up on her…if she doesn’t have some sort of radiation again, what are her options? I know that her liver still has extensive tumors, but she is improving…gosh I feel incredibly frightened for her. There was also mention of a spot on kidney and spleen, but nothing conclusive.(it was difficult for me to read through medical terminology) She still looks ill at this point, but she IS receiving chemo. Most importantly though, she is feeling so much better…walked 5 km yesterday..we went boating over the weekend…spent the day at the beach. her bones are not hurting her at all even though there are extensive bone mets as well. I can’t imagine that she can’t go into remission at some point in the near future. I’m sorry for this depressing post. I will always remain hopeful, but I need to hear that it is possible for her to stabalize..she's counting on it..so are her children, my parents, husband and everyone else.

nd ask the present Onc to look at her Karnofsky performance scale before giving her up. This rates the patients ability to go on for more brain treatments. Remember she still has a fighting spirit to help herto go on.
Inless there is some unknown medical problem you know of, I feel she is still in therapy.
Hugs to you both, Christine

While knowledge is power, sometimes knowledge is scary! I'm currently going through WBR and was told by one of the world's cyberknife specialists that I can have as many cyberknife treatments as needed after WBR. I don't know how that works with gammaknife, though. Did you see the list I posted recently on CyberKnife centers in the U.S? The other cancer in her body shouldn't matter at all. As you know, brain mets are treated very differently from other mets.

Remember that radiation continues working after it's "injection." And chemo takes time. There are several of us here who were written off, or who have come back from very widespread mets. No reason your sister can't join us! Thrilled to hear she has good energy.

Stay proactive, ask the doc LOTS of questions.

Love and light,

Lisa

Celina,
Your sister's case and mine sound very similar. In addition to my extensive bone mets (which are decreasing) and my liver mets (which have decreased), my brain mets (20 or more) are also tiny, most 1-2mm, one at 5 mm. So no more talk of fear for her! You'll get me scared about me! Kidding. She (and I) are gonna be fine.

Love and light,

Lisa