Leticias' latest chapter on her own brain mets...

Here are combined emails from Leticia. I'm sure she would welcome any good thoughts you'd care to send her way...

Patty,

I just talked yesterday to the surgeon who did the craniotomy and he told me a second craniotomy would be possible and advisable...

I am very nervous and scared because I almost thought he would deny any kind of operation. He sounded quite sure about what he said, but still, risks are big. I don´t have to make things nicer, you know what it means to have a lesion in the cerebellum. The surgeon told me that if he can take the whole tumor by the surgery, it may not be necessary to radiate (which I personally do not think) but if the remaining amount of the metastasis is big, I will have to go for radiation after surgery.

Doc told me the possible risks, but I also know that I do not have more options, so I did not hesitate too much. I was almost released to know that there is a possibility now. I just can avoid to think that I will go again for such an operation. I will go on Monday to the Hospital and the op will take place on Thursday, I believe.

As I already told you, the Craniotomy was not as terrible as I thought it would be, but the results after it make me feel afraid of it. The doctor who did it last time (and who will operate again) is a very good one, but you will never be sure about results. The op will last the whole day and I will spend a day at the Intensive Station.

So Patty, please pray for me on Thursday. As soon as I come back, I will let you know how it was. I really hope everything goes fine, so I can also give you hope and good news for your next decision. I am trying not to think very much about Thursday. You can imagine that it is almost impossible not to think about it, but I try.

I just explained my oldest Sohn (he is 14 years old) about the risks of the op and you know what he told me? Mama, it does not matter the way it goes out....even if you have to go in a Wheelchair you will still be there, right? So I will drive your wherevher you want me to.

Isn´t it sweet? They just want me to be there and I do sometimes think it would be the best if I am not here.....but you see, it is silly to think that way.

I also wish you so many peacefull and nice days as possible, and of course, so much love, we need it.......

Ok Patty, I will keep you informed as soon as I can.... Thanks you for your warm hugs, I need them.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Leticia

Patty & Leticia,

It really SUCKS to be having brain mets, as I have experienced them myself. Just focus on a thought that you both ARE having alternatives to treating these mets. You DO have choices to treat them, so it is NOT the end of our game! This means you are FIGHTING back! Remember that you have gone past Round 10 & we are STILL here! So, I dare say to you now: "do NOT throw in a towel!!!" Oh yes, do NOT give up!!

It is absolutely normal to admit that we are scared, and that is just plain old truth, cuz we are not perfect human beings. BUT we also need to remind ourselves that we can do it!! Patty, you have made through your rads & chemo. Leticia, you have already braved through a craniotomy. You overcame these hurdles, so if you had to do it all over again, well you've just gotta LEAP over your hurdles, just like you always do!!! And you WILL!

You are heroes in my eyes. :-) Hang in there!

[StephN]

Thanks, Patty -
VEry glad to get the news from Leticia that she can again have an operation that will give her a chance to stay with her family and us.
She is one brave lady - scared or not - who isn't?
We put on a confident face for others, but inside we are quaking in our boots at times.

Thursday I will be sending out my best thoughts for the surgeon to be at the top of his game that day and for the tumor to be excised completely.