BRAIN METS are shrinking from chemo!!

09-29-2005, 01:18 PM

The good news update as of today's MRi: nearly 50% decrease in size of my multiple brain mets, including the one on my pons/brainstem! This after two rounds on Temodar/Xeloda.

My onc has me on 250mg Temodar for 7 days, plus 2000mg Xeloda (in two divided doses) for 14 days. I do both for the first week, followed by Xeloda alone. I weigh about 120lbs @ 5ft 4 1/2inches. (for anyone interested in dosage etc.)

There is no way of knowing if this will continue, nor for how long... but for TODAY this is very good news. I have felt good for the past week, no dizziness at all. Nor any side effects but for complicated constipation.

Will hold the course, getting bloodwork plus more scans as time (that blessed word!) goes by.

Leaving in 3 days for our week+ fun trip

)

Thanks for the prayers and good wishes,
love,hugs and blessings,
pattyz

09-29-2005, 01:27 PM

great news patty z. are you her 2 positive? i think so from your other posts. that is wonderful news

StephN · 09-29-2005, 01:48 PM

Cause for celebration! Such wonderful news - and I just had a feeling it would be good since you were getting more upbeat about how you are feeling better.
Good to be prepared for any eventualities, but you and your family and friends must be feeling very joyful about now!
We are counting on you to keep blazing the trail with new options for us. I feel very heartened with this news. Your post was bubbling over with enthusuiasm!

{{{hugs}}}

Barbara H. · 09-29-2005, 02:37 PM

I had been hopping for this news. This is the best news I have heard all day, and for a while actually. Let's hope this chemo combination continues to get rid of those mets.
Have a great trip and wishing you many more to follow.
Best wishes,
Barbara Holz

Julie2 · 09-29-2005, 02:48 PM

Dear Patty,

I am so happy for you and wishing you the complete remission from brain mets.

Julie

Lolly · 09-29-2005, 09:30 PM

WOW. Good news indeed! I'm so glad for you, and have a question about the Xeloda; does it also cross the BB Barrier?

<3,
Lolly

09-30-2005, 06:13 AM

Lolly,
Theoretically, the molecular weight of Xeloda is small enough to cross the BBB. Just. There is also alot of discussion about the 'leaky' BBB around areas of mets and former radiation.

xoxopatty

09-30-2005, 06:15 AM

Yes, I'm HER2+++

Thankyou!

09-30-2005, 06:20 AM

LOL!! Thanks, Steph.

I am happy about this, however I realize the response may not be long lived.

But the fact that I've had response just HAS to be good news for brain mets in general...right??

xoxoxbighugs,
patty

09-30-2005, 06:22 AM

Thank you!! I am so glad to be able to share this response with others, too.
xohugs,
patty

Kim in CA · 09-30-2005, 09:20 AM

Patty,

That is such wonderful news! I've been praying you would be posting something like this.

My Onc told me I would never be able to use Xeloda again, because I had such a bad reaction to it 2 years ago(ended up in the hospital with severe diarhea, fever, low blood counts, infection, after only 10 days on it). However, he started me out at the full dosage for my body mass which was 4,300 mgs daily. I am 5'8" and about 140lbs, so this seems like an awful lot to me. After reading many posts about taking much smaller dosages, I will be discussing this with my Onc.

I haven't had WBR, but did just have Gamma Knife and am wondering if that form of RADS would make the brain more subseptible to chemo. Also, I am not familiar with Temodar. Is that a chemo as well? Is it known to cross the BB barrier?

Sorry for all the ?'s, just trying to stay up on anything regarding brain mets!

Love, Kim

And eeeehaaaa! I'm sooooo happy for you!

jojo · 09-30-2005, 09:20 AM

Y'know, your post just made my day! :-)

So, where are you off to? Be sure to have the greatest time! :-)

Bon Voyage! :-)

P.S. If you so happen to be going to Las Vegas next week, lemme know. I do live in SF Bay Area, but I'll be there for a quick getaway.

10-01-2005, 06:18 AM

LOL!! Don't know if I can take all these questions

)

I think rads of any kind to brain make the BBB 'leaky'.

Temodar is an oral chemo that has shown good response in primary brain cancers, with SOME response in mets tumors.

Xeloda is technically small enough in molecular weight to cross the BBB. Just.

It is now thought that the original recommended starting dose of Xeloda was much to high. I've read that many docs are beginning patients at 75 or 60 or even 50% of that original amount. So, It would be worth a 'trial run' on it, should it come to that for you...

and thank you for your shared joy for me!

I don't believe this is a 'magic final bullet', yet for now it is a wonderful day!!

hugs,
pattyxoxo

10-01-2005, 06:23 AM

I understand!

We are off to the Blk Hills and Teddy Roosevelt NP in ND... not even close to Vegas!

I don't know how long this response will last...nor how much more of a response. But it is very very heartening at this point.

have to pack!!!!!!!!! gotta go!
hugs,
pattyxoxox

Sandy H · 10-01-2005, 10:39 AM

That is great news. I have had very little "good news" this week so this helps. I am o.k. just one of those stressful weeks from the outside! Go and have a great trip. hugs, Sandy

jessica · 10-01-2005, 11:00 AM

Yipeee! That is great news, Patty. You deserve some great news AND a big, fabulous vacation!

Celina · 10-01-2005, 04:04 PM

Amazing...you're amazing...and the doctors are amazing for having given it a chance. Enjoy your trip....you will have continued success...I feel it!!!

lindaw · 10-01-2005, 04:29 PM

Dear Patty

That is such great news- thanks for sharing it.

love
Linda