Brain Mets

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afraidinindy
afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Has anyone out there had brain mets with colorectal cancer? They are doing an MRI on my husband tomorrow and I'm a nervous wreck. He does have liver mets, but I pray it has not spread to his brain. If anyone has any knowledge on this, I'd appreciate hearing from you - symptoms, treatment, prognosis, etc.

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  • pepperdog
    pepperdog Member Posts: 96
    #2
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    I have no practical experience to offer on your question, but wanted you to know I will be praying for you and your husband. Sometimes the dread is almost as bad as receiving bad news. I know what you're going through and hope the test results will be good.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #3
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    pepperdog said:

    I have no practical experience to offer on your question, but wanted you to know I will be praying for you and your husband. Sometimes the dread is almost as bad as receiving bad news. I know what you're going through and hope the test results will be good.

    Thank you so much - we do need prayer both for him phyiscally and emotionally and I certainly am an emotional mess. Trying to continue working yet feeling I need to be home with him (and want to be) is very hard on my nerves.
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #4
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    Oh, I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. Truely it is the hardest thing about the whole cancer experience. At least fore me, it is.
    I have heard of one person who had mets to the brain and it is very scary to think about, however, I don't think it is common. It usually goes to the liver and/or the lungs. I know that might not have made you feel better, but yeah, I think it is not the norm.
    Try to wait until you have more information before letting your mind run wild with bad scenarios. I know, easier said than done. Good luck with the MRI!
    Wine works wonders,
    Susan.
  • afraidinindy
    afraidinindy Member Posts: 80
    #5
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    shmurciakova said:

    Oh, I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. Truely it is the hardest thing about the whole cancer experience. At least fore me, it is.
    I have heard of one person who had mets to the brain and it is very scary to think about, however, I don't think it is common. It usually goes to the liver and/or the lungs. I know that might not have made you feel better, but yeah, I think it is not the norm.
    Try to wait until you have more information before letting your mind run wild with bad scenarios. I know, easier said than done. Good luck with the MRI!
    Wine works wonders,
    Susan.

    Thanks for the response and encouragement. Yes, scary it is!!! Especially since he is having some symptoms of something going on in his head - hopefully it is just due to all the treatment, meds, emotions, etc. I'll stick with prayer to get me through this. I know our God is able, I just am weak in faith at times when I see him suffering so much. Susan, do you have cancer or are you a caregiver? Whatever the situation, this cancer business is a horrible thing!!!
  • midnte0708
    midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
    #6
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    My dad is stage IV with liver mets and about 2 months after his chemo started (last October) he had a blackout while driving his car (he was OK but car ran up on a curb and didn't hit anything, thank god)(never had a blackout before and never had one since) We all imediately feared the worst (brain mets) because everything was happening so fast...diagnosis of cancer return, liver mets, etc....
    After every test in the book was ran on him they came to no conclusion as to what caused it. We just figued it must have been the chemos effect on him and lack of sleep listening to the pump, etc...
    Anyway, my point is chemo has a big effect on the body and please don't asume the worst.

    Your husband is in my thoughts and prayers.

    Sue
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #7
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    afraidinindy said:

    Thanks for the response and encouragement. Yes, scary it is!!! Especially since he is having some symptoms of something going on in his head - hopefully it is just due to all the treatment, meds, emotions, etc. I'll stick with prayer to get me through this. I know our God is able, I just am weak in faith at times when I see him suffering so much. Susan, do you have cancer or are you a caregiver? Whatever the situation, this cancer business is a horrible thing!!!

    I am a Stage IV survivor. You can check out my personal web page!
    I know what you mean about being weak in faith. Sometimes I wish I was an extremely religious person because it seems that if you have enough faith then you would not be afraid. Alas, for me that is not the case. I do believe in God but as for being certain of what happens to us when we die, not sure. Anyway, I did not mean ALOT of wine.
    Well, I am sure that any number of things could be contributing to your husbands symptoms. I know when I was on chemo if I did not drink alot of water and stay well hydrated I would feel dizzy and light headed. I wish you all the best tomorrow.
    Sincerely,
    Susan H.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
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    No, I do not have direct experience with this...
    But you both are still on my prayer list...
    Hugs, Kathi
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    #9
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    I have always been under the assumption that colon cancer usually spreads to the liver or lungs. I guess it could be possible to spread anywhere, but I'm not sure how common it is for colon cancer to spread to the brain. I know that through my dad's experiences, he would have some strange memory lapses, which I think where caused by the chemo. I know how hard it is to wait for yet another test result. For me, it's the worst feeling in the world. I just went through it this past week. Susan is right...some wine before bedtime does do wonders. It has helped me at times. God will get you through this. Just keep asking him to. I know that sometimes it is hard to keep the faith during times like this, but I have learned that I don't have any control over many situations and all I can do is put my trust in God. You are definitely in my prayers tonight.

    God bless you and your husband,

    -Lee-
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #10
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    It would be unusual to spread to the brain but can happen. Most certainly the chemo can affect one's brain function ( headaches, chemobrain,etc). I too have a faith that there is a higher power but am trying to sort it out. It would be so nice to believe that there is a peaceful life after life. I'm trying to do further reading but with the cancer there is so much going on- trying to read up on better nutrition.
    Good luck to your husband and you. We will pray for a negative scan.

    ****
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #11
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    Hi,

    I just want to say good luck on the scans. I agree with everyone else that most cases we hear about are to the lungs or liver. Also I have had a "fainting spell" when on chemo. Almost past out at my kids school. Had everyone in an uproar. I also have had dizzy spells when my BP was very low. Think positive and I will be sending good vibes to you and your husband today. Keep us posted. Also HUGS!!!! The worry is the worst.

    Lisa
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #12
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    I am sure you are scared right now and I know all too well what it is like to wait for results..my husband is stage 4 with mets to liver/lungs..I agree with other posts that it would be rare for it to go to brain..but even so..keep in mind that no matter where the cancer goes to it is still colorectal cancer and treated as such no matter where the mets are....let us know how everything turns out and know that thoughts and prayers are with you..
    Bev
  • mwomack
    mwomack Member Posts: 78
    #13
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    This web-site is about a guy who had Stage II (I think) four years ago and then brain mets about 6-7 months ago.

    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5497708

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