CT Scan of my brain

pinkkari09
pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Well, seems I'm having some symptoms that have my oncologist a tad concerned. My legs keep going out from under me, my neuropathy (I think it's my neuropathy) is getting much worse. I think the head stuff going on is chemo brain, after all they did hit me really hard, 4A/C and 12 Taxol. They wanted to do an extensive MRI of my spine and brain (they were going to knock me out for it), but guess what, my expanders have magnets in em so that's out. So now we are going to do a CT scan with contrast of my brain only. Anyone else have this, I've been pretty tough and positive so far but I have to tell you, mets to my brain is freaking me out. My Mom had mets on her brain from lung cancer and it was 7mo's and 5 days later I lost her. Does breast cancer get to the brain?? Anyone??
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Comments

  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    Oh Kari--I wish I had an
    Oh Kari--I wish I had an answer for you. I'm sure someone here does.
    I wanted to send you hugs as you handle yet another issue.
    Sher
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    Kari........
    Hang in there.........I hate it that you have to go through yet another round of tests....... As far as your question about bc going elsewhere, sadly, yet it can......My oncologist said that the chemo I underwent was to try and prevent a recurrence to the breast or ANYWHERE in my body in the next 10 years........

    But........try to wait for the results of the CT scan......it may indeed just be chemo related.....BC is a game of waiting........I got so tired of waiting on this and that.......it can drive you nuts.....so hang in there.....

    Peace be with you and hugs to you!
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    Another Test
    I am sorry that thinking and worrying seems to be the norm after facing the Big C. I want you to know that I have survived 14 years after having one of the most aggressive forms of Breast Cancer at 36 and have watched many others SURVIVE with stage 4 when they should not be here. That said we are at higher RISK for Breast Cancer let alone a raft of other cancers that are closely linked to breast. One must live our life listening to our bodies and addressing the issues that come forth.
    I have struggled with migrain headaches something I never had until treatments and medication. I have had a leg that litterally drags and causes me stumble and have been told menopause can cause this from two doctors. Now a couple more lumps to face and all I know is I am the miracle alive and breathing at all. It is hard not to worry and always wonder if it could be another bout but I have found life is worth more than always thinking about that. I didn't listen to the signs before, but now I am pushing for the quick diagnosis rather than settling for the doctors cyst thing that they had even said before. Our Soul not only speaks to us it also sings and dance, lololol
    I was told about 7 years ago after struggling for the quality back in my life I was told it wasn't a good thing to get as many scans as there were out there. They too come with their own risk factors, everything has...
    Human's are the one's that drive themselves crazy because we cannot still the space our thoughts travel. I thought cancer did a good job for me at simplifying life totally and allowing me to finally understand what I had control of and what I did not. Now I listen to the soul I tried to deny most of my life.
    I hope your scan is clear and you can move forward one step at a time. I decided early on that I was going to come back from this finally find my passion. It isn't easy putting our lives back together and it never is as it was something that is hard to accept sometimes.
    The simplisty of life is something I have learned to get lost in. After years of struggling with nerve disorders irritable bowl and arthritis along with other things I was able to paint and mud/tape drywall walking on stilts at 49 still. Life goes on and if we don't live it we miss it.
    Good for you to stay after them and get the quality back you so deserve.
    Hang in there...
    Tara
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508
    Hoping it's just the neuropathy!
    Oh Kari, hopefully this is nothing! Neuropathy can cause a lot of things and it is a common s/e of chemo. Having had taxotere, the doctor was surprised that I don't have any signs of neuropathy. Unfortunately, yes, breast cancer can spread to the brain. The common metastases are brain, lungs, kidney and bones. I don't get many headaches, but since this has began, any time I get the slightest pain in my head, I think my heart drops! I guess any time we feel anything abnormal, we right away associate it with cancer. Whereas, before all this anything I felt, I ignored. I'm hoping this is just one big scare for you and that's all that it is! Meanwhile, check out Chris's post about cancer fighting foods. I read the article Dr. David Servar-Shreiber (sp??) wrote and plan to start implementing some of these things into my diet. I find this to be very inspiring. When are you having the CT scan, Kari?

    Hugs, Mar
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    I had one done. It was after
    I had one done. It was after my hand started tremoring but the onc didn't think the cancer had gone to the brain or I'd have different symptoms. She sent me for the brain scan just to be sure. No cancer. Turns out I developed Parkinson's. Can't tell from a scan but that's what the neurologist said. Yes, breast cancer can get to the brain but it could be other things too. I hope your problem is something that can be cured. BTW I think I remember someone posting about their cancer went to the brain and they were able to cure it. Try not to worry.
  • Cindy54
    Cindy54 Member Posts: 452
    Hey Kari...yes breast can
    Hey Kari...yes breast can spread to brain, but there can also be other causes of your problems. When I had the spinal cord tumor I had MRI's and CT's of my spine and my brain. I have neuropathy in both feet as a leftover. I also have to go in every year for CT's and MRI's of the brain and spine. It could just be that the meds have done something. Don't think the worst. I know every time I get a new pain or problem, I think the C-beast is coming back. But I still worry that my spine or brain will have a re-occurance. You could also just have a pinched nerve in your back or a disc problem. Those little nerves can wreak havoc in the strangest places. I wish you the best with this. Please let us know when you find out something. HUgs, Cindy

    PS...I have the spinal tumor before any of the other cancers..
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    Cindy54 said:

    Hey Kari...yes breast can
    Hey Kari...yes breast can spread to brain, but there can also be other causes of your problems. When I had the spinal cord tumor I had MRI's and CT's of my spine and my brain. I have neuropathy in both feet as a leftover. I also have to go in every year for CT's and MRI's of the brain and spine. It could just be that the meds have done something. Don't think the worst. I know every time I get a new pain or problem, I think the C-beast is coming back. But I still worry that my spine or brain will have a re-occurance. You could also just have a pinched nerve in your back or a disc problem. Those little nerves can wreak havoc in the strangest places. I wish you the best with this. Please let us know when you find out something. HUgs, Cindy

    PS...I have the spinal tumor before any of the other cancers..

    When my sister's cancer went to her brain....
    The onc told her it's the easiest to treat, and sure enough, she had radiation directed at the tumors and they disappeared. Never came back as far as we know. I hope your test comes back clear, though. I'll be praying for you... Please let us know.
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    Thank you everyone!! Mar, My
    Thank you everyone!! Mar, My scan is Tuesday morning and the doctor will give me the results that afternoon at 4 so at least I don't have to wait long. I'm praying for the best and it's in my heart that it's the neuropathy, I just read on chemocare.com that neuropathy can peak 3-5 months out from chemo, well I'm 3 months out so fingers crossed!!
    Mountains of Love and Big Cyber Hugs,
    ~Kari
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member

    Thank you everyone!! Mar, My
    Thank you everyone!! Mar, My scan is Tuesday morning and the doctor will give me the results that afternoon at 4 so at least I don't have to wait long. I'm praying for the best and it's in my heart that it's the neuropathy, I just read on chemocare.com that neuropathy can peak 3-5 months out from chemo, well I'm 3 months out so fingers crossed!!
    Mountains of Love and Big Cyber Hugs,
    ~Kari

    thinking of you and will be
    thinking of you and will be praying for a clean esult. let us know. Hugs
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    Hi Kari
    Stay positive. I know its nerve-wracking waiting and worrying. Will be thinking of you.
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    sorry you have to wait
    that seems to be the worst around here doesn't it? Waiting for results. All I can say is that chemo has so many side effects, and they sometimes take awhile before they present themselves, hopefully that is what is happening to you. Will be praying for you.
    Please let us know as soon as you get your results.
    Cat
  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Kari I pray if anything, you
    Kari I pray if anything, you are dealing with neuropathy. After one round of taxol I could barely walk. They put me on taxotere because my body just couldnt handle taxol. I know that yu know that "courage is fear that has said it's prayers". "If you pray why worry, if you worry why pray"! It's difficult not to worry, but worrying will not change anything.

    That being said, I want to believe as you feel in your heart that this is neuropathy. Girl you had a lot of chemo and unfortunately the side effects really hit some of us harder than others. I'm praying for you. God be with you. :)
  • n01kar
    n01kar Member Posts: 26
    natly15 said:

    Kari I pray if anything, you
    Kari I pray if anything, you are dealing with neuropathy. After one round of taxol I could barely walk. They put me on taxotere because my body just couldnt handle taxol. I know that yu know that "courage is fear that has said it's prayers". "If you pray why worry, if you worry why pray"! It's difficult not to worry, but worrying will not change anything.

    That being said, I want to believe as you feel in your heart that this is neuropathy. Girl you had a lot of chemo and unfortunately the side effects really hit some of us harder than others. I'm praying for you. God be with you. :)

    kari please keep us up to date
    with your results. I am scheduled for a mri of my brain as well. I passed out twice in a 2 week span, and my family practioner wants to eliminate seizures. The chemo drugs can take a while to clear your system, and our bodies react differently. Hange in there and keep the faith.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    n01kar said:

    kari please keep us up to date
    with your results. I am scheduled for a mri of my brain as well. I passed out twice in a 2 week span, and my family practioner wants to eliminate seizures. The chemo drugs can take a while to clear your system, and our bodies react differently. Hange in there and keep the faith.

    Kari
    Try to stay positive, I hope it is nothing and your CT scan will be clear. Thinking and praying for you.
    Sending you a big hug.
    New Flower
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    Kari, I am praying for you.
    Kari, I am praying for you. Keep us posted on the results of your test. We are all rooting for you. xoxoxo Lynn
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    lynn1950 said:

    Kari, I am praying for you.
    Kari, I am praying for you. Keep us posted on the results of your test. We are all rooting for you. xoxoxo Lynn

    I was thinking about this
    I was thinking about this and as a result of my PN I have weakness. sometimes my leg esp the left one gives out,or the knee does. I am generally weaker in the hands and legs. Ireally noticed it in PT when my legs would shake. so hopefully it is weakness/strength issue.
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    carkris said:

    I was thinking about this
    I was thinking about this and as a result of my PN I have weakness. sometimes my leg esp the left one gives out,or the knee does. I am generally weaker in the hands and legs. Ireally noticed it in PT when my legs would shake. so hopefully it is weakness/strength issue.

    Kari, we will all have you
    Kari, we will all have you in our prayers on Tuesday, and will be watching for your post regarding the results. Try not to worry too much until you have this test done, and then you can take whatever steps necessary to remedy your symptoms. Because you are so recently out of treatment, you will find that neuropathy will pop up, go away, and pop up again, so maybe the symptoms you are having are just an after affect of the chemo. I am now one and a half years uot of chemo treatment, and only have residual neuropathy in my right foot (four small toes). Everything else has gone back to normal. Don't think the worst until it is diagnosed, and keep us posted. You are among friends who care, and we will all be waiting to hear. Good luck, and lots of hugs your way. Judy
  • Mariannemm
    Mariannemm Member Posts: 136
    I can identify
    On my 1st day of chemo, a Monday, my husband and I went into the oncologist office. Had my labs done and met with the doctor. He told me he found something on my brain from the scan that I had done on the Friday before. So he said we can't start chemo, I need you to go straight in for an MRI. We were in shock! My Mom died of BC that went to her brain just 4 years ago. Get in to do the MRI and due to having the expanders it was the same thing, can't do it. So ended up with a CT scan, went home and went to bed. The doctor called me at 4 that same day and said everything was fine, there must of been a shadow on the last scan. Now I am in the middle to colon tests due to some issues what that area. I would rather be safe than sorry so I am okay this time around with extra tests because it will probably be nothing, but just in case it is something we want to find out soon and take care of it. Hope my story helps! Marianne
  • ms_independent
    ms_independent Member Posts: 214
    best of luck
    Prayers and good thoughts are coming your way. You have amazing strength and will handle whatever comes and we'll be here to celebrate and/or support you.

    Hugs, El
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867

    best of luck
    Prayers and good thoughts are coming your way. You have amazing strength and will handle whatever comes and we'll be here to celebrate and/or support you.

    Hugs, El

    Kari ♥
    I am sending you lots of prayers! Please let us know your results when you can!

    Love, Jeanne ♥