Finished treatment for brain mets

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi All,

Just want to let you know I have finished my treatment for brain mets -- hoorah. Hope no-one else in this group is ever in the same situation but just FYI: I had whole brain radiation (mine was spread over 15 sessions), then a break of about 2.5 weeks, then stereotactic radiation (similar to cyberknife, xknife, etc) to the four lesions. That was a one-off procedure. Not a pleasant one (the head has to be very stable). I had some unpleasant side effects from the first, whole-brain radiation (bit clumsy, short term memory --even worse than normal! - and I was "dyslexic' when typing -- that was upsetting. Oh, and I lost my hair -- in clumps. But all those issues have resolved now (they said 2-4 weeks and that was about right). Well, all except the hair!

I resumed chemo around the same time (!) -- after a delicious 4 month chemo break. I am on FOLFOXFIRI again -- but this time with Avastin. Just finished cycle 2. So far so good.

My sister came to visit me for 2 weeks which was so wonderful.

Best,
Tara

Comments

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #2
    Tara
    I don't know where I was that I didn't know you were going through so much.
    I'm so glad that your radiation treatment are finished. Thank goodness for your sister and you to be with each other for two weeks, how wonderful.
    I'm glad it's so far so good on the chemo, keep it up!!! (the doing good!!!)
    Winter Marie
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #3
    Tara...congratulations! You
    Tara...congratulations! You have accomplished so much! I remember your post when you first told us about the diagnosis and you were so upbeat and positive about your treatment and future. I gotta say....I am soo proud of you! And so glad you got to spend time with your sister!

    Big hug, Gail
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #4
    Yay Tara
    Big hugs
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #5
    go tara go
    dear tara,
    you have been through the ringer, thanks for sharing your treatment.
    i hope your treatments help.
    for what its worth i remember a few of the alternatives claim to cross the blood brain barrier, now that might be interesting as chemo does n't from what i understand.

    i cannot remember which alternatives they are might be avemar, or artemisinin. i am on so many they just all blurr together and the file and documentation is daunting. but if you ever start looking at the alternative universe pm if you like.

    its just lovelly to hear from you. stay well.

    hugs,
    Pete
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #6
    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    go tara go
    dear tara,
    you have been through the ringer, thanks for sharing your treatment.
    i hope your treatments help.
    for what its worth i remember a few of the alternatives claim to cross the blood brain barrier, now that might be interesting as chemo does n't from what i understand.

    i cannot remember which alternatives they are might be avemar, or artemisinin. i am on so many they just all blurr together and the file and documentation is daunting. but if you ever start looking at the alternative universe pm if you like.

    its just lovelly to hear from you. stay well.

    hugs,
    Pete

    Tara..........
    I applaude your strength to consistantly fight with tooth and nail.....every break and respite you receive is so deserved...You are a true warrior....I wish the very best outcome for you.....love to ya...Clift
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #7
    Buzzard said:

    Tara..........
    I applaude your strength to consistantly fight with tooth and nail.....every break and respite you receive is so deserved...You are a true warrior....I wish the very best outcome for you.....love to ya...Clift

    Wishing the best resuts in this heroic fight you are having and
    that with no doubt you are going to win!.
    Praying for you.
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #8
    Wow Tara---I did not know or
    Wow Tara---I did not know or had forgotten you had brain mets. What a diagnosis!!! Keep doing w/e it is you're doing because you are doing a GREAT JOB!
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #9
    tommycat said:

    Wow Tara---I did not know or
    Wow Tara---I did not know or had forgotten you had brain mets. What a diagnosis!!! Keep doing w/e it is you're doing because you are doing a GREAT JOB!

    Hey Tara!!!....
    WoW.... I am so glad to hear from you. I have been wondering about your status. Sounds like you are kicking butt....AGAIN!!! You are such an inspiration...real talk girl!! Getting it in the brain scares the crap out of me and you just showed me its a battle that can be won. You rock!! I can't tell you how good I feel about your results. Thanks so much for sharing. Take care.

    Jennie
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #10
    That was a lot!
    Hey, Tara.

    Congratulations on making it through all that! I'm glad you got to spend some time with your sister.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    #11
    Dear Tara
    whoa that's a lot. Lots of love and hugs!

    Leslie
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #12
    Treatment
    Glad that your radiation is done with and hoping that you will get through the chemo will little to no side affects. You have been through so much and wish the best outcome for you. Thanks for the update.

    Kim
  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #13
    Wishing you some peaceful
    Wishing you some peaceful treatment free days ahead. Lisa
  • sasjourney
    sasjourney Member Posts: 395 Member
    #14
    Tara
    Great to hear from you and so glad that the treatment is working well. I think about you all the time and admire all that you have been through with this disease. Keep focusing on that next chemo break...it will be here before you know it!

    Hugs,
    Sara
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #15
    You are my hero!!!!
    Tara,

    I am sending hugs!!!! I have been waiting for this post.

    You rock girlfriend and you are an inspiration to all.

    Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

    Love, Maureen

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