OMG Brain mets!

daisy366
daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
edited April 2013 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

What a crazy day I had, I had brain MRI by 11:30. At 2:30 my nurse calls with bad news that I have multiple brain mets and by 3:15 I had emergency appointment with the radiologist, got fitted with helmet, and I will start whole brain radiation tomorrow! I actually went to work after all this (I have small clinical social work practice)

Wow, how my life changed within a few hours. Don't believe that upsc doesn't go to the brain. My oncologist told me awhile ago that it goes to lungs before brain. In my case the fluid around heart & lungs both showed cancer in January so that's how it ended up in brain.

The plan is to get 20 radiation treatments and stop chemo for now. My husband will drive me everywhere because of risk of seizures. Thank God for my wonderful husband! I will take decadron daily to control brain swelling.

i discussed quality of life. Doctor said that there is no choice about treatment-without it I would have stroke. He seems to think I will have decent quality of life but may have some shortterm memory loss. 

So it's one day at a time- one hour at a time.  God bless all of you. I appreciate all your prayers as always,

love, Mary Ann

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Comments

  • janh_in_ontario
    janh_in_ontario Member Posts: 151 Member
    #2
    Praying for you

    Maryann

    I just told you that NED was waiting for you and within minutes you posted this - I am sorry if I hurt you with that post. I really thought you were on the way out of this mess.

    I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. The Bible says He will not give us more than we can bear but I have to wonder just what He is thinking sometimes.

    Stay positive and do whatever helps you get through this.

    Hugs and love

     

    JanH

  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #3
    janh_in_ontario said:

    Praying for you

    Maryann

    I just told you that NED was waiting for you and within minutes you posted this - I am sorry if I hurt you with that post. I really thought you were on the way out of this mess.

    I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. The Bible says He will not give us more than we can bear but I have to wonder just what He is thinking sometimes.

    Stay positive and do whatever helps you get through this.

    Hugs and love

     

    JanH

    Not hurt

    Don't worry Jan. i appreciate all your support & good wishes. Thanks so much for prayers!

     

     

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #4
    Dear Mary Ann

    I can't believe how calm, rational and positive you are after getting the news today!

    I have no doubt that brain mets is only a temporary setback ; you will get through radiation and come out a winner and into a long remission.

    In lieu of prayers - Sending best wishes, virtual hugs and bursts of positive energy your way - Alexandra

  • NorahS
    NorahS Member Posts: 92
    #5
    Alexandra said:

    Dear Mary Ann

    I can't believe how calm, rational and positive you are after getting the news today!

    I have no doubt that brain mets is only a temporary setback ; you will get through radiation and come out a winner and into a long remission.

    In lieu of prayers - Sending best wishes, virtual hugs and bursts of positive energy your way - Alexandra

    My dear Mary Ann...

    ...to have to assimilate such news within hours...it must have been so shocking to you and your dear hubby.

    However, you and dear Rudy are equal to the challenges in the days ahead.

    Think positive and carry on, and always, always remember we love ya here. Don't ever forget that. 

     

  • beila
    beila Member Posts: 97 Member
    #6
    NorahS said:

    My dear Mary Ann...

    ...to have to assimilate such news within hours...it must have been so shocking to you and your dear hubby.

    However, you and dear Rudy are equal to the challenges in the days ahead.

    Think positive and carry on, and always, always remember we love ya here. Don't ever forget that. 

     

    role models

    Mary Ann

    You are so brave and strong

    I cant believe you went to work today!!!!!Surprised

    What helps me is positive role models...eg Lance Armstrong, when he had his cancer had brain mets....and notwithstanding his steroid issues, look at him in the past many years!

    I also have a friend  of my friends in Montreal who has been valiantly battling many many years of metastatic breast cancer, including brain mets, and also views all this as a "chronic disease"

     

    Even though the brain, as Woody Allen describes it, is his "second favourite organ", it is still just an organ, and will be given medical treatment as such

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Today Obama gave a speech in the cathedral in Boston:

    Started with:

    "Scripture tells us to RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US"

     

    Run with endurance, Mary Ann, as I know you have been.

    but take it one day at a time,

    and try to get as much pleasure as you can..the big things and little things in your life...every day

     

    Love,

    Beila

     

  • susangr
    susangr Member Posts: 64
    #7
    Oh so very sorry to hear.....

    Hard to even know what to say about such news! Sending positive thoughts and cyber hugs to you and your husband.  Hoping that this new treatment plan will successfully treat this recurrence. We know from others that they have had some very good results.  It's your turn for some good news soon.   You have and continue to be such a positive caring person.  Hugs. Sincerely Susan

  • Sisters three
    Sisters three Member Posts: 165 Member
    #8
    susangr said:

    Oh so very sorry to hear.....

    Hard to even know what to say about such news! Sending positive thoughts and cyber hugs to you and your husband.  Hoping that this new treatment plan will successfully treat this recurrence. We know from others that they have had some very good results.  It's your turn for some good news soon.   You have and continue to be such a positive caring person.  Hugs. Sincerely Susan

    Mary Ann, Chester has gone to far!

    He has been annoying to you for far to long! Beat him to submission like you have done many a time!

  • TAyers
    TAyers Member Posts: 86 Member
    #9
    Praying...

    Mary Ann,

    I am so glad they referred you to have heart and brain testing, and that they are acting so promptly. Did you have symptoms that gave them reasoning for referrals on the brain? God has a mysterious way of looking out after us. I will continue to pray for you. This posting helps all of us to be aware. Thank you, Tami

     

  • Cindy Bear
    Cindy Bear Member Posts: 569
    #10
    praying and waiting

    Mary Ann, I am sorry to hear this, not the news you or anyone else wanted or expected to hear. I am struck with your courage, your can do attitude, your calm and your strength. You are a special lady. I will be praying and holding you close in my thoughts. You might want to check out Leesag posts on Ovarian board. She had brain mets, had WBR and is doing quite well..

    Big hugs,

    Cindy

  • Cindy Bear
    Cindy Bear Member Posts: 569
    #11
    praying and waiting

    double post...

     

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #12
    Mary Ann

    I as well am amazed how strong you're with the latest news.  Surely it's a setback in your mind, but your determination as I'm reading in your writing tells me you will not let Chester win!!!

    I'll still continue to pray for your strength and for Rudy to be a great resource to guide you.  

     

    God Bless You dear friend~~~Kiss

    Jan

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #13
    Dang!

    Mary Ann:

    So sorry to hear that you have to go through this!    Geesh!   But like the others said, you go to work the day you find out.  Wow.   Strenghth that will keep you going and a loving husband beside you as well.  I will keep you all in my prayers.

    My best to you.   ((((Hugs))))

    Kathy

  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #14
    Kaleena said:

    Dang!

    Mary Ann:

    So sorry to hear that you have to go through this!    Geesh!   But like the others said, you go to work the day you find out.  Wow.   Strenghth that will keep you going and a loving husband beside you as well.  I will keep you all in my prayers.

    My best to you.   ((((Hugs))))

    Kathy

    1st treatment down

    It was not as bad as radiation I had on my neck in 2010. I was on open table with my Darth Vader mask on. Machine flashed blue light from above and rotated to each side. Done within 10 min.

    another experience I never wished I had!

     

  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    #15
    daisy366 said:

    1st treatment down

    It was not as bad as radiation I had on my neck in 2010. I was on open table with my Darth Vader mask on. Machine flashed blue light from above and rotated to each side. Done within 10 min.

    another experience I never wished I had!

     

    Stunned

    Stunned to hear this latest development Mary Ann.  Things seemed to be going so well with numbers dropping and it looked as if Chester was on the run, only to pop up somewhere else.  Damn him! 

    You are an amazingly strong lady to carry on and work through all this.  I am so pleased the first session of radiotherapy was manageable.  One step at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time.  You will get there.

    Chester really shouldn't have picked a fight with such a lady.

    Helen 

  • sunflash
    sunflash Member Posts: 197 Member
    #16
    HellieC said:

    Stunned

    Stunned to hear this latest development Mary Ann.  Things seemed to be going so well with numbers dropping and it looked as if Chester was on the run, only to pop up somewhere else.  Damn him! 

    You are an amazingly strong lady to carry on and work through all this.  I am so pleased the first session of radiotherapy was manageable.  One step at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time.  You will get there.

    Chester really shouldn't have picked a fight with such a lady.

    Helen 

    Darn it Maryann, hate to hear

    Darn it Maryann, hate to hear this news!

    But I agree with the others that your strength and courage in the face of this turn of events is truly amazing.

    Going to work the same day you got the news.......incredibly strong is what you are!

    Glad you're starting treatment to kick Chester to the curb.......he's been freeloading too long!!

    Big hugs from me to you!

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #17
    sunflash said:

    Darn it Maryann, hate to hear

    Darn it Maryann, hate to hear this news!

    But I agree with the others that your strength and courage in the face of this turn of events is truly amazing.

    Going to work the same day you got the news.......incredibly strong is what you are!

    Glad you're starting treatment to kick Chester to the curb.......he's been freeloading too long!!

    Big hugs from me to you!

    Oh no!

    I can only echo what everyone else has said.  Sending lots and lots of prayers and good mojo.

    Hugs,

    Suzanne

  • laura25
    laura25 Member Posts: 180 Member
    #18
    Mary Ann

    Mary Ann my heart goes out to you and Rudy.  You are strong, courageous and determined.  You know what your treatment
    plan is.  You will continue to put one foot in front of the other and persevere. Your picture is in the dictionary when you look up warrior.
    I'm relieved to read all went well for your first treatment. 

    Please post when you can.
    xoxo

  • nancy9
    nancy9 Member Posts: 35
    #19
    daisy366 said:

    1st treatment down

    It was not as bad as radiation I had on my neck in 2010. I was on open table with my Darth Vader mask on. Machine flashed blue light from above and rotated to each side. Done within 10 min.

    another experience I never wished I had!

     

    You are one tuff cookie! 

    You are one tuff cookie!  Stay strong and know that we are all behind you.

  • LindaFF
    LindaFF Member Posts: 10
    #20
    laura25 said:

    Mary Ann

    Mary Ann my heart goes out to you and Rudy.  You are strong, courageous and determined.  You know what your treatment
    plan is.  You will continue to put one foot in front of the other and persevere. Your picture is in the dictionary when you look up warrior.
    I'm relieved to read all went well for your first treatment. 

    Please post when you can.
    xoxo

    Mary Ann

    I haven't checked in lately but so not happy to hear you have another challenge to face.  You will do this with your faith& courage.  I will pray for you each day.   You have a lot of determination and grace.  You will get thru this too.  Best to you and Rudy.

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #21
    LindaFF said:

    Mary Ann

    I haven't checked in lately but so not happy to hear you have another challenge to face.  You will do this with your faith& courage.  I will pray for you each day.   You have a lot of determination and grace.  You will get thru this too.  Best to you and Rudy.

    Mary Ann

    My heart,too breaks for you hearing about your brain metastasis.  How can things change so quickly.  You have been through so much already.  I am happy you got a plan in place so quickly and you first treatment went well for you.  I hope the rest of the radiation treatments go as well.

    we both started with UPSc stage 3-C at about the same time.  Our journeys have been so different.  You have been a great inspiration for me and many others.  You have done all you can to fight "Chester".  I am so happy to hear that you still have the fight in you.

    Continue to take it one day at a time and enjoy all that you can.  You are my special friend.  In peace and caring.  You and Rudy remain in my thoughts and prayers.

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