Surgery Tomarrow

Ashaki

Well, since my last post before the Holidays my mom had her scans done and were awaiting the results. We got them back and of course didn't like what they showed. Her lung cancer is still stable at the same growth/mass as it has been which is good. No further spreading within the lower body (neck down) again great news.

Now for the bad news in 2008 when my mom was diagnosed she had 2 tumors in the brain area and they did a complete radiation to that area. And afterwards scans showed they were gone several months down the road. Well, the new. Scans showed new growth to the brain in another location. The onocoligist said since she has already had the full head radiation she can never have it to that area again. So, he has offered her 1 of 2 things.... Stereotactic Radiosurgery or surgery. He stated the out come for both are equally the same proven by research. My mom and I have discussed this and are going with Stereotactic Radiosurgery which is scheduled for tomarrow morning. He did say if this doesn't work our only other choice is the surgery which he can't guarantee to get it all because of the location. The side effects to this range from minor to sever but, stated the %'s are pretty low.

Has anyone else gone trough this? If so can you maybe shed more light on this for me as far as long term? A friend of mine at work her son has had this done several times now and has not been successfull of him so far. But, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and my mom with lung cancer with mets. I'm not sure if that really matters just looking for help for my mom. To be honest I'm taking all this harder than her, she has lost some memory and when at the dr's she doesn't seem she comprehens what is even being said most times.

Prayers to All of you!
Theresa

Ashaki

Update
Mom went into the hospital at 6 am today. They ran a CT scan then took her back to the radiation department where they numbed her head in 4 spots to install the halo. Everything went good and she was home by 2. She is on the steroids to help keep the swelling of the brain away.

However, the MRI from Friday picked up several new growth spots that weren't present before the holiday. They didnt get thoes ones today but, stated they wanted to monitor them through scans for a few months.

I dont understand why they didn't show up last month but, now? We're they there or just spreading that fast? Also, why is the lung tumor stabilized with same mass 2 years but, the brain ones are growing.......

Anyways, thanks for listening to me ramble, worry and not know where to go or do from here.

Prayers to All

Dapsterd

Ashaki said:

Update
Mom went into the hospital at 6 am today. They ran a CT scan then took her back to the radiation department where they numbed her head in 4 spots to install the halo. Everything went good and she was home by 2. She is on the steroids to help keep the swelling of the brain away.

However, the MRI from Friday picked up several new growth spots that weren't present before the holiday. They didnt get thoes ones today but, stated they wanted to monitor them through scans for a few months.

I dont understand why they didn't show up last month but, now? We're they there or just spreading that fast? Also, why is the lung tumor stabilized with same mass 2 years but, the brain ones are growing.......

Anyways, thanks for listening to me ramble, worry and not know where to go or do from here.

Prayers to All

Mets
Hello there....I am on my second Gamma Knife, no WBR as I hear there are radiation limitations if you have additional mets (and Docs have not offered it either). Steroids are common.

I had a 1" brain met appear between scans (within a little over two months)so it may not be unheard of.
My lung has been stable for a year, then the brain started it's Met activity.

So now there are a least two of us that are similar!

The Gamma Knife is highly successful, so she should be good for "a while" after the radiation I would like to think.

Best wishes
Dave

Dapsterd

Ashaki said:

Update
Mom went into the hospital at 6 am today. They ran a CT scan then took her back to the radiation department where they numbed her head in 4 spots to install the halo. Everything went good and she was home by 2. She is on the steroids to help keep the swelling of the brain away.

However, the MRI from Friday picked up several new growth spots that weren't present before the holiday. They didnt get thoes ones today but, stated they wanted to monitor them through scans for a few months.

I dont understand why they didn't show up last month but, now? We're they there or just spreading that fast? Also, why is the lung tumor stabilized with same mass 2 years but, the brain ones are growing.......

Anyways, thanks for listening to me ramble, worry and not know where to go or do from here.

Prayers to All

Mets
Hello there....I am on my second Gamma Knife, no WBR as I hear there are radiation limitations if you have additional mets (and Docs have not offered it either). Steroids are common.

I had a 1" brain met appear between scans (within a little over two months)so it may not be unheard of.
My lung has been stable for a year, then the brain started it's Met activity.

So now there are a least two of us that are similar!

The Gamma Knife is highly successful, so she should be good for "a while" after the radiation I would like to think.

Best wishes
Dave

Ashaki

Dapsterd said:

Mets
Hello there....I am on my second Gamma Knife, no WBR as I hear there are radiation limitations if you have additional mets (and Docs have not offered it either). Steroids are common.

I had a 1" brain met appear between scans (within a little over two months)so it may not be unheard of.
My lung has been stable for a year, then the brain started it's Met activity.

So now there are a least two of us that are similar!

The Gamma Knife is highly successful, so she should be good for "a while" after the radiation I would like to think.

Best wishes
Dave

Thanks Dave
Thank you for responding back on this.

Mom tonight is doing good just a little score from the screws on the front of the head. She said the back ones don't bother her. Not to meantion the draining process all this takes on a person.

Im so greatful there are people who are going through the same share and help others who are less familiar with this whole process of all these steps. Sometimes it makes these steps seem a bit easier to know there is someone else to talk too.

I also, seen your going to be going through the Gamma Knife again and wish you nothing but, the best....God Bless

Theresa

Ashaki

Dapsterd said:

Mets
Hello there....I am on my second Gamma Knife, no WBR as I hear there are radiation limitations if you have additional mets (and Docs have not offered it either). Steroids are common.

I had a 1" brain met appear between scans (within a little over two months)so it may not be unheard of.
My lung has been stable for a year, then the brain started it's Met activity.

So now there are a least two of us that are similar!

The Gamma Knife is highly successful, so she should be good for "a while" after the radiation I would like to think.

Best wishes
Dave

Thanks Dave
Thank you for responding back on this.

Mom tonight is doing good just a little score from the screws on the front of the head. She said the back ones don't bother her. Not to meantion the draining process all this takes on a person.

Im so greatful there are people who are going through the same share and help others who are less familiar with this whole process of all these steps. Sometimes it makes these steps seem a bit easier to know there is someone else to talk too.

I also, seen your going to be going through the Gamma Knife again and wish you nothing but, the best....God Bless

Theresa

Ashaki

Dapsterd said:

Mets
Hello there....I am on my second Gamma Knife, no WBR as I hear there are radiation limitations if you have additional mets (and Docs have not offered it either). Steroids are common.

I had a 1" brain met appear between scans (within a little over two months)so it may not be unheard of.
My lung has been stable for a year, then the brain started it's Met activity.

So now there are a least two of us that are similar!

The Gamma Knife is highly successful, so she should be good for "a while" after the radiation I would like to think.

Best wishes
Dave

Ughhh Sorry
Sorry for the double post....not sure why it done that.

Theresa