Metastatic Breast Cancer - anyone had it to brain

nkac
nkac Member Posts: 17
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi, I was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer in May 1997, I was 31 years old. Had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, no chemo or radiation. In May 2000, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. There was another lump on my reconstructed breast and I had 30 out of 35 lymph nodes under my arm positive for cancer. I had 8 treatments of the strongest chemo they could give me and 6 weeks of radiation. In May 2001, I was diagnosed again with metastatic breast cancer and this time it is in the brain. I have had 10 treatments of radiation to the head. I had quite a few tumors. They will do another MRI on my head around July 3. I have had CT scans to the chest, abdomen, and pelvic and there are no signs of cancer there. I am going to have a bone scan soon. I asked my onocologist did it usually go somewhere else before it went to the brain. She said that she had seen it go to the brain with people that tested positive for the Her2 protein. Has anyone out there had this happen to them? I would appreciate any information anyone could give me. Thanks, Nelda

Comments

  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #2
    Dear Nelda,

    I am so sorry for your situation but glad that the radiation seems to have helped as you wrote me by e-mail. The usual pathway is bones and/or liver, then lungs, then brain.

    I have HER2/neu also and when I mentioned to the doctor that this was my big concern down the line, he answered: that's why I think you should give the taxol a try which I did and have #3 coming up next week.

    So it does take this route but not as often.
    You have my prayers and best wishes and I'm sure those of many others here.

    Love, Jean
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398 Member
    #3
    Nelda,
    Your in our thoughts and prayers girl. It isn't easy having to face all that we have to in this battle for our lives. We all feel your pain.
    We are on your side,
    Be good to yourself,
    24242Tara
  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #4
    HELLO

    NKAC, HOW ARE YOU DOING NOW?

     

    Mari, Orlando, FL

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #5
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    HELLO

    NKAC, HOW ARE YOU DOING NOW?

     

    Mari, Orlando, FL

    Mary....she had not been on since 2008

    Her last post was in 2008   ....   Doesn't look good. 

  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #6
    GlowMore said:

    Mary....she had not been on since 2008

    Her last post was in 2008   ....   Doesn't look good. 

    Not replied since 2008

    I know, scary.  I'm just hoping that she's ok, wherever she's at.  I too have been having many dizzy spells, it's constant and am scared.   I fear the worst right away.  My mother had the exact same thing and she was dxed with vertigo.  I do not want to tell doctors until after the holidays.  It's usually in the morning and sometimes evening but it will go away and I feel fine.

     

    Mary, Orlando

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #7
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    Not replied since 2008

    I know, scary.  I'm just hoping that she's ok, wherever she's at.  I too have been having many dizzy spells, it's constant and am scared.   I fear the worst right away.  My mother had the exact same thing and she was dxed with vertigo.  I do not want to tell doctors until after the holidays.  It's usually in the morning and sometimes evening but it will go away and I feel fine.

     

    Mary, Orlando

    Some Times

    Sometimes mary it can be as simple as blood sugar imbalance..... or the need for new eye glasses ...

    Usually if you have a brain tumor you don't last a very long time...but I will have to say that Lance Armstrong had multiple brain tumors  and he got MAD...and he sought new, cutting edge treatment and they did the Gamma Knife on him..... so none of us know what is in store.   Best thing for me has been to decide to let go of FEAR....and live day by day.   I'm in Florida too....aren't we lucky not to have all that terrible cold and snow?  :)

     

  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #8
    GlowMore said:

    Some Times

    Sometimes mary it can be as simple as blood sugar imbalance..... or the need for new eye glasses ...

    Usually if you have a brain tumor you don't last a very long time...but I will have to say that Lance Armstrong had multiple brain tumors  and he got MAD...and he sought new, cutting edge treatment and they did the Gamma Knife on him..... so none of us know what is in store.   Best thing for me has been to decide to let go of FEAR....and live day by day.   I'm in Florida too....aren't we lucky not to have all that terrible cold and snow?  :)

     

    FEELING FINE

    Well, I've not had an episode for a couple of days.  Usually 2 tylenols will take it away.  But sometimes, when I turn my head to the right, I feel dizzy.  Sometimes, even when I'm in bed.  My ear hurts right ear feels funny also.  Other than that, I feel fine.  I have so much energy and am eating great.  I'm keeping very busy because I don't want to think of what may be in the future.  I'm trying to let go of the fear.  Anyway, I am a born and raised Chicagoan.  Only been in Florida for 13 years.  I still feel a little homesick though.  In 1988, I bought a Victorian Home in Berwyn, IL. and I still remember the winters and how "fun" it was to shovel snow and I thank God I decided to move to Florida.  Subsequently, my whole family moved here too (3 daughters and their husbands, 7 grandchildren and both my mother and father who I'm responsible for and of course, my babies 3 dogs whom I love so very much). I have my first 6 month checkup in January and I really don't know what to expect.  But I have so much faith in my dear Lord, I leave it all up to him.....  I'm so sorry to burden you with all this.  

     

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #9
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    FEELING FINE

    Well, I've not had an episode for a couple of days.  Usually 2 tylenols will take it away.  But sometimes, when I turn my head to the right, I feel dizzy.  Sometimes, even when I'm in bed.  My ear hurts right ear feels funny also.  Other than that, I feel fine.  I have so much energy and am eating great.  I'm keeping very busy because I don't want to think of what may be in the future.  I'm trying to let go of the fear.  Anyway, I am a born and raised Chicagoan.  Only been in Florida for 13 years.  I still feel a little homesick though.  In 1988, I bought a Victorian Home in Berwyn, IL. and I still remember the winters and how "fun" it was to shovel snow and I thank God I decided to move to Florida.  Subsequently, my whole family moved here too (3 daughters and their husbands, 7 grandchildren and both my mother and father who I'm responsible for and of course, my babies 3 dogs whom I love so very much). I have my first 6 month checkup in January and I really don't know what to expect.  But I have so much faith in my dear Lord, I leave it all up to him.....  I'm so sorry to burden you with all this.  

     

    It's no burden

    Mary, you shouldn't feel bad expressing your fears to us. Don't you think you might have a merrier Christmas if you get it checked out? A simple diagnosis of something like vertigo would be such a relief. I have an appointment in January too. This is my last year of check-ups every 3 months. My problem right now is pain in the collarbone area which I'm pretty sure is radiation caused. I try not to worry too. It's no life to be spending our time thinking about cancer. I try to keep busy with all my hobbies and eating right. I'm glad you have energy and are eating right, like me. I don't know, but I feel like I will know if I get sick again. I knew the first time that something was very wrong. (I was falling asleep all the time and losing weight for no reason) Well all we can do is keep up with our appointments and tests. Good luck to you, Anna

  • marycurbelo1204
    marycurbelo1204 Member Posts: 73
    #10
    button2 said:

    It's no burden

    Mary, you shouldn't feel bad expressing your fears to us. Don't you think you might have a merrier Christmas if you get it checked out? A simple diagnosis of something like vertigo would be such a relief. I have an appointment in January too. This is my last year of check-ups every 3 months. My problem right now is pain in the collarbone area which I'm pretty sure is radiation caused. I try not to worry too. It's no life to be spending our time thinking about cancer. I try to keep busy with all my hobbies and eating right. I'm glad you have energy and are eating right, like me. I don't know, but I feel like I will know if I get sick again. I knew the first time that something was very wrong. (I was falling asleep all the time and losing weight for no reason) Well all we can do is keep up with our appointments and tests. Good luck to you, Anna

    Hi Anna:

    YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.... MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU THAT I AM FEELING SO GOOD.  Whenever I'm down, I always sign in and, sure enough, I feel much better when I sign out.  I've been feeling very good for about 1 week now.  Today, I woke up to no dizziness whatsoever.  Haven't any ear ache either.  I am diabetic and hypertensive and I am about 50 lbs overweight. I have an appointment to see a nutritionalist after x-mas.  Hopefully she would put me on a good diet.

     

    Mary-Orlando, FL

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #11
    marycurbelo1204 said:

    Hi Anna:

    YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.... MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU THAT I AM FEELING SO GOOD.  Whenever I'm down, I always sign in and, sure enough, I feel much better when I sign out.  I've been feeling very good for about 1 week now.  Today, I woke up to no dizziness whatsoever.  Haven't any ear ache either.  I am diabetic and hypertensive and I am about 50 lbs overweight. I have an appointment to see a nutritionalist after x-mas.  Hopefully she would put me on a good diet.

     

    Mary-Orlando, FL

    Glad

    Glad that you are feeling a little better Mary.  

    Hope you have a Merry Christmas 

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