Brain mets

Hang on to hope.
My husband and I know exactly how you feel. I've been fighting rectal ca with mets to lung for 4 years. This June we found out that I had at least 2 brain tumors (symptoms...occasional headaches-I never have headaches, and equilibrium issues-I couldn't do my yoga). We did the 17 day radiation therapy. i'm told this is very effective. My symptoms got worse with regards to the equilibrium, so I requested a ct scan. My onc thought I was crazy but he ordered it. Showed that the large one had grown. I had neurosurgery to remove the tumor. I'm still recuperating from that. They are going to do stereotactic radiosurgery for the other one in mid Nov.
I don't tell you this to discourage you, but rather to show you how many treatment options there are available, and they are always developing more. And frankly you probably won't even have to look into these options, since she's already had treatment.
I have to admit that when Mike and I first heard this news we were devastated. This seemed like the end to us too. And I still have concerns because the lung mets are going untreated, but we are back in fighting mode and will continue with taking things as they come and deal with them.
How long ago was the radiation treatment? It does make you very tired and takes a while to bounce back, esp if she's been under other treatment for so long.
Mary

tmd said:

We did start with stage 3 in 04/02 and and in 03/04 had a liver resection. In 01/05 found it spread to the lungs. Been on all kinds of new meds. About 2 months ago she had some kind of "mini stroke" on right side. Did a brain scan and found 2 tumors on the brain. She still gets mini strokes after radition ( not near as much ). They are going to order a MRI in a month.
They did tell her the tumors shank from the pet scan taken last week. They put her back on erbitux
last friday to keep working on the lung mets.
Doctor did say it hard to get any type of treatment or meds. to the brain because it has the ability to block things to protect itself. So I think we are running out of treatment.

I agree that chemo doesn't cross the blood brain barrier, though I think there is a new drug that might be in the works, but as I showed there are still other options. I will be using both. Hang onto the belief that this treatment worked and the mini strokes will continue to decrease in frequency.
If your wife is on erbitux no wonder she is still so tired. My heart goes out to both of you. I will keep you in my prayers.
I have to admit. I'm a little jealous that she is getting treatment for her lung mets. I sure wish I could. Isn't it amazing the things we wish for when we have cancer. I want chemo? How strange.
Mary