stage IV and now Metastatic brain

Hi Elizabeth and Peg.. thank you for posting.

We just found out that my sis in laws brain tumors have spread going from 2 to 10.  So radiation started right away on Friday.. and goes till Christmas Eve.   So I am glad to hear some postive of hopeful news.  Infact.. while knowing facts is fine..it is hope too that gets you through the days.  While we are all a bit in shock .. her children are (11 & 7) needing us too.  So staying positive.. your mom is a fighter, your mom is strong - etc. is our montra when things get sad.  

I am looking for advice on how to talk or not talk to the kids.  I don't want to push them...but I don't want to pretend that everythings going to be fine.  When my neice's friend teased her " you mom is going to die" she was strong and talked about it - but her older brother supportively said.. but you know she could die. So the reality is on the table.. but the hope is on the table too. 

Peg, I am so sorry that your sister's prognosis is not good. I will pray for her and your family. I'm facing the same situation with my mom; it's extremely difficult to always be the strong one and yet we have to be who God made us. Stay strong ****hugs**************

Dear Peg

my sister has stage IV to the liver and was told in September she had a year. Everyone tells me to be strong, but I can't. I cry and wail and have fits. It's okay too. Let someone else take care of you if you can. It's not good for you to keep it in. This is also a good time to see a therapist of psychiatirst for anti-depressants. They do help and then we can go on a little bit longer and  be the supportive sister we want to be. Also, don't always believe statistics. No matter wha the onc says, you still need to hope... a third opinion, a trial. Look around, it might make you feel more in control.

If you need support, PM me.

Cary

In Nov., 2007, it was discovered that I had 3 tumors in my left brain. First can Chemo to shrink the tumors, followed by surgery, and then 33 rounds of radiation to the breast and armpit. 9 months later, suffering headaches, going thru numerous MRI's it was discovered that I have stage IV Breast Cancer that has now metastasized to the brain. I had surgery in July to remove the tumor. Then came head radiation and now Chemo (Ixempra).
Don't jump to conclusion yet!! Here I am!!!! My doctors would not give me a timeframe because they keep saying every case is different. I saw my oncologist today and know has started talking in years not months anymore.
On the down side, on the "GOOD DAYS", talk, talk, and talk to your sister. Find out what she wants. At first talk, then write it down. Let her read it. Sometimes it looks different when it is written down. Actually, this has relieved a lot of my tension and anxiety. I feel like I am more in control of the future and my wishes will be granted the best they can. NOTE: "If it isn't written down, it may not happen as you want it."

God will give you only what you can handle, sometime though overwhelming.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tricia

Hello Ladies.

December 2009 2 tumors were found on my brain.  I was shocked as hell as I had just finished chemo on Sept 2009.

I had no symptom, they just found it on a chest and neck scan and confirmed it with a MRI.  They put me straight on decadron as there was swelling around the bigger one. 

I had Cyberknife January 7th 2010 and was so surprised at how easy it was. One hour lying on a table and you dont feel a thing, I went to work next day.  Came off decadron one week later (thank god as thats what made me feel so unhealthy). I go on February 8th for a brain MRI to see what is going on since the cyberknife and then in 2 months another MRI.  I worry why we are doing it after a month as they originally said it takes a few months to work.  So of course I got myself convinced that they want to see if any new ones have came up and that scares so much.

I asked one Dr the prognosis and she said the old stats which I will not repeat as they are so old.  So I came on hear and searched for others and found a few who are still doing great with more mets and more SE's.  It gave me so much inspiration and strength.

Some days I cry and panick thinking of my 7 year old son and how I want to be here for him in to adult hood.  Then I think I am here right now today so do something nice, so I hug him more tell him what a great kid he is and once finished with my radiation to the breast this Thursday, I am going to start doing zoo trips, a cruise and other fun things he wants to do.

My oncologist tells me to look at the glass as half full.  I asked him to give me some inspiration from other patients with brain mets.  He said yes he knows of some patients who's brain mets after treatment have not had any more mets to the brain.

I wish every one a great day, one day at a time

xo Michellexo 

I feel as though I could have written that myself. I am going through the same thing. I have no brothers and only one sister and she has stage IV that is in her hips, spine, liver and brain. Her brain was radiated in July and is "clean" again and that's good but I know what the future holds.  I, too, have always been the strong one and my strength is about all used up. I am exhausted, depressed, anxious, furious and terrified. I don't know whether I want to scream and curse and break things or just curl up in a ball and cry until there's nothing left.  The problem is that none of that will help. It's all I can do to put on my "normal" face when I see her. She is skin and bones now and so weak. She has been my best friend forever and is my favorite person on this planet. I feel like I am losing half of my heart.  I never imagined that I would not have my little sister with me as long as I lived. And watching her getting sicker is torture.  I've had cancer too  and it's a thousand times harder to watch it happening to my sister.  

I keep telling myself that for the time being I just have to be whatever she needs me to be and that helps me keep it together. 

So, that was my long winded, venting, way of saying you are not alone.  My heart goes out to you. And to me. And to everyone suffering from this disease.  Hugs