2nd time metastisized to the brain (lung cancer) - 1260809

cmcintosh
Posts:12

My mind is reeling right now and I feel so out of control.......I know this feeling all to well by now but we just got the news that some new tumors have shown up in my husbands brain again. He had 3 tumors 1 and 1/2 years ago and had WBR at that time. If I remember correctly it was 12-15 tx's. His oncologist is conferring with the radiologist at this time to see what can be done but I would like to know has anybody on here had experience with recurring brain tumors, if radiation is usually done a 2nd time, and any experiences with side effects from it? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Carla! He was Dx July 1, 2011. He has had spots pop up here and there over the past 2 years in his bones (hips, post upper rib, clavicle, elbow and left shoulder blade) and of course his brain back in april of 2012. He still works and has not been sick per say at all with his cancer. He will be 51 in January and is basically still in good health. He does have some memory issues from WBR past as far as recalling names or remembering certain short term memory items.

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Reply # - December 2, 2013, 12:57 PM

carrigallen
Posts: 194

Sometimes stereotactic (SRS) or gamme knife (GK) radiation can be succesfully used in this post-WBR relapse setting. This is akin to 'spot-welding' a specific problem. It depends on the context. The brain is often viewed as a sanctuary site where cancer cells can evade the effects of chemo or other drugs. It is not uncommon to have some memory issues after whole brain radiation, it seems unlikely to get worse with a SRS session. Hope this helps.

Reply # - December 2, 2013, 06:21 PM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

Thank you, that does make me feel better! We meet with our radiologist Thursday morning and find out the plan. Til then steroids q8 hours to help with the swelling and pressure. Thank you Dr Creelan for your response. That truly has helped my fears.

Reply # - December 4, 2013, 04:42 AM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

Thank you Laya! I will let you all know after our appointment Thursday. I am glad you guys are here. I'm thinking I am at a stage where I really need people who know what we are going through. What he goes through is different than what I go through but we are both fighting this together. Cancer stinks!

Reply # - December 4, 2013, 08:47 AM

catdander
Posts:

True that! Cancer stinks and it's so important to know that are others out there who understand and who will share knowledge and hand out cyber hugs just for the asking. I'm glad too to have found such a family.
Will be looking for news on Thursday's appointment.
Just a reminder that stress eases a bit when a plan is in place.
Until then...breathe.
Janine

Reply # - December 5, 2013, 06:42 PM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

Good news! The MRI my husband had done of his brain was d/t he started having some vision issues on thanksgiving day which is the signs he had the first time he was found to have tumors on his brain by his optic nerve. So they were done here in our town versus in the city where we usually go. Long story short another radiologist read his scans and saw his old tumors and assumed they were new. However, in talking to his regular radiologist today they compared his scans to his last ones and there were no changes so NO NEW TUMORS! Yay! However, he stated that he thinks there is a small bleed in that area and believes that is what caused his sudden vision loss. He stated that he thinks he has had this off and on for a while. He was not concerned about it, however, we are going to talk to his oncologist about this on Tuesday but I can't see where we should not be concerned about this.......can someone on here explain a little bit of why we would not be concerned with this? Aren't strokes caused by this sometimes? Thanks!

Reply # - December 7, 2013, 10:04 AM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

I only mean that we are really not in a position to read the minds of other doctors who have a direct knowledge of a patient's scans and clinical situation. One of the vexing kinds of questions we get here is "why did my doctor say ______"? because it really delves into individual management, & just communicating directly with the doctor or medical team provides a reliable answer. Also, legally, it's not appropriate for us to tell someone we don't know that they shouldn't be concerned about something...we can only get into trouble for doing so.

-Dr. West

Reply # - December 7, 2013, 03:08 PM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

Oh I completely understand what you are saying. I understand that you don't know my husbands case nor would ever want to give medical advice on such bare minimum details. I am actually an RN and work closely with doctors (not cancer doctors) and understand the sensitivity of telling patients something and what they do with that information depending on their understanding of what was said. I just wondered what the relationship to cancer the bleed might have. I apologise for any misunderstanding I may have caused. I definitely have faith in our oncologist and will listen to what he says and would never point fingers or play one doc against another and I completely understand your liability issues that you have to be very careful of. Thank you for your time, Sincerely Carla!

Reply # - December 12, 2013, 06:05 AM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

So he believes it to be a small venous bleed vs. arterial d/t symptoms. Says with time the brain should reabsorb the blood and heal. Stopped his baby aspirin (which still amazes me that I did not think to do that). Which I know has to do with why they don't recommend doctors take care of their own families. Our minds don't see the whole pic at times d/t personal feelings. LOL! However, for now everything seems to be ok but we are to call if anymore symptoms erupt and will scan immediately. We are set to do a PET scan for the rest of the body in January so will go on from there. Thank you everyone for your input and empathy. Sincerely Carla. God bless us all!

Reply # - December 17, 2013, 03:56 PM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

Well husband had what he describes as kaleidoscope vision today in his left eye. CT scan doesn't show any difference since MRI done on thanksgiving weekend. Oncologist thinks that he is just gonna have these episodes and is sending him to a neurologist! I just wonder if anyone knows to what extent their involvement becomes in cancer patients? I guess I just don't know what they can do? Haven't had an appt. with oncologist so haven't really been able to ask him and our next appt. isn't until Dec. 31. Thank you, Carla.

Reply # - December 17, 2013, 07:06 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

I think this is just a unique situation (in truth, many people have some unusual or unique aspect of their case), so I don't think anyone's experience here will be able to guide you in terms of what to expect, sorry to say. I think that it's just going to be guided by how the brain issues are best treated, independent of the cancer. I agree that a neurologist may well be the person with the best insight here.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - December 19, 2013, 04:02 PM

cmcintosh
Posts: 12

Thank you Dr. West! As much as I would like somebody to be able to say "yea I know what you are talking about and...."! I do understand that truly probably nobody can in certain areas of each persons case d/t the uniqueness of certain issues! But thank you all for listening! Sincerely, Carla.

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