I thought I had a stroke but the ataxia and movement trouble I have been having are because there is a 6cm by 4 cm tumor on the right back side of my brain.i had the MRI yesterday. The dr. said this changes my status from 2 to stage 4. I had an appt set, to see the onc. on 6/21, but that has been moved up to tomorrow at 9am. I am shocked, numb, scared and confused. After my surgery there was no particular reason to rush to the Onc. and I was told I was cancer free. . . . well, that is not true. the MRI shows that. At least this got me into the onc. office sooner. Wonder what will happen next.

_________________
2/29/12        Sinus CT Scan
3/07/12        Scheduled surgery for blocked front sinuses for 3/12/12. Went to hosp. for pre-op tests.
3/08/12        Chest xray showed something new. Had a Chest CT scan done right away.
3/09/12        Spot on upper left lobe of lung. Cancel sinus surgery & go to pulmonary dr. Need to get PET scan done.
3/13/12        Golf ball size mass in lung. Probably cancer. 2 spots but one is small and from an old injury (been there for 3 or so years).
3/19/12        PET Scan
3/20/12        PET scan shows cancer in both spots. Need biopsy & surgery to remove part of lung.
3/23/12        Needle biopsy through back. Lung collapsed. Admitted to hosp. (in 8 days) Stopped smoking (DUH)
3/27/12        Biopsy results, family conference. Malignant adenocarcinoma, NSCLC. Curable with surgery. Not sure about small spot - will know after surgery & path reports. 
4/03/12        Met w/thoracic surgeon. Need Pulmonary functon test. Not cardiologist though.
4/10/12        PFT & Lung Scans. Lobectomy surgery set for 4/23/12 w/Scheinin at Methodist.
4/20/12        Broke out in Shingles. Postpone surgery for a week.
4/30/12        Lobectomy - remove ULL. Methodist Hospital.
5/03/12        Atrial Fibulation common because of surgery. Heart monitor on. Having trouble w/pocket.
5/05/12        Home. Got path report - adenocarcinoma & squamous (small spot) both in ULL. Cancer free. Not in the lymph nodes. Staged at IB.
5/15/12        Follow-up w/Dr. Scheinin. Need oncologist for preventative care. Cancer is gone though. 
5/23/12        Birthday & Bella's kindergarten graduation. Having trouble walking, balance, moving. Brain & body not meshing at all. Pain meds? Epidural after effects? Not sure this cancer is really gone.
6/06/12        Go to PCP to do neuro check up. Failed miserably. Using cane to walk. Alien left arm syndrome
6/11/12        Brain MRI at So. Loop Imaging
6/12/12        Go to PCP for MRI results. Baseball size (6cm x 4cm) tumor in brain. Moves me to Stage IV. Need neurosurgeon. Life threatening.
6/13/12        Met Medical oncologist. Says need brain surgery.
6/15/12        Neurosurgeon. Can't do surgery until 6/27 because of privileges at MH Mem City.
6/18/12        2nd opinion neurosurgeon. Can do surgery on 6/20/12 at St. Joseph's. Losing movement each day.
6/20/12        Image Guided Craniotomy, bilateral. (Right posterior Parietal Occipital lobe)
6/24/12        Home from St. Joe. Can't be left alone. Therapists & nurses to come over. Need Radiation.
6/26/12        Met w/ radiation onc. dr. Need WBR w/Boosts. 
6/29/12        CT Scan at St. Joe because of bad headaches
7/02/12        Radiology Oncologist 2nd opinion. Said same thing as 1st but at MHNW.
7/06/12        Radiation simulation set-up.
7/09/12        PET Scan - No evidence of new tumors in rest of body.
7/10/12        Radiation begins. Stitches removed at Neurosurgeons. Left a piece of tumor in there. Too dangerous to take out? 10 treatments & 5 Boosts
7/27/12 Finished WBRT

if only one tumor ask if Cyberknife is an option!!!!

try this link. If this is an option quite a few here have had the procedure with great success. Sue Shines 80 year old mom had it several years ago and is still NED !!! so it could help You hopefully. this link might give you some insight into the procedure!!

http://www.orlive.com/broward-health/vi ... cyberknife

_________________
April/03 My Wife Deborah, age 46, diagnosed adenocarcinoma NSCLC
1/20/2006 Admitted to hospital Respiratory distress
1/23/2006 Ran to the light and is waiting for us to be rejoined in the Kingdom Of Heaven Her journey is Over but mine lingers on for Now!!!
4/23/07 DEb is joined in Peace by her Puppy Dawg Daisy from Cancer
8/30/07 Got new Pup named Mocha!!

"No matter hnow much it hurts, No matter how alone you feel, Your friends will help you get through anything!!"
Scrubs!!!!Yes the comedy show!!!

The Reason I advocate
If you would like to see our family photos Click on this link!
http://deborah-wallin.memory-of.com/

My memory-of Link is good to go now if you want to see it!!

I had a tumor in the pons area of my brain in December '06. It was treated with fractionated stereotactic Radiation. In April 2011 I had 6 new tumors in my brain. I had Gamma Knife Surgery for them. Now it is June 2012, all my metastasis are stable and I am just now putting my feet up after a long, full, day.
When you meet with your Onc, he/she will have options for you. take notes, research them, come here to ask questions. I know it is scary to hear it is in you brain, believe me, I know, but they can do so much now and there are several options for treatment.
Please keep us updated
Peace
Janet

_________________
Diagnosed at 47 years old - never smoked
3 amazing children, now 27, 25, and 24
Married 30 years

12/22/06 Diagnosed NSCLC Stage IV - Adnocarcinoma
Tumor in Rt Lung, 3 on Spine, one on the Pons of the brain
Radiation to the spine
Fractionated Linac Stereotactic Radiotherapy to the Pons of the brain

2/15/07 Start Tarceva 150 mg
4 1/2 years of "no progression of disease"

4/11/11 New mets on brain, Gamma Knife Radiation
Probable Leptomeningeal Disease.
Start "pulsing Tarceva" 1500mg 1xweek

7/11 - Brain mets swelling as an after effect of Gamma Knife, put on anti seizure meds, steroids.
New mets on spine and lung - watching.

9/11 - No new growth in Brain - more growth on spine and ribs. Back to Tarceva 100mg daily, adding Avastin every 3 weeks.

12/11 - Scans show no new growth, some mets stable, others have shrunk!

12/22/11 - 5 year survivor!!!!!

7/20/12 - scans show new growth in lungs and spine. Staying on Tarceva and Avastin and adding Alimta and Carboplatin.

10/12 Taken off Alimta and Carboplatin due to extreme side effects, continuing on Tarceva and Avastin - scans stable

Winter/13. Scans show growth again. Bones, lungs, lymph nodes, spleen. Time to look into clinical trials

4/13. Started clinical trial at Yale AP26113 by ARIAD, a "second generation Tarceva", side effects so far, diarrhea and nausea.

My story - http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=46162

Dani,
I just want you to know that my prayers are with you. Randy and Janet have given good advice . Be sure to ask for all your options and hopefully they will quickly get you settled into a treatment plan that is just right for your situation. Please keep us updated and know that we are out here pulling for you. Getting in sooner rather than later is a good thing .

Hugs,
Sue

_________________
[size=84]husband, Mike, 59 years old
**2-01 dx'd Stage 1 nsclc-9cm tumor to right lung-no lymph node involvement...
**4-30-01 pneumonectomy right lung removed. No followup chemo or radiation , but scans and xrays were done
**1-28-04 dx w/recurrent stage IV nsclc tumor on stump of where right lung had been removed , lymph node involvement, tumor adrenal gland -lft side, **02-04-04- taxol & carboplatin 3 treatments-didn't work
**02-12-04- radiation 10 to lung for bleeding
**04-2--04-taxotere had 4 treatments. shrinkage had occured in all after 3.. continuing taxotere. making him very tired ... upper body swelling ..
** 08-01-04-in hospital
latest..
**08-02-04 had stent put in .. superior vena cava.. the vein was being blocked by pressure tumor.
**08-05-04-started 10 radiation treatments,
**08-30-04- started Navelbine on 3 weeks and off 1 Scan after 5 treatments show chemo Navelbine not working -slight decrease to lung mass, but slight increase to adrenal ....
**11-01-04-starting Gemzar ... had 3 treatments... too many side effects... Ct of chest and upper abdomen done on Dec. 2nd -results some shrinkage
**12-06-04-started Alimta Dec. 6th- first treatment went well Had 2nd treatment Dec. 27th ... developed a rash and is tired, but otherwise ok Scan Feb 7th, 2005 STABLE doing good continuing Alimta April 18th scans showed stable disease (after 6 Alimta treatments), but he now has pneumonitis... no more treatments until much better.. on prednisone and oxygen..
**05-31-05 Ct scan of chest showed pneumonitis resolved and stable cancer
**06-06-05-our 35th wedding anniversary... onc confirms everything resolving and stable -reccommends break continued til August
**6-15-05 to 6-18-05 in hospital due to mental confusion ..
had MRI-member empty head club

8-3-2005-Ct scans chest , abdomen and pelvic....Waiting and praying...
**8-8-2005-Ct results were that the chest area looked improved, but the adrenal area had increased and involved some lymph nodes.
Started Tarceva 150mg 8-16-2005-8-20-2005 stopped 2 weeks due to severe rash on 9-8-2005 started back on Tarceva at 100 mg now.. stopped again on 9-19-2005
9-30-2005 scans slight progression to nodes behind adrenal..
10-10-2005-Camptosar- CPT-11 started
10-31-2005- CPT-11
refused more CPT-11 made him extremely fatigued and nauseated
Dec. 6th -CTscans chest, abdomen & pelvic. shows stable but tumor compressing the esophagus..
Dec. 19th- had stent to trachea put in
Dec. 21st- he had stent to esophagus and feeding tube put in
Dec. 22nd.. he will ill put in hospital... vomiting and also coughing and congestion in for 4 days... home for Christmas Dec. 25th... still recouperating with antibiotics etc.
Continuing cough and numerous doctor visits.
*Jan 30th-Feb 4th- hospitalized again with cough ..
Still has cough , but controlled most of the time Hasn't been able to resume chemo

**My "prince charming", best friend, husband and soul mate,, Mike passed away March 2, 2006 after being a 5 year survivor and fighting a very courageous battle**
______________________
Mom- 78 yrs old..
nsclc diag May 2nd, 2007-surgery 2sm tumors removed in wedge section... lymph nodes clear
Tarceva as adjuvant started on June 23rd..quit July2nd.. side effects numerous... am waiting now til next appt. July 13th
July 20th... Mom NED.PET clear and normal .. will go back on half 75mg Tarceva... see how that works..
Stop Tarceva 8-25 too many side effects
Oct. 22nd- Mom surgeon visit, chest xray and results .. all clear, no sign of cancer...
Feb. 18th Mom's PET Scan
March 7th Mom's PET Scan results.. NED
Sept. 22, 08 Mom PET Scan
Sept. 29, 08 Mom PET results new nodule 3/4 "...here we go again.... :-(
*Updated*- Mom surgery- Oct. 30th.. surgeon removed top part of upper right lobe. Nothing showed malignant. She had pneumonia after surgery and a 3 week hospital stay, but she is slowly regaining her strength and is currently NED..

March 3, 2009 CT scan.... results showed some little things along suture line that the doctor believed was healing.. will wait til next scan and compare.

June 2, 2009- CT Scan.. results there is an area along suture line that has increased in size and thickening.. doctor thinks could be cancer... a needle biopsy will be done..

A quick update.. the results of the needle biopsy did confirm that it was cancer...

Cyberknife was done the first week in November..

Pet scan .. Dec. 8th...
Dec. 11th -results .. cyberknife worked and the rest of the scan is clean... YAY!!! Happy Birthday (Dec. 19th.. 81st) and Merry Xmas Mom!
Dec. 2010 NED!!!
June 2, 2011.. Pet Scan results .. NED!!!
Nov 3, 2011.. CT scan results.. NED!!!
Sept. 18, 2012 .. our loving mom has passed on ..Heaven received a most precious angel.


graphic by
http://www.maryslittlelamb.com[/size]

You are in my prayers Dani. I also have seen here where many have had good results with cyberknife and radiation with brain mets.

_________________
Dxed nslc stage2b,Aug.05 had right lung and 17 nodes removed which 2 had shown to be effected.August 27,05 had surgery redone again to stop bleeding. Started chemo sept.05 as a precaustioary. Have 3 month visit followups and have been ned so far and am hoping and praying to stay that way.Grade3 squamous cell type(T2,N1,Mo)tumor 10.5 cemtimeters,1 peribronchial node and 1 10R node involved

Prayers for your Dani.
I agree with the others that you have options. Ask your onc what is available to you. This is a hurdle for sure but in no way is it the end of the game. Let Janet be your inspiration today.

We all are here for you.

(((hugs)))

Dani:

I will be thinking of you today as you meet with your oncologist. Ask questions and listen to your suggested treatment plan. Don't think too far ahead. Take each day as it comes. Treatment can be tough sometimes, but you do get through it. You are stronger than you know. There are many here for support. Let your loved ones help you.

I am also stage 4, have been through chemotherapy and am now doing well on a treatment that was not available outside of clinical trials when I was first diagnosed August 9th, 2012. It has been a miracle drug for me. I appreciate every day I have now. There is hope for you and you are not alone in this journey.

Susan

_________________
To read my story follow this link:

http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=47071