Just thought I would let you know that Lisa had her first WBR this morning. She has had a really good weekend … no pain and feeling much brighter … just lacking in energy, a bit disorientated but then that is probably because of the tumour in the cerabellum and some stabbing pains from her healing scar following the brain tumour op to the front area. ( thought I would explain that for those who may be reading about Lisa for first time) All of which she can put up with as long as she doesn’t get those crushing headaches that were making her vomit. She was a little apprehensive about the WBR and having to wear a mask but said that it was OK. She said the mask wasn’t too bad at all and she had two 45 second blasts of radiation one each side of her head. She looked quite happy when she came out and kept saying that at least the first one was over and the start of killing off some of the cancer or at least maybe stopping it in its tracks. Her tumour had doubled in size in just over 4 weeks from 1.5cm to 3cm so thats scary. Anyway my brave girl came out smiling and insisted on going to library and a shop before coming home but admitted she was feeling tired this afternoon. She says she is quite happy at times to just stare into space. We met an old friend at library who said her attitude is amazing, He couldn’t believe how upbeat she was and made him feel silly when he was complaining about some arthritis in his hands. She is now on 6mg of steroids … was on 16mg 2 weeks ago … but may have to increase if headaches start during rads.
So anyone who is afraid of having first WBR Lisa says not to be and to just remember that it is keeping you alive.
Will keep you updated
Thank you everyone for your lovely messages
Love Sue xx
Meant to add that we have been wondering how Mills got on with her first WBR today. If you read this Mills we have been thinking about you.
Love Sue & Lisa x
Pleased it went OK and amazed that Lisa is so cheerful. Hope this continues.
Much love Kate
best wishes to you,lisa and family.
take care
maria
Gald everything went OK - Big Hugs to you all.
G
My very best wishes to Lisa and family, no doubt you have many people you know and on the forum rooting for you.
DaveF
Zotam Sue and Lisa. thank you for thinking about me. I had my first treatment yesterday and althought the treatment itself was not too bad the side effects were worse than espected. I started with a headache that left me feeling my head was about to burst and ended up with nausea and vomiting. Pain killers did notwork, neither did the anti emetics. This mornig I feel a little better but terified of this next treatemtn, so I rang the radiotherapy unit and they have sugested I come in early, see the registrar and commence on steroids to reduce the swelling in my brain. Hopefully this will resolve the headaches and nausea. Thank you for your good wishes and I send mine to you.
I think you do need the steroids Mills and also to drink loads. It was explained to Lisa that when rads start the brain won’t like it and will automatically inflammation will build up … just as if you had a head injury … and so you need the steroids to reduce that inflammation. Lisa is on 6mg but was on 16mg just before she had op to remove large tumour 2 weeks ago. Drinking helps because if you even slightly dehydrate … as :Lisa did last week with being sick… then once again that has an effect on tightening up things in the brain making tumours press on nerves. Hope all goes well for rest of treatment … please keep in touch.
Just flying out of the door for Lisa’s 2nd rads
Love Sue x
Lisa had 2nd WBR … Ok so far… touching wood with fingers crossed! Once again she wanted to call into one of the stores on way home … while she can she said … and although a little slow mainly because she goes a bit dizzy when she turns to look one way or the other she managed OK … is a bit tired now but fortunately her appt was a bit later today at 12 so she could have a lie in this morning. She has a slight cough and croaky voice but has had this for a couple of days and she asked if there was a Dr there this morning to ask about it but not one there so we will see how it is tomorrow and maybe get in touch with Onc from original hospital … her radiotherapy has to be at another hospital.
Hope you are a lot better today Mills after your 2nd rads.
Love Sue x
zotam Sue Got steroids today, 8mgs daily. Took some before the rads and feel a little better. I am tired and have a slight headache but nothing like yesterday. I admire your daughters stamina and spirit, long may it continue. The croaky voice may be due to the rads but you are right to have it chacked out. Best wishes to you both
Love xx
So pleased Mills that you are not so bad today. The steroids will kick in and make you feel much better tomorrow. Unless you have to, try not to take them after tea time as they may keep you awake at night. At the moment Lisa takes 4mg in morning and 2mg around mid afternoon. Lisa started on 8mg and then had to up it to 16mg as she was in a lot of pain before her op just over 2 weeks ago but now back to 6mg although she may have to go up again should she start getting headaches again.
Keep drinking too don’t forget … it really helps.
Sue & Lisa x
Hi there Zotam
I have been following lisa’s brave battle since I joined the site 10 days ago. I wondered if there were threads from the start so I could understand what has happened in the past. It seems you both have been fighting a very hard battle, good luck and love to both of you.
Hugs Jules xx
Hi Jules
I asked lots of questions in the beginning … last May/June under Treatment for Breast Cancer and then Undergoing Chemotherapy when she was having that all last summer etc but then I posted in November about her mastectomy and recon. Then I started using her name in the heading each time. So if you go to search and simply put in Lisa … you will find some postings that come up that I wrote then. She was going great guns after that and I didn’t post much ( although i followed everyone else’s stories) until a few weeks ago when she suddenly had these brain mets. She had bounced through chemo … just the odd bit of nausea, was determined not to let the hair loss get her down and bought loads of baker boy type hats which she got known for and then her mastectomy and recon went so well with results so good … no cancer left in breast, no lymph node involvement … it all seemed so positive and we had a wonderful Christmas. Everyone has been so surprised that she has the brain mets because she looked and felt so good a few weeks back, looking her old self despite only having short, curly hair and was thinking about going back to work after Easter… then bang the headaches started.
Anyway you might find some of the bits I wrote by putting in ‘Lisa’ into search.
This site is keeping me sane … just having people to write to who really understand and all the wonderful advise and comments that I have had back.
Love Sue x
Thanks for that Sue, the site is fantastic and I have read a few of your recent threads and have found them really interesting and very humbling. Your daughter sounds an amazing women. I guess she is a youngish women reading between the lines. I admire the way you have all just got on with it and admire both you and especially dear Lisa’s courage. I shall continue to read up on her progress.
Ps I read the thread on the pallative care people, they sound bloody morbid, but I am so glad Lisa didnt let there comments get her down for long.
Hugs Jules xx
hi sue and mills
just wanted to let mills and lisa know i think your both brave and wish you well with your treatments.
love liz x
Hi Zotam, Sue and Busylizzie
Thank you for your support and best wishes. I am feeling much better today, the steroids have reduce the swelling and consequently the headache and nausea. I feel human again this morning. I was a bit “wired” last night and could not sleep, this is due to the steroids, if it continues I may ask for something to make me sleep. I took them early this morning, 8 mgs, so hopefully I will sleep better tonight and am taking your advice and drinking plenty of fluids. I hope Sue continues to bounce along, she is doing so well and so are you. Love and good wished to all of you
XX
Hi Sue,
I continue to follow Lisa’s journey with interest and am very grateful to you for your daily updates on Lisa and how she’s doing as she continues with WBR. Like me, Lisa has an awesome mum, and I know we are very lucky as not everyone has that luxury and level of support. My mum lives in Kent and we live in Shropshire, but she actually moved in with me for almost 6 months when I was having chemo to take care of me while my boyfriend was away working.
I really hope Lisa has an awesome response to the WBR and any further treatment and send you both lots of love and best wishes,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
P.S. Thank you so much for taking the time out to respond to my post yesterday about brain mets, I’m very grateful.
Hi Sue and Lisa,
im stil out here thinking of you all and sending you healing waves, you are an amazing Mum.
Julie XXX
helllo,
Just sending you and Lisa my best wishes.
fay :o)
its me again. Had 3rd rads today and apart from a slightly swollen face it was not too bad. I was told today that I should not be driving and that I should inform the DVLA and that I would never be alloedto drive again. Needless to say I was devestated as I have few symptoms and those would not affedt driving. I rang the DVLA and there are sending me a questionnaire to fill in and they will then make a judgement. She said all cases are judged individually and it was not automatic to loose you licence. Have you had this problem. Hope everyone is doing well, love to you all. We have blue skies and sunshine here so its making me feel better. Best wishes
Mills