Update, More Soon

With a hubby this good, 2 is better than one.

I wrote about the leaves burning and stopped my post

& went out , started a leave burn in my vented can..

I am WAY to OCD

Rich & me goofing off with I photo ..we are just a couple of kids

Rich calls me gigglypuss.

LOTFLMAO

I have so much too share I may have to post more than once.

On the deck, enjoying my Nestle that keeps me peaceful.

The leaves are changing and falling. Is that why

Autumn is referred to as "Fall"??

I love this season, cool crisp air, leaves crackling under your feet,

the smell of burning leaves and moss.

Hello!! I am back from Steroid Hell!! It was WICKED.

I am on a low dose & hopefully totally weaned off

soon. I had Gamma Knife Surgery on 3 of the first batch

of my Brain Mets. (5).

They have been through Gamma Knife Surgery, Whole Brain Radiation & a second

Gamma Knife Surgery. Right now those tumors look the same..no larger.. no smaller

but I will be getting another MRI soon, just to monitor any changes.

If these tumors don't decrease in size or start growing again, the next step

is Brain Surgery. Just drill where each tumor is , remove it & move on to 2

& 3. I'm all for that. Get rid of them & move on. I'd be in hospital for maybe

5 days, as one is a bit deep in. My balance is so off, I tumble from a

stooping position, I can't walk a straight line unless I am walking with

my arns at my sides. It's ok, I can deal .

My friends have to keep a close watch on me & my belongings. The 2nd

thing I did at the

"Fine Art Fair" at our river front, was lose my wallet with all my ID, cards, money,

insurance card EEEKKKK.

My BFFs Marcia & Michele ..Michele stayed with me, while Marcia scouted

the last place, I stopped .. It was there!!! They thought it was a little boys.. Teehee, I love it. The ladies at that table were

selling raffle tickets. No I didn't win, shoot.

I've more to post..check back .

Blessings

LIFE

My Latest MRI

I had an MRI last Monday..I got called yesterday to come consult with my

neurosurgeon.

Doctor said this (we were there for 2 1/2 hours.) Rich was suppose to

work out of town, but he stayed here and took me to see my doctor.

Dr. Kloppenstein

I had 3 options. ( the tumors are the original set) only 3 of the five. I have had

3 different batches of tumors..over the last two years

They have gone thru gamma and whole brain but they ARE growing again.

My Options

Do nothing..just watch them and reduce brain swelling with steriods. Just putting off

further treatment that will be needed.

Treat again with Gamma Knife..could work..may not..but if it doesn't we are

back at option 3.

Brain surgery.. 3 separate areas of the brain..one is somewhat deep..

all will be drilled..cut out ..sewed up..then on to the next tumor

all done in one day.

in the hospital for 5?? days then home with steroids to reduce

brain swelling and hopefully off steroids in a matter of weeks.

I have another MRI tomorrow AM..it's called functional MRI

and Gamma Knife this coming Monday. All the doctors discussed

my case and they all agreed. we can try gamma again..but surgery

may be imminent.

I'll be glad to get this resolved. I'm tired of whining about it.

LOL

As I See It

Tis me , Deena , today 10/5/2008
Here I am in February of 2008, before chemo, all I'd had was a mastectomy

The view from my desk , I love the Autumn

My friend Sherry of Blair Creek Cabin & Gathering Hope is having a blog giveaway..
RUN over there & sign up..

Isn't this box awesome???
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and join my Pink October please
HERE
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the Autumn Open House
HERE
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fondly, deena


ABOUT ME

the radiation is making me SO scattered, the worst day so far for the thinking

I am truly happy

my hair is starting to stick to my pillow case, not my head

I addressed envelopes to send out the Hollyhock seeds

my daughter and grandsons plan on moving out next week

my eyesight is bad

I am not driving

JOYS

My BFF, Marcia is coming over & we are going out for a drive

Pat of Winding Vine Designs sent me a sweet wool handmade acorn

I am able to take pictures & use my PC

the soft feel & fresh smell of newly laundered towels

Autumn Sun

a lovely home to keep me cozy

knowing it doesn't matter that I can't run the vacuum

my friend Church , calls me often

It's Thursday, Day Three

Oh my, yesterday was NOT good. I hurt so bad, lost a bit more left eye vision and couldn't eat.

My jaw swelled up on the sides by my ears..it hurt so bad..I couldn't chew at all. I talked to the doctor today and he said..it happens with some folks, salivary glands swell..hurt and then it goes away. Well it is much better today. I was a baby yesterday. I think it's the worst I''ve felt except after surgery. Wish they'd told me to expect it. I'm taking steroids to bring the swelling down in my brain..so the headaches should get better.

My pastor, Beth came to pray with us yesterday afternoon. I started feeling better when she arrived. She's so full of love and I see Jesus shine in her face.

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I have about a week, before my hair departs again. WAAAH..how silly to worry about hair loss when your brain is being radiated..but I am. It may come back slower too. I guess I'll be wearing all my cosy cute hats again this winter.

My friend Sally came over with FOOD and her baked bread. YEAH!! I didn't have to cook.

I talked to my BFF Marcia today!! That's always a treat, talked to Church, she is so easy to talk so frankly to.

My next chore, which I have started is to find out the lifetime cap on an illness and how close am I from reaching that cap. The won't pay any claims after I hit that amount. EEEEKKK .

I've talked to the Cancer Center of America in Zion IL to see if I can get approved for an evaluation after my radiation is done. I've been saving them for a rainy day..and that day is here.

I did a bit of housework, some laundry..but Nicole did the work for me yesterday. She's been taking me to my appointments each day . 17 more to go!!!!

Tomorrow I get radiation, then on to get my Herceptin (and Zometa IV's so I'll be gone about half the day.

It is so great to read all your comments and I am slowly getting around Blog Land.

If I don't visit you quickly.. please know..I DO read EVERY post.

fondly,Deena

SIGN UP FOR THE AUTUMN OPEN HOUSE HERE, I"VE MADE AN AUTUMN JOURNAL FOR SOME LUCKY PARTICIPANT TO WIN

JOYS

cool nights

`a Carolina Wren singing outside each morning before I leave for radiation

good friends

fresh Sally bread

feeling human again

prayers

The Latest Doctor Report

This is NOT me..it's someone else, but it's the mask I was fitted for today. It's plastic, heated to soften then put over your face tight to mold and cool. I can't open my eyes or move my lips while it is on. I am NOT claustrophobic , thank you Lord.

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Our trip to the doctor's was not fun. I have developed 8 more tumors in my brain. Doctor says it's time to try "whole brain radiation."

"(Whole Brain Radiation Therapy
Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is used for treatment of multiple metastases. It is the most frequently used therapy for breast cancer brain metastases. WBRT has been shown in research studies to extend life and improve quality of life.
Seventy-five to eighty five percent of patients will experience some improvement or stabilization of their symptoms, especially headache and seizure. Motor loss (problems with walking, coordination, balance, etc.) is less successfully treated. Thirty to forty percent will achieve a complete reversal of all symptoms. Whole brain radiation can also be used after surgery or radiosurgery to help prevent new metastases from developing in other areas of the brain. Sometimes, chemotherapy will be held during treatment because some drugs given at the same time as radiation can increase the side effects of radiation
The possible immediate side effects of whole brain radiation are fatigue, temporary alopecia (baldness), dermatitis (skin rash), and otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear), and hearing loss due to fluid and/or wax build up in the ears.
Long-term side effects begin to occur in six months to two years. They include deficits in cognition (understanding) and memory losses, urinary and bowel incontinence (difficulties with controlling bladder or bowel) and cerebellar dysfunction (lack of coordination). Radiation doses given over a longer period of time lessen side effects. Some doctors will give a lower dose of radiation to women whose cancer outside the brain is well controlled to lessen long-range toxicity.) "

I will be doing 4-5 weeks of 5 days a week radiation. I will probably have short term memory loss. I currently have some loss of peripheral vision which may come back as it is not eye damage but pressure on the brain.

Click here for some of the side effects of Whole Brain Therapy..

do I REALLY want this?? I don't want to, but I will for my family.

Alas..I did cry..I wonder, will they( the brain tumors) keep coming back??

Please pray for good results..for my friends who have cancer , for my family, for my mother who has been very ill in Florida, since my dad passed away the first part of August. She's in the hospital now, but is scheduled to be released to a Nursing Home on Friday.. She can't live alone anymore ...WAAAAAAHHH

I am not up to losing another parent ..

I'm tired, going to get lots of water to drink, a shower and then bed.

love to you all, Deena

JOYS

a wonderful husband

a cozy bed

being a stay at home wife

The Latest News!! IT's Better Than We Thought

All I can say, is thank heavens for headaches!!

That headache that started 2 weeks ago was a warning

sign. I had it for over a week, told my Dr. Mammolito

when I went to her for my follow up (she's my breast surgeon)

Last Tuesday,

she had me go THAT day for a head MRI & had my results

sent to my oncologist (Dr. Prager) that same day. I got a call that late

afternoon.

The headaches are from edema (swelling).. I for sure have tumors

in my brain , they will search for more tomorrow.

Today Rich and I went to "Gamma Knife Center" for

our appt. Tomorrow at 6 AM we will go in for the

radiation procedure. Most of the day, it will be VERY precise

radiation to destroy just the tumors. The docs will do a head MRI

every 8 weeks for about 2 years to watch for more developing tumors.

We are delighted it will be a one time procedure..the outlook is excellent & we are praising God for the ease of it.

Please pray for us tomorrow..I know God will be with us nd all will be fine.. I'm only a BIT cautious of the CROWN

I will get screwed to my skull!!
EEEK, but it will be fine.

Thanks to all of you for caring!

With Love In Him, Deena