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Brain lesions, jumping to conclusions?
My mom was just admitted to the hospital last Wednesday because she has been experiencing pretty severe headaches for the past 5+ weeks (after hounding her, she finally decided to go). She's also been fighting what seems to be a sinus infection for a long time too, which she is/was taking Biaxin for. This infection is what she figured was causing the headaches along with all the tremendous amounts of stress she has been under for the past year.
They did blood work, a CT scan of her head and a chest x-ray. Blood work came back with a few low vitamin levels and her white cell was off a bit which isn't abnormal, she's always had that.
When the results came back, the doctors immediately said it's cancer which made her completely break down crying and shaking like crazy. And that was it. They gave no other possibilities, just "cancer". And at the time, all they said is they could see "shadowing" on the CT scan.
So after being admitted a couple days, she got a MRI done which the results really haven't been discussed in great detail and more scans have been scheduled for tomorrow. They said they got lots of good images and this is where "lesions" came into the conversation. Again no other illnesses are mentioned. The doctor that she was given waited until near midnight to show up and tell her this stuff which kind of ticked me off because after having a good day and ready to have a good sleep, he showed up and upset her for the night. I was not happy when I spoke to my mom in the morning about this. Without being a prick, I am mentioning his bedside manner - I could have been informed of his arrival and would have been happy to return to the hospital that night.
Anyway, she's had a few good days now, she looks good. Worried (obviously) but stable. Her headaches subsided after her second-third day and only gets minor-moderate (normal feeling) headaches now and all they've given her is Tylenol to deal with the headaches. She did take Ativan a few times to calm her nerves the first few days so she could sleep.
She did lose at least ten pounds over the five weeks of headaches, weighing only 104 lbs. her first day. She is now at 112 lbs. Her appetite has not changed at all, she's eating really well, drinking lots of fluids (though I'm cutting back on her 3x a day coffee intake). Her urine and stool is fairly normal, says her stool is a darker than normal, but not black. The meds could cause it to darken a bit. She's in good spirits about a lot of it.
The only other thing they have put her on is Decadron to help any inflammation with the lesions but before they put her on this, she was a bit off balance wanting to lean or drift to her right sitting or standing, which this only started when she arrived. This med has corrected it pretty good and also helped with the headaches.
The other concern is she is now getting body tremors - but here's the weird thing - she only gets these tremors after she's done using the bathroom and is heading back to her bed. Today she had a few episodes, two of which her legs became weak enough to buckle. But then the last few times she used the bathroom, she walked to and from as if nothing was wrong at all. She has no issue sitting up, standing up and walking to the bathroom but when she comes from, she sometimes has these body tremors. We did try to go for a short walk also but didn't make it far and also after she got out of the shower, she nearly fell over. She also gets a slight headache when this happens, though the tremors and headaches don't last long - she lays down for 3-5 minutes and they're gone.
They checked her vitals after this happened and they were pretty good, blood pressure was up by maybe 15-20. They did check her sugar once too, after eating though, which was at 9.2 A bit high, but nothing to be too concerned about as it can be because of the meds.
So not sure if her sugars are bottoming out or shooting up or maybe even her blood pressure is dropping when this is happening.
She has another CT scan tomorrow (abdomen), another blood work and a mammogram because she has had benign growths in one breast a number of years ago. The doctor will be in again tomorrow, this time I'll be there.
I'm just wondering of other things this could all be. I know this is the internet, and there 1000 other things, but I don't believe it's cancer and neither does my mom. I know I don't want to believe it but I actually don't think it is. I know there's other causes that can be much less serious, even MS, strokes and maybe it is the pituitary gland since her vision has also been affected by this (her vision has been deteriorating for the past 2 years). Won't know till all test results are back but still just need more input.
They did blood work, a CT scan of her head and a chest x-ray. Blood work came back with a few low vitamin levels and her white cell was off a bit which isn't abnormal, she's always had that.
When the results came back, the doctors immediately said it's cancer which made her completely break down crying and shaking like crazy. And that was it. They gave no other possibilities, just "cancer". And at the time, all they said is they could see "shadowing" on the CT scan.
So after being admitted a couple days, she got a MRI done which the results really haven't been discussed in great detail and more scans have been scheduled for tomorrow. They said they got lots of good images and this is where "lesions" came into the conversation. Again no other illnesses are mentioned. The doctor that she was given waited until near midnight to show up and tell her this stuff which kind of ticked me off because after having a good day and ready to have a good sleep, he showed up and upset her for the night. I was not happy when I spoke to my mom in the morning about this. Without being a prick, I am mentioning his bedside manner - I could have been informed of his arrival and would have been happy to return to the hospital that night.
Anyway, she's had a few good days now, she looks good. Worried (obviously) but stable. Her headaches subsided after her second-third day and only gets minor-moderate (normal feeling) headaches now and all they've given her is Tylenol to deal with the headaches. She did take Ativan a few times to calm her nerves the first few days so she could sleep.
She did lose at least ten pounds over the five weeks of headaches, weighing only 104 lbs. her first day. She is now at 112 lbs. Her appetite has not changed at all, she's eating really well, drinking lots of fluids (though I'm cutting back on her 3x a day coffee intake). Her urine and stool is fairly normal, says her stool is a darker than normal, but not black. The meds could cause it to darken a bit. She's in good spirits about a lot of it.
The only other thing they have put her on is Decadron to help any inflammation with the lesions but before they put her on this, she was a bit off balance wanting to lean or drift to her right sitting or standing, which this only started when she arrived. This med has corrected it pretty good and also helped with the headaches.
The other concern is she is now getting body tremors - but here's the weird thing - she only gets these tremors after she's done using the bathroom and is heading back to her bed. Today she had a few episodes, two of which her legs became weak enough to buckle. But then the last few times she used the bathroom, she walked to and from as if nothing was wrong at all. She has no issue sitting up, standing up and walking to the bathroom but when she comes from, she sometimes has these body tremors. We did try to go for a short walk also but didn't make it far and also after she got out of the shower, she nearly fell over. She also gets a slight headache when this happens, though the tremors and headaches don't last long - she lays down for 3-5 minutes and they're gone.
They checked her vitals after this happened and they were pretty good, blood pressure was up by maybe 15-20. They did check her sugar once too, after eating though, which was at 9.2 A bit high, but nothing to be too concerned about as it can be because of the meds.
So not sure if her sugars are bottoming out or shooting up or maybe even her blood pressure is dropping when this is happening.
She has another CT scan tomorrow (abdomen), another blood work and a mammogram because she has had benign growths in one breast a number of years ago. The doctor will be in again tomorrow, this time I'll be there.
I'm just wondering of other things this could all be. I know this is the internet, and there 1000 other things, but I don't believe it's cancer and neither does my mom. I know I don't want to believe it but I actually don't think it is. I know there's other causes that can be much less serious, even MS, strokes and maybe it is the pituitary gland since her vision has also been affected by this (her vision has been deteriorating for the past 2 years). Won't know till all test results are back but still just need more input.
I am glad your mom is being considerate of you. It is easy to get lost in being a caregiver.
I think due to privacy they cannot discuss the case of another patient, but if there was a true risk to your mom, she would have been moved. It this time of litigation, the last thing they want to due to place another patient at risk. Still, ask. Also ask what precautions you need to take at home as well. Visitors and all may come, children (sadly petri dishes!) may bring in things so you may have to be stern about screening.
Happy New Year and good luck on the job hunt.
I think due to privacy they cannot discuss the case of another patient, but if there was a true risk to your mom, she would have been moved. It this time of litigation, the last thing they want to due to place another patient at risk. Still, ask. Also ask what precautions you need to take at home as well. Visitors and all may come, children (sadly petri dishes!) may bring in things so you may have to be stern about screening.
Happy New Year and good luck on the job hunt.
Oh and another worry for us yesterday was one of the other patients in the same room as my mom was isolated for something to do with her lungs. Another patient asked what it was but didn't get much of a response and also asked if we need to be tested - one nurse said yes, another said it's nothing to worry about unless we were kissing her.
Not a great thing for my Mom - I know her immune system isn't as weak as it will be on chemo, but still. She definitely doesn't need this. We'll bring it up with the GP she's seeing today.
Not a great thing for my Mom - I know her immune system isn't as weak as it will be on chemo, but still. She definitely doesn't need this. We'll bring it up with the GP she's seeing today.
Looks like my Mom will be going home Monday, so long as she can see an eye specialist beforehand (thinking her vision problems may be tied to this). She's finished her radiation treatments and is now waiting on the biopsy results that they took from the lungs, lymph nodes and bronchial (could be one to two weeks). Found out that her voice is whispy and quiet because a lymph node is pressing against one vocal cord (plan to treat that after chemo). They're weening her off the steroid to see if the brain swelling has stopped and hopefully her blood sugars return to normal and the tremors stop altogether.
She's still feeling good and has been getting less tremor episodes. The only headaches she gets is after treatments (which are done). Still eating really well, hasn't gained nor lost weight in the last week (112 lbs @ 5'2"), hopefully stays that way. She says she doesn't want to gain any more, but I tell her it's better to be a bit fat than sick with cancer.
Doctors and nurses are still saying they are really impressed at how well she is reacting to it all, both physically and mentally.
And yes, I need my time as well. She realizes this all the time and kicked me out New Years day - told me I need to go home and take a break and relax and then go out and do something. So I did, because she gave me no choice and arranged it with a few friends without my knowledge. It was nice. But if it isn't the hospital draining my energy, it's work and that's why I'm looking for a new job. Oh well, a new year - my Mom keeps saying 2014 will be a better year for us.
Happy New Year!
She's still feeling good and has been getting less tremor episodes. The only headaches she gets is after treatments (which are done). Still eating really well, hasn't gained nor lost weight in the last week (112 lbs @ 5'2"), hopefully stays that way. She says she doesn't want to gain any more, but I tell her it's better to be a bit fat than sick with cancer.
Doctors and nurses are still saying they are really impressed at how well she is reacting to it all, both physically and mentally.
And yes, I need my time as well. She realizes this all the time and kicked me out New Years day - told me I need to go home and take a break and relax and then go out and do something. So I did, because she gave me no choice and arranged it with a few friends without my knowledge. It was nice. But if it isn't the hospital draining my energy, it's work and that's why I'm looking for a new job. Oh well, a new year - my Mom keeps saying 2014 will be a better year for us.
Happy New Year!
Corticosteroids do have nasty side effects (my tumor happened to secrete them in large amounts - it really did a number on my body!) and it can make your blood sugar spike.
Depending on your mom's reaction to the treatments, it is probably better to stick close for the time being so she can be monitored.
Do keep us posted and do keep yourself healthy and make sure that you take care of yourself. It is so easy to get so wrapped up that you get sick. You cannot care for your mom if you are not well yourself so do take care to get sleep and also take a break so see friends, read etc. It can be so wearing emotionally - so any emotional support you have, take. I hope you have good family and friends rallying about.
Depending on your mom's reaction to the treatments, it is probably better to stick close for the time being so she can be monitored.
Do keep us posted and do keep yourself healthy and make sure that you take care of yourself. It is so easy to get so wrapped up that you get sick. You cannot care for your mom if you are not well yourself so do take care to get sleep and also take a break so see friends, read etc. It can be so wearing emotionally - so any emotional support you have, take. I hope you have good family and friends rallying about.
Possible some good news today - when my mom was in for her second radiation treatment on her brain, there was another doctor who came to see her (they have many doctors looking at her) and he says that there is a possibility that it isn't lung cancer at all but could instead be bronchial tumors?! Apparently that is a better illness and responds better to treatments. So hopefully that is the case.
The lymph nodes are still infected, only a few apparently, not enough to be worried to death. Still serious that they are on the ball in getting results. And then of course the brain tumors which she has next to no headaches now, very mild when she gets one and dissipates pretty quick normally. Still has her tremors, but I think we found out that the decadron is causing that because after she takes it, that's when it seems to happen to her and her blood test shows that her sugar shoots up pretty quick after taking the decadron. They now put her on a "temporary" insulin just to stop it from fluctuating so much.
We're pulling through it and I think she'll do well and get through this. Chemo is coming soon and she knows that's going to take a lot out of her but she is preparing for it. Five radiations, five chemo and they figure she'll be good from there. They've mention they may have to do up to ten but not likely.
We're deciding whether she stays in the hospital for the whole treatment, which means five to six more weeks or come home which is only a five minute drive from the hospital?! Doctors are preferring she stays which my mom and I are thinking is a good thing.
Other than that, she feels fine, a little tired and slight headache after her
radiation, but no pain, no nausea, still eating really well. She's handling it really good.
So, praying for good news and good outcome of all of this.
The lymph nodes are still infected, only a few apparently, not enough to be worried to death. Still serious that they are on the ball in getting results. And then of course the brain tumors which she has next to no headaches now, very mild when she gets one and dissipates pretty quick normally. Still has her tremors, but I think we found out that the decadron is causing that because after she takes it, that's when it seems to happen to her and her blood test shows that her sugar shoots up pretty quick after taking the decadron. They now put her on a "temporary" insulin just to stop it from fluctuating so much.
We're pulling through it and I think she'll do well and get through this. Chemo is coming soon and she knows that's going to take a lot out of her but she is preparing for it. Five radiations, five chemo and they figure she'll be good from there. They've mention they may have to do up to ten but not likely.
We're deciding whether she stays in the hospital for the whole treatment, which means five to six more weeks or come home which is only a five minute drive from the hospital?! Doctors are preferring she stays which my mom and I are thinking is a good thing.
Other than that, she feels fine, a little tired and slight headache after her
radiation, but no pain, no nausea, still eating really well. She's handling it really good.
So, praying for good news and good outcome of all of this.
There are two main classes of lung cancer - small cell and large cell. Small cell is more aggressive and sadly has a worse outcome. Large cell can have a slower growth pattern and be more treatable. I only know this as my FIL recently got small cell lung cancer.
They won't be able to stage the cancer until they have done a biopsy and completed more testing.
My cousin has a malignant tumor and managed to get it into remission. He is doing well. A lot of it has to do with the type of tumor and the health of the person before. The memory may or may not be effected it depends on location and as well the medications can and do effect a person and the treatments can be really hard too.
Barium is the worst!!!
Not all the information is in yet. Hang in there.
They won't be able to stage the cancer until they have done a biopsy and completed more testing.
My cousin has a malignant tumor and managed to get it into remission. He is doing well. A lot of it has to do with the type of tumor and the health of the person before. The memory may or may not be effected it depends on location and as well the medications can and do effect a person and the treatments can be really hard too.
Barium is the worst!!!
Not all the information is in yet. Hang in there.
I don't think her mammogram returned anything. They ordered a bone scan. She has no body aches or pains, her movement is normal, she can extend her arms and legs up and around without issue. Even today when she was doing physio with the therapist, she did pretty good. I think her nerves gets the best of her though. She continues to eat well except for today because she had to drink a barium shake which made her feel full and gassy (she still ate though).
I mean, the tumors in the brain can be shrunk and then be dormant for the rest of her life right? And the one on her lung can also be treated and possibly removed? Just hoping for large cell since I hear it responds better to treatment.
Another thing is they said her memory/mind won't be effected by any of this but I've read that it will be. True?
I mean, the tumors in the brain can be shrunk and then be dormant for the rest of her life right? And the one on her lung can also be treated and possibly removed? Just hoping for large cell since I hear it responds better to treatment.
Another thing is they said her memory/mind won't be effected by any of this but I've read that it will be. True?
Today we were given the results and it is lung cancer that apparently has spread to the brain. I don't recall all the details (so much to take in, but have written down) but she has three masses in her brain (in the frontal lobe, side and back). She also has something on the lower lobe of her right lung (which I heard was better than the upper lobe). The largest mass or I guess tumor is about 3cm. They also found a cyst on her ovary (which she had a hysterectomy many years ago). They are not concerned about that.
She had a great day today without any body tremors or headaches, even during the additional tests today, until after the results were given to us and we walked down to a quieter area to talk with the doctor that will provide the care, she started to have an episode and her legs buckled, and then a small one later on but both times she was a bit upset.
The one thing that the first and second doctor (colleagues) kept saying was that it is treatable, so I'm hoping they were being sincere and they see it as a "mild" situation and expect my mom to respond well to the treatments.
She will be receiving radiation therapy for the tumors in her brain and then after a biopsy of the tumor on her lung, they will start chemotherapy. They are not sure what stage or what type of cancer it is yet (small or large cell). The treatments could start as quickly as tomorrow but maybe not until next week.
We've been in contact with social services and it looks like they are going to cover most, if not everything necessary.
I know I can't go with what I find on the internet but is it true that the prognosis for lung cancer is very low chance of survival? My great uncle (mom's uncle) has had lung cancer twice but it never spread. He is battling it now but is doing pretty good (just doesn't have much of a positive outlook which is not doing him any good). With the doctors saying it is treatable, does that mean she will live to see another 20+ years possibly or are they just saying that they can manage it for the next 6-12 months and then that will probably be the end? I know everyone is different but I don't know if I want to know but just need to ask.
Thanks for the support
She had a great day today without any body tremors or headaches, even during the additional tests today, until after the results were given to us and we walked down to a quieter area to talk with the doctor that will provide the care, she started to have an episode and her legs buckled, and then a small one later on but both times she was a bit upset.
The one thing that the first and second doctor (colleagues) kept saying was that it is treatable, so I'm hoping they were being sincere and they see it as a "mild" situation and expect my mom to respond well to the treatments.
She will be receiving radiation therapy for the tumors in her brain and then after a biopsy of the tumor on her lung, they will start chemotherapy. They are not sure what stage or what type of cancer it is yet (small or large cell). The treatments could start as quickly as tomorrow but maybe not until next week.
We've been in contact with social services and it looks like they are going to cover most, if not everything necessary.
I know I can't go with what I find on the internet but is it true that the prognosis for lung cancer is very low chance of survival? My great uncle (mom's uncle) has had lung cancer twice but it never spread. He is battling it now but is doing pretty good (just doesn't have much of a positive outlook which is not doing him any good). With the doctors saying it is treatable, does that mean she will live to see another 20+ years possibly or are they just saying that they can manage it for the next 6-12 months and then that will probably be the end? I know everyone is different but I don't know if I want to know but just need to ask.
Thanks for the support
I am just a patient, but I will give you what my opinion is. The doctor will of course know more since he will know her tests and history.
Lesion, just so you know, is a general term for tumor (or sometimes cyst).
The decadron is to reduce swelling. It is commonly given and there can be some side effects from it. The headaches have probably gone down a bit as the decadron has reduced some of the pressure.
Signs and symptoms of brain cancer can vary widely. It would be my best guess that they are now looking to see if the tumor(s) in her brain are primary or metastatic (a spread) from her previous breast cancer. They will also have to determine the stage.
They are going to do more tests, and do please let us know more information as you have it.
I would speak to social services and the nurse about her care, as well as get copies of the MRI and CT reports so you can see exactly what they found.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom.
Lesion, just so you know, is a general term for tumor (or sometimes cyst).
The decadron is to reduce swelling. It is commonly given and there can be some side effects from it. The headaches have probably gone down a bit as the decadron has reduced some of the pressure.
Signs and symptoms of brain cancer can vary widely. It would be my best guess that they are now looking to see if the tumor(s) in her brain are primary or metastatic (a spread) from her previous breast cancer. They will also have to determine the stage.
They are going to do more tests, and do please let us know more information as you have it.
I would speak to social services and the nurse about her care, as well as get copies of the MRI and CT reports so you can see exactly what they found.
I am so sorry to hear about your mom.
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