Breast cancer with brain mets

[sndysu]

My sister had a radical rt mastectomy (15 positive  lymph nodes) Feb 2012...3 weeks ago mammo and ultrasound were clean! But on PET scan they caught a glimpse of what looked like a tumor in cerebellar area. Went for a stat MRI...7 tumors in her brain. Immediately started on steroids and whole head radiation the same day...what is her prognosis? She wants to get her life in order I, of course want her to live forever...does she have any chance of a cure? remission? I want to be the most help I can be

[ncmichigan]

I don't have anything to add to the excellent advice from bluebutterfly and zouzie. I just wanted to say how very sorry I am to hear about your sister's cancer spreading. It must be very hard for you to know what to say and do for her. Just the great love and support you have for her is one of the best things she can have. It's never easy facing the end of life, but like bb said, even the best doctors can't say when that will be. We all have to live each day like it may be our last---find joy in the simple things and comfort in the love of those around us. I think your sister has found this and can spend her time living instead of dying. My thoughts are with you both during this most difficult time and I hope and pray that you both find peace.
Sending you a big hug from Michigan (             )
nc

[zouzi]

Hi,
I am so very sorry that your sister has been diagnosed with brain mets.This must be an awful time to go through and my heart goes out to both of you.
I have added a website where you will read many encouraging stories about women who have brain metastasis,and I sincerely hope that their statements might give you and your sister some comfort.  
My prayers and thoughts are with both of you

Please copy and paste the link below.

http://www.brainmetsbc.org/content/life-and-hope-after-brain-mets-diagnosis

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

I'm very sorry to hear that your sister is having to fight advanced-stage breast cancer which has metastasized to her brain.

If, as I gather from your post, she was only dx with BC earlier this year, she and your whole family are no doubt in shock that her disease has progressed so quickly...

There are many factors that affect prognosis, including tumor size and shape, the grade of the cancer (how aggressive it is), hormone receptor status, how the cancer responds, or doesn't respond, to treatment,etc.

The doctor who is most familiar with a patient’s situation is in the best position to discuss the prognosis and to explain what the statistics may mean for that person, and in his/her experience, how things are likely to go. At the same time, it is important to understand that even the doctor cannot tell exactly what to expect.

Unfortunately, once breast cancer has spread to the brain and other vital organs ("distant metastases"), it is not considered curable, and the goals of any treatment are to slow progression and keep the patient as comfortable as possible.

In such situations, it is usually best for the patient to get all of her affairs in order as soon as possible, then she and her loved ones can concentrate on savoring whatever amount of time they have left  together.

You can help most by just being there, and being  available to her in whatever ways she prefers--from practical help to physical, emotional, and spiritual support.

If you write again, please keep all of your posts in this same thread, so that: 1) all of your information will be available in one place, which helps us to provide better answers; 2) we will be able to see the answers that have already been given, so we do not duplicate our efforts; and 3) other  members who are insterested  will be able to follow the entire discussion.

You and your sister will be in our thoughts and prayers,
bluebutterfly