Thank you, Angela Wright, and make no mistake—we haven't surrendered. Perhaps we simply need to approach this from a different angle altogether. I intend to conduct a thorough review of their website.
Posts by redfox81
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I can certainly empathize with your indignation, though I must point out that not a single physician had even broached the possibility of a full recovery until now. Every specialist we consulted focused exclusively on survival windows. It started with Dr. Miller immediately following her initial surgery, and he was quite blunt: he gave her five years, maybe six at most.
Once she was transferred to the oncology department, Dr. Sterling remarked that it is fundamentally human to hold onto hope. At that stage, alongside her standard chemotherapy regimen, we were advised to purchase Taxol as a supplemental treatment. For reasons beyond our comprehension, the hospital refused to provide it via prescription. One might suspect it was due to some petty political maneuvering or institutional gatekeeping prevalent during that era. Consequently, we proceeded with twelve doses of Taxol, at 130 ml per $1233 dose, to keep moving forward.
Following her most recent brain surgery, the surgeon, Dr. Harrison, delivered the news with heavy solemnity: "I am truly sorry, but the tumor is malignant and quite substantial. We have performed our part to the absolute best of our ability, and now it rests with the oncologists to see if there is anything more they can achieve."
There is nothing optimistic about this situation, frankly. She is fully aware of the reality; the doctors haven't withheld a single detail from her, and she possesses the unwavering support of our entire family and extended circle. However, one cannot ignore the grim reality that several young individuals in her immediate lineage have succumbed to various cancers.
Once she was transferred to the oncology department, Dr. Sterling remarked that it is fundamentally human to hold onto hope. At that stage, alongside her standard chemotherapy regimen, we were advised to purchase Taxol as a supplemental treatment. For reasons beyond our comprehension, the hospital refused to provide it via prescription. One might suspect it was due to some petty political maneuvering or institutional gatekeeping prevalent during that era. Consequently, we proceeded with twelve doses of Taxol, at 130 ml per $1233 dose, to keep moving forward.
Following her most recent brain surgery, the surgeon, Dr. Harrison, delivered the news with heavy solemnity: "I am truly sorry, but the tumor is malignant and quite substantial. We have performed our part to the absolute best of our ability, and now it rests with the oncologists to see if there is anything more they can achieve."
There is nothing optimistic about this situation, frankly. She is fully aware of the reality; the doctors haven't withheld a single detail from her, and she possesses the unwavering support of our entire family and extended circle. However, one cannot ignore the grim reality that several young individuals in her immediate lineage have succumbed to various cancers.
Regrettably, we can debate these matters endlessly, but the emergence of metastasis signifies the beginning of the end. Seven years after my wife underwent a left mastectomy, followed by grueling rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and constant medical monitoring... a 3x2x1 cm metastasis appeared in her brain. The neurosurgery to remove it was successful and proceeded without complication. However, when her oncologist—the same physician who has guided her since day one—delivered the news, my wife was utterly devastated; she simply could not process it. Following that diagnosis, she was immediately referred for an urgent PET/CT scan, which revealed yet another metastasis at the site of the initial surgery. It has involved part of the pectoral muscle, the lymph nodes that were originally affected, and even a portion of the rib.
And what follows? One can only sit and watch the images unfold. She is currently undergoing radiation for the brain surgery, and it is highly probable they will prescribe chemotherapy as well. After that, she faces the surgical removal of this second metastasis, followed by yet more treatments. At this stage, the haunting question remains: when and where will the third or fourth appear?
And what follows? One can only sit and watch the images unfold. She is currently undergoing radiation for the brain surgery, and it is highly probable they will prescribe chemotherapy as well. After that, she faces the surgical removal of this second metastasis, followed by yet more treatments. At this stage, the haunting question remains: when and where will the third or fourth appear?
Does anyone have any practical advice on how to manage nausea in a patient undergoing radiation therapy following the removal of brain metastases? We started the radiation sessions today, and the nausea began as early as this morning, steadily intensifying throughout the day. There are 12 days of treatment scheduled, and I am genuinely concerned about how they will endure the full course, especially considering this is far from the end of their medical journey.😕
Greetings to everyone reading this. I am facing an incredibly difficult situation and I am trying my best to make sense of it all and find some way forward. My wife (born 1963) underwent surgery seven years ago; I will quote her discharge summary from back then:
-Patient was admitted to the Emergency Room on February 19, 2014, due to a brain tumor. She had undergone surgery seven years prior for breast cancer, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. For about ten days, she has been experiencing headaches and visual flashes. A cranial CT scan performed two days ago revealed a tumor in the right occipital region, which is likely a metastasis. Upon admission, she was fully oriented. She presents with only slight weakness in her left limbs, including some numbness. She is unable to clearly describe any specific blind spots in her field of vision.
Based on the clinical presentation and CT findings, surgical intervention was indicated. Following preoperative processing, the procedure was performed on February 24, 2014. Through a right posterior osteoplastic craniotomy, we removed the tumor in its entirety. The surgery and postoperative course proceeded normally. The drain was removed on the first postoperative day. The patient is doing well, with no neurological deficits. Sutures were removed on the 8th postoperative day. The wound healed properly. A follow-up CT shows good results, with no visible remaining tumor. We consulted with an oncologist, and upon receiving the pathology report, the diagnosis was confirmed: Carcinoma metastaticum.
We also performed an echomammography and an X-ray of the left shoulder per the oncologist's recommendation. Additionally, the oncologist advised a PET-CT scan.
On March 13, 2014, she was discharged home with instructions to continue follow-up care with an oncologist.
RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS
ECHOMAMMOGRAPHY
Ultrasound shows the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue of the right breast are normal. The glandular parenchyma is largely maintained, though there are pronounced fibrotic changes and oval zones of fatty infiltration.
At the 9 o'clock position, an oval hypoechoic lesion measuring 5mm is visible.
Left side status following mastectomy:
No focal lesions are visible around the surgical incision.
The axillary area appears normal.
It is recommended to compare these findings with previous scans and, if indicated, perform an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the lesion in the right breast.
RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS
Color Duplex Ultrasound of carotid and vertebral arteries:
Carotid arteries show appropriately structured walls bilaterally, with normally calibrated lumens and physiological blood flow.
Spectral flow analysis shows normal curves with appropriate velocities.
Vertebral arteries show normal antegrade flow with appropriately structured walls.
Spectral flow curves are normal.
CONCLUSION: Normal findings, appropriate for age.
PATHOLOGY REPORT
Material:
Reviewed and verified by DR. GEA FOREMPOHER, MD, PhD
Up. Diagnosis:
1. Grayish-white small pieces of tissue received for intraoperative analysis—reported as malignant, metastasis.
2. Grayish-white tissue specimen measuring 3x2x1 cm, submitted for permanent analysis.
Microscopic examination of both specimens reveals tumor tissue that is partially necrotic and hemorrhagic, composed of atypical epithelial cells with large vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and numerous mitoses.
Scant brain tissue infiltrated by the aforementioned tumor is also visible.
Immunohistochemical staining shows the tumor tissue is positive for CK7, CK8/18, progesterone, and estrogen receptors, while CK20 is negative.
Following the Herceptin test, no staining was observed; HER2 neu score = 0, meaning the Herceptin test is negative.
Based on the histological image and immunohistochemical staining, the findings are consistent with metastatic breast carcinoma to the brain.
CARCINOMA METASTATICUM
Following these results, she underwent a PET/CT with diagnostic CT yesterday, and the results aren't back yet... Is there anyone with medical expertise here who might be able to offer any kind of prognosis? Even just a general idea... anything. We both know the situation is grim, and it’s a heavy burden to carry, but we intend to explore some alternative methods alongside the standard treatments prescribed by the oncologists.
Thank you in advance for any response, no matter how small.
-Patient was admitted to the Emergency Room on February 19, 2014, due to a brain tumor. She had undergone surgery seven years prior for breast cancer, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. For about ten days, she has been experiencing headaches and visual flashes. A cranial CT scan performed two days ago revealed a tumor in the right occipital region, which is likely a metastasis. Upon admission, she was fully oriented. She presents with only slight weakness in her left limbs, including some numbness. She is unable to clearly describe any specific blind spots in her field of vision.
Based on the clinical presentation and CT findings, surgical intervention was indicated. Following preoperative processing, the procedure was performed on February 24, 2014. Through a right posterior osteoplastic craniotomy, we removed the tumor in its entirety. The surgery and postoperative course proceeded normally. The drain was removed on the first postoperative day. The patient is doing well, with no neurological deficits. Sutures were removed on the 8th postoperative day. The wound healed properly. A follow-up CT shows good results, with no visible remaining tumor. We consulted with an oncologist, and upon receiving the pathology report, the diagnosis was confirmed: Carcinoma metastaticum.
We also performed an echomammography and an X-ray of the left shoulder per the oncologist's recommendation. Additionally, the oncologist advised a PET-CT scan.
On March 13, 2014, she was discharged home with instructions to continue follow-up care with an oncologist.
RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS
ECHOMAMMOGRAPHY
Ultrasound shows the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue of the right breast are normal. The glandular parenchyma is largely maintained, though there are pronounced fibrotic changes and oval zones of fatty infiltration.
At the 9 o'clock position, an oval hypoechoic lesion measuring 5mm is visible.
Left side status following mastectomy:
No focal lesions are visible around the surgical incision.
The axillary area appears normal.
It is recommended to compare these findings with previous scans and, if indicated, perform an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the lesion in the right breast.
RADIOLOGICAL FINDINGS
Color Duplex Ultrasound of carotid and vertebral arteries:
Carotid arteries show appropriately structured walls bilaterally, with normally calibrated lumens and physiological blood flow.
Spectral flow analysis shows normal curves with appropriate velocities.
Vertebral arteries show normal antegrade flow with appropriately structured walls.
Spectral flow curves are normal.
CONCLUSION: Normal findings, appropriate for age.
PATHOLOGY REPORT
Material:
Reviewed and verified by DR. GEA FOREMPOHER, MD, PhD
Up. Diagnosis:
1. Grayish-white small pieces of tissue received for intraoperative analysis—reported as malignant, metastasis.
2. Grayish-white tissue specimen measuring 3x2x1 cm, submitted for permanent analysis.
Microscopic examination of both specimens reveals tumor tissue that is partially necrotic and hemorrhagic, composed of atypical epithelial cells with large vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and numerous mitoses.
Scant brain tissue infiltrated by the aforementioned tumor is also visible.
Immunohistochemical staining shows the tumor tissue is positive for CK7, CK8/18, progesterone, and estrogen receptors, while CK20 is negative.
Following the Herceptin test, no staining was observed; HER2 neu score = 0, meaning the Herceptin test is negative.
Based on the histological image and immunohistochemical staining, the findings are consistent with metastatic breast carcinoma to the brain.
CARCINOMA METASTATICUM
Following these results, she underwent a PET/CT with diagnostic CT yesterday, and the results aren't back yet... Is there anyone with medical expertise here who might be able to offer any kind of prognosis? Even just a general idea... anything. We both know the situation is grim, and it’s a heavy burden to carry, but we intend to explore some alternative methods alongside the standard treatments prescribed by the oncologists.
Thank you in advance for any response, no matter how small.