An Update

[newlifegal]

Hi everyone, I'm sorry about being missing in action for so long.  On 2/18 I had a mass of cerebellar brain tissue removed that proved to be 90% necrotic with some cancer involved.  I was in the hospital for 3 days and everything seemed to go well.  I was given the option of another gamma knife procedure or an open craniotomy and we elected to go with the open procedure after a 2nd opinion at Mayo informed us that we couldn't re-gamma knife a lesion that had already received this treatment.

Other than some mild balance problems, I'm doing ok.  They have me on Carboplatim for my ovarian now that I've stabalized from the brain surgery.  The ca-125 is still on the high side at 209 but we're hoping that it will begin to drop now that I'm back on chemo.

I'm so happy to hear that many of you are hanging in there.  My best wishes for you all!

Christa

[newlifegal]

Marty, you asked about how all of this came about---I'll try to be brief.  In 9/06 it was discovered that I had mets to the brain.  We traveled up to Mayo in Rochester and the 4 lesions in my cerebellam were treated with gamma knife radiation followed by 15 treatments of whole brain radiation.  Things seemed to be going ok until my MRI last month where it was determined that one of the lesions had progresssed in size by 50%.  I knew this wasn't very good news so we made the decision to have what could be taken out removed.  There was a big risk of losing all of my balance but, thank you Lord, He did protect me from that.

It turns out that the increase in size was due to necrosis or tissue death as a result of the radiation.  There was some cancer present but not to the extent that was originally thought.  And now I'm trying to concentrate on my ovarian cancer and am getting a maintence dose of chemo every three weeks if my counts stay up.

It has been quite a roller coaster these last 2 1/2 years--I know many of you have gone through the same journey.  I have my faith and the support of friends and family; what more could you ask for?  Thank you all for your encouragement; it means a lot to me!

[puppyluve]

I am so happy that you are doing so much better. I hope that things continue to improve for you and you take care of yourself. You are very brave and will be in my prayers. Patty

[gah_70]

So good to you posting again.  I can't imagine all you've been through, but it sounds like the news is pretty good.  I am grateful for that. Here's hoping your CA125 responds well to the Carboplatin and you can finally catch a break!  I'm sending you love and prayers!

Gail :)

[mrsbaguba]

So glad you are back, but sorry to hear all that you have been through.  I wish you bright days ahead, lower CA 125 numbers, and a path to full recovery. Love Judie :)

[SimplyStar]

sounds like you are coming through this bad time in record time, when you get the chance can you please tell us a few more details about the necrotic  brain tissue, did the chemo kill the tissue? or was it the mass that caused the damage.  We think Mayo is tops also, were you in Rochester or Phoenix?  I know you are careful with walking with the balence thing,  take very good care of yourself and  hope the CA125 comes down quickly.  Marty

[dian07]

My god, girl....you have certainly been through an awful lot....what an incredible woman you are!  I am glad to hear you are on the path to good health once again.  I hope your path is smooth from here on out.  Your positive attitude seems to be working well for you!  No need to tell you to "hang in there" as you are a shining example for us all.  So nice to hear your voice again.
Peace.
dian

[justscore]

Hoping you have a good recovery, rest and be well.

[marie3B]

It sounds like you have really been through alot, to say the least. I wish you the best and am glad to "meet" you. Marie

[vegas2cr]

So glad to see you posting.  Hoping everything is uphill from here... Ronni