Head CT

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Hi Folks

been a few days since I was on as its been the crazy aftermath of having a 'wee turn' indenting up in A&E where after lots of tests they decided it might be the cancer mets and on Saturday I had a head CT to see if it has spread to my brain. I am trying to hold it together but am really scared.

Ive just started on the chemo and apart from being stupid tired and an upset tummy its been going ok. Now I have this to deal with and when I asked my oncology nurse she said if its positive and on my brain I will have to stop chemo to have an operation and radiotherapy. 

This is just too much - I had managed to cope with all the bones starting to cause mobility problems and losing my independence. How am I going o handle this? 

What does it mean? Has anyone else had this happen to them with secondary breast mets?

  • Hi i am so sorry to hear this, and hopefully it will be nothing, though it can happen.

    My story is a little difference, i had a brain MRI as a new protocol for nice, came back they found what they called a blip, so had to have  another one two weeks later, and yes a slight growth, i had a phone call last Monday.

    I had to be at a big London hospital on friday just gone. I did see a neurosurgeon oncologist.

    I had a good talk with him, and i am to have another mri in 4 weeks, and i will then have the answer, if it is cancer, yes for me radiotherapy..

    I am sorry that you have to go threw this, or anyone.

    Scared why would you not be, we are human after all.

    I do have a different cancer to you, i have lung cancer, which is known to go to the brain, though you never think, it may happen to you.

    You will get threw this, and trust your team, We have no choice, and they are the experts.

    I wish you well and keep us updated, xxx

  • Hi Thea, Of course it is scary! I was having dizzy spells at one point and could hardly stand up. Was sent to A&E where they did lots of tests and then I was told I'd have to stay in until they could do a brain scan the next day because Malignant Melanoma often spreads to the brain. After the scan next day, I was allowed home and told to rest. About 8 days later I got a call to say they wanted another scan.so another wait for results which is worse than anything!

    It turned out I had Labyrinthitis, caused by a viral infection in my ear! They gave me some tablets and it got better within a week.At A&E they didn't even look in my ears, they saw cancer on my file and assumed! So. It is not always bad news but our brain goes into overdrive, just hang on in there!

    Love Annette x

    Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift!!!
  • Hi  

    I'm very sorry to read that you are having investigations for brain mets and are currently having chemo. It is a lot to cope with and it's understandable that you are upset and feeling overwhelmed.

    . https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/brain-tumour/secondary-brain-cancer#what_is_secondary_brain_cancer

    This link may be useful for you as information. If you need to talk to someone about this, please consider the Macmillan helpline. They are very friendly and supportive, this is the link to contact https://www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/contact-us

    I am sorry that you are going through this on top of everything else. I really hope that your tests come back clear. Best regards.

    A x 

  • You're all so brave having head mris.

    I discovered I was claustrophobic recently after having a bone scan.  I couldn't bear the machine being so close to my face.   Didn't mind the open sides. 

    I've only ever had cts so far, so am dreading the day I may have to have an mri

    Enclosed and machinery inches from my face! I think they would have to knock me out first.

  • Hi Thea, I had a head MRI Jan 24th i have a few secondary cancers too, I had a really sore ear but nothing could be seen though antibiotics helped, later a stabbing pain in the back of my head, then a week later started passing out and having memory and eating problems,  Diagnosed with an infection related abscess, luckily caught very early after a CT aspiration, a course of antifungals seems to have sorted it, though memory issues persist, Thea  A+E, do a great job but they are not specialists and nothing is certain yet, take care.

    Eddie                                                                                                           

  • Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement and for sharing your stories. Its been a long week of waiting and my results will be tomorrow. I have been all over the shop thinking all sorts of things as you do. It was also the funeral yesterday of a friend who had cancer and got pnemonia and couldn't fight it off due to the low white cell count so I am very aware of how much we are all dealing with - if the cancer doesn't get you there are lots of other stuff out there thanks to the treatments! But I am doing my best to stay as positive as I can and prepare for whatever the news is from the scan - just hope its not inconclusive as I don't think I could go through another week like this! Keep everything crossed for me folks - Ill let you know how it goes x Thea

  • Thanks Annette

    I had a lovely dr in AnE and he did all the tests so I know its not my ears, heart, sinus, bloods, diabetes, etc. and unlikely to have been a virus as no temperature. The only thing that was unusual from my stats was my very high blood pressure - hardly surprising! I'm good with it being just a 'wee turn' and a mystery as long as it doesn't happen again!

  • Arabelle - the best thing to do is keep your eyes closed and go to your happy place - I've had so many CT now and the MRI isn't much different just longer hot and noisy - the worst bit is getting the line in...

  • Hi Thea, every things crossed for you, waiting for scan results too, never nice but it helps getting answers, whoever said no news is good news never had cancer, best of luck with your results, take care.

    Eddie

  • Hi Eddie hope your results went well.

    Good news for me - my brain scan came back clear! I don't have to stop chemo or face any further gruelling treatment for cancer in the brain. I cannot tell you all how completely relieved I am but I know we can all celebrate together as good news is a big win for all of us living with cancer.