Brain met.!!!!!

Hello Pam,

I'm Derek, welcome to this community although I'm very sorry you have found it necessary to join.

It looks as if you're still in the diagnostic stages which is the worst place to be because of the complete uncertainty, fear and worry this brings without knowing exactly what you are facing.

Your doctors need to complete all tests, scans etc. to come up with a treatment plan at which point things will become much clearer for you. There are some excellent treatments available which are often successful but the diagnostic process needs to be complete before a plan can tailored for you.

Can I suggest you contact the Macmillan helpline, you can talk through your situation with them as you wish for reassurance and I'm sure they will be able to provide some support to help you through this.  

I've put the link for this below.

Derek.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-support-line

Hi Pam,

It's WAY too soon to panic yet though I'm sure you are. I had NSCLC with a brain met but I'm OK now.

My met was in the left parietal lobe, it had got big enough to give me symptoms, which is why I went to the GP in the first place. Where the met is matters: you'll need to ask where it is and what the long term effects might be, if any, probably none. Short term effects will be the side effects from the actual removal treatment, then weird stuff while the brain rewires itself to compensate. Most of the rewiring should take about 6 months, give or take. If you're symptom-free so far then it's early days and you might get away with just radiotherapy. The dexamethasone will be to stop/reduce any swelling caused by the met, that swelling is what causes the met's symptoms.

You'll need to tell DVLA to surrender your driving licence, otherwise you'll invalidate your insurance.

Hope the news from the medics is more positive from now on,
kind regards
Steve