I realized I haven't given and update....

I finally finished the full brain radiation treatments on Monday. They will wait 2-3 months for the swelling to go down and the radiation to get fully out of my system before they will do another MRI scan of the brain. This is so they can get the most accurate scan possible. Once I have the scan done, they will see what is left of the tumors and at that point will, if need be, start what is called Gamma Knife Radiation. GKR is a more accurate laser radiation which they will target the tumors specifically instead of the whole brain.

As for the lung cancer, well I don't know if you remember, but the cancer I have is HER2+ which makes it very aggressive. There are only two drugs that are FDA approved to treat HER2+ cancer. Herceptin, which I have been on since August of 2008. I'll continue that for a year and stop it August 2009. The other drug is Tykerb, which is specifically for stage 4 metastatic HER2+ cancer that has spread to the brain and other major organs. Tykerb is known to actually be able to cross the blood brain barrier which chemo's and Herceptin fail to do. That is why most brain cancers are treated with radiation. Anyway, they are extremely optimistic with me being on both the Herceptin and Tykerb.

The Herceptin is an infusion in my port-catheter every three weeks. It takes about 2 hours. But, the Tykerb is a pill I'll take about 5 times a day. They will adjust it down to maybe 3 or 4 depending on how my body reacts to it. It has an apparent side effect with your GI system. But, once I find the right amount my body can tolerate, I'll be on that daily for an indefinite amount of time.
So, that's the plan. My spirits are strong and as long as I get sleep, I feel good.

God Bless,
Noelle