Cancer in the brain

[GinLady]

Hello. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer 2 years ago and was receiving targeted therapy treatment which has been working. However yesterday we received the devastating news that the cancer has spread to his brain. He is totally disoriented and confused and clumsy due to it being in the brain. Has anyone else experienced this? It has just come on so suddenly ie over 3 weeks. Thanking you in advance.

[miasam]

My husband had lung cancer twice then it went to his brain. he was like yours doddery on his feet disoriented he was also being sick and had headaches have they gave your husband steriods as that eases the symptoms. A bit my husband had 4 mets hope every thing goes well for you. Carol xx

[GinLady in reply to miasam]

Hi Carol

Thank you for your reply. Yes he’s started his steroids last Thursday and is getting radiation to his brain in the next week or so. I just can’t beleive the change in him in the last week. He forgets how things function eg he didn’t know how to charge his phone and today he was going to rub his bacon roll on his feet because “that’s what you do”. We were warned that mornings are going to be worse. He also asks the same thing over and over again - did you experience this with your husband? Just to note that my husband is 52. It’s just so heartbreaking. Deirdre x

[miasam in reply to GinLady]

That's hard yes Dave was like that too he loved to have a bet on a Saturday and watch it on the Tele he completely forgot how to even right a bet out he didn't know day from night he liked doing crosswords he couldn't do them he would sit for hours looking at it but didn't know the answers some times he new who we was other times he had no idea he forgot how to go to the loo he got very doddery he shuffled more then walked .and fell quite a lot he had 5 blasts radiation .my husband was 73 Carol x

[GinLady in reply to miasam]

It’s totally heartbreaking 😢. May I ask how long Dave lasted when the cancer went into his brain? Sorry to ask such a personal question - don’t feel you need to reply. D x

[miasam in reply to GinLady]

Every body is different and they have different amount off brain mets .your husband could be completely different from mine and you have to think my husband was 73 form being told he had it till the end was 4 and a bit months I don't mind you asking as I know it's good to ask questions I did too .so anytime you want a chat your welcome. Carol xx

[miasam in reply to GinLady]

How are things going now are you ok has your husband started his radiation treatment yet has things improved a bit xxx carol

[GinLady in reply to miasam]

Hi Carol

He got fitted for his head mould last Monday and he starts his radiation treatment (4 blasts) a week on Monday ie 2 weeks from mould fitting. I find this very confusing as I don’t understand why he’s waiting 2 weeks. I spoke to our nurse and asked how many mets there was and the reply was “lots”. Part of me thinks he might not last the 2 weeks and that’s why there is a delay but his behaviour has stabilised this week. He still gets very confused and uneasy on his feet. I can’t leave him unsupervised if you know what I mean. I have been told that even if the radiation works - it’s unlikely he’ll be here by Christmas. It’s just heartbreaking and I feel numb most of the time. Thank you for asking. Deirdre xx

[miasam in reply to GinLady]

I suppose every thing is worth trying .and I can't tell you what you should or shoudnt do .I think Dave waited a bout 10 days I think .I think it takes so long as they have to work out we're the radiation has to go so it can be programmed in .has your husband said how he feels about the treatment or his not well enough to answer .Dave had his treatment the end off August .for us I don't think it helped much but for some it's a good thing .Dave went down hill within a couple off weeks off having it .but they only gave him 3 to 4 months at most before he had the treatment so from finding out he had it to the end was 4 months .take care thinking off you. Carol x

[ABDM]

My husband had stage 4 lung cancer in 2015 upper left lung removed, all clear and then a year later spread to brain, tumour in occipital area. Eyesight dodgy and at times confused. The doctor removed the growth, lots of radiotherapy and now on targeted therapy.

Good days and bad. Eyesight is definitely worse. Sometimes unreasonable and cross.

There is so much that can be done. Believe it depends where in the brain the cancer is, in terms of how it affects them. A good Oncology Nurse can be such a support.

I keep a wee diary/ notebook of how he is so when we go to see Oncologist I have the information.

He is about to turn 65.

Hope this helps and do continue to reach out on this forum there are so many wonderful people here.

Hugs!

[Bow-19]

Just wondered what sort of mutation your husband has to be on a targetted therapy?

[GinLady in reply to Bow-19]

Hello. I’m sorry but I don’t understand your question.

[Bow-19 in reply to GinLady]

I thought if your husband was on a targeted therapy it might be a tablet? If so he might be on a tablet for a mutation? I might have misunderstood. What type of lung cancer does your husband have?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi GinLady,

I am sorry to hear about your husbands recent diagnosis.As you can see you have a lot of support from the health unlocked community who have first hand experience of what you and your husband are going through just now.

I have attached a link to one of our recent updated publications Understanding Brain Metastases which may be helpful to you.

roycastle.org/system/file_u...

If after you have read the booklet you feel you would like to speak to one of the Helpline nurses please don't hesitate to call us on Freephone 0800 358 7200 (option2).

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline.