How do you cope when lung cancer spreads to your brain?

Thank you for sharing such a vulnerable moment and for the important reminder about staying on top of symptoms. Facing brain metastases brings new challenges, and it's completely understandable to have different reactions each time cancer news arrives. Many people in this community find strength in their faith during difficult moments, and the cyber knife treatment you received is designed specifically to target brain lesions with precision. Your advice to question everything and monitor symptoms closely could help other community members advocate for themselves - please feel free to share more about your experience as you navigate this journey.

Praying with you for healing and blessings. Cancer and it's treatment are such a difficult thing to face. Sending you a big hug.

So, my official diagnosis is a rare and aggressive cancer: Leptomeningeal disease. Had I not sought treatment now, this would be the end of my story. But, I’m hospitalized and getting care which will extend my life. My doctors have put me on a treatment plan, 160 mg Tagrisso daily. My only job is to tolerate the potential side effects of the increased dosage and pray the symptoms don’t overtake me while doing so. There will be other options along the way during this fight: radiation and chemotherapy directly into my spinal fluid through lumbar puncture. I’ve been told that there may come a time when we’ll need to choose fighting cancer v. fighting for quality of life. I’m 54 years young. We have 5 adult children in our blended family and 13 grandchildren. I’ve lived a life to be very proud of. I’m ready for the fight. I’m not ready to die. Please pray for one another. Lift each other in prayer and be very deliberate about your life. I’m going to keep living mine until it is snatched from me because I’m holding onto it with all my strength, courage and faith!

Having a reason to live gives you motivation to keep fighting. It sounds very challenging. I am glad you have the support of a large family I will keep lifting you up in prayer. And remember, with God all things are possible.