Mary Ellen Fay Mar's Journey

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I know it has been quite some time since I have sent an email regarding my health but that has been because I have been relatively stable up until now. The tumors in my lung and chest have remained stable. I was scheduled for my routine scans last Wednesday but I wasn't felling quite right and I requested a head CT as well. 
On Wednesday they found tumors in my brain.Thursday I had a MRI which is a more accurate test that confirmed I have multiple tumors.  The initial recommendation of Whole Brain Radiation (like it says, whole brain, affecting the tumors and healthy tissue) following by gamma knife (radiation only to the tumors) with the possibility of surgery if the tumors shrink enough.  
Right now I start my10 sessions of whole brain radiation Monday and they will follow up with MR's to determine the next course of treatment.  What this means for me in terms of side effects, we really don't know except for the fatigue and hair loss.  Everyone reacts differently and I may not see side effects such as loss of cognitive function for months to years after treatment.  I hope to have none. We are hopeful this will stop the progression and kill the tumors. 
As you can imagine this was quite a shock and upsetting.  We are just taking it one step at a time and trying to process this as best we can.  Our goal is to make this as easy on Nicholas as possible.
Luckily Kaiser is moving very quickly and I have complete confidence in my medical team.  There really isn't much more to say as we try to navigate this setback. We are very lucky to have such wonderful family and friends and I also have a great cancer support system. 

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.  - Ralph Waldo Emerson