Stand with Siva - Stage IV HER2 pos Brain Cancer

Family & Friends,

As most of you know, Siva has been battling the very aggressive HER2+ Breast Cancer since February 2023. It’s been a long year - 18 months with many rounds of chemotherapy. Siva had her mastectomy on 9/11/23. Shortly after her mastectomy, she started her 25 rounds of radiation. Siva was near the end of this journey when she had her reconstructive surgery on May 14th.

Siva thought she was coming to the end of this long journey. However, a few weeks ago she received the devastating news that the HER2+ breast cancer cells had metastasized to her brain, and the progression of disease is now stage IV brain cancer.

After her reconstructive surgery on May 14, 2024, she immediately went back to work. Shortly after, she started to feel ill, weak, and started getting bad headaches. She also noticed issues with her focus, weakness in limbs, loss of appetite, and mood changes. On June 12th, she met with her oncologist team to discuss all symptoms since surgery. At this time an MRI was ordered. After discussing symptoms with the radiologist on June 19th, Siva received an urgent CT scan.

Her CT scan showed the HER2+ breast cancer metastasized to the brain and is now Stage IV HER2+ Metastatic Brain Cancer. The CT scan revealed a 2.4 cm tumor. HER2+ tumors are one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer because they grow rapidly.

On June 21st, Siva and Jose were at MSK meeting with a neurosurgeon. He explained the findings from the CT scan and provided percentage rates for surgery success as well as survival with quality of life after and obviously explained all percentages of surgery risks during and after. Obviously, the benefits of this surgery outweighed all the risks and considerations in not having it. The MRI results from June 22nd showed no other brain lesions, and at that time, there was a small bone metastasis on the spine which will get treated with radiation.

On July 1st Siva went into surgery and the tumor was successfully removed even though there were some unexpected challenges with the tumor removal. The surgeon was able to safely remove the 2.7cm tumor which had grown from the initial 2.4cm on June 19th. The tumor was taken out in two parts. The tumor was also stuck to blood vessels which made this surgery challenging.

Siva has been in good spirits and started working with PT to build up her body strength. The recovery will be long. There are many challenges she will face during recovery and treatment. Radiation will start almost immediately. Her team of doctors are working diligently to come up with treatment plans to battle the new lesions. There is no known cure for metastatic breast cancer when it has spread to the brain, however, treatment options can help shrink new lesions and slow their growth, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.

For metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the brain, survival varies between 3 to 36 months. Obviously, each case is different for each patient and depends on where and when the cancer cells may appear next in the brain. Continuous testing and monitoring will be required.

With Siva's determination and strength, we know she will push through the challenges to get herself back neurologically, physically, and mentally to enjoy each day with loved ones.

Siva was blessed this year in April with her first Granddaughter, Haven, and now expecting the birth of her first Grandson due any day. Both little blessings are also giving Siva the extra push she needs to get better so they can spend time with their Nonna.

Currently she is not able to drive or work. Even with chemo, radiation, and surgeries, she continued to work through it all until she was medically signed out two weeks ago. Although she has tremendous family support, we know this time around will require more. Many friends and family members continue to reach out and ask what they can do to help so we thought at this time this was necessary to help with any medical bills and expenses that continue to accumulate.

Siva has spent most of the past 25 years volunteering for her children’s schools, community, various clubs, and organizations. I am sure I do not need to list them as most of you probably know her because of the time she has always dedicated to these events. This is the time for all of us to remember how selfless she is.

Please continue to keep Siva and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this next chapter of her long journey.

On behalf of the entire Correa Family, we are so thankful and grateful for all your support and contributions. We appreciate it more than anyone will ever know.