April

Tom, I've read your reply many times. It helps me understand this disease so much more. What you explained about not eradicating the disease, but prohibiting it from growing is exactly what my oncologist had said. I wasn't open to receiving it. I have been devastated since my last onc appointment. Although I still have my fears, at least I understand and somehow the burden is lighter. Thanks so much for your help, it is so very kind of you. I keep praying for myself, for you and all of us who have this ugly disease. Blessings

Last Wednesday I found out my cancer has spread & has lymph nodes in my stomach & "suspicious of" in the liver. I was unable to ask a lot of questions as my husband & I were in shock. I know in the beginning I heard those words "suspicious" & it was cancer. My onc assures me that I am on the best possible treatment so does my husband, but Keytruda is for lung, head & neck & melanoma. Chemotherapy & Keytruda is not an option currently. My onc goal is to keep me where I'm at. Is that even possible??? Where do I go from here???? I'm in big trouble I know. We are back at the the onc Wednesday. ? Thanks

Tom Thank-you again. I need much inspiration and will definitely listen. I am struggling at the moment so again, thanks. Blessings

Tom, Thank-you. I am praying for the best outcome. Blessings

I joined last June, but this is my first post. I'm 62, dx January 2016. Stage 4 nsclc, adeno, pleural effusion, inoperable 3cm tumor & sub-centimetre nodules in both right & left lungs. No mutations. PDl-1 positive 80%. After the initial pleural effusion was drained right upper the lobe remained collapsed. Treatment was 4 Carbo/Alimta, 2 rounds of radiation & Alimta maintenance X 5. Some Pleural effusion always lingered on scans while the 3 cm & the sub-centimetre responded . In August I was hospitalized for pneumonia & pleural effusion, then immediately after I was diagnosed with pneumotitis. I was off treatment for 4 months., last Aug12. SOB & rapid heart rate started with the pneumonia. SOB improved -EKG was normal in September, but rapid heart rate remained, usually 115 on exertion, 100-105 at rest. Onc explains it's because of the disease my heart is working harder. Climbing stairs in our home always challenging. While on prednisone for pneumotitis SOB returned in mid-November due to a pleural effusion, drained. Then another, drained. Tapered off prednisone, chest tube inserted for pleural effusions Dec 7. . Regular drains now every 2 days. Started Keytruda Dec15. Rapid heart rate remains, has been 135 on exertion. At rest 105-115. SOB Did not improve with chest tube as it was supposed to. Oxygen was recommended due to Change in my O2. Since chest tube was inserted o2 is tracked by visiting home nurse & is down to 90. On exertion lower with rapid heart rate. 2nd Keytruda January 6. I do not feel any side effects from Keytruda. My SOB has just declined. My last CT - right lung was difficult to see due to a pleural effusion, left lung has some spots. My onc was onc was on vacation my last visit & I will see home this week along with pulmonary. However, since my September scan the right lung is not getting much air & is operating at about 10%. I am wondering if anyone has had these problems. At first I was using oxygen for exertion, now I'm using it all the time due to changes to more changes in o2. Can I become oxygen reliant? I only do the stairs once a day Very slowly. Thanks, much appreciated.