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LanaD

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    Naperville
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    ILLINOIS
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    Unite
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  1. I am a lung cancer survivor. Was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago September and have been on Tarceva for about a year. Would like to hear from anyone who currently is on this medication, had been, for how long, side effects and if you were switched to another drug? I was told Tarceva is effective for 12-18 months but at about one year there is a percentage of people for whom the Tarceva starts becoming ineffective. But by the same token there is a percentage of people that Tarceva continues to be effective. Where am I? Who knows? But any thoughts shared on this will be appreciated.
  2. Don't quite know what you mean by tags. So I put in the type of cancer I was diagnosed with. It's considered an "environmental cancer". Where I lived, if it was near factories, air pollution, and no one knows for sure. Had no symptoms, or pain just a persistent cough which they attributed to silent acid reflux which I still have. I went through 4 doctors (they were treating me for a fungal infection) until my daughter interjected herself into the mix; called the pathologist, got the results called me; told me to get down to UNC Chapel Hill NC and talk to the doctors there as they were the forefront in lung cancer treatments. She then called my pulmonologist (who had gone on vacation while I was waiting for the results) and informed him she was taking over my case. The treatment consisted of 30 rounds of radiation along with the 150 mg of Tarceva (a chemo pill) 5 days a week, and off on weekends. This also turned out to be something new for this type of cancer using both Tarceva and radiation. My doctor daughter was instrumental in getting the doctors to give it to me 2 weeks before the additional biopsy results were in so sure was she that it was the right thing to do! They dialed back the radiation amount so the Tarceva and radiation would "cooperate" to kill the cancer cells. it has been a resounding success. I no longer need oxygen but need to take the blood thinners ( I started 2 x day giving myself injections of Lovenox and after 6 months improved so dramatically, the blood clots disappearing and they decided to switch to Xarelto). I need to be monitored closely as Tarceva has a life/time span of 12-18 months and I am at the 1 year mark. Now comes the real test, where do I fall in the group where the Tarceva slowly becomes ineffective or the group that it continues to be effective. But I have been reassured that there are new drugs that can step in to help as well as possible clinical trials. Side effects are minimal in my case; diarrhea (immodium helped), nausea (Zofran- wonderful). Roseacea (rash on face and body-had a face medicine that my dermatologist prescribed). Drippy nose, an uncommon side effect. Lost quite a bit of weight (apx 30 lbs-have only gained 5-7 back). Appetite not fully restored, eat small and frequent meals and make sure you keep your protetin levels up as the Tarceva uses energy to fight the cancer.
  3. I am new to this site hope I am doing this right. I am a lung cancer survivor. Never smoked. Due to the efforts of my doctor daughter she got me to the right doctors after months of running around. 4 different doctors with frankly no clue. She got me to a pulmonologist who did a lung biopsy and it was discovered that I had Stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma with an activating EGFR mutation at exon 19 with a small lesion on my spine and In my brain) She literally saved my life. Did 30 rounds of radiation as this cancer is not operable. Manifests itself like birdseed throughout the lungs, finally clustering in my right lung. My daughter got the pulmonologist to do a special biopsy, hence finding the EGFR mutation and being placed on Tarceva, as well as blood thinners. This cancer also causes blood clots and I had difficulty breathing. Results: one year later, no need for oxygen and I am trying to resume as normal a life as possible, going to the gym, and dealing with the side effects of Tarceva which in my case were minimal. One added unexpected result- I have the longest eyelashes in town.
  4. I am new to this site hope I am doing this right. I am a lung cancer survivor. Never smoked. Due to the efforts of my doctor daughter she got me to the right doctors after months of running around. 4 different doctors with frankly no clue. She got me to a pulmonologist who did a lung biopsy and it was discovered that I had Stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma with an activating EGFR mutation at exon 19 with a small lesion on my spine and In my brain) She literally saved my life. Did 30 rounds of radiation as this cancer is not operable. Manifests itself like birdseed throughout the lungs, finally clustering in my right lung. My daughter got the pulmonologist to do a special biopsy, hence finding the EGFR mutation and being placed on Tarceva, as well as blood thinners. This cancer also causes blood clots and I had difficulty breathing. Results: one year later, no need for oxygen and I am trying to resume as normal a life as possible, going to the gym, and dealing with the side effects of Tarceva which in my case were minimal. One added unexpected result- I have the longest eyelashes in town.
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